The Perfect Thing

1. What elements of the design process does this article illustrate?

Steven Levy's article gives insight to many ideas used commonly in the design process, such as ease of use, durability, and aesthetics. The article also illustrates how the iPod project needed to focus on specific facets of the design process, like comfort and mobility, to create a satisfying final product.

2. What factors would you use to evaluate a "perfect thing?"

If I am to evaluate a "perfect thing," the first question I will ask is: does this product do what it is intended to do? If it does, does it do it well? Is it easy and comfortable to use? Will it last, or, is it reliable? These factors, functionality, ease of use and comfort, and durability, are most important to me when considering a product.

3. Whether you own an iPod or not, you probably have some opinions of this product. What do you feel are its strengths and weaknesses?

I do own an 80 gigabyte, video-capable iPod. I love the general design of the device and enjoy using it. I feel that the user interface is extremely well-done, particularly with the new search feature included on newer models.
All of the iPod's hardware is brilliant: the compact hard drive, crisp video resolution, and scroll wheel are triumphs of innovation and design. I am extremely satisfied with the technical aspects of the iPod.
I do have a few complaints from a consumer's standpoint. Apple has restricted their product very well; it is very hard to get around the roadblocks they have zealously erected on the iPod. Possessing a device that Steven Levy describes as a "small computer" and being unable to utilize it to its full potential can be frustrating. Were the iPod to be unshackled, it would revolutionize how we see external hard drives. Can you imagine using your iPod - and an externally-linked, roll-up keyboard - to type and save documents?
Potential is what characterizes the iPod, much of it unfortunately wasted. I would love to see Apple's iPod interface adapted to accommodate other programs, including free-ware. Although each new iteration of the device includes new and interesting features, it is not enough.