As the user experience designer, this “singing“ of electronics, and other such devices has been prevalent for the last decade or so. It’s an attempt to humanize the electronic devices we interact with every day. I question its effectiveness or validity, but, nonetheless, it has become extremely popular in both the medical device field and the field of home appliances. Buying an LG or a Samsung appliance, and it will, very annoyingly, play little songs when it’s done doing whatever it does.
I find this a particularly interesting emergent cultural application of anthropomorphism to everyday objects. I wonder how it will progress over the next decade or so.
Every time I turn it on, or off, or open the door, or think about using it for a second? No thank you. I don’t need a tune for every action. I can very clearly see that you’re on because the display is on. I know you’re open because I’m standing right the fuck here.
You’re gonna miss the tune for when the display dies but the controller still works. It’s actually there for user input feedback. It could’ve been anything else, but if it has to be there, it might as well be something pleasant. Picture an appliance that screamed every time you pushed a button.
As the user experience designer, this “singing“ of electronics, and other such devices has been prevalent for the last decade or so. It’s an attempt to humanize the electronic devices we interact with every day. I question its effectiveness or validity, but, nonetheless, it has become extremely popular in both the medical device field and the field of home appliances. Buying an LG or a Samsung appliance, and it will, very annoyingly, play little songs when it’s done doing whatever it does.
I find this a particularly interesting emergent cultural application of anthropomorphism to everyday objects. I wonder how it will progress over the next decade or so.
Uh I love the songs my dryer and dishwasher play when they’re done. Its much better than just BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTT
When it’s done? Fine.
Every time I turn it on, or off, or open the door, or think about using it for a second? No thank you. I don’t need a tune for every action. I can very clearly see that you’re on because the display is on. I know you’re open because I’m standing right the fuck here.
You’re gonna miss the tune for when the display dies but the controller still works. It’s actually there for user input feedback. It could’ve been anything else, but if it has to be there, it might as well be something pleasant. Picture an appliance that screamed every time you pushed a button.
Like Hitchhiker’s Guide’s sighing doors. :D
I just need a singing rice cooker so I can go “Ganbatte Mr Rice Cooker San!” when he starts cooking and “Arigato Mr Rice Cooker San” when he is done.
OK well I have never seen one play a whole song every time you touch it. Mine just does a simple jingle when the cycle is over.
I prefer a little deedle-eep to a horrid mechanical buzzer.
When the dishwasher spends an entire goddamn minute doing the same annoying chiptune, every single day… gimme back the buzzer.
I prefer a simple signal, too. Maybe the whole “play a song when the laundry is done” is a cultural thing.
The Imperial March on a MakerBot