I miss mechanical feedback on the recent slew of “cutting-edge” consumer electronics (CE) devices I have used. CE designers recently have been using flat buttons with pressure actuators (non-mechanical) instead of mechanical feedback buttons because they are sleeker or sexier, but, for me, they’re just less usable.

For example, I want a volume dial on my ipod that physically moves, so I can gauge how much I am adjusting the volume using my hand instead of my ears. On my iPod 4G I have to guess-and-check my way to an appropriate volume when I am adjusting the level while not looking at the screen, like when my iPod is in my bag. If I had mechanical feedback, I could adjust the volume more accurately.

This is a subject I care about because I once worked for a gaming mouse manufacturer. I liked the concept, but hated the device because half the buttons didn’t provide adequate mechanical feedback.

This subject is on my mind because I just read an interesting article on mechanical feedback vs non-mechanical feedback devices.

(Image by splorp on Flickr)