One of the things that I thought I’d miss on my Apple Watch coming from the Pebble was having the buttons on the side of the watch. Since the Pebble didn’t have either a microphone for dictation or a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons were crucial for all interactions.
But Apple made those buttons obsolete through better software and hardware. It was a brilliant move that made me appreciate why I’ve gravitated towards Apple devices. Apps have access to either a long-press or a force touch to signal two different kinds of responses. No need for an up-and-down button on the side. It would be a huge mistake if Apple decided to make the Force Touch be the same as a long-press as some are suggesting. This would be like removing a physical button.
Now pressure-sensitive touch has arrived on the iPhone, and I’m thrilled at what developers are able to do with it. It needs to be as separate and distinct an action to the long-press as a dot is to a dash in the Morse code. Apple is creating a new language not unlike sign language or Morse code, and capitulating to the path of watering down the Force Touch would be a huge mistake.
Does having separate and distinct types of physical presses add complexity? Yes it does. But language interfaces by necessity are complex. There are 26 letters in the alphabet. Sign language has thousands of hand symbols.
Apple is on the cusp of creating a new type of touch language and it should grow more complex. That means greater power for the user without having to resort to typing things out or needing buttons. Apple needs to stay the course and not water down their new touch language for a short-term gain.
But Apple made those buttons obsolete through better software and hardware. It was a brilliant move that made me appreciate why I’ve gravitated towards Apple devices. Apps have access to either a long-press or a force touch to signal two different kinds of responses. No need for an up-and-down button on the side. It would be a huge mistake if Apple decided to make the Force Touch be the same as a long-press as some are suggesting. This would be like removing a physical button.
Now pressure-sensitive touch has arrived on the iPhone, and I’m thrilled at what developers are able to do with it. It needs to be as separate and distinct an action to the long-press as a dot is to a dash in the Morse code. Apple is creating a new language not unlike sign language or Morse code, and capitulating to the path of watering down the Force Touch would be a huge mistake.
Does having separate and distinct types of physical presses add complexity? Yes it does. But language interfaces by necessity are complex. There are 26 letters in the alphabet. Sign language has thousands of hand symbols.
Apple is on the cusp of creating a new type of touch language and it should grow more complex. That means greater power for the user without having to resort to typing things out or needing buttons. Apple needs to stay the course and not water down their new touch language for a short-term gain.
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