First the iPad Touch came and introduced us to touchscreen interfaces. Then the iPhone was released and allowed us to contact all of our friends and acquaintances by just tapping a screen. When the iPad came out, it introduced us to a world of computing without a mouse, keyboard, or need for a desk. The touchscreen technology has changed the way we do digital business. While using your fingers to navigate a device is cool, there are certain drawbacks to always having to rely on a touchscreen.
1. Lack of Compatible Browsers
When designing a website, developers are still stuck in the mindset that they need to engineer a user experience for those viewing content on desktops. Apple iOS is an excellent way to view the Internet through your mobile device, but some interactive elements like Flash are conspicuously missing.
Windows has recently unveiled to the world their new operating system, Windows 8, which promises to change the mobile browsing game with their new “metro” style browser. But it might be too late because Apple has such a dominate place in the market.
2. Low Battery Life
Touchscreens take up a lot of battery power in order to present graphics and allow ease of access to the interface. This is an unavoidable fact that all smartphone owners need to deal with. There are apps that decrease the number of programs that are running in the background, but the touchscreen still dominates the amount of battery being used.
3. High Risk of Damage
If you drop your touchscreen device, even from a relatively safe distance, there is a good chance the screen will crack like a windshield. If you don’t have a good warranty, your phone will be permanently damaged and may not work correctly ever again.
4. Smudging
Touchscreens are very sensitive. So sensitive that every little movement of your finger will be detected by it. Fingerprints and dust can make your touchscreen un-cooperative and make it feel like it has a mind of its own.
5. Teaching Mom How to Use it
Unless your mom works for Facebook or one of the data centers in New Jersey, you’re going to have a difficult time trying to teach her how to use her new phone or tablet. Imagine explaining all about apps, browsing, texting, and playing games; while all she really wants to do is learn how to call on the thing.
I personally think that the drawbacks of owning a touchscreen smartphone are nil in comparison to the advantages and “cool” factor of it. It is up to you to decide whether to stay with the old-school cell phones or upgrade to touchscreens.