Shifting Relationship with Technology

The iPod and iPhone fundamentally changed the way people interact with technology. In the past, the internet was primarily accessed through desktop computers, and it wasn’t until they became portable that information became accessible at our fingertips. The intuitive interface design of IOS and the introduction of the touchscreen enabled a lower barrier of entry to technology for a wider set of users. This, in turn, changed the focus of the Interaction designers, and they had to consider new modalities of touch, voice, and movement for users to interact with their devices, accounting for the settings and context in which they may be used. Iterative testing and user feedback became central to catering designs to meet new user expectations. The iPod’s user-centric approach of prioritizing user needs, intuitive interfaces, and consistency across various devices and platforms became the new standard and has shaped how we interact with technology today.