Passionate about technology, media and chocolate eclairs, I've worked in web and print for over twenty years and now run a digital media consultancy in Scotland.
Apps for apes. What an amazing idea. Orangutans at a zoo in an American zoo have been using iPads.
(BBC: Orangutans ‘could video chat’ between zoos via iPads)
I like the foresight of the zookeeper who instantly recognised the potential of tablets for their orangutans when Steve Jobs launched the iPad in 2009.
But there are many facets to this interesting experiment into animal behaviour. And I can’t help but wonder whether apes will actually be able to give us insights into website and app usability.
Only yesterday, I read another interesting article that suggested that buttons on a website or app just get in the way of ‘organic’ usability where touch is the primary input method.
Could it be that one day, we can learn from orangutans whether something is touch-friendly or not, and modify it for humans.
For years I have been taking a laptop to meetings and and when demonstrating websites, I am asked to click here or there. Fast forward to 2011, and I take my iPad to demonstrate. And it amazes me to see my clients/colleagues etc, most who have never used an iPad or tablet before, reach over and use touch to interact. Not only is that a breakdown in social barriers, but it also demonstrates just how intuitive touch is. There is no learning curve. It’s see and do, or often, just do what feels right.
I would love to see this project develop so that we can learn more from apes how they use these devices. of course, there’s nothing to stop us doing proper testing with humans, because at the end of the day, it is humans who will use our apps, but I’m convinced that this project will produce some useful insights
