Users:1 -- iPhone interface: 0

[libertango]

So they appear to have given an iPhone to one of the hosts of the Today Show to use on the air.

Problem: She couldn't figure out how to answer a call.

So much for "ease of use."

(Or, actually, I'm reminded of one of the claims from NeXT: "The easiest to use UNIX ever." Not really "easy," mind you. Just, easiest to use to that date. No matter how hard he tries, sometimes a sliver of truth sneaks up on Mr. Jobs.)

Comments

[off_coloratura]

You know, my first cell phone, I couldn't figure out how to answer a call either.

First

[hal-obrien.livejournal.com]

"You know, my first cell phone, I couldn't figure out how to answer a call either."

Oh, I don't deny that sort of thing happens. I know someone who was recently using a cell phone for the time, and he thought the way you hang up is to turn the phone off. Which is certainly a way, but...

However, two things:

* It was Meredith Vieira. I really doubt this was her first phone.

* It's an Apple product, and Apple aggressively trumpets the ease of use of their interfaces. Now, I happen to believe that Apple products are easier to use -- for about 7-10% of the population. I'm glad that slice has a market alternative, and I wish them well. What bugs me is the way many overzealous advocates claim that Apple's interfaces are universally easier to use, even in the face of demonstrable failures in the field -- like this one, live and on national TV. :)