The Best Interface Is No Interface: The Simple Path to Brilliant Technology

The Best Interface Is No Interface: The Simple Path to Brilliant Technology

Released February 2015
Publisher(s): New Riders
ISBN: 9780133890419

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Book description

Our love for the digital interface is out of control.

Expanded from one of the most shared design essays ever written, and one of the most popular talks at innovation conferences around the world, this entertaining and visionary book offers a compelling new way to see the future of technology.

Digital interfaces today consume our lives. The average adult today spends over eight hours a day staring at a screen, and some apparent technological innovators are hoping for more. They’re making screens for your wrist, face, and car; and creating apps that try to get you addicted so they can boost their advertising revenue. Innovation has become Facebook updates inside cars, refrigerators that send tweets, and garbage cans that show us the current weather.

There’s a better path.

In this raw and delightful critique, learn the fascinating ways to think beyond screens using three principles that can lead us toward more meaningful innovation. Whether you’re working in the technology industry or just concerned about our technological future, you’ll find this insightful and creative book captivating.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication Page
  4. Foreword
  5. Contents
  6. Welcome
    1. 1. Introduction: Why Did You Buy This Book?
      1. “This guy is a clown.”
      2. “The title says it all.”
    2. 2. Screen-based Thinking: Let’s Make an App!
  7. The Problem
    1. 3. Slap an Interface on It!: Slimmer TVs! Faster computers! And an overlooked epidemic of awful.
    2. 4. UX ≠ UI: I make interfaces because that’s my job, bro
    3. 5. Addiction UX: Click here to cut down your belly fat by using this one weird tip
      1. “Got the girl. Got the money. Now I’m ready to live a disgusting, frivolous life.”
      2. “My feed is cluttered.”
    4. 6. Distraction: “Will you marry me?” “Sorry, I was sending Alice a text. What’d you say?”
    5. 7. Screen Insomnia: I love staring into a lightbulb! Me too!
    6. 8. The Screenless Office: The best interface is no interface
  8. Principle One: Embrace Typical Processes Instead of Screens
    1. 9. Back Pocket Apps: This app goes perfectly with my skinny jeans
    2. 10. Lazy Rectangles: That’s a great wireframe. We nailed it. We’re going to make a billion dollars.
  9. Principle Two: Leverage Computers Instead of Serving Them
    1. 11. Computer Tantrums: Your password must be at least 18,770 characters and cannot repeat any of your previous 30,689 passwords
    2. 12. Machine Input: I saved your life, and I didn’t even need a password
    3. 13. Analog and Digital Chores: I know, I suck at life.
  10. Principle Three: Adapt to Individuals
    1. 14. Computing for One: You’re spécial
    2. 15. Proactive Computing: In the future, I’ll talk to my computer!
  11. The Challenges
    1. 16. Change: You hate this book? Thank you.
    2. 17. Privacy: The machine will “learn” about me? No thanks.
    3. 18. Automatic: Automatic solutions are terrible. Look at Clippy!
    4. 19. Failure: What happens when it all falls apart?
    5. 20. Exceptions: Less is sometimes more
  12. Conclusion
    1. 21. The Future: Wow, this is boring
    2. Appendix A: Endnotes
      1. Chapter 1 Why Did You Buy This Book?
      2. Chapter 2 Let’s Make an App
      3. Chapter 3 Slap an Interface on It!
      4. Chapter 4 Jobs
      5. Chapter 5 Addiction UX
      6. Chapter 6 Distraction
      7. Chapter 7 Screen Insomnia
      8. Chapter 8 The Screenless Office
      9. Chapter 9 Back Pocket Apps
      10. Chapter 10 Lazy Rectangles
      11. Chapter 11 Computer Tantrums
      12. Chapter 12 Machine Input
      13. Chapter 13 Analog and Digital Chores
      14. Chapter 14 Computing for One
      15. Chapter 15 Proactive Computing
      16. Chapter 17 Privacy
      17. Chapter 18 Automatic
      18. Chapter 19 Failure
  13. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Best Interface Is No Interface: The Simple Path to Brilliant Technology
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: February 2015
  • Publisher(s): New Riders
  • ISBN: 9780133890419