Critical Mass: The Wife Acceptance Factor

on 02.06.05, 12:47pm in home theater, mac, microsoft • share on facebook • comments (11)

[Mac Mini Blog] People are already putting them in their living rooms and already getting complaints from the wife.

When I first put Media Center into our bedroom, my wife’s initial reaction was: "You mean I have to boot the TV? You’ve got to be freaking kidding me"

In my opinion, in order for a product or technology to gain critical mass, it has to first achive a high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) rating for the ultimate acceptance in the home.

  • The Mac Mini. WAF Rating: Low. Just plugging a computer into a TV cannot acheive a high WAF score in the living room.
  • Windows Media Center. WAF Rating: Variable. When it’s standard Windows XP, it has the same problems as the Mini, and only rates Low. MCE shines though when in 10ft mode and rates High.
  • Tivo. WAF Rating: High. Easy to use, sleek remote control and two or three clicks to get something done.
  • Custom Home Theater and House Audio System. WAF Rating: Low to None. While she loves it when I have it setup and running, I still need to write up an instruction sheet on how to turn it on. Not good.
  • Sony Touchscreen Remote. WAF Rating: Low. Conversation with wife: "Press Receiver, press power. Press TV, press power. Press Receiver, press volume up, etc". ’nuff said.
  • Harmony Remote. WAF Rating: High. Incredibly intuitive remote. Even the parents can figure it out.

11 Comments

    Chris (February 6, 2005 @ 5:54 pm)

    I would give the Sony Touchscreen Remote as rating of “Variable”. It’s got Macro’s that you can program to make it 95% more attractive.

    Steve (February 6, 2005 @ 8:18 pm)

    I dunno. For example, with “macros”, I hit one to turn on the tv, dvd, receiver. When I hit another one, it has no idea and shuts off the TV, receiver, etc.

    With Harmony – it remembers what I turned last and doesnt attempt to turn it on again.

    Rich C (February 6, 2005 @ 10:09 pm)

    Completely agree with this concept. Our DishNetwork “TiVo” has a very high level of acceptance. In fact, she’s asking if we can get one with a bigger drive :-D .

    I’ll be checking out the Harmony Remote. That’s an area that begs for improvement in our house.

    Ian (February 7, 2005 @ 1:08 am)

    Windows Media Center has passed the Wife test with me.
    Before I had MCE I had a Nebula Digi TV card in the PC and we used that, but she was not to keen on using it and it crashed. Try expaining that the Video crashed while recording your program!
    But MCE is stable enough for us to use.
    Plus she loves My Pictures, we have loads of pictures of our kids on it and she can show them off no probem at all. Try doing that on your video

    Ian

    Steve (February 7, 2005 @ 6:30 am)

    Totally agree with MCE – once it’s in 10ft mode. She LOVES watching the Ken Burns effect slideshows with My Pictures, etc.

    Louis Davidson (February 7, 2005 @ 9:35 am)

    The Sony Macros are fantastic. I have macros set up to turn on and off all of my AV equipment. The only problem with the touchscreen is that it is made of glass. They have cheaper models with macro capabilities that work just as well. My wife only has a problem pointing the remote at the TV when the ottoman is in the way :)

    Steve (February 7, 2005 @ 10:48 am)

    Interesting. I had nothing but issues with the macro’s on my Sony remote.

    Poldo (April 25, 2005 @ 1:55 am)

    WAF

    Acronimo per Wife Acceptance Factor: In an object, especially an electronic device, that normally appeals only to men, the qualities or features added to or modified in the object to make it acceptable to women. Via The Word Spy. Alcuni esempi qui….

    Graham Chastney (oak-grove) (May 11, 2005 @ 2:17 am)

    Form factor pyschology v car psychology

    One of the things that must be among the most debated on the web, and blogs in particular, is the whole debate about the right form factor. Speaking as someone who has been around the IT industry for a

    Graham Chastney (oak-grove) (May 11, 2005 @ 2:30 am)

    Form factor pyschology v car psychology

    One of the things that must be among the most debated on the web, and blogs in particular, is the whole debate about the right form factor. Speaking as someone who has been around the IT industry for a

    Code/Tea/Etc. (June 7, 2005 @ 8:09 pm)

    re: The Spouse Acceptance Factor

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.