Shauna GMMay 15, 2023

I'm looking for examples of UX/interface design where:

* users started using a feature in a way that wasn't intended (can be for good or for ill)
* the product team responded by removing the feature entirely

Also very interested in interfaces where there is an obvious feature that users would want/need that's not provided, and that feature is obviously not provided because it's against the interests of the company who makes the software.

Can anyone think of examples which fit?

Show threadDavid PMay 15, 2023
@shauna OSX Preview had a checkbox to disable image smoothing on scaling up. Was very useful when I was working in image processing because could get a pixel accurate super high zoom. Checkbox was removed in an OSX update and Preview would always smooth the image. I had to switch to Xee https://theunarchiver.com/xee or Photoshop.
Xee | Image Viewer for macOS

Xee lets you easily browse and manage images on your Mac. Browse images within folders and archives, move and copy them right in the app.

Show threadShauna GMMay 15, 2023
@linuxlizard What was the benefit to OSX of always smoothing and not letting users opt-out?
Show threadDavid PMay 15, 2023
@shauna At the time, Apple was removing many features in order to make OSX more like iOS. PDF signatures and form fill also disappeared around this time.
Show threadJamesGecko
@linuxlizard @shauna PDF signatures are still around. Preview can even do hand-off to an iOS device so you can sign using a stylus.
May 20, 2023 at 6:23pmWeb
Show threadDavid PMay 22, 2023
@jamesgecko @shauna Hand-off to iOS is perfect! I think the last OSX I used was 2016 so I'm quite out of date.