Think about the last time you went to buy a product, like a cell phone, that could be made by several different brands. You go online and you look at the different features that each product has. Online shopping websites do this to us all the time. They provide what seems like a very helpful product comparison tool, which allows you to put products side-by-side and compare features. And many times people end up purchasing the product with more features. People want the more capable product.
People also often worship simplicity. Think about how often you hear simplicity equated to beauty and ease of use in product reviews. There is a discord here. More features and simplicity do not mesh well. Don Norman posits that: "We want devices that do a lot, but that do not confuse, do not lead to frustration. Ahah! This is not about simplicity: it is about frustration. The entire debate is being framed incorrectly. Features is not the same as capability. Simplicity is not the same as usability. Simplicity is not the answer."
So what is the answer? We want products that are understandable and do not frustrate. Confusion leads to frustration because we are not in control any more. When we loose power and control, it frustrates us. Products that are understandable don't frustrate us. We often mistakenly equate understandability with simplicity. We can, however, make devices with many features as long as the device is understandable.
Check out this video of a one year old baby playing with an iPhone
(Aside: Maybe the iPhone OS should be adapted for the One Laptop per Child program?)
Is it just learned behavior and nothing more? I would argue it isn't because the child comprehends the consequences of different actions. The interactions of the phone are so understandable and so intuitive that even a very young child can navigate the device. Does simplicity lead to understandability? Maybe, in some cases. But understandability is key and it can be accomplished with good mapping and feedback!
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Don also writes about the inclusion of features and the death of simplicity as a result of feature creep. People want to think that their devices do a lot, that's why steering wheels now have controls for windows, radios, heat etc. A simple steering wheel used to suffice, but now people require buttons and trinkets due to the overwhelming consumerism and materialism in our country. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, though. Simplicity is definitely overrated, but is usability also? If it gets the job done, does it really matter how "useable" a device is? Would it be better to have a useable phone with limited features or a feature-laden device with poor usability. Personally, I think usability can be learned (take the case of Miller welding machines) but its more difficult to add features after the fact.
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