comparing apples to oranges.

Don't even get me started about the new apple iPhone (above). I know I can't compare apples to oranges (pardon the pun) but I'm going to anyway. What I'm comparing here is intent. Look at all the care and thought and user consideration that's gone into this product by a company that continually bests themselves. They don't rest on their laurels. They don't stop at one iteration. They innovate. They progress. They make their product better for their consumers. In a word, they care. And in the process, they make mountains of money and change the economic game, because people want progress and they want their needs met. Because, guess what, people will pay for that.

I've ranted about this before, and I'll rant again, I'm sure. I find it strange and frustrating and at times, infuriating, that we have to settle for product that looks and feels like this (below). There are continuing improvements inside the box and that's great. We want that first and foremost. But I don't think it's a lot to ask that some improvements be made to the outside of it as well. Design matters. User interface matters. Living with a designed object 24/7 should make it matter more. I can't imagine that the people at apple say, great, we got the inside working better, so let's just not worry about the outside, let's just go with last years model. I'd love to see what Jonathan Ives would come up with if he designed a pump. My guess is, it wouldn't be this circa 80's pager box. My guess is that it would look and work a whole lot differently. I can't imagine that reinventing the phone was the easiest task to undertake. The fact that it is possible to do such a thing, makes me really wish that someone would undertake the design challenge of reinventing the insulin pump. Life is good, but it can always be better.

Comments

[Lyrehca]

Interesting point--have you contacted pump companies to let them know what you think?

Honestly, I tuck my pump under a shirt or in a pocket, so I can't imagine what it would take to make me want to wear it more openly. How could it look better for you?

[Bernard Farrell]

Thanks for pointing this out. I agree completely. Mind you if the pumps were less expensive and the market bigger (and you know the two are related), maybe they'd have more money to hire designers.

There's something like a design hierarchy of needs, see for example Kathy Sierra's wonderful post - What Comes After Usability (http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2007/01/what_comes_afte.html).

I think pump designers have barely made the first four levels (Efficiency, Learnability, Correctness, Functionality). I agree it's time for them to attack the usability stuff.

While they're at it, could they also fix the following Functionality and Efficiency issues?
* Font size for the support telephone number. If you can't read it, what use is it?
* Beep volume. On my pump, I have to use vibrate mode because I can't hear the beep (though I do attract lots of dogs, only kidding).
* Waterproofing. I realize that water is a fairly recent invention. But it's been around long enough now that all pumps should be waterproof to at least 10 feet of submersion.
* Different cases. Come on folks, mobile phones have done this for YEARS. Why can't users purchase different color skins for their pumps? While these are life-saving devices, we also need to wear them all the time. Why can't they be at least a little fashionable?

[InSearchOfBalance]

Isn't the iPhone lovely? Sigh....

Yup, the pumps are a bit of an eyesore. And having something that looks like that glued to my stomach does point out to me that something's not right.... whereas, if I had an iPhone glued to my stomach I might feel a little but awesome.

[George Simmons]

I agree on both points. Apple just knows how to make a product not only look great but function the way you want it too. I do wish Master P (my pump) was as sleek as the iPhone. Well, maybe someday pump companies will work on a better design.

[Scott K. Johnson]

Good points. I think that eventually the demand will help drive the innovation.

It's just hard to wait!

[Shirlene]

Dear All,
I am new to your site. My 11-year old daughter Barbara has had Type 1 Diabetes for the past three years and needless to say life has truly changed. To compound the problem we live in Germany and everything, absolutely everything, takes atleast two yaers before it is available here. She is using the Cosmo Deltec. The gluose monitor it still not available in Germany and all the suport stuff-pouches etc. cannot be purchased here. It is very difficult to order from the USA as we have to go through customs with everything. The shops here are few and certainly don't have child friendly products.
I do understand fully the issue of not being really able to wear a dress / skirt unless you first put in an inside pocket yourself and then have the tube protuding. Many nights I check on my daughter because I am afraid that the pump could actually fall out of the bed - this has happened before-. The pump is black, very hard and although almost like a cell phone,does have a tube. We have tried the neckholder but it is not practical as the pump hits into your chest if you run, jump etc. Also, Barbara once fell down in a sandbox and you don't want to know the grime that got stuck in all the grooves on the pump. All belts available here for the pump are adult size as are bras and undershirts and very very unattractive.

If anything changes or anyone else has tips I would appreciate hearing them.

Shirlene