It's been ten years since British designer Imran Chaudhri first designed the user interface that gave millions of people their first taste of a smartphone. Chaudhri joined Apple in 1995 and soon rose to a leadership position in his field. In the relevant task force, he was one of the six-member team that designed the iPhone.
Understandably, a lot has changed in the world in those ten years. The number of iPhone users is increasing rapidly, as are the capabilities and speed of the iPhone. But everything has its flaws - and the flaws that the iPhone has have already been described on many pages. But we ourselves are actually involved in one of the iPhone's negatives. It is about its excessive use, the time spent in front of the screen. Recently, this topic has become more and more discussed, and users themselves are making efforts to reduce the time they spend with their iPhone. Digital detox has become a global trend. We don't have to be geniuses to understand that too much of everything is harmful - even using an iPhone. Excessive use of smartphones can lead to serious psychological problems in extreme cases.
Chaudhri left Apple in 2017 after spending nearly two decades designing user interfaces not only for the iPhone, but also for the iPod, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Chaudri was certainly not idle after his departure - he decided to start his own company. Despite his heavy workload, he also found time for an interview in which he spoke not only about his work at the Cupertino company. Not only did he talk about the challenges he faced as a designer at such a huge company, but also how Apple intentionally didn't give users enough tools to control their devices.
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I think most designers who really understand their field can predict which things might be problematic. And when we worked on the iPhone, we knew there could be problems with intrusive notifications. When we started building the first prototypes of the phone, a few of us had the privilege of taking them home with us... As I used and got used to the phone, friends from all over the world kept texting me and the phone dinged and lit up. It dawned on me that in order for the phone to co-exist normally, we need something like an intercom. I soon suggested the Do Not Disturb feature.
However, in the interview, Chaudhri also talked about Apple's position on the possibility of having as much control as possible over the iPhone.
Convincing others that distraction would become a problem was difficult. Steve understood that … I think there's always been a problem with how much we want to give people control over their devices. When I, along with a handful of other people, voted for more scrutiny, the proposed level didn't make it through marketing. We've heard phrases like: 'you can't do that because then the devices wouldn't be cool'. Control is there for you. (…) People who really understand the system can benefit from it, but people who don't know how to change wallpaper or ringtone can really suffer.
How was the possibility of a smarter iPhone with predictive notifications?
You could install ten apps in an afternoon and give them permission to use your camera, your location, or send you notifications. Then suddenly you find out that Facebook is selling your data. Or you develop a sleep disorder because the thing flashes on you every night but you don't really care until morning. The system is smart enough to recognize that there are apps you've allowed to use your data and that you're not actually responding to the notifications you've turned on. (…) Do you really need these notifications? Do you really want Facebook to use data from your address book?
Why did Apple finally care?
The features that help track your phone usage in iOS 12 are an extension of the work we started with Do Not Disturb. It's nothing new. But the only reason Apple introduced it was because people were clamoring for such a feature. There was no choice but to answer it. It's a win-win, as both customers and children get a better product. Are they getting the best product? Not. Because the intention is not right. The answer just mentioned was the real intention.
According to Chaudhri, is it possible to manage one's "digital" life in the same way one manages one's health?
My relationship with my device is very simple. I won't let him get the better of me. I have the same black wallpaper I've had since day one of my iPhone. I don't just get distracted. I only have a few apps on my main page. But that's not really the point, these things are really personal. (…) In short, you have to be careful, as with everything: how much coffee you drink, whether you really have to smoke a pack a day, and so on. Your device is at par. Mental health is important.
Chaudhri further stated in the interview that he clearly perceives the natural progression from dialing, twisted cables, pressing buttons to gestures and finally to voice and emotions. He points out that any time something unnatural happens, over time problems start to occur. And he considers the interaction of humans with machines to be unnatural, therefore he is of the opinion that the side effects of such interaction cannot be avoided. "You have to be smart enough to anticipate and anticipate them," he concludes.
Amaya Toman 
