I have a sound machine I use at night. There are a TON of “buttons” (if you even want to call them “buttons”): Skip/next, volume up/down, and power. The only button I ever need is the power button. However, it’s in the middle of a circle.
Given I only ever turn the thing off and on at night (and it’s typically after I turn my lights off in the room and I’m half asleep). See how many “buttons” are on this thing? My thumb brushes over other buttons ALL THE TIME. I’ve had to find an imperfection in the plastic so my thumb knows where to push, because all those buttons are touch-sensitive.
Think back to our cars. The air conditioner knob used to have “clicks” — you wouldn’t have to take your eyes off the road in order to adjust the thermostat.
All of that being said, I think we’re missing the tactile feel of things now. Everything is flat. We want more texture.
I’m curious as to how this will play out for websites in the coming years.