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0 pointsvanderZwan6y ago0 comments

The thing I hate about this trend is that we seem to love to forego a vital part of interfaces in the process: visibility. I don't know why designers seem to hate buttons, but it's really annoying.

EDIT: where "visibility" also includes haptic feedback and all of that other good stuff. See http://worrydream.com/ABriefRantOnTheFutureOfInteractionDesi...

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10 comments · 3 top-level

daveFNbuck6y ago· 4 in thread

Buttons aren't visible if they're on the side of your head. I have headphones with about 5 buttons. I can often successfully use the volume and power ones if I locate them correctly, but there are another two next to those that I sometimes end up pressing instead.

vanderZwanOP6y ago

I should have been more clear: those buttons are still "visible" in that they have a haptic interface. I have a headphone with "tap to play/pause, swipe to change songs or volume" - it's impossible to know without reading the manual or triggering one of these actions by accident. Which incidentally also happens a lot.

That's bad interface design IMO. I guess the headphones look "cleaner" but it's really annoying in practice and not worth it.

asdff6y ago

Those are crappy buttons. Good buttons are ones that you don't need your eyes. Take an xbox controller. Every button on the device is labelled and there is a schematic detailing every aspect of their function in every game, however you never look down at the controller because you can discern every single button on the controller by feel alone.

bluGill6y ago

Buttons don't have to be visible. They can have different shapes that you can feel. Brail would be useful if people would learn it.

crooked-v6y ago

There are also non-button tactile controls, like the 'buttons' on the Airpods Pro that are actually just pressure-sensitive indents you squeeze.

1 more reply

marcosdumay6y ago· 2 in thread

Buttons are expensive and actually placing things on the real world carries a lot of inconveniences.

The good news is that AR can add visibility to hidden interfaces too. The bad news is that nobody will bother.

wongarsu6y ago

It has to be more than that. A touch sensor might be cheaper than a button, but even Software UI distances itself from the button visual of the 90s and 00s, instead opting for icons with no discernible background or button association. Software UI design is very much imitating how a physical touch sensor interface looks. It seems to be the current trend, chasing a "clean" design above all else.

galangalalgol6y ago

I miss switches. Big metal toggle switches with labeled positions. These tiny hall effect buttons that barely give any feedback are the worst of both worlds. They have no visible status. The tactile element isn't much better than a touchscreen, and they break. Toggles!

davidzweig6y ago· 1 in thread

I don't hate buttons. Here, I'm making a small device with lots of buttons:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VpG8uGSzWzCskN2m7

Can you write C? Do with it what you like. I'll make a javascript framework that runs on a smartphone too. (Nordic Bluetooth LE chip, microphone, speaker, 12 RGB LEDs, gyro/accelerometer, battery that should last weeks). Internet connected walkie-talkie, translator, study languages (like this: https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?t=8699).

I'll make more devices soon, and will sell them for $25. Send me an email, and I'll message when they are ready (mail in profile).

vanderZwanOP6y ago

Love it! Sadly, my self-insight has reached the level where I know I would buy it then never use it after tinkering for a few hours, so I'm afraid I have to pass on ordering one.. but I really like the concept!

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0 comments

10 comments · 3 top-level

daveFNbuck6y ago· 4 in thread

vanderZwanOP6y ago

That's bad interface design IMO. I guess the headphones look "cleaner" but it's really annoying in practice and not worth it.

asdff6y ago

bluGill6y ago

Buttons don't have to be visible. They can have different shapes that you can feel. Brail would be useful if people would learn it.

crooked-v6y ago

There are also non-button tactile controls, like the 'buttons' on the Airpods Pro that are actually just pressure-sensitive indents you squeeze.

1 more reply

marcosdumay6y ago· 2 in thread

Buttons are expensive and actually placing things on the real world carries a lot of inconveniences.

The good news is that AR can add visibility to hidden interfaces too. The bad news is that nobody will bother.

wongarsu6y ago

galangalalgol6y ago

davidzweig6y ago· 1 in thread

I don't hate buttons. Here, I'm making a small device with lots of buttons:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VpG8uGSzWzCskN2m7

I'll make more devices soon, and will sell them for $25. Send me an email, and I'll message when they are ready (mail in profile).

vanderZwanOP6y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse