The iPhone and Android both have a favorites feature in the Contacts application. It is amazing to me that features so similar could have such a different user experience. The favorites list on your iPhone or Android is identical to favorites in your web browser, the only difference is that we are talking about contacts and phone numbers to call.
The iPhone Way
On the iPhone you open a contact and click Add to Favorites. You will see a pop up to select which number to add to the favorite list. The approach taken on the iPhone is to require the user to select a number before adding to the favorite list. On the iPhone a single user can appear multiple times based on what numbers you want for that contact in your favorites list. Also on the iPhone you can change the order contacts appear in the list. For example putting your wife #1 above you best blogging friend.
The Andro
id Way
On Android you open a contact and click the star in the upper right on the contact page. This action adds the contact to your favorites list, then selection of a phone number to associate can optionally be done at a later time.
What the Heck is the Difference
There are many small differences that for me dramatically change the user experience.
1. On the iPhone you click on the contact name, which is displayed in the large area, to initiate a call to the default number. To view the contact details you click the small arrow on the right side. In contrast, Android on the right side provides a small phone icon that is used to initiate a call to the default number, if no default number is selected this provides a popup to select a number to dial. If you click on the contact name, in the larger area, you are presented with the contact details.
Verdict: For me the iPhone way works better because the larger area is dedicated to the default action, calling.
2. People like to sort lists, especially a list that is of favorites. I personally want to order my favorite list and this on my Droid is not possible. Even removing contacts and re-adding them does not help sorting the list. It is almost like Android remembers their position in the contact list once added.
Verdict: The iPhone wins again for usability. The favorite list is designed to make calling certain people faster. Putting the numbers in an order that makes sense to you helps improve efficiencies. Plus I hate explaining to my wife why my boss is higher on my favorite list and that I cannot change it
3. The iPhone allows you to add a single contact to the favorite list multiple times with different numbers.
Verdict: For me I like Android more. While I get the value here, it requires additional time looking at the phone to determine which contact number you’re selecting. I know you should not call when driving but people do it. I never used this option on the iPhone, I always expanded to see the contact details.
4. As explained above the iPhone adds contact numbers to the favorite list, while Android adds the contact. On Android you have two ways to see all of a contact’s numbers, assuming you did not specify a default number. The only issue is if you click the small phone button, which is the one they want you to use the initiate calls you get a list of numbers without labels (home, mobile, work).
Verdict: The iPhone wins here. If Google addresses the list of numbers without labels this for me would be a tie. For the majority of people I call I could not blindly look at a list of numbers and determine mobile from home. I am a huge fan of the favorite feature on both platforms but for me the iPhone is more intuitive. I commonly make the same click mistakes:
a. For contacts I do not have a default number set I always click the phone icon which presents me with a list of numbers without labels.
b. After getting the list of numbers I cannot select from, because I don’t know where each number calls, I click the back button.
c. Finally I click on the contact name to see the details and select the proper number to call because the contact details show labels for numbers.
If you’re wondering why I have favorites without a default number the answer is simple. I call them at all of their various numbers at random times so no one number is better than the other.
Let me be clear I love my Android phone but this is a behavioral thing that just annoys me. The problems with the favorite list does exist in other places on the phone like in the GMail client. You will experience the same issue if the contact has multiple email addresses (i.e. work, gmail, hotmail, etc.). When sending an email the auto complete will show a list of matching addresses. The problem is you’re presented with a list, you can only see the front part of the name, i.e. john.smith@… and there is no easy way to see ‘@what?’. Often I just have to choose one, and then when wrong, try again. Very frustrating!. I am hoping that this is just a sign of immaturity in the OS and will get better as time goes on, but right now, it drives me crazy!