The debate about the iPhone UI and the Windows Phone 7 series UI has started in earnest and is likely to continue for some time to come. Opinion is devided as to which is best and I have to say I sort of don’t care at all. When you look at the two UIs they have very obvioud differences and obvioud similarities, but ultimately it is the speed of the hardware and the OS which make navigation quicker. All of the in-depth debates that are going on now seem to forget that the background stuff is what matters and that is why a BlackBerry will be far quicker in general use than both of the other platforms, and the interface is rubbish to look at. I am not being a fanboy here- that’s just my experience.
One debate discusses why the iPhone interface is better at LukeW Ideation + Design. He refers to some valid, but technical points made by Edward Tufte and you will have to decide how well these carry in the real world. Personally I am no fan of the iPhone interface and while I think the device is lovely to use, there needs to be some serious improvements. Thanks to Trevor for the link.
“In particular, Tufte called out the iPhone’s Photos application as an example of clarifying information by adding detail. “In this collection of photographs, many information elements are arranged on the same surface as the user scans 150 images arranged in a two dimensional small multiple format.”
Next up we have an article over at Genstart which takes the opposite view that Windows Phone 7 series (platform operation system mobile software…) has a better UI design. Until I see a Windows 7 phone in the flesh I cannot decide, but I do find this argument more convincing.
“The lock screen is up first, and a first example of the elimination of what Tufte would call interface debris. No controls here. To get unlock a Windows phone, simply slide the screensaver upwards with your thumb. The phone is in there, sitting behind the screensaver image. I remember when I first saw the iPhone and thought “oh, finally, no more remembering obscure keyboard patterns to open a phone”. Seeing the Windows unlock mechanism, well, caused a similar response.”
neither, i prefer htc sense and windows mobile 6.5.5 titanium
I have to agree. HTC do brilliant UIs. I just this week bought a Hero and it is amazing. Some reviewers said there was a bit of a lag but I think that must have been on early roms. I have been genuinely gobsmacked. I had never used an Android device before and it has exceeded my expectations exponentially.
The interface that really matters is the map your mind creates to let you find what you need quickly on your phone. There are lots of ways to do this – buttons, popups, widgets, icons, & more we’ll see in the future. The most important thing is how quickly your brain can learn it & then map it into your routine so that you find the information you need quickly. I’ve done this through mapped buttons, screen swipes, memorized icon locations, & they all work well once you get used to them. It only has to make sense the first couple times you use it until you learn it.
I agree with Gavin, sad MS want to kill our ability to use those UIs with their nwe Apple style rules..
I also like SPB Mobile Shell’s interface, and thankfully that will be available on Android soon..
I think the question is pretty premature until we see what happens with third-party applications on Windows Phone. I like the “Home” screen on Microsoft moderately better, and I look forward to seeing Apple catch up on having relevant information front and center. But Apple’s also done well on keeping third-party developers in line. Windows Phone could turn out to be a monumental muddle if developers are going radically different directions.
Tom, this is the most intelligent paragraph I’ve read about usability in quite a while.
Thanks, Bernhard. I’ve just decided lately that all this concentration on interfaces is unimportant to me. I’ve used many different devices with different interfaces, & I’m always amazed at how quickly the mind can adapt to new situations. I still really like a well-thought-out interface, but I’m more interested in the old adage “How much data can you put in & get out?”
Only time and real life use by real life people will tell. Plus everyone has their own preference. I agree with Tom above, he does have a valid point there. You quickly adjust. On my E71 I put a nice fancy theme, and now all my icons etc. look all swish and modern. Everything is quite easy for me because I’m used to it, even though it’s suppose to be archaic and what not.