Why the PlayBook calculator has a great user interface
Little was known about The Astonishing Tribe (TAT) until they were acquired by RIM last December. It is easy to recognize a TAT application when you see it. There is a certain je ne sais quoi about their design that’s a hallmark of their creative prowess. Take the native calculator app on the PlayBook for example.
Displays Current Operation
Most calculators don’t show you what operator state you’re in, so you have to cognitively work harder to remember what operator you pressed, and where you are in the operation. The PlayBook calculator has a clear, visual operator state, so the UI does not force you to remember what operator state you’re in.
Ever try to calculate a long operation? For example, calculating ‘1 + 2 + 3 + 5 + 55+ 5 + 5+ 8 + 1 + 55 + 5’ will be difficult to keep track where you are in the middle of the operation because so many of the same operands repeat themselves. Seeing ‘5’ on the screen doesn’t tell you exactly which nth iteration you’re at because ’5’ comes up multiple times. It could be the first instance of ‘5’, the middle, or the last. The PlayBook calculator shows you all previous operands so you’ll know exactly where you are when identical operands appear multiple times.
Order of Operations
Remember PEMDAS? TAT made it extremely easy to apply the correct order of precedence. For example, calculating the expression 7 + (6 × 52 + 3) becomes a no-brainer. Most calculators don’t even include parentheses, unless you switch to scientific mode. To arrive at the correct answer, you need keep track of the operands and operators to enter. On the Playbook calculator, you simply input each part from left to right, and voila!
Goodbye MR, MC, M+ and M-
Although these features still exist on the Playbook calculator, you don’t really need to use them or understand how they work. TAT makes it easy to perform multi-step equations without having to add them to memory using the “M” buttons. Previous calculations are conveniently listed to the left. You simply click on the result of any previous calculation to reuse it as an operand for subsequent calculations.
Clear Buttons
Ever wonder what the difference is between the ‘CE’ and ‘C’ buttons? ‘CE’ clears the current entry/operand. ‘C’ clears the entire operation. Some users hit these buttons multiple times to ensure that all previous operations are cleared.
TAT replaced the ‘CE’ button with a visual cue we are all familiar with—the left arrow—signifying backspace, placed next to the clear button.
Bonus Apps
In addition to the standard and scientific calculators, the PlayBook calculator includes a unit converter and a tip calculator. The fluid transition from one app to the next is a testament to the infusion of a bit of magic that’s truly a TAT trademark.
