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There does seem to be a general trend away from physical buttons and lights, and towards touch.
We just installed a new laser printer. The old one had a control panel consisting of a few LEDs and buttons, sensibly located on the top of the machine. The new one has a touch screen, mounted on a stalk.
With the old one, I could see the LEDs from almost anywhere in the office. I knew if there was a a paper jam or a printer error, just from peering at the machine from my desk. Now, because the touch screen only faces the front, I've got to get up and go right up the machine to see if it's working.
It's not a big problem, but it does show how design is being influenced by technology rather than the overall user interface.
Mike
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