Resolved Why does the iPad only have 4 columns of icons?

[K-Funk]

It's not a big deal, but it's always struck me as somewhat ridiculous that the iPad only has 4 columns of icons (in portrait mode). There's easily enough space for 5 columns, or even 6. Clearly Apple recognizes this, since you can put 6 icons in the dock. In my opinion it would really enhance usability if you could fit more icons on the screen.

 

[TheDeviceUser]

It's not a big deal, but it's always struck me as somewhat ridiculous that the iPad only has 4 columns of icons (in portrait mode). There's easily enough space for 5 columns, or even 6. Clearly Apple recognizes this, since you can put 6 icons in the dock. In my opinion it would really enhance usability if you could fit more icons on the screen.

If you imagine 6 columns of icons, I feel it would look crowded. The thing I love about iPad, and the iPhone 6/6 Plus is that there is a lot of spacing. I feel an iPad full of apps would be too much on a single screen. Maybe Apple could enable it as an option though?

 

[K-Funk]

If you imagine 6 columns of icons, I feel it would look crowded. The thing I love about iPad, and the iPhone 6/6 Plus is that there is a lot of spacing. I feel an iPad full of apps would be too much on a single screen. Maybe Apple could enable it as an option though?

I can see your point with 6 columns, but I think there's way too much wasted space with 4 columns. 5 would be good number.

 

[IrishVixen]

I can see your point with 6 columns, but I think there's way too much wasted space with 4 columns. 5 would be good number.

Like so many things, the answer here is "Because, Apple". Who knows? Why do they only put 4 icons on an iPhone dock when 5 fit fine there too? Why did they not bring out a dark theme for slate grey devices for iOS 7 or 8? (I have at least two dozen of these kind of questions. LOL)

I'm with you on this one though. There are those of us who jailbreak our iPads in part to get a 5x5 icon grid. It means that when you rotate the screen, the icons don't change position. The proportions work rather well with a 5x5 setup, and changing that grid is the first thing I do when I jailbreak.

 

[aPple nErd]

apple likes to make wallpapers visible, thats one of the main reasons for the spacing. they also try to keep the number of icons even in the rows if possible.

 

[12vElectronics]

If you imagine 6 columns of icons, I feel it would look crowded. The thing I love about iPad, and the iPhone 6/6 Plus is that there is a lot of spacing. I feel an iPad full of apps would be too much on a single screen. Maybe Apple could enable it as an option though?

I agree. Spacing is an awesome thing.

 

[bhags8]

If you imagine 6 columns of icons, I feel it would look crowded. The thing I love about iPad, and the iPhone 6/6 Plus is that there is a lot of spacing. I feel an iPad full of apps would be too much on a single screen. Maybe Apple could enable it as an option though?

Ummm the 6+ has 6 rows of icons. And it looks fantastic. The iPad should have 6 rows as well. 4 has way too much space.

 

[haruhiko]

Ummm the 6+ has 6 rows of icons. And it looks fantastic. The iPad should have 6 rows as well. 4 has way too much space.

Did you notice the aspect ratios of the iPhone 6+ and the iPad?

 

[ipadlvr]

It's not a big deal, but it's always struck me as somewhat ridiculous that the iPad only has 4 columns of icons (in portrait mode). There's easily enough space for 5 columns, or even 6. Clearly Apple recognizes this, since you can put 6 icons in the dock. In my opinion it would really enhance usability if you could fit more icons on the screen.

It wouldn't be good design.

 

[cperchard]

Ummm the 6+ has 6 rows of icons. And it looks fantastic. The iPad should have 6 rows as well. 4 has way too much space.

He said columns, not rows.