An Open Letter To Cell Phone Manufacturers

Dear Makers of Cell Phones:

I just wanted to drop you folks a quick note about current cell phone choices. First, let me thank you for the excellent job you’ve done over the last decade of working to create phones that keep us connected, and aren’t as heavy as a cinder block. For that we are all appreciative.

I’m aware that smartphones are all the rage. These wonders of technology have more processing power than desktop computers of the 1980’s. In addition to their phone duties, they can serve as organizers, email clients, text message, instant message, digital cameras, Bluetooth interfaces, play music, shoot video and even show live television. However, not all of us want all of these features. There are at least a few of us, akin to users of a windup watch in our digital world, who only really care about the phone in the end. You know, press the buttons, dial the numbers and speak to a real live person (well, at least occasionally…).

Anyway, I went cell phone shopping over the weekend. I really just wanted a basic phone, without all the bells and whistles (I’d rather spend the extra money on something I won’t be tossing into the trash in 22 months). The current crop of phones has gotten quite small. No, the word may be tiny; the buttons are downsized as well. I have no difficulty with my close vision, and have a high degree of manual dexterity. Unfortunately, with these phones, it can be about as frustrating as a Rubik’s cube to try and dial them without totally concentrating. As we all use our phones while driving, even with a hands free headset, we still have to place the call at some point.

I think this may be another example of industry catering to the fashion whims of the teenage crowd. The lines are sleek on these new phones, and there are more lights and colors than on my Christmas tree. However, they need to be more useable. The engineers need to go back to design school, and take Ergonomics 101 again. Small is one thing, but it still needs to be easy to use. This is even truer given our aging “baby boomer” demographic in the USA. As their arthritis develops, and they are hampered by vision issues (presbyopia and cataracts come to mind), the company that can make a cell phone that is large enough to see, with buttons easy to press will have plenty of sales among this group.

I’m not really sure what I’ll end up purchasing. I had a Siemens phone a few years ago, and even though the size was compact, and the buttons small, it was still very easy to dial as the numbers were raised, and logically laid out. I didn’t see anything in that category the other day. I think as these phones have gained so many advanced features, they are losing their basic functionality. While I am not a heavy cell phone user, I see why many younger folks with heavy use are developing joint problems.

I leave you with this. Sometimes, a simplistic design is best, and has the most functionality. Unfortunately, the pendulum has to swing back away from the current frivolity before those designs can emerge.

--Jonas