What we know about short term memory is closely imbued with the development of all technology that we know and use every day. Short term memory affects how different aspects of technology are developed. Designers of new technology always are always forced to keep in mind the working memory of the individual will eventually be tested and used against the final product. Producers are forced to keep this in mind because of the tendency of the individual to lean towards simplistic designs and simplistic interfaces. For your average user of technology: less is often more. Users seek out products that have the greatest ease of use, and not necessarily the most complex, and most effective product.
The reason people are attracted to simplistic designs and
interfaces is because short term memory limitations can make or break whether
or not a consumer is going to want to use a product. Too much information in a
website design may prove to send a consumer to a more simple alternative,
especially when a consumer may be using the website often. A prime example of
this would be the Google webpage. The homepage of the popular search engine
features a very prominent search bar in the center of the screen. The Google
search bar requires no difficulty to find, and is readily accessible.
Alternative services that Google offers such as Images, Places, and News are on
a conveniently located bar at the top of the screen. This design is not only
minimalistic but very easy to use, and in result, very popular.
Other examples of this design philosophy are everywhere. One
of the best examples of this design philosophy lies in the differences between
Android phones and iPhones along with their varying levels of popularity.
Apple’s original iPhone launched in 2007 and pioneered a new type of smartphone
that was vastly different than what had been seen before. It introduced a
design with a single 3.5 inch touchscreen that was used as the primary input
for the device. The simple interface included several rows of easy to access,
easy to use applications. Apple’s iOS was a success as it streamlined so many
common cell phone functions, and opened the door for so many innovative ways to
use a phone. The iPhone simultaneously functioned as an iPod as well, allowing
consumers to use their iPhones just as they would have used their iPods.
In 2008, Google introduced the Android operating system to
the market. Different cell phone manufacturers began using Android in efforts
to compete with the market the iPhone created. While Android phones have
managed to take up a significant market share, no individual Android phone has
managed to usurp the iPhone in terms of popularity. This can be attributed to a
number of reasons, but one of these reasons may have to do with the Android
operating system being less user friendly than the ultra-simplistic iPhone
interface.
Ease of use is directly correlated to how short term memory
limitation affects us as humans. Thus, because short term memory limitation
affects how we as humans use products and interfaces, technology designers must
always be aware of our tendencies to forget things in the short term.
