Easy Mode review [iPhone]

A major aspect if the iPhone's design success is its organic and intuitive interface that makes it a doddle for anyone -even the severely technogically impaired - to use. So an app that promises a much easier and quicker access to the device's primary functions seems, at first glance, a little redundant.

At second glance, however, Easy Mode does prove itself to be true to it's word, though it's probably not an app that experienced users will appreciate the benefits of. There are other uses, however, that could make this application very useful at certain times, which we'll look at in a minute.

At its core, Easy Mode aims to take fast and efficient control of the iPhone's major communication functions: phone calls, text messaging and email. Large buttons, that almost segment the full screen in three, provide access to these features. Once your communication method has been selected, equally large buttons -- with big, bold text labels and contrasting colours -- provide you with options to send a single message or a group one.

The app also has access to your Contacts list, though it restyles it slight to match the big buttons and large fonts seen throughout it's designs. You can select recipients from your address book, or favourites can be added to a shorter list to make their selection easier and faster.

You can also create groups of contacts, and automatically send a message to them all by selecting the group from Easy Mode's favourites list. So after your initial setup, where you establish favourites and groups, messages and calls can indeed be accessed very quickly and simply using a minimum of button presses and only one finger.

A list of standard messages can be saved to the app, such as 'Okay', 'Running late,' or 'I'll call you back shortly' so you don't even have to type anything out if only a basic reply is required.

With similar access to the iPod app for music selection and playback, Easy Mode offers an ultra-simple interface to replace Apple's already neat design. So what's the point?

Well, for many users there perhaps isn't one, but for some this could be a real godsend. If you're at all visually impaired, the massive buttons, large fonts and high-visinility text - accompanied by the custom pre-entered responses - would be invaluable. It would also make the iPhone much more useable to anyone with difficulties using their hands, as the buttons are impossible to miss and very hard to confuse with each other. It's probably got its uses for firing off fast, easy text messages while driving, though naturally we can't openly advocate such a thing.

So there's a definite place for an app like Easy Mode, and anyone who needs to really simplify their use of the iPhone should definitely check it out. If it's simple enough for you already, and you've no need for additional accessibility options, the this app wasn't designed with you in mind.

Unless the driving thing sounded useful, of course.