IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#1

Post by bensummers » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 3:38 PM UTC

IPhone auto-rotation: out of control
bens.me.uk

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#2

Post by robin_reala » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 3:43 PM UTC

I like this idea. It does need to be a system-wide thing really, and while this does add a bit of settings and UI clutter it’s a common enough problem that Apple should be doing something to address it.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#3

Post by chrismear » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 3:54 PM UTC

robin_reala wrote: post #2

I like this idea. It does need to be a system-wide thing really, and while this does add a bit of settings and UI clutter it’s a common enough problem that Apple should be doing something to address it.

It might actually reduce clutter, since plenty of apps are now individually adding rotation options to their settings. Having a system-wide setting would simply consolidate all of these in one place.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#4

Post by bensummers » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:00 PM UTC

chrismear wrote: post #3

robin_reala wrote: post #2

I like this idea. It does need to be a system-wide thing really, and while this does add a bit of settings and UI clutter it’s a common enough problem that Apple should be doing something to address it.

It might actually reduce clutter, since plenty of apps are now individually adding rotation options to their settings. Having a system-wide setting would simply consolidate all of these in one place.

It was Tweetie 2's auto-rotation which pushed me over the edge and into writing 800 words about a telephone.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#5

Post by haseman » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:01 PM UTC

Could easily be solved by a setting that turns off accl switching and allows users to make a two finger twisting gesture on the screen to rotate it.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#6

Post by bensummers » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:09 PM UTC

haseman wrote: post #5

Could easily be solved by a setting that turns off accl switching and allows users to make a two finger twisting gesture on the screen to rotate it.

I'm not sure (see article) -- it would mean every app developer would have to test with it on and off to make sure that gesture didn't get in the way of their UI. It's also hard for users annoyed with the feature to discover.

I suspect that particular gesture is a little awkward. Try it! Getting enough motion to reliably detect it as something different to a scroll or pinch is almost painful.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#7

Post by Zev » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:22 PM UTC

haseman wrote: post #5

Could easily be solved by a setting that turns off accl switching and allows users to make a two finger twisting gesture on the screen to rotate it.

The iPhone's accessibility makes use of a lot of the two finger gestures already. Not this one, but most others. http://www.apple.com/iphone/how-to/index.html#accessibility.....

This particular gesture doesn't really make sense for Apple to use (for rotation, or anything else); its not very intuitive. It doesn't map to any other gesture that users have done on the computer before. Apple would have to teach users how to use this gesture. Its one thing for a game to have ann instruction screen, but quite another for the iPhone to do so.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#8

Post by anigbrowl » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:24 PM UTC

I read this wrong...is that an iPhone in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me.

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#9

Post by haseman » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:32 PM UTC

Zev wrote: post #7

haseman wrote: post #5

Could easily be solved by a setting that turns off accl switching and allows users to make a two finger twisting gesture on the screen to rotate it.

The iPhone's accessibility makes use of a lot of the two finger gestures already. Not this one, but most others. http://www.apple.com/iphone/how-to/index.html#accessibility.... . This particular gesture doesn't really make sense for Apple to use (for rotation, or anything else); its not very intuitive. It doesn't map to any other gesture that users have done on the computer before. Apple would have to teach users how…

I wouldn't suggest it as a default setting. If power users want an alternative to holding the device up and shaking it until it switches, this could be it. You make good points, it's not intuitive, but it is a solution that wouldn't require more cluttering UI

Re: IPhone auto-rotation: out of control

#10

Post by bensummers » Mon, Oct 12, 2009, 4:38 PM UTC

haseman wrote: post #9

Zev wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The iPhone's accessibility makes use of a lot of the two finger gestures already. Not this one, but most others. http://www.apple.com/iphone/how-to/index.html#accessibility.... . This particular gesture doesn't really make sense for Apple to use (for rotation, or anything else); its not very intuitive. It doesn't map to any other gesture that users have done on the computer before. Apple would have to teach users how…

I wouldn't suggest it as a default setting. If power users want an alternative to holding the device up and shaking it until it switches, this could be it. You make good points, it's not intuitive, but it is a solution that wouldn't require more cluttering UI

However, if it's an option deep in Settings, it's likely that many people who are infuriated with auto-rotation won't find it. By making the UI offer more control and responsiveness, it will help even those users who don't want to go digging into Settings.