I like to think I have a pretty good idea of what a consumer wants in a product. I've seen how Apple can make simple yet powerful applications. These days everyone has stories dealing with their parents and technology. Everyone dreads those phone calls with the parents trouble shooting with step by step directions. (Luckily those days are over now with screen sharing)

My dad is pretty good with his computers. He's not super techy and can't really just figure out something new, but once I explain something to him, he gets it, remembers it, can learn more from there. In fact, I'd say he can do more with his computer than many of my (non techy) friends (and some of my techy ones).

1. Before my dad left for India a few days ago, he asked me what his email password is. He never remembers all his passwords. Luckily I could screen share his computer, go into his keychain, and find his .mac password. So he's in India now and he called me last night because his login wasn't working. "Dad, your .Mac login won't work at yahoo.com. Your email is at Mac.com." Old people can't deal with a million logins and services. Account registration is a barrier for them to try new products.

2. One thing my dad doesn't know/use (because I never taught him) is copy and paste. Of course I couldn't live without it, and I'm sure if he knew how to use it he would. But he doesn't need it. He emails back and forth. He sends photos from iPhoto to email. He uses the Safari "Send link" option to send me links... It made me think that I won't be surprised if the iPhone never has generic copy and paste like we have on desktops.

The whole concept of having some data in a secret invisible place is sorta strange. The iPhone already lets you go from photos to email. And leaked screen shots of version 2.0 show you can select pieces of a website in Safari to save or email just like webclips on Safari for Mac. I wonder if most copy/paste scenarios can be handled through better, specialized UI.


People are used to doing things on computers like they have been done for the past 20 years. It's so interesting to step back and really understand the non technical consumer and design something for them. I love it.