Week 9
This week’s readings focused on developmental aspects of iPad apps. As I have watched many elder members of my family buy iPads or receive them as presents, the usability of many apps becomes difficult when navigating through. I have heard statements such as “Sam, this stupid thing doesn’t work!” or “Sam, why won’t this let me click?!” while my grandmother pokes the screen over and over again. I have to explain to them that there is a specific way and a gentle touch that needs to be applied to these kinds of touch-screens. Nielsen’s article describes how users accidentally touch something and can’t find their way back to their starting point. I believe this accidental touch happens all too often, and apps should have a simple “home” or “back” button. I noted that this article was written in 2011, and believe that these findings would be altered now in the year 2014. It’s (almost) safe to say that every house has atleast one iPad or tablet device. Usability must have increased over the past 4 years. Additionally, the various uses of iPads has increased over the years. Many schools and companies are using iPads to assist in their everyday routines. As Nielsen says, “We've come far in just a year” and I believe in the next few years, the iPad experience for users will soar above and beyond.
I truly enjoyed reading and laughed through Rian van der Merwe’s article titled “A Dad’s Plea To Developers of iPad Apps for Children.” His descriptions and discoveries are accurate and his solutions for each discussed application would increase the usability for children. I understand his description of the bottom of the screen as behind a “hot area.” Anytime I am playing a game or showing something to a kid I babysit for, they continue to accidentally touch the bottom of the screen. Leaving that area clear of interactive elements would avoid the never-ending “HELP ME! I PRESSED SOMETHING I SHOULDN’T HAVE” cry! :) As van der Merwe discusses Talking Tom Cat and accidental purchases, I couldn’t help but think of an app I discovered while creating my final unit plan. The app is titled “Learning About Plants” and shows informational videos. To the app’s benefit, only two of the videos on the home screen can be viewed for free. If the user would like to watch all the videos, they must pay 99 cents a piece; ridiculous! Obviously, children are unaware of these hidden tricks and advertisements and continuously click on the screen. I totally agree with van der Merwe; “If you try to trick my kid into buying stuff, you’re dead to me!”












