iPad Mini: iPad Mini designed apps?

[davideotape]

Day 2 of my mini, noticing that because its a scaled down iPad, some apps and webpage experiences (built for the larger screen) are different as well. Like I'll accidentally click on something that I never did before on the larger iPad, or it will take me 2-3 tries to click on something that was easy before. Something easy to read on the larger screen takes some zooming here, etc.

Regardless of Apple making it "easy" on developers by not changing the screen dimensions or pixels, do you think we'll start to see the mini either create new mini-tailored apps, or influence app design overall for optimized use in both formats?

[ZBoater]

Originally Posted by davideotape

Regardless of Apple making it "easy" on developers by not changing the screen dimensions or pixels, do you think we'll start to see the mini either create new mini-tailored apps, or influence app design overall for optimized use in both formats?

No. That was the whole point of releasing a 1024x768 Mini. To avoid precisely this.

[CocoPops]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

No. That was the whole point of releasing a 1024x768 Mini. To avoid precisely this.

This.

[davideotape]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

No. That was the whole point of releasing a 1024x768 Mini. To avoid precisely this.

I understand that, on a practical level, yes. But the two devices do have two different experiences. My question is, do you think some app developers will understand this, and if not make a mini-specific app, at least heavily consider having to share 2 size platforms when developing new apps.

This forum might be a bit too hardware focused for this question, maybe I should post on a design forum or something.

[ZBoater]

Originally Posted by davideotape

... do you think some app developers will understand this, and if not make a mini-specific app, at least heavily consider having to share 2 size platforms when developing new apps.....

The good ones will, or at least should. I mean, if there is something they can do to make it better on either platform (iPad 3/4 and Mini) they should, but I don't expect to see "Mini apps". There's a lot of apps in the app store, and many are neglected by their developers. If an app generated $20 in revenue (as in twenty dollars), the likelihood of them going back and tweaking it to fit the mini form factor are zero. There's a lot of crap apps in the app store. Something like QuickOffice HD or something like that I'd expect them to pay more attention.

So they should consider it. If they are good developers and have the financial incentive to do so, then yes.

[davideotape]

For example: safari- the "x" close tab button is brutally close to the "back" arrow now. So, something that was never an issue on a larger screen now creates an issue of me accidentally closing a site when all I wanted to do was see the last page I was on.

Do you see where I'm going with my question? Just because you CAN port the larger iPad app to a mini doesn't mean it's the best design for it.

[ZBoater]

I see what you're saying, although in that case I'd swipe back.

Yes, if there are UI issues like that you would expect the better developers to respond with an update. Best bet is for us (the users) to let them know by giving them constructive feedback.

[aristobrat]

Originally Posted by davideotape

For example: safari- the "x" close tab button is brutally close to the "back" arrow now. So, something that was never an issue on a larger screen now creates an issue of me accidentally closing a site when all I wanted to do was see the last page I was on.

Do you see where I'm going with my question? Just because you CAN port the larger iPad app to a mini doesn't mean it's the best design for it.

I have the same issue. Seems like once every 10 times I hit the back button, I end up closing the tab (by accidentally hitting the "x" button).

If you are a developer and make a mini-optimized version of your app, wonder how people would find it? Seems like Apple would need to make the App Store aware of this, and display apps optimized for the mini to mini owners.

[chleuasme]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

Yes, if there are UI issues like that you would expect the better developers to respond with an update.

It's not "UI issues", it's "UI issues on the mini only". Spacing or sizing is not here a problem on the 9.7" iPad. How will your changes look on it, as both models would run the same modified UI?

[supertomtom]

I think developers will at least start keeping iPad mini's size in mind when designing apps. Didn't The New York Times ipad app recently get updated with the change-log saying 'optimized for iPad mini'? I'm sure we'll see a few more of those.

[ZBoater]

Originally Posted by chleuasme

It's not "UI issues", it's "UI issues on the mini only". Spacing or sizing is not here a problem on the 9.7" iPad. How will your changes look on it, as both models would run the same modified UI?

The software can be smart enough to recognize the platform and make slight UI changes to adapt to the screen size.

[bigboar]

http://www.cultofmac.com/201462/appl...for-ipad-mini/

[ZBoater]

Originally Posted by bigboar

http://www.cultofmac.com/201462/appl...for-ipad-mini/

Ouch. It looks like Apple doesn't see this as a problem...

[MacDarcy]

Naaaah. I don't think so.

Of COURSE the experience on the mini is gonna feel differently than on the regular iPad. Its smaller! There is always gonna be a slight "adjusting" period.

My AT&T cellular iPad mini hasn't arrived yet, but I have fooled around with the wifi mini ALOT at my local Apple store(I practically live there lol)....and I find it so much more comfortable to hold and use than my regular iPad. Typing is easier and Viewing webpages is just as enjoyable as on the larger iPad IMHO.

Personal Opinions may vary on this of course, but I find it so.

Yeah, I had to zoom in on some text here and there, but I do that on my larger iPad too sometimes.

Anyway....I can't wait to get mine. Fed ex says it should be delivered today. Yay! :-D

[chleuasme]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

The software can be smart enough to recognize the platform and make slight UI changes to adapt to the screen size.

Yep, it may probably be good enough if it can work in every cases.
Another topic on the subject: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1426836

Originally Posted by supertomtom

I think developers will at least start keeping iPad mini's size in mind when designing apps. Didn't The New York Times ipad app recently get updated with the change-log saying 'optimized for iPad mini'? I'm sure we'll see a few more of those.

If they do this, aren't apps going to not look good anymore on the 9.7", with too many things a bit too large?
The NYT app apparently run differently on the mini: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1488619

[davideotape]

I'm wondering if this means they'll just drop the iPad 2 and make this the new effective iPad 2.

[chleuasme]

Originally Posted by davideotape

I'm wondering if this means they'll just drop the iPad 2 and make this the new effective iPad 2.

What for you means this?

The iPad 2 will probably disappear in 2013 with the next revision of iPads.

[davideotape]

The fact that there's no differentiator to developers between the ipad2 and the mini might mean that ones planned for obsolescence- although it would make sense that they would at least have app/browser support so yeah it was likely just an Apple oversight.

[chleuasme]

Not sure we're on topic anymore, but
I think the iPad 2 was making sense when the iPad 3 came out: cheaper and still good hardware performances.
With the iPad 4 out, it becomes harder to me to justify its presence, for only $100 less with no A6 and no retina display, even more when his sexy small new twin is $60 cheaper.
They probably were still selling too much of them to remove it, or even knew they'd have problem with production of the 4 and the mini, and needed it at least for the coming months as the 2 is probably more easily available/produced.
Now, with the mini, and even more if it gets retina at the next revision, no reason anymore to keep the 2 around I guess, and more likely Apple will offer the actual non-retina mini along the retina more expansive one.
I can't see the link you make. These are two different form factors, then two different kind of usages (with intersections).

[ZBoater]

Theres a very small fraction of iPad apps that take advantage of the A6 processor, and not ONE, not ONE that HAS to have it to run. So this old A5, A6 discussion is moot. If the iPad with the A5 (iPad 2 or mini) can run everything that the iPad 4 can run, then we are fussing over some perceived slowdowns in a couple of games.

Really?

[KingArthurVI]

Flipboard was optimized for the iPad mini. I'm sure other devs can do that as well.

Make sure you have the latest Flipboard update. Then, when you open Flipboard from the 7.9″ device, the font size will automatically increase to accommodate the new screen. If you decide that you don’t want this slightly bigger font size on your mini, go to Settings > Text Size to adjust.

Source: http://inside.flipboard.com/2012/11/...for-ipad-mini/

[chleuasme]

Originally Posted by ZBoater

Theres a very small fraction of iPad apps that take advantage of the A6 processor, and not ONE, not ONE that HAS to have it to run. So this old A5, A6 discussion is moot. If the iPad with the A5 (iPad 2 or mini) can run everything that the iPad 4 can run, then we are fussing over some perceived slowdowns in a couple of games.

Really?

Who's saying the contrary?

[Phil A.]

Originally Posted by KingArthurVI

Flipboard was optimized for the iPad mini. I'm sure other devs can do that as well.


Source: http://inside.flipboard.com/2012/11/...for-ipad-mini/

I don't mind changes like this that can be "undone" but I'd hate to see completely different UIs on the Mini - the whole point of it is that it's the full "iPad experience" on a smaller device.

Personally, I've not had a single problem with the smaller screen vs my old iPad and hitting the wrong buttons, etc

[metsjetsfan]

I thought SJ, said that you would need to include a sandpaper or file for your fingers for the touch targets. I guess it's an extra assessory now, if only Steve were still around. ok i know that was 7 inch not 7.9...

[nuckinfutz]

Some developers are tweaking their text a bit and making it larger so that it translates to the mini better. Not a whole lot of work but we are seeing some updates to address display on the mini.