The passage discusses the growing prevalence of touch screens in gadgets and the need for physical buttons, especially in specific situations. Touch screens, while sleek and modern, present challenges:
- Accessibility and Tactility: Touch screens lack the tactile feedback of physical buttons, making them less intuitive for those with impaired vision or mobility issues. Buttons offer texture, weight, and a tangible interface that is easier to navigate.
- Distracted Usage: Using touch screens requires full attention, problematic in multitasking or while driving. This frustration is referred to as the “rage poke.”
- Voice Commands: Voice commands were expected to alleviate touch screen issues but are not always reliable, causing further frustration.
The article suggests gadgets like phones, wearables, cars, and home appliances should incorporate physical buttons or customizable action buttons to enhance usability:
- Phones: The customizable “action button” on the iPhone 15 Pro is praised, and more phones should have programmable buttons for frequently accessed functions.
- Wearables: Garmin smartwatches with physical buttons are preferred in certain situations (e.g., workouts, wet fingers) over touch-screen wearables like the Apple Watch.
- Cars: The increasing presence of large touch screens in vehicles is noted as a potential distraction. Physical controls are advocated for essential functions.
- Home Appliances: Touch screens on home appliances can be impractical, especially in kitchens where wet fingers are common. Physical knobs and controls are deemed more suitable.
In summary, the article acknowledges the advantages of touch screens but stresses the importance of retaining physical buttons in certain gadgets to improve usability, accessibility, and safety, particularly in situations where users may be distracted or have impaired dexterity.
