“Who wants a stylus. You have to get em and put em away, and you lose em. Yuck. Nobody wants a stylus.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“Who wants a stylus. You have to get em and put em away, and you lose em. Yuck. Nobody wants a stylus.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs expresses his strong belief in the simplicity and intuitiveness of touchscreen technology, specifically rejecting the use of a stylus as a tool for interacting with devices. Jobs recognized that a stylus added unnecessary complexity and inconvenience to the user experience. Instead, he advocated for the direct use of fingers on the screen, which felt more natural and accessible. The frustration of having to carry and manage a separate device, which could easily be lost or misplaced, was something Jobs wanted to avoid in Apple products.
This perspective led to the development of the iPhone and its multi-touch interface, which allowed users to interact with the screen directly, through simple gestures like tapping, swiping, and pinching. The decision to eliminate the stylus became a defining feature of Apple’s user-centered design philosophy. It made the device more intuitive, accessible, and easy to use, eliminating the need for any additional accessories. Jobs’ rejection of the stylus was part of his larger vision of technology that was simple, efficient, and user-friendly.
Today, the shift away from the stylus is a key element in the design of modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The idea that touch interfaces should be direct and intuitive remains central to smartphone design. Jobs’ words continue to resonate, reminding us that true innovation often lies in simplifying the user experience, not complicating it with unnecessary tools or accessories.
