From buttons to gestures: the interface we hid (8 minute read)

The shift from physical buttons to gesture-based interfaces evolved from early touchscreen innovations to modern smartphones, enabling more flexible controls and larger displays. While gestures like swipe, pinch, and pull-to-refresh became standard, they are invisible and can be less accessible or harder to learn. Good interface design balances gestures with clear feedback, alternative controls, and accessibility considerations to ensure usability for all users.