If you are designing applications for the iPhone, you want to make sure that they are easy for users to understand. There are many tips that designers of successful applications can give you as well as information from the designers of the iPhone itself.

They range from the appearance of the application to its functionality. Most of the tips have to do with improving the Human Interface which pertains to the way that users can interact with their device. Developers have determined that the easiest way to ensure that your application will be easy to use is to introduce familiar actions and tools in order to make it possible for users to interact with and understand new applications.

Settings Are an Important Part of the Human Interface

However, there are a few things which are necessary to work in to any application in order to enable a user to operate it in the way that they want. Many of these, such as passwords, geographical references and book marks, are controlled through various settings and it is this area which has generated a lot of debate and discussion from iPhone developers and independent application creators.

There are two areas where these settings can be located. The first is in the application controls itself. The second is in the settings application which governs the overall operation of the iPhone itself. There are advantages to both of these, and understanding these is critical to ensure that your application will be a success with users.

A Look at Human Interface Guideline Recommendations

If you have looked at the Human Interface Guidelines document produced by Apple which is available online, you know that it recommends placing the settings controls for your feature in the Settings application. This can work well for some applications but in fact is something which may not work for all apps that are currently being developed.

Here is what you should consider when you are deciding where to place your app settings that will govern the look and functionality of your applications.

Settings Controls in Settings App Vs in the Applications Themselves

Many developers, whether they work directly for Apple or are developing apps independently advise that unless the execution of code is required, all settings should go in the Settings app. Because it is impossible for third party applications to execute code within the Settings app, if you fall into this category you will have no choice of how to design your product.

The pros of putting your settings in the Settings app are quite simple. If you are dealing with a change that will affect the overall functionality of the handset, or you are trying to change the way the handset looks, the Settings app is the most convenient place. It also gets users used to looking in the Settings app for various options. If they do not know to look in this area they may be upset that they apparently have no control over their device using the app you have programmed.

There are a few obvious cons to putting your settings in the Settings app. Unlike a computer, an iPhone has the capacity to only have one app open at a time. If you are dealing with frequent changes, you need to make sure that users will not need to close out and switch back and forth repeatedly. This can make the overall interface feel very unwieldy and inconvenient- not qualities you want associated with the program you have developed.

A good developer knows how to create an application that has smooth, seamless operating capabilities. By learning how to simplify the look and operation of your apps you will find that users respond well and that good functionality and high performance will become the hallmarks of the programs you create.