I, like many of you, am addicted to the iPhone. This love affair began almost 14 months ago; together my iPhone and I have surfed the web, dined in the finest restaurants, navigated the world, and downloaded app after app. We’ve Tweeted, Friended and Linked. I think it’s forever. No…I know it’s forever.
Today, the company responsible for my iPhone introduced a new member of the Apple family, the Apple iPad. Would it be love again?? Would this iPad wiggle it’s way into my life and my affections?
Sadly, what began with such promise and hope…is now dashed. While my iPhone love has transformed my life; how I make phone calls, surf the web, connect to friends and clients through social media like Twitter, Linked In and Facebook, and yes, even update this blog – the iPad is little more than a giant iTouch. It’s a ‘tweener’ product, elbowing it’s way into the Apple family portrait. Bigger than an iTouch with a larger QWERTY touchscreen but without the computing power and reach of the Apple Powerbook lines.
Beyond my personal realization that the Apple iPad doesn’t seem to have a place and purpose in my own life, our ERGOLAB team has some deeper concerns with the ERGONOMIC implications of the product. We already know that laptops can create significant Ergonomic challenges without tricking the tool out with accessories; docking station, keyboard, keyboard tray, monitor, monitor arm and wireless mouse. Once we have pimped out our laptop with Ergonomic accessories, the configuration must be adjusted (ideally by a trained Ergonomist) to ensure neutral body postures and avoid injury. WHEW…exhausting.
The Apple iPad has all the Ergonomic challenges associated with the laptop AND takes another step in the WRONG DIRECTION. Typing on the iPad touchscreen while the iPad rests on a flat surface will force the neck into more extreme static neck flexion or extension depending on the users posture. Eye strain is also a risk. TRANSLATED – typing on the iPad for any stretch of time will create neck pain, possible eye strain and could cause injury.
The ability to attach a keyboard to the iPad (the iPad Dock) was a good move by Apple; but no consideration was given into the lack of adjustability of the height of the screen once it is attached to the iPad Dock. This was a missed opportunity by Apple to address head-on the Ergonomic issues related to laptop use (these issues are well-documented). The ability to telescope the iPad up and down would allow the iPad to be adjusted to the proper height for the user, ensuring neutral neck postures and subsequently, comfortable viewing.
Take a look Flybook’s VM Theory laptop – pictured below – the solutions are out in the marketplace; it is a shame Apple didn’t take this opportunity to address the Ergonomic limitations of small format computing (laptop and tablet formats).
What are your thoughts on the Apple iPad? We’d love to hear from you.
After reading your post, I fail to understand why you are absolutely in love with the iPhone, but are criticizing the iPad…
Seems to me the iPhone has even worse ergonomics than the iPad, and your comments about its ergonomics are far-stretched. *ANY* laptop, tablet, phone, whatever ‘suffer’ from these issues, it’s nothing special for the iPad nor for the HP tablet
hi there. Thanks for adding your POV. My issue is that the iPhone was never intended to be an intensive computing device – writing etc etc. Apple doesn’t position the iPhone as a replacement for a laptop. The iPad positioning is more expansive – some people will buy this product and use it as their primary computing tool. You are right that any and all of these tools have ergonomic issues – we spend our days addressing and resolving these issues with adjustments and accessories. Our business is to minimize or eliminate these risks – so when a company as powerful as Apple creates a new tool in a new category that will ADD to the MSD/RSI epidemic – it’s troubling. Robin, thanks for stopping by.
Sorry, but I think you are missing some of the point here. To knock it for ergonomic reasons is silly. You might as well knock a paperback.
The iPad will never be used in the same way a laptop will. You will hold it in front of you on the train. Or while lying beside the pool on holiday. Or propped up on your knees on the sofa.
Ergonomics are hugely important (especially in the workplace) but must also be taken in context with the intended use of the product.
Loved the comment ‘you might as well knock a paperback’. Good stuff.
The use of this product is for the consumer user to decide – the fact that v1 has a docking station/keyboard accessory option leads some to believe that writing / typing/emailing is a part of the intended equation. If it looks like a laptop, acts like a laptop…well, it’s a laptop. People will use it like a laptop – count on it.
Lines between life and work are gone; this tool will be used for every aspect of life. You bring your body everywhere…postures and positions matter. In our Ergonomic practice we see so many avoidable, debilitating RSI/MSD injuries.
James – our mission isn’t to trash Apple – it’s to get people to think long and hard about the product and it’s intended use. If you are correct, then we have nothing to work about. If you are wrong….
Thanks for weighing in
Cyn
Cyndi
Hi Cyndi
I agree that the ‘keyboard dock’ is a poor design in terms of the posture it’s likely to encourage amongst users. Maybe there is a gap in the market for a non-Apple product to provide more flexibility in keyboard position and screen (iPad) height?
cheers
Chris
If I were an ‘after-market’ accessory manufacturer, a telescoping keyboard dock would be on my design board right now.
thanks Chris
Our guess, someone is working on the solution right now!
Nice read. I also saw a video in youtube about a review on new Apple iPad. Here is the link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAb_yg2XF-k
hey – thanks for sharing the video line – good stuff
Hi. I agree in some aspects. But the iPad is a mobile device so the posture is not determined.
The classical postural rules about working with screen displays do not apply necessarily in the same way when we’re reading a book, watching TV or playing a videogame. We can do these tasks with the iPad sitting on the sofa, laying on the bed or even standing …
As for visual aspects I think iPad is better than reading on a laptop because we can adjust the view distance, and the characters are greater than a smartphone.
If Apple and other adopt tools that enable the hand writing on the iPad it would solve major problems in tablet ergonomics.
Ergonomic accessories like bad keyboards, mice, wrist or mouse pads are obsolete.
We must do a new ergonomic diagnostic to identify the problems that this new product may cause like any other else.
Thanks for commenting. Sorry but we agree on very little.
Your argument that ‘classical postural rules’ do not apply when reading, watching TV, or gaming is inaccurate. Body postures and positions ALWAYS matter.
The random postures and device positions inherent in mobile devices are what create injury risk. Human Factors and Ergonomic research already exists detailing the dangers of texting and gaming on mobile tools. The list of Ergonomic risk factors associated with iPad use is long – static neck flexion, static wrist flexion and extension, etc etc.
The visual aspects / improvements you mention are invalid – our argument is that you CAN’T adjust the screen height (Apple opted not to add that level of function in the iPad Dock). If you are refering to the human user adjusting up and down by holding and moving the device – YIKES. That triggers a laundry list of ergonomic risk factors. Another basic Human Factors principle – the hand is a lousy holding device. Holding an object, particularly one with weight and dimension, poses very real risks.
Anton – we’re not against technical innovation – we just expected more from Apple. They set the standard, and will own the tablet category. We had hoped for more enlightened design.
Cyndi et al
Apple does not often change its designs but stance this has allowed a large accessory market to develop. I suspect that the manufacturers are looking at the iPad with great opportunities in mind.
I found it significant that Jobs mentioned several times that iPad will provide the best internet BROWSING experience. I believe that this will remain the focus.
I see the iPad as a supplementary option to a desktop or laptop. I don’t see the iPad competing with this sector, it has filled a gap.
Hi Kevin
Thanks for your comments. Here’s hoping your take is accurate. The after-market should address a lot of the gaps in the iPad.
It’s unfortunate Apple didn’t offer more adjustability in the iPad keyboard dock – telescoping neck, up/down/in/out. Would have addressed a number of our concerns.
It’s odd that Apple seem to have overlooked ergonomics. I don’t really see how anyone could use the iPad as a serious tool for more than about 30 minutes or so.
Those photos of that theoretical laptop are amazing!
hey there. You’re right on with your 30 minute estimate. BTW – those photos are a real product. This is what we had hoped Apple would incorporate into their design of their docking accessory. The ability to add a keyboard, mouse, adjust the screen. etc
i don’t know how Steve can just stand up there and lie by saying the best web experience and better than a laptop. with no flash support, you are missing more than half the internet. why couldnt you just make a tablet with a slim down version of osx steve?
thanks for thoughts – we prefer to think of it as ‘marketing’, not lying. Remember, business is about storytelling 😉
[…] everywhere now on PC and Mac keyboards, laptops, and netbooks: improving the typing experience. Experts are cursing the iPad as a giant leap backwards in […]
Lots of of bloggers aren’t very pleased with this new iPad.There was 2 much hoopla over it and alot blogers got disapointed.You see, I for one see some of the awesome potential uses of this gizmo. Third-party applications for working with music, games, newsprints and magazines and FFS books, all kinds of neat stuff, but they failed to sell it properly (aside from the books). It smells kind of incomplete
I am absolutely looking to purchase the iPad, and I am excited to see what kinds of appz and games will be created for it. I just don’t get the point some of the nitpicky criticisms in this blog. Size of the bezel?? Puh-leeze!
hi
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I’ve loved Apple products for some time, they produce technology that is visually gorgeous while working like a champ. Alot of companies aren’t like that, it’s usually one or the other. Tech companies don’t usually take aesthetics seriously like Apple. With me stating that I’ve got to say that I’m very excited about the upcoming iPad. One thing I question though, is it too soon? I reckon that this product may be ahead of its time. What do you reckon?
What do you think of these desktop touch screen monitors which seem to be becoming all the rage? Seems like must be be ergonomically awful for either your arms (manipulating), or your neck/back (manipulating or viewing), or both, depending on how/where you position it. But I haven’t seen much commentary or research on this, despite their growing popularity.
hi there.
I know…SO SLOW to respond. We actually just wrote a blog post on this issue. See our post http://bit.ly/9axkmi on this topic. You are absolutely right…most monitors are poorly supported, positioned outside the REACH envelope AND do more harm than good.
There is very LIMITED data available right now on impacts in the business enterprise…business has been slow to standardize this technology. Most of the business placements are one-offs. Our blog post has a link to Gartner Group’s research on the adoption of touchscreen technology in business. Kids are the real users of these tools….we wanted parents to be aware of the risks.
Thanks
Cyndi
I returned my iPad after about 10 days. It was an ergonomic disaster for me and started causing neck and shoulder strain. I really wanted to like it but could not find a position that was comfortable for extended use (more than 15-20 minutes). It’s too heavy to just hold up and when it’s on a table or your lap, you have to lean over and/or bend your neck too much. If you prop it up at an angle then it becomes difficult to use the touch screen interface or keyboard. My netbook and iPhone provide enough alternatives. Books, magazines, and newspapers DO NOT present the same challenge because they are lighter and don’t require constant manipulation with the interface.
Rob, thanks for sharing your iPad experience. I expect more consumers will have similar issues. Our ERGOLAB team is hoping the product after-market comes up with ergonomic accessories for iPad, but so far, nothing has caught our eye. I have to believe a docking station of some type is in beta-test right now.
Cyn
[…] The ErgoLab: The Apple iPad; this Apple has a few worms. […]
Thanks for your post and insights. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and personal trainer. I see the iPad as yet another brilliant product from Apple with poor ergonomics. Even if it’s “designed” to be used on trains and on laps as “James” says, it is still going to cause neck and shoulder pain. Likely worse so because people have no table top on trains and buses. Many of my clients already suffer from “iPod” Neck (Or Blackberry Neck, pick your poison): horrible pain in the neck, headaches, shoulder tension and huge muscle knots. As much as I appreciate repeat business I hate to see people suffer. Keep writing great stuff! I am now subscribing to your blog.
Note: My post about Apple’s iPad ergonomics is here: http://workingwellresources.com/2010/06/06/ipadihurt-apples-ergonomic-fail/
The user interface design of the Ipad/iphone is the nest in the business. So easy to use and navigate! Apple spend millions on ergonomics and UI so ensure users come back for more.
With regards to touch screens on desks i think that this will cause issues with the shoulders/neck when using for longer than 1 hour. The need for ergonomic mice like the DXTErgonomic Computer Mouse should staty around for a while.
Good article, reminding us everyone has their own views. I never really ‘got’ the iPhone, but then I don’t need more than a basic mobile for urgent communications. I love the iPad because I can research and write on it more easily than on a tiny phone screen, run all my presentations from it, and use it for email. It’s simplified my packing for long trips by replacing my old laptop, books and notebooks. As long as I take responsibility for my own body it’s not going to cause me any physical problems – in fact it reduces them because i have less heavy stuff to carry. No downsides as far as I’m concerned!
[…] Some of the material presented by the newspapers is drawn from a piece on a blog called Ergolab. […]
[…] Some of the material presented by the newspapers is drawn from a piece on a blog called Ergolab. […]
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