Winer Begs For Better iPods Interface
12/20/2004 – 9:44 AMDave Winer thinks the iPods interface is too hard:
It’s impossible to use while driving, in fact it’s impossible to use while walking. If I want to play something else it’s a multi-step error-prone process. There has to be a better way.
I’ve not had this issue, but I’m also almost half his age… but on the other hand, my mom has no issues either. So I wonder if this is an actual issue with the interface or someone that wants to create a Podcast listening device creating some FUD about his competition?
2 Responses to “Winer Begs For Better iPods Interface”
Dave is right that a better interface could be created. Remember that a majority of iPod users are over 35 years old. As a listener to Podcasts on my PocketPc, I find the interface very poor. Surely someone who is thinking clearly about this can do a better job than what we have today.
How about an automatic connection through the cell phone network to continuously download content? Consider these features: Sort by ratings. Rate the podcast on the device. Save a verbal URL link to a scratch pad while on a walk in the park. Make a verbal commment that could later get uploaded and sent to the creator. Call the author.
Think about all the things you could do if you had the power to design from scratch with the Podcasting community in mind. This is not about FUD, it’s about improving what we have, innovating, and getting rewarded by the commercial success of some great ideas. More power to him!
Charlie
By Charlie Quidnunc on Dec 20, 2004
I agree that the PocketPC is a poor listening device, but I disagree that the iPod is a poor listening device. The features your talking about above have nothing to do with interface. How the audio gets to the device is one thing, how the user accesses the media is another — and that is what I think we are talking about.
By Ray Slakinski on Dec 20, 2004