back it up, back it up, back it up!

This post is not about backups.  We already established that the method apple uses to backup/restore or transfer to a new device is pretty epic.

This post is about the "back" button or lack thereof.

One of the things Apple has done to "simplify" the look of the phone is to only have one hardware button on the phone, the "home" button.

Apple has allowed developers to decide where to place the "back" button.   Allow me to show you some pictures.

Facebook here has the typical back button location.   Note that it doesn't SAY "BACK", it changes each time, in every app.  

Same app, different location, different text, different shape.
















This app doesn't use back buttons.  It has a 4 option selector from the bottom.   The location of the typical back button is "update all"

 This app doesn't have anything!   Its a fun game called "find the back button" where the user gets to look in all 4 corners, then down at the bottom, then analyze the two icons to see if they mean "back".  How do I go back?   Answer: You click the screen, then the back button is in the middle on the right.








Here is a back button in the lower left?








This is a consistent theme I have seen over the past 30 days or so of using this phone.   Apple tries to simplify the look or feel of their device, and ends up making it confusing to use.

Android phones have the back button in the very same place, every time, in every app.   Its one of the four buttons a phone gets on the bottom.

When I am in an app, even one I have used many times, here is my thought process

Ben's brain
"ok, im ready to go back"
"look in upper left"
"there is a button, it doesn't say 'back', what does it say"
"it says 'news feed' Is that where I want to go?"
"thinks..."
"yes, click, look for another back button"

Why do I have to rack my brain when trying to backup in an app?