The perfect thing
by Steven Levy · first published 2006
5mentions
2recommended by
5HN commenters
2008–2018first – last mentioned
40% recommend60% neutral
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Kidder's book is awesome. This article reminded me of Steven Levy's iPod book: It's also very good, not a classic but still worth a read: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Thing-Shuffles-Commerce-Cooln...
on “The Guts of a New Machine (2003)” ↗I highly recommend Steven Levy's book, The Perfect Thing, for a more in-depth look at the iPod. Levy did a mini article-ized version of his book for Wired a few years ago: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/ipod.html
on “Straight Dope on the IPod's Birth” ↗…the white headphones being associated with iPods, not only in all of the iPod marketing, but in the minds of the public as well. For a discussion of the significance of the white headphones, see "The Perfect Thing" by Steven Levy. That I get. I just don't see why that's funny: I've never met somebody with the headphones who wasn't using a Mac. I don't think I know anybody who would think that was a good way to…
on “The Simpsons mocks (m)Apple” ↗…the white headphones being associated with iPods, not only in all of the iPod marketing, but in the minds of the public as well. For a discussion of the significance of the white headphones, see "The Perfect Thing" by Steven Levy. iPhonies are expensive: it's parodying the perception that you pay more for Apple products and all you get for the price premium is the status associated with having the products. Steve…
on “The Simpsons mocks (m)Apple” ↗'Frictionless' is much better than 'simplicity' - because simplicity can mean the sacrifice of necessary complexity. But I like Steve Job's definition of simplicity cited by Steven Levy in The Perfect Thing: "Fruit - an apple. That simplicty is the ultimate sophistication" and goes on to describe the iterative development process that eliminates all but the essential needed to deliver the desired experience.
on ““Frictionless” as an alternative to “simplicity” in design” ↗