For my generation, iPods and iPhones are something we grew up with, especially iPhones. In class each of us had the opportunity to see old iPhones and iPods, and those memories came to mind when they were in my hands. My first cell phone was iPhone 5, which is not only a communication tool, but also a personal companion and a “fashion symbol” that I carry with me everywhere. Imagine how cool it was to have an iPhone for a kid at the time! Instead of listening to music on MP3 or recording my life on a physical camera, I could tap my iPhone to check my playlists and camera, and the maps and navigation on iPhone became part of my daily life. This kind of proximity at anytime and anywhere makes technology more humane and becomes our important friend.
Since we now expect our devices to be with us wherever we are and easily accessible with a thumb or fingertip, interaction design has had to become simpler and more straightforward. Designers eschewed crowded menus and tiny buttons in favor of clear icons, swipe and pinch gestures, and instant visual feedback. The goal was to make every touch feel natural, letting technology fade into the background and allowing us to focus on our work.