[54mf]

The problem with interface-less mobile apps is that the interface provides critical cues to the user about functionality. Phrases like, "...a finicky piece of artifice that we have to strain to understand" is only indicative of a poorly designed interface, not all of them.

The beauty of technology is that its software transcends the physical realm. Software does things paper cannot. While specific physical metaphors often apply to software, especially with touch-based interfaces, to avoid taking advantage of the inherent non-physical nature of an application is a terrible mistake at the expense of true usability and functionality.