APPLE

This might be the most poorly designed feature of IOS and iPadOS

Tiny warning lights are helpful, but only once you know what they mean

Microphone in use light — photo by author

That little orange dot at the top of my phone tells me that the microphone is in use. If it were green, one or both of the microphone or camera would be running.

Tiny Things are Tiny

Little known fact: tiny icons can be hard to see. Also, warning lights can be helpful, but only once you already know what they mean.

It’s even worse on an iPad, as the light is tucked away in the upper right-hand corner.

iPad version — photo by author

On my busy iPad screen, that tiny dot is effectively unnoticeable. On my iPhone, it had been on for hours before I noticed it.

Admittedly, I’m not what you’d call a “detail” person. I don’t notice much of anything unless…