Craig HockenberrySep 28, 2023

I have a huge amount of respect for the team working on watchOS and all the improvements we've seen in the latest release. It's probably my favorite Apple platform.

So when the watchOS app I use the most has design regressions, I have to say something. I hope the feedback is constructive and helps guide the product in a way that makes it more useful for folks like me.

Here are a couple thousand words about timers:

https://furbo.org/2023/09/28/the-timer-in-watchos-10/

/cc @lorihc @douglemoine @taylorcarrigan

The Timer in watchOS 10 • furbo.org

The new visual appearance and functionality of watchOS 10 is a welcome change. There was clearly a lot of design and engineering effort put into this new interface and the improvements are tangible for most apps. Unfortunately, the app that I use the most on the Apple Watch has lost much of its usability, both […]

Furbo.org by Craig Hockenberry
Show threadThorsten KarrerSep 29, 2023
@chockenberry @lorihc @douglemoine @taylorcarrigan Totally agree with your assessment about the usability of the new timer watch app, but can you explain why the infinite corner idea with Fitts‘s Law holds on a touch screen? I was under the impression that it does not, but may be wrong.
Show threadDoug LeMoineSep 29, 2023
@tho @chockenberry @lorihc @taylorcarrigan My understanding is that the "infinite" corners and edges of Fitts’ Law are specific to mouse / pointer interactions. But I agree with Craig's point. Even if the corners and edges of touchscreens aren’t “infinitely" forgiving as they are on desktop, there is an ergonomic advantage to placing controls there on touchscreens because the non-capacitive area around the button can be similarly forgiving. A person can comfortably fat-finger a corner button.
Show threadCraig Hockenberry

@douglemoine @tho @lorihc @taylorcarrigan Right. And as someone whose hand spans 10” from thumb to pinky, I appreciate that affordance.

It’s actually an area where the Ultra isn't as good as the other devices: a sharp edge doesn't work as well as the rounded ones.

Sep 29, 2023 at 5:52pmIvory for Mac
Show threadDoug LeMoineSep 29, 2023
@chockenberry @tho @lorihc @taylorcarrigan sharp edge must be tricky for nose taps too 😅 🔪
Show threadCraig HockenberrySep 29, 2023
@douglemoine @tho @lorihc @taylorcarrigan Dicing onions with it is on my TODO list.