As the size restrictions, media player can not use a lot of buttons destined to be controlled, so do not affect the function realization of the premise of how to maximize the use of a small button to simplify Caozuo also become a designer’s goals.
Early in the tape machine age, Panasonic will be available for sale through a wire with only two buttons, one button for the stop button, another key pattern on a lot of press time is the play / pause, fast forward speed by two times, Express by three of rewind, press and is upside down … … then this design also appeared in Sony’s, “Chameleon” commemorative Walkman WM-EX9 on.
Although this design enables a very compact body looks, but because of the amount of information the user to a corresponding increase in memory, and very prone to misuse, it is not widely used.
Later, a similar situation in the MP3 player on again, and because more MP3′s interactive operation, the UI (User Interface, the user interface), in particular the design of key layout is also beginning to receive attention.
MP3 features the original single button basically continue to use the previous Walkman design, play / pause, fast forward, rewind and volume control interference in each other for a long time back have no problem at all. Later, when the FM radio, recording and even e-books, picture browsing and other basic functions become, the key “not enough” problem has become pronounced, the two functions assigned to each key (long press / short press) to be the most common practice , while the designer must first consider how to take full advantage of the limited display space.
Then subsequently the five keys, although to a reduced number of buttons on purpose, but the overall ease of use UI is still no major breakthrough, the designer can do only as much as possible to the menu structure design more reasonable. In a very long time, MP3 players have little control systems innovation.
The touch buttons, it’s biggest advantage is to avoid prone to mechanical failure button, but for UI designs and not much help – really useful should be touch screen, but it required relatively large screen size, This mp3 player with the current mini-trend of the development is clearly contrary.
UI design must break through the screen, breaking the constraints to the product from the industrial to transcend yourself, such as Windows Vista, Office 2007, the glass UI and the UI, ease of use is given in a very perfect example.
MP3 players real breakthrough came from iriver, the U10 and E10 using the Direct-Click (referred to as “D-Click”) control system, key input and screen output with the most direct way to associate to a large extent the reduced amount of user memory and also to MP3 to the “no instructions” of the target more step.
Iriver D-Click is a set of independently developed control system, it has simple, straightforward, fast, friendly interface, rich colors, with a series of DIY scalability features, one is for the bright eyes.
Simple and easy to understand: D-Click control system will be the most commonly used functions of a parallel show, use the up / down functionality or content of choice to achieve left / right is used to enter or return to all levels of menus. Compared with the previous program, the user operation using the D-Click system, Walkman, it is easy to produce a conditioned reflex, that is associated with a kind of eyes and fingers, that is to see that by feeling rather than thinking that the press spent Which key.
Quick and convenient: despite the menu’s reaction speed and the hardware has a great relationship, but if you want to access 34 directories to find the functionality required, it is a waste of hardware and then quickly, so the menu structure is reasonable can quickly realize the purpose of key. In this regard, D-Click the edges at a glance, not to mention the hardware performance of iriver products is also very good.
Pretty fun. D-Click the UI despite limited screen breakthrough, but the screen is still very great importance to utilization, such that it can change the background image (either manually or automatically according to the date of change) that allows MP3 to maintain a sense of fresh and fun. In addition, this control method is used to play in the E10 and U10 game feel even more so convenient!
Although the U10 and E10 were used in D-Click control system, but implementations are not the same: U10′s buttons are hidden around the screen by pressing the edge of the screen to achieve the operation, relatively speaking, more intuitive, playing a number of specially designed Flash games and more sense, but in good hands to operate; E10 appropriate size using four buttons, single-handed operation, but the overall feel and operation of mobile phones are very similar more beneficial to users to pick up. The focus of the two is not the same, it is difficult to say that the manner in which some of better.
It is understood, iriver models will be extended later with a D-Click control system, such as listing the latest S10 is an example. This software is not only conducive to the unity of iriver develop excellent players, and supporting software, for users, also provides great convenience.
D-Click system there, let us see the iriver’s strength, but people always never-ending desire and hope that they can develop a more perfect for MP3, PMP and other portable entertainment devices in the control system.