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One of the things that I find interesting about this whole fiasco regarding Chris's review of the HTC EVO 4G is the idea that it is inherently bad for a device not to appeal to the average user. I've seen multiple references to the concept that there are two types of users: the average user and the expert user. Since the EVO is not made for the expert user, it is criticized for not being easy enough for the average user. I think this question goes beyond the EVO and to a fundamental question of what we value in the technology marketplace. What do you think? Is there little or no middle ground between devices for the average user and devices for the expert, or is there room for devices that may be a bit more complicated but still appeal to non-professionals? |
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This is my first question asked on lockergnome, so hopefully I'm doing this right. It seems I'm supposed to give my thoughts here and not in the question. So, here goes: I think there is room for at least three classifications of device: consumer-level (or average user), enthusiast, and expert. Since it's the topic of the week, I'll use the iPhone 4 vs HTC EVO 4G comparison as a basis for explanation. The iPhone 4 is most certainly targeted to the average user. It's simple, it's easy, and it requires little technical knowledge. This is good on multiple levels: it's good for people like my mom who don't get into technology, but it's also good for gadget geeks who like having gadgets but maybe dislike spending time learning or tweaking them. I view the HTC EVO 4G as an enthusiast device. There is no question that it has poor battery life, but as I and others have said, some people don't mind the shorter battery life for the added benefits of EVO and Android. I like that I'm not using Apple's walled garden of an app store, I like that I can use widgets, I like that I get push GMail. It also means that I need to use my brain a bit more to think about what drains battery life. I need to remember to turn off 4G, WiFi, and BlueTooth when I'm not using them. This is only a very minor inconvenience to an enthusiast, but a major inconvenience to the average user. The thing is, there are a lot of enthusiasts out there. The majority of my circle of friends are enthusiasts. Only a couple of us are "experts." So, I think it's important to recognize that there is room in the marketplace for devices that are more complicated than those built for the "average user" but not necessarily targeted toward the "experts." I enjoy having this kind of choice in the marketplace, and I'd hate to be stuck choosing between only "average user" or "expert" devices. |
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Good topic. I feel many companies EPIC FAIL in this area. Microsoft launched KIN (Smartphone for Dummies). The simple task to Set the Time on a VCR appeared too hard for some, and have the same people Schedule to Record a Program ... Forget about it! That said. I don't know how Apple does it!?! Their products seem second nature. For example: YouTube videos with a wide range of iPad users, from children to the elderly, cats, dogs, average Customers to Prosumers ... etc. I feel that an intuitive UI would be the area to concentrate on. |
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Out of full honesty, most should be geared at a simple user but offer semi advanced, non bloated, features as well. The iPhone (cough cough). I guess I could call myself an "advanced user", yet I embrace the iPhone for (among many other things), simplicity. I hate cluttered interface, useless messy settings menus, and poorly coded software that might LOOK "professional" but if it just doesn't do any of a better job than something simpler for what I need.. then what's the point? Now somethings- yes- the end user wouldn't know what to do with Logic Studio, but it's amazingly constructed with incredibly features. The problem is, sometimes "advanced" software is just plane "bloatware". I never step down from a new piece of software or equipment because it looks too hard to learn how to use, but I will later on if its usage does become just plain tedious. |
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Both. If I tell you I'm an advanced user, give me a quiz or something to screen tech support calls :) |
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im a tech person....i like all those "advanced" features..but for something like my ipod touch..i want something easy to use. i think they should add some "advanced mode" thing that is really hard to find without following like a guide so average users dont enable it by accident. that just my opinion though |
