94 Green Computing
Using a smaller device can provide more focus and greater flexibility than is
possible when using a personal computer. For instance, to move an app to the
iPad—as a company recently did—you really have to think through what the
software is doing and what the user needs.
A mouse and a high-resolution monitor can allow—or force—the user to
choose from among dozens of alternatives at a time. But a touchscreen, such as
the one on a tablet, only works well if the user has far fewer choices. So software
developers have to really think through what they’re offering the user, and what
they ask the user to do in order to complete his or her tasks.
The combination of simplified software and easier to use hardware actually
changes t ...