When Zune was released to the world I found it curious that few commented on the the Microsoft choice of interface – a text based menu system vs. Apples icon alternative.  To navigate through the Microsoft menu system – you scroll through text descriptions of the various options – “Music”, “Videos”, “Photos”, etc.   On an Apple iTouch, iPhone – users press on icons denoting various features (a TV for the video player).

By opting for a text only interface design, I believe Microsoft seriously limited it’s chances of attracting a wide audience to its product.  It created an unfriendly barrier to entry to the casual users.    Text isn’t friendly, bright or cheerful – Icons are.  Text is very serious, and most importantly – it’s not universal.

I can pass my iTouch to someone who doesn’t speak English and within minutes they can be up and running, same can’t be said when it’s text.  Likewise if the default language is in Cantonese or Russian.

It’s curious that some very large American companies really struggle with localization.  Even residing here in Canada it’s a major pet peeve when U.S. companies fail to deliver products that don’t utilize Canadian English Adobe, Microsoft by default use U.S. English – which could easily be fixed by checking computer settings on install.

For any company that hopes for international adoption – they need to think on an international level.  Products get sold on the street – consumers talking to consumers.  If a product can’t bridge language barriers, there’s no hope for the product to expand it’s reach outside it’s region.

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