[IxDA Discuss] iPhone Pinch Interaction - useful?

[Matt Attaway]

> I have a problem when it requires 2 hands and 2 eyes to achieve tasks  
> that are
> not advanced or necessarily visual. Example: I should be able to play  
> songs
> w/out looking at the screen. My sony walkman from junior high worked like
> this (big play button on the side), why can't my iPod or iPhone? It gets
> even worse when I have to use 2 hands and 2 eyes to add a contact or  
> dial a
> number, something I don't have to do with most of the phones I've owned.

My experience with the iPod at least is that I don't have to look at the  
controls to stop, play, or switch songs. I've learned where in the device  
space those functions exist and I use the edges of the pod to know where I  
am. For instance, when my iPod is in my jeans pocket, instead of reaching  
in my pocket to skip a song, I just push on my pocket. I think the iPhone  
may provide a similar wayfinding mechanism; you'll learn where buttons are  
in relation to the edges of the device. I don't think it would work with a  
larger gadget, but it may work for the bevy of small touchscreen devices  
headed our way.

I'm definitely curious to see how a non-tactile interface works out. I've  
been very excited to try it, but most of my friends are trepidacious to  
say the least. There was a keyboard called the Touchstream that was a  
combo keyboard/mouse that was non-tactile and it had a rabid following. It  
was always a little too pricey for me, but it had a fair number of users  
that were really into it. It had all sort of cool looking gestures for  
maniuplating the desktop. We'll note though, the company went under. =)  
Here's an Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/27n6oq

My suspicion is that people's love of shiny things and texting while  
driving will inspire them to learn to use these new devices without  
looking. ;)

Cheers,
Matt