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Instruction manuals: redundant, or worth reviving? Instruction manuals: redundant, or worth reviving?
(35 minutes later)
When a new smartphone or tablet arrives there is an expectation that it should be so well designed, so intuitive that anyone can use it – with no training or manual required. But are they really that easy to use?When a new smartphone or tablet arrives there is an expectation that it should be so well designed, so intuitive that anyone can use it – with no training or manual required. But are they really that easy to use?
Even relatively tech savvy users, who are perfectly at home with a mouse and a keyboard, have struggled to adjust to the touchscreen way of doing things.Even relatively tech savvy users, who are perfectly at home with a mouse and a keyboard, have struggled to adjust to the touchscreen way of doing things.
A common complaint is that it's not clear to a new users what is and what isn’t a button. Gestures also catch people out, with quite a few of them only ever discovered accidentally.A common complaint is that it's not clear to a new users what is and what isn’t a button. Gestures also catch people out, with quite a few of them only ever discovered accidentally.
Gadget manufacturers expect users to be confident enough with devices to explore and fiddle with every part of the system to see what works and what doesn’t. But for less confident technology users, a new device can be intimidating, and there's often a fear of breaking something or doing something the wrong way.Gadget manufacturers expect users to be confident enough with devices to explore and fiddle with every part of the system to see what works and what doesn’t. But for less confident technology users, a new device can be intimidating, and there's often a fear of breaking something or doing something the wrong way.
One person's "I wonder what the button does - let's tap it" is another person's "I don't know what it does so I'm not going to touch it".One person's "I wonder what the button does - let's tap it" is another person's "I don't know what it does so I'm not going to touch it".
Apple has had tutorials on its site for some time, but is looking to address these kinds of issues with a new “Tips” app and website. It guides users through different functions and features, including responding to notifications, managing email and using Apple’s voice assistant, Siri. Apple has had tutorials on its site for some time, but is looking to address these kinds of issues with a new “tips” app and website. It guides users through different functions and features, including responding to notifications, managing email and using Apple’s voice assistant, Siri.
Isn't it about time that more companies started thinking about how complex these so-called “intuitive” devices have become, and actually create user manuals for the 21st century?Isn't it about time that more companies started thinking about how complex these so-called “intuitive” devices have become, and actually create user manuals for the 21st century?
Tell us your experiences of intuitive, or not-so intuitive, design. Should every device come with an instruction manual? Or is good design as much about inviting the user to use the device naturally and with confidence as it is about rounding the edges?Tell us your experiences of intuitive, or not-so intuitive, design. Should every device come with an instruction manual? Or is good design as much about inviting the user to use the device naturally and with confidence as it is about rounding the edges?