Opera: How to be sophisticated and simple at the same time
Sunday, 16. October 2005, 16:48:33
Opera is powerful software, with new and advanced features being added with each major release . At the same time, Opera's designers are always working to make sure that the browser is easy to use. Both jobs, adding new features and maintaining ease-of-use, are vitally important. New features help to differentiate Opera from the competition, and being easy to use allows Opera to make inroads amongst casual internet users, and not just technophilic early adopters.
Maintaining the balance between sophisticated and simple, however, is difficult--especially when it comes to marketing. How do you market new features without seeming overly complex?
Here is an insighful article (on CNET, from the Wharton School) for anyone thinking about these issues:
Complex tech gadgets pose challenges
Excerpt:
Here is a question that arose as I read the article: Are web browers the kind of technology (like computers) that inspire people to get the latest versions, or are they more like basic appliances (like refrigerators) that don't really need to be cutting edge to attract buyers? If browsers are more like the latter, that might be because Microsoft hasn't changed Internet Explorer in such a long time. With the coming release of IE7, however, and with new advancements in web applications and mobile web browsing, perhaps we will see a shift in attitude, and having an advanced browser will (for the average internet user) become desirable again.
Maintaining the balance between sophisticated and simple, however, is difficult--especially when it comes to marketing. How do you market new features without seeming overly complex?
Here is an insighful article (on CNET, from the Wharton School) for anyone thinking about these issues:
Complex tech gadgets pose challenges
Excerpt:
Complexity among consumer technology products has never been greater--a good thing if the complexity means product improvement. But Wharton experts say new bells and whistles pose challenges to businesses and consumers alike. Complexity--along with choice--can have a big impact on how companies make and market new and improved gizmos, and on the decision processes of the people expected to buy them.
Here is a question that arose as I read the article: Are web browers the kind of technology (like computers) that inspire people to get the latest versions, or are they more like basic appliances (like refrigerators) that don't really need to be cutting edge to attract buyers? If browsers are more like the latter, that might be because Microsoft hasn't changed Internet Explorer in such a long time. With the coming release of IE7, however, and with new advancements in web applications and mobile web browsing, perhaps we will see a shift in attitude, and having an advanced browser will (for the average internet user) become desirable again.
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