The object I love is the iPod touch, despite the constraint that this device cannot be used as a cell phone, it offers most of the iPhone applications. The mapping on the iPod touch is almost exclusively by a touch screen, which assumes with software upgrades, the mapping can be partially changed. Having the touch screen and central button on one side, eliminates the affordance of someone mistaking the metal plate on the rear as the screen. When the iPod Touch is turned on, visibility is very clear, information such as battery power usage, time, date, websites, songs, youtube, photos, videos, contacts, calendar, calulator and iTunes can easily be accessed from the main screen. The use of album art and the album art viewer ensures the user is aware of what song they are listening to and choosing new music.
The object I hate* is the Bose Speaker dock for iPod, mainly because this object is constrained to only playing iPods, whereas other speakers the same price, size and quality offer an input for other Mp3 players, computers, cd players etc. Another source of grief for me is that the mapping is so minimal that there is no off-switch, therefore the iPod is constantly being charged and on standby mode, this can be considered a massive waste of energy! There is little room for affordance as the device is designed with the iPod dock at the centre of the device on the same side as the output for the speaker. In addition to the speaker being on a slight angel leaning backwards and on a curve, leaving the back with void space. The small remote has constrained controls and does not allow the user to switch between playlists, albums, or genres.
*'hate' is a very strong word... I try hard not to hate anything!
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