Dane Storrusten suggested that the trackpad is a step backwards from the "direct" interface of the iPhone screen. There's been a long-recognized problem with "direct" interfaces when the human fingers are involved: they cover up what you're working on. When using the iPhone, for example, it's pretty much an act of faith that your finger is over the desired character before selecting it.
Apple has provided a work-around, by having the character blow up in size and appear higher on the screen to provide feedback, but, in real life, "typing" is a lot faster if you just take your chances and correct errors until you get fluid at the task. "Indirect" interfaces,such as the trackpad, eliminate this problem by substituting, on the screen, a small pointer for the giant finger, so the desired target is not obscured. I'm not arguing against "direct" interfaces; I simply seek to suggest there are strengths and weaknesses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=24564 ________________________________________________________________ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
