Clive Grinyer's Blog :: Technology doesn't work

 An old post  brought back to mind by  a link dump  here  relating to just how poorly most of the software in hardware,heck in general,  hangs together.  Hangs , rather than fits.  If people wont  put up with poor design for a device that cost real money  why the hell would they be any kinder to  such when it's free?

People will work it out, they’ll get used to it, we hope. Well I don’t agree, that’s a very risky thing to say. With huge investments in technology, having an attitude of fingers crossed and hope they’ll learn how to use it does not seem very sensible. I’m not overestimating the problem, even the mighty Nokia recently admitted at a usability conference that of the phones that get sent back, half have no technical faults and are sent back because people can’t use them.

That's a non trivial number for what is a very personal device. I believe that this translates onto any  application or handling that you introduce to the phone.  Over the last two weeks I've been  reading up on mobile design and services with a more critical eye than just trying to  keep up.   It's  fascinating to see where the finger meets the keypad and how far removed from the world  Widescreen web   this  could be.