Over the past few years we’ve witnessed web 2.0 design principles gain increasing popularity and influence. The most effective and foundational of these principles, in my opinion, is to “focus on a small set of features that solve a distinct problem in an efficient manner.” Now, due to this principle, every Web 2.0 era company worth its salt provides a clear and simple user experience.

As a testament to the power of this principle, its effects are making their way onto the desktop. Take, for example, Tweetdeck. Their tagline says it all: “A simple and fast way to experience Twitter.” Another example of a super-focused desktop experience is Mars Edit, my favorite weblog editor. Mars Edit gives me only what I need, in just the way that I need it.

This evolution of simplicity has seen its most recent, and most significant step, in the iPhone. Nearly all good iPhone apps provide a fast way to access and/or manipulate a very focused set of information.* In fact, the iPhone’s ergonomics and contexts of use reinforce simplicity of design as a means towards faster access to and editing of information. In other words, the iPhone’s platform necessitates the creation of simple and efficient applications.

The experience of computing is a continuum - most people blend their experiences across the iPhone, the web, their cable provider or TIVO, and their desktop apps. Most users don’t ask why one platform’s experience is different from another. Most aren’t even aware. With this in mind, my simple prediction is that as more users experience the efficiency and satisfaction delivered from iPhone applications, they will increasingly expect equal levels from all their realms of computing.

The evolution of simplicity continues.

* iPhone apps also allow people to play fun little games, but that’s beside the point.