User Centered

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?