Less is more, more or less

Computer World’s Mike Elgin has written an interesting essay about Apple’s new iPad and the controversy surrounding Apple’s intentional limiting of the device’s hardware and software features.

Elgin discusses the current trend in technology and software towards extolling limitations as features, from Twitter’s 140-character limitation to the iPad’s single-application mode and lack of webcam. He makes a good point — that feature-laden gadgets and bloated software (Windows XP anyone?) frustrate and confuse users to the point of inefficiency. What he fails to address, however, is that these gadgets and operating systems are bloated for a reason.

At the dawn of the personal computing revolution, all hardware and software was minimalist, generally because of technological limitations. As time went on, users demanded additional features of their gadgets creating a snowball effect as new features were rolled up with old features in one convoluted package. Developers were faced with a dilemma: remove outdated features and alienate a user base that had grown accustomed to them or continue to maintain those features and in turn alienate more tech-savvy or new users.

The current trend towards minimalism in new technologies is a direct response to that dilemma. It’s hard to alienate either user group when you only offer a handful of functions. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues or if these devices and services will eventually adopt an upgrade path similar to that of the past. In order to increase its customer base, reduce current criticism, and remain competitive, devices like the iPad will have no choice but to add new features while retaining the old. Ultimately, it will be up to good design and user interface standards to find a way to offer the new along with the old while still making things simple for the end user.

Computer World: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9170118/The_iPad_paradox_Less_is_more

Posted in: Design, Technology