Caterpillar Cowboy

diklein:

Cue’s Sign up / Sign in

I have a major qualm about Cue’s iOS app. Every time I see this screen I make a major mistake. I either get stuck in a loop, or accidentally create a new account.

So here’s a test. All text has been removed from the screen. Can you guess what you’re supposed to do? Think for a second. Got it? Well, you’re wrong.

You probably expect the white boxes are used to enter a username and password, and the blue button is to sign in… like so many other apps. Instead, Cue is using this obvious call to action area for letting people sign up. The tiny, subtle button is for current users who wish to sign in.

Cue expects people to carefully read the text on this screen before doing anything. Why should I? I’ve seen screens like this countless times. They all behave the same way. My reflexes kick in immediately.

What’s the result when I enter my username and password and tap the blue button? Error. Naturally I don’t read the error text since I occasionally enter my password incorrectly. So I do it again. And again. Then my next guess is I must have used a different email address. I enter a different email address, same password, and success! Where’s my data? Oh shit it’s all gone. Wait a minute… did I just create a new account? Shit.

Maybe I sound like an idiot to y’all, but this has happened several times. I’m accustomed to certain behaviors on iOS, and Cue deviates from them. Cue either needs to rethink this process and do something like Dropbox, which makes users tap “I have a Dropbox account” or “I’m new to Dropbox,” or Cue should reverse the behavior on this screen.

Maybe it’s on purpose.