Click Wheels.

I work in a hotel and an iHome radio clock is found in each guest room. There is this little feature on the unit that has caught my attention for a very long time. The click wheels.

Unsurprisingly the click wheels are heavily influenced by the click wheel seen on Apple's iPods. However unlike Apple's click wheel, iHome's ones have a more tactile response and are not touch sensitive. When the wheel on the iHome unit is scrolled, an audible and mechanical 'click' is created, simulating that of Apple products. Unlike other dials and knobs seen on many radios, the click wheels requires less effort from user, with only one finger required to use the scrolling component. I like how the click wheels sit nicely flushed against the surface; giving the radio unit a more sleek and less convoluted appearance. I also like how the spaces inside the click wheel also provides a nice convenient place for the on/off and play/pause button.

I'm exited to incorporate a similar click wheel function into my chosen design. With the rise of the 'touch screen-generation', its a shame to see the disappearance of many click wheels and click wheel-like features.

(Sorry, I couldn't find a better photo on the net.)

-Phi Do