[IxDA Discuss] Fwd: Usability as Feature

[pauric]

You are right to question, my responses..
"I have found battery life to be quite respectable."
14 hours (the 30GB 5G
iPod<http://dw.com.com/redir?oid=4520-6450_7-6462771-1&ontid=6450&siteid=7&edid=3&lop=txt&destcat=apple&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eapple%2Ecom%2Fipod%2Fspecs%2Ehtml>)
or up to 35 hours of audio playback (the 30GB Cowon iAudio
X5L<http://dw.com.com/redir?oid=4520-6450_7-6462771-1&ontid=6450&siteid=7&edid=3&lop=txt&destcat=cowonamerica&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fonlinestore%2Ecowonamerica%2Ecom%2Findex%2Easp%3FPageAction%3DVIEWPROD%26ProdID%3D204>).
Effectively the same product feature wise. I own both, I exclusively use the
cowon.

"I have found the iPod to be very durable."
I would use the number of after market cases as indication there is a strong
demand to stop the device from being scratched.  I buy broken iPods off ebay
and repair them as cheap gifts for friends and family. In my research I've
found the top 3 issues to be damaged HDs, broken screens and broken
3.5mmjacks in that order. <
http://www.instructables.com/id/ED7GAEGMFLEP286C30/> With that in mind my
preferred device is a Cowon because its more durable, longer lasting and has
practical features such as favourites randomisation, not found on iPods.

"It's user experience is its biggest selling point."
No, I would say mindshare is the largest reason for its current popularity,
and that was borne out of a must-have design not experience.  While it
certainly has a well designed experience it falls prey to a fundamental flaw
- not to trust the user. Be that any of the 2 billion songs brought through
itunes that cannot be played on anything other that an apple product (lock
in) to the abstract limitation on how many times legally purchased media can
be shared even though its fair use.

Just because apple had the wherewithal to to lock users in to its music
platform before anyone else did, which led to sexy Bose docks and funky
covers does not mean you're get the best experience.  In my honest opinion.

On 2/1/07, Jack Moffett <jmoffett at inmedius.com> wrote:
>
>
> On Feb 1, 2007, at 10:24 AM, pauric wrote:
>
> > In fact the iPods have succeeded against all odds: Short battery life
> > resulting from extra CPU cycles decoding DRM encrpytion.  Not very
> > durable
> > but command a  premium price tag.  Form over function at the
> > expense of a
> > better experience.
>
> Pauric,
>
> All of your points here are very arguable.
>
> I have found battery life to be quite respectable. The vast majority
> of my music doesn't have DRM encryption.
> I have found the iPod to be very durable. Mine is going on 3 years
> old, still has somewhere between 4 and 6 hours of battery life, and
> runs fine. And I certainly don't understand why you think it is an
> example of form over function. It's user experience is its biggest
> selling point.
>
> As for buying things due to insecurity or to be part of the hip
> crowd, I could care less. It became popular because it was a good
> product, and therefore became fashionable.
>
> Jack
>
>
>
> Jack L. Moffett
> Interaction Designer
> inmedius
> 412.459.0310 x219
> http://www.inmedius.com
>
>
> The public is more familiar with
> bad design than good design.
> It is, in effect, conditioned
> to prefer bad design, because
> that is what it lives with.
> The new becomes threatening,
> the old reassuring.
>
>                      - Paul Rand
>
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-- 
Job type: In house
Field: Embedded & physical interfaces. Web/cli