There have been only a few times in recent personal computing history where there had been dramatic changes in the area of user interface. The most notable one was when we went from the command lines of CP/M and DOS to that of the Apple Macintosh. A decade or so later, smaller portable computing devices (Apple Newton, Palm Pilot) ushered in new ideas on how one should navigate and interact via a touch-sensitive screen. It was another 10 years before the Apple iPhone brought "multi-touch" gestures to the general public. In another month or so, Apple's iPad will be shipping. We believe this will be another significant marker in the evolution of the computer user interface.

Designing a great user interface experience is more an art than a science. Sure there are plenty of guidelines to follow and examples to mimic once the path has been paved. However, when the landscape is brand new, as when the Apple Mac was first introduced, or now with the introduction of the "multi-touch" capability, an interface designer can be pulled in a lot of different directions.

Fortunately for developers, Apple has always been great in providing a lot of resources to help funnel everyone in the same direction. With their general operating system, their Human Interface Guidelines are just that...guidelines. With the iPhone and iPad apps, Apple through the AppStore, has the power to strictly enforce those "suggestions."

Some developers may chafe under this kind of "oversight." We, however, think it is exactly what has made Apple successful. The guidelines makes it more difficult for programmers, but make it a lot easier on end users. Users love to be delighted, but they don't like to be unpleasantly surprised. They care about quality and consistency, but they also want their expectations met. Apple's HIG over the years have always spelled out how to achieve those goals. The iPad HIG is no different.

If you are thinking of developing apps for the iPhone or iPad, go and download the Apple Human Inferface Guideline and study it. It will be the best time investment you can make if you want to participate in this next evolution. [Permalink] -iPad Human Interface Guidlines