I’ve been using my iPhone for about a year now and I think it’s great. With all the Apps that are available now I can usually find something that will help my stay in touch, stay productive and have fun while away from my PC.
Before having an iPhone I used a Moleskine diary to keep notes and appointments and I never left home without it. I have tried to use my iPhone to keep notes and dates but it’s just not the same. I missed my Moleskine so I had to go and get another for 2010.
So what was it about the Molskine that I missed? The main issue was how it easy and quick it was to pull out of my pocket and either find or add information. Of course my iPhone could do the same but it took just that bit longer. To find out just how long it took I did a simple experiment below:
There are loads of things my iPhone can do that my Moleskine can’t but it’s the ease of use and convenience that is the issue.
iPhone Pros:
- Endless number of Apps
- Can do more than just keep notes and dates
- Looks cool
- Syncs with my PC
- Able to share information
- Information is backed up
Moleskine Pros:
- Easy and quick to add information
- Battery life isn’t an issue
- Light
- Relatively cheap
- No monthly charges
- Robust
iPhone Cons:
- Needs regular charging
- Slow to add information
- Expensive to keep an replace
- Delicate
Moleskine Cons:
- It’s only really a notebook and diary
- If it’s lost… it’s lost
- Remember a pen!
- Can’t sync with anything
So you’ve gathered this is a pretty un-scientific experiment and seemingly pointless but there is one blazing issue here that relates to website or application design. If it’s not usable, it won’t get used. I rarely use the calendar on my iPhone because I find it takes too long – some websites and applications suffer the same issues. The website design process needs to go through a usability testing phase in which testers have the chance to feedback on things like how easy it was to interact, buy or find information.
Making things easy to do on your website will retain existing visitors and attract new ones too.
…oh and some people just have to hack:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/06/how-to-turn-an/
of course there is one crucial thing that the moleskine will help with that the iphone will never do and that is its impact on the mind and recall.
things that are written down, with a pen or a pencil, the old fashioned way, are seared into the mind more effectively than those things we type.
And I don’t think that will ever change Mike. Thankfully.
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So, where do I get one?? That pocket calendar/diary looks like something PERFECT for me!
All the internet stores I hit up seem to be out of them!
They are notoriously difficult to get hold of Tim. I bought mine in a local shop in July! You could also try here: http://www.mojolondon.co.uk/
My iPhone typing speed is getting heat:
http://vimeo.com/9016426
Very informative article. I’ve found your blog via Google and I’m really happy about the information you provide in your posts. Btw your sites layout is really broken on the Chrome browser. Would be cool if you could fix that. Anyhow keep up the great work!
nice,perfect. It very helpful
lolol where is a dark beer once you want one
It’s good to see a great article written about design every once in a while. Nice one, ta!
Just wanted to say your Blog is in my rss you rock.. Cheers, Anika Puidokas
So you’ve gathered this is a pretty un-scientific experiment and seemingly pointless but there is one blazing issue here that relates to website or application design. If it’s not usable, it won’t get used. I rarely use the calendar on my iPhone because I find it takes too long – some websites and applications suffer the same issues. The website design process needs to go through a usability testing phase in which testers have the chance to feedback on things like how easy it was to interact, buy or find information.