Child uses an iPad for the first time
Andrew Wirtanen / Gestural Interfaces / New Technology / Usability / User ResearchThis video is a reminder that there’s so much we can learn from watching others. This 2.5 year-old discovers a common problem that adults encounter: if you hold the iPad with your thumb on the screen, then you can’t use another finger to select an application on the home screen. The problem is that many people will find it natural to hold the iPad this way and now need to change their behavior to accommodate the device.
I am not sure whether Apple knew about this issue beforehand or not, but it demonstrates the importance of testing before release. Here’s a great quote I saw this morning on Twitter:
“A usability test is going to happen before or after you launch. The question is whether you want to be there or not.” - tsharon
Source: YouTube via Laughing Squid
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Nathan Klein
I’m glad to hear you mention this as I have been wondering about the “ergonomics” of this device ever since I first saw it demoed. Everyone is always holding it so awkwardly just to avoid putting their thumb on the screen! I kept waiting for Steve Jobs to drop the thing while having to hold it in such a fashion!
Also, your usability test participant is quite the power user! Very impressive!
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