News
Apple accused of iPhone gender discrimination
Ben Parfitt Jun 19 2008, 11:13am
Comments (4)
LA Times points out that new 3G model does nothing to ease user woes for those with long fingernails.
Whilst the mobile world is relishing the prospect of next month’s arrival of the new 3G and A-GPS enabled, The LA Times is instead lamenting the fact that Apple’s latest is not suited to those with dazzling fingernails.
The report reads:
Erica Watson-Currie of Newport Beach was frustrated that the improvements on the new iPhone didn't solve the fingernail problem. She and other women who have long nails - as well as people of all genders with chunky fingers - have real trouble typing on the device.
The 39-year-old consultant and lecturer, who says her fingernails are typically between one-eighth and one-quarter of an inch long, wants the iPhone to include a stylus.
"Considering ergonomics and user studies indicating men and women use their fingers and nails differently, why does Apple persist in this misogyny?" Watson-Currie wrote.
Problem is, the iPhone's touch screen responds to the electrical charge emitted by fingertips.
And pretty though they may be, fingernails don't emit one.
The New York Times, citing Nielsen Mobile, reported this week that the number of women using smartphones more than doubled last year, to 10.4 million, growing at a faster pace than men.
Apple declined to comment about fingernails and the iPhone. In the past, the company has said that it's more natural to use the pointing tool you were born with: the finger.
A company called Ten One Design sells an aftermarket iPhone stylus for about $20 to $25 apiece. Watson-Currie hasn't been impressed by the reviews and thinks Apple should offer a stylus on principle. Why not just cut her fingernails? "It's the machine's job to accommodate its users, not the other way around," she said.
Those who don't want to choose between fingernails and an iPhone can learn to type using the sides of their fingers. That might be good enough for surfing the Internet or making phone calls. But doing serious e-mailing or text messaging that way can be onerous.
Comments
“Duh!”
Posted by: Darth Obvious - Jun 19, 3:17pm
Then don't buy one!
“Re: Duh!”
Posted by: somebody - Jun 19, 3:23pm
I think it is a fair point.
The "then don't buy one" logic is not really a solution, is it?
“Re: Re: Duh!”
Posted by: Ben M - Jun 19, 3:38pm
Where does this argument end though? Is the iPhone discriminating against people without hands because they don't have fingers? It's an extreme example, but Apple can't possibly accomodate everyone who'd ever want to use the iPhone.
“Re: Re: Re: Duh!”
Posted by: Jim Jam - Jun 19, 5:00pm
I think it's a disgrace that people with greasy skin should have to put up with huge touchscreens on their phones - i have to wipe my Secret 10 times a day!!