SoundCloud Product Review

I was playing the podcast in SoundCloud and realized I need to pause the audio for a while. That when I realized I could not find the familiar pause button anywhere on the screen. Instinctively, I clicked on the audio frequency chart which moved along to show the length of the audio being played.

Nothing happened. Then I looked at the screen again and found it. I clicked on the nice background image and the audio was paused and the play button was then displayed on the screen if I need to resume.

What had happened made me ponder from the perspective of the product design.

While I was not being too frustrated of not able to pause the audio on my first attempt and had to waste 5 seconds before I could do what I wanted to do, there are some definitely some trade-offs between different choices, such as:

1. Having a great aesthetic (the nice background and minimal buttons) versus having a more functional screen (clear buttons display)

2. Letting user experience new design (nice background to click for the action) versus using things that had always work in the past (play/pause/stop buttons are so universally understood)

There were really some tough choices. I do not think there are any fast rules to it.

For the case of SoundCloud, I still believe it is risky to remove the buttons that are so conventional to any audio/video player. It had taken me 5 extra seconds to pause the audio, but it might take longer for some other people (I am considered technical savvy and physically fit, especially my fingers)

Even this, I am still in conflict because the UI is really great with the large background and less buttons!

This is where I struggle to find the pause button.

The button appeared after I click on the background image.

Even this I had to admit the play button was somehow a little bit different that the conventional play button. (yes, the triangle shape!)

Side Note: I like http://getting2alpha.com/ podcast which features experienced product/design people with Amy Jo Kim