The iPod has taught my thumb to be double-jointed
By Eddie Lopez. Wednesday, 3. May 2006, 00:17:08
Seriously- am I the only person on earth that thinks the iPod scroll wheel should be up on the top part where the thumb most comfortably rests (where the screen is)?
Instead I have to hold it more like this*:
...which isn't all that comfortable to do one handed (and as pointed out in the comments below, is getting difficult as the iPod continues to shrink). I usually pull it out from my pocket holding it like the first image, then "hike" it up in my hand to easily get to the scroll wheel like in the second picture.
I'd like to swap the screen and the thumb wheel. Oh- and FYI, the Shuffle has the thumb controls on top. Oh, and FYI again- I actually *have* tried to get used to holding it upside down. It just wasn't cutting it for me.
So, while I think that might be feasible- this is not: I'd also like to see (in addition to being on top of the display) the wheel rotated 45 degrees counter clockwise (lefties can take a long walk off a short pier... or rotate 45 degree clockwise- either one really). Personally, I think the prev/next controls are the most commonly used, especially when blindly controlling it in your pocket. So by rotating the controls, this facilitates next/prev to be the easiest and most natural movement for your thumb- try it:
Here's an activity for you readers-
1) flip your iPod upside down. (you don't have one? -use your imagination or sit next to a student that does)
2) Pretend your prev/next controls are at 7:30/1:30 positions respectively. (ok lefties, since we're pretending here, you can pretend we're using 10:30/4:30)
3) Act like you're flipping through your playlist like a mad-man.
Oh man, is that fun or what? It's not exactly aesthetically pleasing, so I guess that wipes that whole idea down the drain.
ps- No, I don't think this is directly related to iPod thumb, but I'm sure the goofy wheel placement and odd iPod holding has something to do with it.
*Note how I held it with my thumb on the bottom part exaggerating the awkward thumb position? That's the "User Centered" equivalent of those "before and after" pictures where the before guy (Cletus) is wearing a BBQ stained white tank top in a black and white pic, and the after looks like Troy McClure...except I don't have a "Troy McClure" picture. How 'bout it Apple?
Instead I have to hold it more like this*:
...which isn't all that comfortable to do one handed (and as pointed out in the comments below, is getting difficult as the iPod continues to shrink). I usually pull it out from my pocket holding it like the first image, then "hike" it up in my hand to easily get to the scroll wheel like in the second picture.
I'd like to swap the screen and the thumb wheel. Oh- and FYI, the Shuffle has the thumb controls on top. Oh, and FYI again- I actually *have* tried to get used to holding it upside down. It just wasn't cutting it for me.
So, while I think that might be feasible- this is not: I'd also like to see (in addition to being on top of the display) the wheel rotated 45 degrees counter clockwise (lefties can take a long walk off a short pier... or rotate 45 degree clockwise- either one really). Personally, I think the prev/next controls are the most commonly used, especially when blindly controlling it in your pocket. So by rotating the controls, this facilitates next/prev to be the easiest and most natural movement for your thumb- try it:
Here's an activity for you readers-
1) flip your iPod upside down. (you don't have one? -use your imagination or sit next to a student that does)
2) Pretend your prev/next controls are at 7:30/1:30 positions respectively. (ok lefties, since we're pretending here, you can pretend we're using 10:30/4:30)
3) Act like you're flipping through your playlist like a mad-man.
Oh man, is that fun or what? It's not exactly aesthetically pleasing, so I guess that wipes that whole idea down the drain.
ps- No, I don't think this is directly related to iPod thumb, but I'm sure the goofy wheel placement and odd iPod holding has something to do with it.
*Note how I held it with my thumb on the bottom part exaggerating the awkward thumb position? That's the "User Centered" equivalent of those "before and after" pictures where the before guy (Cletus) is wearing a BBQ stained white tank top in a black and white pic, and the after looks like Troy McClure...except I don't have a "Troy McClure" picture. How 'bout it Apple?
WIDGETIZE
Anonymous # 3. May 2006, 01:09
I've been saying for years that the optimal solution would be to have the keypad where the display is now, and vice versa. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone in the world. ;-)
Eddie_Lopez # 3. May 2006, 03:07
I will now prepare to be proven wrong in 3,2,1....
yadavankur # 3. May 2006, 08:24
Helmers # 3. May 2006, 08:45
Eddie_Lopez # 3. May 2006, 11:46
I did think about the nano. I also figured folks with regular iPods might not be affected as much.
Anonymous # 3. May 2006, 19:22
Unlike you guys, I like using it the way it is. I don't have to hike my thumb anywhere. But, that may be because I have an iPod and not an iPod Mini. Maybe it would be best with the mini, but I'm perfectly comfortable with it the way it is. I have tried holding it upside down, and that seems way more hand straining.
Regarding nanos, I don't think most people are grasping it fully in their hands. The people I know with them normally rest it on their finger tips, just as Eddie suggested.
Eddie- I suggest you try to have your index finger extended and resting on the side of the ipod (e.g if you're holding it with your right hand, your finger is extended and rested on the right side of the ipod.) That just might make it somewhat more comfortable.
Eddie_Lopez # 3. May 2006, 19:33
Yes- I've found a handful of comfortable ways to hold it, and yeah again, it's probably worse with the nano than with my mini or the iPods.
I just don't like having to jostle it into place, move it to the edge of my fingertips, hike a finger along the side (another one of my preferred 'holds') etc... when holding it in the palm just naturally has the thumb sitting over the screen.
I also agree that the base of the thumb would (possibly) cover part of the screen. I also don't *like* the way it looks with the screen on the bottom. I just don't really need the screen all that much, and when I do, it's pretty darn easy to still hold it comfortably and still not obscure the screen.
I guess affordances for ergonomics are beaten out by visceral appeal- and that's fine by me, but I'm always looking for a better way.
Eddie_Lopez # 3. May 2006, 19:40
Anonymous # 5. May 2006, 12:40
Take a look at the Serene mobile (http://www.serenemobile.com/), which has it upside-down, too (and takes a lot of flak for it).
Eddie_Lopez # 5. May 2006, 14:24
Anonymous # 31. May 2006, 04:01
I have a nano and I find it fine. My finger works fine.
Eddie_Lopez # 31. May 2006, 04:28
I'm not so certain I'd buy the product I'm suggesting. It just seemed like an opportunity to discuss some ergonomics and the potential to make it better. You do have to take into account the visceral appeal of everything- the aesthetics. I take that into account as well when I buy all my products. I'm not for usability in spite of everything else.
Holding the iPod as I am in the top picture seems the most natural to me... the bottom picture, not so much. I've gotten used to resting it on my pinky finger to boost it up a bit so my thumb can get at the wheel, but it just seems like an opportunity for improvement.
Anonymous # 21. June 2006, 19:05
i am anonymous
Eddie_Lopez # 21. June 2006, 19:07
Anonymous # 1. October 2006, 14:28
shut up its fine where it is...
Eddie_Lopez # 1. October 2006, 19:44
Anonymous # 2. November 2006, 17:36
Absolutely right.
It's even worse with mobile phones, where the thumb (or finger) is not in constant contact with the device. I hate pressing the hash key which , on my phone, is in the extreme bottom right. Unfortunately the hash key also doubles as the space so I have to use it every time I send a text.
The trouble is people think I'm a fool for agreeing with what you've outlines above - they say it's not possible to see the screen because the bottom of your thumb obscures the screen. This may be true but it doesn't take much to reveal it and I'd much rather not be able to see a tiny portion of my screen than constantly feel like I'm going to drop the damn thing.
Rant over.
Anonymous # 2. November 2006, 17:39
One more thing: it would be possible to run 3rd party firmware which simply turns the menu system upside-down then you(we)'d pretty much have what we want (for the iPod at least).
Eddie_Lopez # 2. November 2006, 18:30
Anonymous # 28. December 2006, 00:28
YOUR FINGER IS UGLY.
Eddie_Lopez # 28. December 2006, 02:26
Anonymous # 16. April 2007, 07:40
i have a nano its perfect for me, i suppose its harder for guys.... big hands
Anonymous # 18. October 2009, 10:57
same my thumb is double joined
its great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love apple !!!!!!!!!!!!!!