Good Interaction

Here’s my microwave’s control panel. I imagine GE engineers designed this interface to satisfy all kinds of use cases (look at all those buttons):

However, I just use the “ADD 30 SEC.” button:

It’s an extra feature, but I use that button almost exclusively. Here’s the interaction:

1. Press it
2. It displays 30 seconds
3. It waits a half second or so
4. Starts automatically

You don’t even have to press start. It just goes. And if you want 15 seconds, push the button, wait for 15 seconds and stop it. If you need more than 30 seconds, press the button twice or however many times you need. When I need 2 minutes, I press it 4 times. I could press 2 and then start, but the 30-second button is so easy.

A wonderful unintended consequence of that add-on feature.