Why Less is More a Lesson from Apples iPad

The temptation for many product designers and Sales people is to cram in as much product as possible.

When you buy a car you are confronted with never-ending checklists of features with ticks and crosses.

When you sell a product, you may prattle off feature after feature to impress the prospect.

When you conduct market research, you may jam in as many questions as possible (as I wrote about here)

In reality, less is more as we can learn from Apples Chief Designer - Jonathan Ive. The new Apple iPad has been criticised for lacking some functionality such as a Camera and a USB Port. In a Time Magazine interview with Stephen Fry, Ive answered the criticism with the following statement:

"In many ways, it's the things that are not there that we are most proud of,"

This is not the statement you would expect. Steve Jobs explains later in the interview that he views Apple as being:

"at the intersection of the Liberal Arts and Technology."

Above all else, the technology simply works. They are very clear, they have Purpose.

When you give the prospect less, you are focused, and conversely end up giving them more. When you give a Child focused and undivided attention, you give them more. When you decide not to be all things to all people, you are more to some people.

It takes courage to stand against the tide and make a stand.

Are you cramming your products and prospects with stuff or just focusing on people need?

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• apple
• ipad
• focus
• service

[TheCrazyColombian]

Good video Steven - clear and well explained.

Steve Jobs uses a very 'Zen' like approach to many of his things; from product design to his presentation style (if you don't know what I mean by this latest statement, you need to read "Presentation Zen", then watch any of Steve's presentations). He might be an arrogant man, but he is an arrogant Zen master.

[prooc]

Lol, he left stuff off because they want to sell you newer updated versions every year. That's the only reason that they do it. They could've easily added a camera and more ram on this one, but they want you to buy the newer improved version next year, which will basically be the ipad with all of the shit they should've put on it the first time.

[magentafeelings]

very nice video...insightful!!