Keyboard hell
First circle
Placing the Dictate button next to the Return button on an iPhone’s virtual keyboard presents a significant design flaw, primarily due to the frequency of use and the potential for user error.
The Return button is one of the most frequently used keys on a keyboard, serving essential functions in nearly every text-based interaction, from messaging to document editing. Its usage is deeply ingrained in the muscle memory of users.
On the other hand, the Dictate function, while useful, is not as universally utilized. Many users either don’t need it or prefer typing to speaking for privacy or accuracy reasons. It is used far less frequently, likely one hundred times less so than the Return key even for a user of the Dictate function. For non-users of Dictate, it is infinitely less used.
Having the Dictate button adjacent to the Return key increases the likelihood of accidental activation. Users aiming for the Return key might inadvertently hit the Dictate button, leading to interruptions in their typing flow and potential privacy concerns if the microphone is activated unexpectedly.
This can be particularly disruptive in quiet or professional environments where suddenly speaking to a device might be inappropriate or embarrassing. Moreover, the accidental activation of Dictate can introduce unwanted audio text into a message or document, leading to additional editing and correction work. Such a placement does not align with intuitive design principles, which suggest that frequently used functions should be more accessible than less commonly used ones.
From a user experience perspective, the layout of controls on a device should reflect their relative importance and frequency of use. By placing a less frequently used function like Dictate in close proximity to a highly used function like Return, the current design overlooks the hierarchy of user needs.
A more user-friendly design would position the Dictate button in a less central location, possibly requiring a deliberate action to access it, such as a long press or a secondary menu. This would minimize accidental activations while still keeping the function accessible for those who use it. Adjusting the layout in this way would align with ergonomic principles, enhance overall user satisfaction, and reduce the likelihood of errors, making for a more efficient and enjoyable typing experience.
Second circle
Similarly, positioning the Clip button in the bottom right corner of the Audible iPhone app significantly increases the likelihood of accidental presses, leading to a frustrating user experience.
The bottom right corner of a smartphone screen is a high-traffic area, especially for right-handed users who predominantly use their thumbs for navigation. This area is commonly reserved for actions that are frequently used and require easy access, such as scrolling, selecting, or returning to the home screen.
In contrast, the Clip function in an audiobook app like Audible is a more specialized feature. It allows users to bookmark a specific part of an audiobook, which, while useful, is not a function that is required as regularly as, say, play or pause controls. Due to its specific nature, it’s reasonable to assume that the Clip function is used less frequently in the course of regular app interaction.
When a user navigates through the app, especially while engaged in other activities like exercising or multitasking, there is a high propensity to accidentally tap the Clip button. This unintended action can be disruptive, especially if it results in the unintentional marking of sections in an audiobook, leading to confusion and a break in the listening experience.
Moreover, these accidental presses can clutter the user’s list of clips, making it more challenging to find genuinely important bookmarks. Such a design oversight overlooks the need for an intuitive and error-minimizing user interface.
A more thoughtful placement would be to position the Clip button in a less central location, perhaps integrating it into a menu or a secondary interface, which can be accessed deliberately when needed. This approach would not only reduce accidental activations but also make the app more user-friendly, aligning the design more closely with the typical usage patterns and preferences of its audience.
