Ergonomics

Being a massive fan of technology, appreciating the finer dimensions that come with each new piece of kit is vital. Its often the things that you don't notice or think of explicitly that make you satisfied with a new piece of kit, things like how it feels in your hand when your using it, how easy it is to call/text someone, how light it is to carry around and so on. These dimensions have come to be recognised by all the major companies as key and gave birth to a science which costs millions to firms in R&D - Ergonomics.


Ergonomics is the study of efficiency in working environments - or more simply put; how easy something is to use and how nice it feels. Over the years, so many people have got it right and so many got it wrong. Here's a look at some of the things which really stood out and some of the not so good ideas:


Perfection

The iPhone

The launch of the iPhone triggered a catalyst of touch screen phones from every company. The touch screen concept had existed for many years but had never really taken off. It was too impractical and inaccurate with the stylus just making its too impractical to use. Steve Job's ingenious invention revolutionised the idea of a touchscreen. It made it simple, easy and efficient - the definition of ergonomics. Nowadays it seems rarer to find a phone with keys than without; a testimony to the success of the ergonomic masterpiece!

The Xbox 360 Controller

Learning from their previous mistakes, Microsoft went back to the drawing board and produced what I think is the masterpiece of all controllers. Its elegant, smooth and light feel combine to just make the perfect gaming experience... AND, the joystick is in the natural place where the thumb is rather than down below.
- I'll leave it at that before I spark a turf war between PS3 and Xbox fans! 

Mouse

For me, the idea of the mouse is exceptional. It offers complete control of your computer with pinpoint accuracy and is easily configured for left or right hand use. Even as new technology has developed, the place for the mouse has never gone as its use is just indispensable. So simple yet so brilliant

Got it wrong

The N64 Controller

Don't get me wrong, im an N64 fanboy all the way... but you have to admit, the controller was odd. The D-pad was basically unusable when playing and the L-button was a stretch. I remember trying to play Turok and the controls were just a nightmare because you needed the D-pad and the joystick! Then theres the combination of the C-buttons and the A&B buttons.. 6 buttons for one thumb was too many! Overall - not a good controller!

The Joystick

Another controller which for me never took off was the joystick. Good as a concept/gimmick when you want to feel like some spaceship commander, the novelty quickly wears off when you realise you have to sit at a table to use it properly and playing FIFA is a constant disadvantage.. We would always fight to use the keyboard as kids!

Clamshell Phones

For me, you see the clamshell on a movie and it looks cool, but it never really works as a phone. For starters it makes it twice as think to carry around and its constantly susceptible to breaking in the middle. Then there's the whole fact that if you ever wanted to use it you had to open it up... That makes the "texting whilst not looking" a whole lot harder as you always had to open it up! Not good when your in school trying to text your mate without being caught.