We get it, it’s cool to be able to use the iPhone’s taptic engine to simulate a button push. But it’s now being overdone to such an extent that we’re all suffering from haptic overload …
Facebook has for a while done it when you like a post. It’s unclear why, as you get a clear visual indication – but the company apparently thinks it’s a good thing, as it is now testing the same feature in Instagram.
Reverse engineer extraordinaire Jane Manchun Wong discovered it.
Judging from early responses to her tweet, we’re not the only ones who think the trend has gone too far.
To clarify, I meant to say “haptic feedback,” the short pulse of vibration that’s aimed to give you the similar satisfaction and sensation when you give a like. It should fill users in the emotional void from hiding the like count.
Though this was perhaps the best response:
I didn’t ask for it.
I hope they add a disable button for this.
Normally vibrates give a like
— Paul Armes (@PaulSArmes) December 4, 2019
iOS does give you the option of switching off haptic feedback globally, but not on an app-by-app basis.
Apple’s developer guidelines call for haptics to be used ‘judiciously.’
Facebook and Instagram are increasingly converging, the company recently testing a photos-only view in Facebook.
Avoid overusing a haptic. Sometimes a haptic can feel just right when experienced occasionally, but become tiresome when it’s experienced frequently. In general, avoid designing an experience that yields extended or repetitive haptic feedback. Often, the best haptic experience is one that people may not be conscious of, but miss when it’s turned off.
What’s your view? Do you agree we’re now suffering from haptic overload, or are you picking up good vibrations? Let us know your views in the comments.
