Is it really a surprise? I rarely if ever use portrait orientation, and have always wished Apple would put the dock connector so that accessories worked better in landscape
It is to me. I almost always use mine in portrait mode.
When I had an iPad, I often surfed the web in landscape mode because the text was uncomfortably small to read in portrait mode. I suspect this to be a reason for these statistics. Come to think of it, even on my iMac, I often have to zoom in on an article's text to read comfortably.
With more and more iPads & tablets replacing desktops, I think web designers should design with tablet screens in mind and make legibility a bigger priority.
Given the upsurge in NETFlix traffic in the evening I can't say I'm stunned. But until I hit a video I prefer portrait on the iPad... scrolling through lists is nicer in portrait for me.
That is certainly consistent with the way I use my iPad. I would say I use it in landscape mode about 90% of the time. I also use my iPhone more often in landscape. The only really exceptions are talking or checking email quickly, but for most other things I prefer landscape.
I can't call a 41%/59% division a clear statements about a much more prefer way from another. Actually I found the portrait number (41%) quite high when considering some popular contents like videos are better viewed in landscape.
Not so surprising considering the number of idiots I see capturing video on their iPhones and iPads in portrait mode. It doesn't help that the on-screen icons don't switch to 'forced landscape' when video recording is started. iOS7 needs a big THIS WAY UP! on the screen for video to remind those numbnuts to twist the wrist for video.
Since this is just measuring web usage, from a ux standpoint, it seems more than half of people are more comfortable using the same orientation they'd use on a traditional PC display.
Whether this says most about the users, the iPad itself, or the websites they're using is conjecture and guess-work.
It would be much more interesting if we could see some correlation with demographic data to present some hypotheses.
This is relatively bad news for the platform in that it shows that most users would be using it for trivial almost recreational uses as opposed to using it for work. More important would be the trend however, so tracking it on a year to year basis would be far more informative than this one snapshot.
Recreational use = bad news?
Microsoft wants in. Desperately.
It is to me. I almost always use mine in portrait mode.
Me too I don't know anyone who regularly holds their iPad in landscape mode. I hold mine like a magazine using the Smart Cover as a handle to grip it and it resting on my leg or the couch cushion.
Websites, email, most games I play...just about everything I use my iPad for (save for FaceTime) is better in portrait mode.
Really FaceTime and messaging are the only two things I use landscape for. But even then I'm typing right now in portrait.
When I had an iPad, I often surfed the web in landscape mode because the text was uncomfortably small to read in portrait mode. I suspect this to be a reason for these statistics. Come to think of it, even on my iMac, I often have to zoom in on an article's text to read comfortably.
With more and more iPads & tablets replacing desktops, I think web designers should design with tablet screens in mind and make legibility a bigger priority.
I guess you forget about the reader feature in safari? I use it whenever I get to. By far portrait is way better for reading.
Portrait or landscape, depends on what feels more natural for the current use. Then again does it really matter? iPads are made to work in any orientation, remember the display just flips.
Of course this excludes having the screen facedown & looking at the back, that would be stupid.
You know, I find it interesting that Safari's Reader function seems optimized for portrait-only. When I rotate to landscape, it gains no additional width.
That's the same objective research as the one that says that people more frequently use pajamas in the evening than during day.
Of course they prefer landscape in the eveneings. Evenings is for watching some movies or videos for chilling. Portrait is for reading books and sometomes surfing during morning and after work commute. Is this news?
<p> Another 99% portrait user checking in...</p><p> </p><p> You know, I find it interesting that Safari's Reader function seems optimized for portrait-only. When I rotate to landscape, it gains no additional width.</p><p> </p><p> Even pinball games look better in portrait. <span alt=":)" id="yui_3_10_0_1_1372205579860_1525" rel="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies/1smile.gif"><img id="yui_3_10_0_1_1372205579860_1527" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies/1smile.gif" /></span><br /> </p>
Same here. Safari in landscape, except for web pages that support reader mode.
When I had an iPad, I often surfed the web in landscape mode because the text was uncomfortably small to read in portrait mode. I suspect this to be a reason for these statistics. Come to think of it, even on my iMac, I often have to zoom in on an article's text to read comfortably.
With more and more iPads & tablets replacing desktops, I think web designers should design with tablet screens in mind and make legibility a bigger priority.[/quote]
Comments
It is to me. I almost always use mine in portrait mode.
With more and more iPads & tablets replacing desktops, I think web designers should design with tablet screens in mind and make legibility a bigger priority.
That is certainly consistent with the way I use my iPad. I would say I use it in landscape mode about 90% of the time. I also use my iPhone more often in landscape. The only really exceptions are talking or checking email quickly, but for most other things I prefer landscape.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigMac2
What a news about nothing.
I can't call a 41%/59% division a clear statements about a much more prefer way from another. Actually I found the portrait number (41%) quite high when considering some popular contents like videos are better viewed in landscape.
Not so surprising considering the number of idiots I see capturing video on their iPhones and iPads in portrait mode. It doesn't help that the on-screen icons don't switch to 'forced landscape' when video recording is started. iOS7 needs a big THIS WAY UP! on the screen for video to remind those numbnuts to twist the wrist for video.
Since this is just measuring web usage, from a ux standpoint, it seems more than half of people are more comfortable using the same orientation they'd use on a traditional PC display.
Whether this says most about the users, the iPad itself, or the websites they're using is conjecture and guess-work.
It would be much more interesting if we could see some correlation with demographic data to present some hypotheses.
Feels more comfy and book-like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nagromme
I like landscape ONLY for video. I prefer portrait by far for everything else, including typing. (This is on a full-size iPad.)
Count me in too.....that is exactly how I use my iPad 4. Portrait mode except for videos....
The reason? Those smart covers.
It's a PITA to use an iPad in portrait with the smart cover, despite the fact that it is a better position for reading.
Having said that, it still boggles my mind how useless the Nexus 7 screen is when using chrome.
Recreational use = bad news?
Microsoft wants in. Desperately.
I wish Apple Insider would take a hint. Their app does not work in landscape mode on the iPad (or iPhone).
Websites, email, most games I play...just about everything I use my iPad for (save for FaceTime) is better in portrait mode.
Really FaceTime and messaging are the only two things I use landscape for. But even then I'm typing right now in portrait.
Portrait or landscape, depends on what feels more natural for the current use. Then again does it really matter? iPads are made to work in any orientation, remember the display just flips.
Of course this excludes having the screen facedown & looking at the back, that would be stupid.
Another 99% portrait user checking in...
You know, I find it interesting that Safari's Reader function seems optimized for portrait-only. When I rotate to landscape, it gains no additional width.
Even pinball games look better in portrait.
Of course they prefer landscape in the eveneings. Evenings is for watching some movies or videos for chilling. Portrait is for reading books and sometomes surfing during morning and after work commute.
Is this news?
Same here. Safari in landscape, except for web pages that support reader mode.
With more and more iPads & tablets replacing desktops, I think web designers should design with tablet screens in mind and make legibility a bigger priority.[/quote]