[IxDA Discuss] 'Transparent' Apple Devices

[Jack Moffett]

On May 15, 2007, at 10:45 AM, pauric wrote:

> Hmmm, with my old human 1.0 hands I'm having a little trouble
> figuring out how I both hold the device in the balls of my palms and
> gently slide my index fingers across the entire rear of the device.

Even more awkward, try holding your iPod (or device of similar form  
factor) in one hand and use your index finger to turn a scroll wheel  
on the back. This is nowhere near as natural as using your thumb on  
the face. There isn't the same degree of flexibility. Yet the  
abstract claims that this UI would allow for single-handed interaction.

> Isnt this cart before horse? I move my fingers over the element after
> I decide thats what I want to press, not the other way around.

True, but the fact that your finger is covering a button as you press  
it precludes using visual feedback on the button itself to indicate  
that your button press registered. This extrapolates to drag actions  
with drop area indicators and so forth.

Of course, there are other ways of providing feedback, but visual  
feedback on the interactive element is the most direct method.

Jack


Jack L. Moffett
Interaction Designer
inmedius
412.459.0310 x219
http://www.inmedius.com


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By definition, a culture like ours that
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