As the world surely knows, the “New iPad” came out today. As with every product release, the haters are hatin’ and the fanboys are gushing. Personally I like the update, and I think it’s finally time for me to get an iPad.
What I’m surprised by is the people who are disappointed that the form factor didn’t change. We heard a lot of that when the iPhone 4S came out too. And most of the people complaining that the form factor didn’t change also don’t list any gripes with the current design. Why do so many people want change just for the sake of change? Are we comforted by changes on the outside, as its our only visual assurance that we’re not being duped into buying the same device all over again? Personally when it comes to Apple products I’d rather have overhauled guts and speed boosts than a redesigned outside. They’re already doing a pretty slick job of the outside, even on Gen 1 models.
One of the driving principles of iterative design is this: don’t change the parts that are working. Often when graphic designers are coming up with multiple concepts for a creative piece, we carry across the elements that are “right”, typeface being the most common. When you spend hours searching for that perfect font, you don’t throw it away just for the sake of a second concept execution.
Not to say that Apple device designs are always perfect. Personally I think the Magic Mouse is a good example of where form has always trumped function. It’s not remotely ergonomic, and I still drag lazy fingers across the touch sensitive surface and end up shooting my cursor across the screen to the nether regions of my desktop. I do think the iPad form factor is pretty damn good however, and I’m not sure what you could do to improve it. I also like the iPhone 4 design and was pleased when they didn’t update it, although I do find the glass back makes it slippery as a damn bar of soap.
Aaaanyway, I guess my point is that we should all be more thoughtful in our wish lists. Remember that every time a product changes its physical design and dimensions, most of those lovely accessories and peripherals you bought for it no longer work on the new one. And I don’t want to hear you bitching and complaining when your iPad 3 case doesn’t fit your shiny new iPad 4, ya dorks.