The ubiscape blog is not only for my research and musings, but to try my hand at writing about different 3c technology which I own or have owned...
So for my first review I am going to talk about my soon to be sold Samsung note 10.1 device. This piece of technology as with all devices has good and bad points. Although, I'm not going to go into features and quirks individually, but to breath in an experience overview.
Ergonomics:
My previous experience with tablets before using this device was confided to an iPad 1 (which I bought soon after release), the iPad 2, and, and a cheap Android gingerbread device from HK. Although, I had used many of the other Android honeycomb tablets on the market in the past few years.
Trying to remove the paradigms of what I think a tablet or small computer should feel like, the note was nice to hold initially. I didn't care about the clammy plastic, or the creak on touch backing, even the large bezel around the screen. But, looking back my mind was clouded by the s pen functionality. The aspect of the large screen just doesn't fit. It's hard to exactly put your finger on it, it's not a natural shape, landscape isn't the way forward for tablet usage, when held in the hand at least. Granted, natural computer interaction is much more intuitive in the landscape display paradigm, but pen based tablets are definitely an exception to the rule. In fact, in holding the device you want to tilt it to portrait, but you have the feeling that you shouldn't be doing that... it screams at you via the stereo front facing speakers (which are located on each side of the screen) to tilt it back into landscape... telling me to use it in a way that doesn't feel right. On top of everything else the differing grade, colour and shape of the plastic on the device's sides make it uncomfortable to use any other way apart from landscape. The silver plastic comes away from the edge of the screen glass when held, twisting away allowing crumbs and other artifacts to creep into the gap. The tablet is quite thin, feeling thinner than most tablets out there, but it doesn't feel spectacular, it is actually quite drab. It all equates to a disappointing ergonomic experience. The design language is all mixed up, something is lost in translation. It takes design language from many different sources. It says "I am a traditional pc", because of its desktop UI and natural landscape orientation. "I am a note pad" because of the s pen. "I am a media consumption device" because of the stereo speakers... mixed.
Interface:
It's hard to title the different aspects of the note's design, this is because they're all interrelated. The main correlation is between the screen aspect ratio (therefore device size ratio), Samsung touch wiz version of android, and how the s pen is used. These all equate to a feeling of space waste, not utilizing the screen... with such a low definition screen, it's not acceptable.
The s pen itself is awesome. There isn't anything else quite like it at its price point, if you wanted a tablet with this functionality for less than £500... the note is your only real option (other than the new note 8.0, which incidentally why I'm getting rid). Although the UI is quite bright, blue and fruity; it's very functional. How you would potentially feel about the experience in the software all depends on the usage type. If you use it as a media consumption device then it's a good Android device, although you may be put off by the screen which is quite soft. If you use it as a media creation device, ie drawing pictures, photo editing and video, it's a good device. But, it doesn't have the portability that is required to make it a real choice for a portable idea capturing device.
To round it all up, the device is a nearly product which if it wasn't for the s pen functionality would be yet another mediocre Android tablet. Not a premium experience, but a premium price point. Price shouldn't be an issue when describing UCD experience, but it must contribute to how you perceive a product... it is part of the experience. Yes the s pen at the price is novel, but apart from that the experience is compromised by the cut corners.
This isn't an academic review... merely an attempt to restart the cogs of intrigue and renew the descriptive art of writing well. I must read more books of design to restart that intrigue. I must work less, but work at new goals. I must move forward for me, I can't feel burdened to joy.
Decisions can be more easily made when the time exists to think about them properly.
