Usability Rules!

The common goal of all usability professionals, no matter if they specialize in cooking utensils, clothing or developing mobile applications and services, is to develop products from the end-user needs’ perspective, so they could use them easily and intuitively. Developing products should not be based only on technical possibilities and/or limitations. why? Simply, when it's easy to use, more people will use it and the more revenues the product\service generates. Unfortunately, many products fall at the "technical trap" and leave behind the goal of intuitive usage.

That is why I was very impressed with Hutch (India) “Copy Callertune” feature:

So simple. So elegant. So intuitive. All you need to do is press the * key when the ringback tone is playing. Who wouldn't press * if he\she hears a cool Callertune?

At Hutch’s website I’ve found the following directions:

“How to copy Callertunes Like your friend’s Callertune? Now you can set it on your own Hutch phone - it’s easy! Just call your friend, and while the Callertune is playing, simply press the * key on your Hutch phone. That’s it - the Callertune will automatically be copied and set on your Hutch phone.”

Way to go! And if you come across more cool examples - don't be shy and send me a word about it. Thanks :)

Comments

[Idan Aderka]

I have to say the idea is definately clever - with the push of a button you can copy someone's tune. It is very innovative and very teenager oriented. Hutch might very well make use of this service to profit from teenager impulsiveness. I hear a song I like, I want it, I push a button, I have it. Very easy.
The only problem is that it's too easy. What happens if I push the button by mistake? I get stuck with a tune that I (or my friends) don't like. Perhaps a combination of buttons will suit this service better and achive a better balance between easy usage (to harvest impulsiveness) and error prevention.