Blog · A quick look at the iPad as a web browser · We got to have a quick play with an iPad, here's what we think.
We recently got the chance to play with an iPad, which launches in the UK today.
I thought I’d share my thoughts on how it works with the web, and how this will effect the way we design, and how we browse the web. There are already a few good reviews of the iPad as a web browser that are worth reading - take a look at iPad review and the impact on web design and iPad – First Thoughts.
The Keyboard
The between mobile and laptop size of the iPad I don’t think is great for a keyboard. I found it difficult to hold in your hands and use your thumbs, and a bit precarious to hold with one hand and type with the other. Typing in web addresses, commenting on life, and sending emails are all really important parts of the browsing experience, and I feel the iPad, and to be fair most touch devices, fall short here.
As touch browsing grows in popularity, we need to develop solutions which minimise typing. That can mean using checkboxes and dropdowns in clever ways, auto-complete, live search results, and other tricks.
Screen
The screen is amazing - it’s incredibly clear, a pleasure to look at.
Changing orientation works really smoothly, the majority of websites work well in landscape and portrait mode. There was some fear that we’d need to develop variations of sites for both orientations, but I think that’ll only be the case for very rare and specific applications.
The iPad offers a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. While this is amazing for a handheld device, this has become a minimum limit which the iPad may prolong the life of.
Browser
As with other Apple devices, the iPad uses a variation of the Safari browser - which is a fantastic web browser.
Safari on the iPad really makes great use of the screen space. The lack of scrollbars is surprisingly liberating - this coupled with awesome screen really makes it feel like you’re holding the website in your hands.
Lack of Flash support was a controversial move by Apple, and we’ll have to see how that pans out, but I think it was justified.
I found support for upcoming web technologies CSS3 and HTML5 a little mixed. CSS3 - which adds extra visual effects to website - looks great and is supported really well.
HTML5 is less well supported - although hopes are that subsequent updates will remedy this. HTML5 will be really important if Apple wish to do away with Flash for good.
What does all this mean?
The iPad is lovely piece of kit, but I don’t think will have an astronomical effect on the way websites are designed. Although I love that it
promotes good design, progressive web technologies, and touch browsing.
The portability of the iPad is great - but for business uses like emailing - I don’t think it’s as good as a laptop, nor is it as easy an smartphone. I think the main use of the iPad will be as a convenient device for quick tasks and casual browsing (something Apple have made referenced to with imagery in their adverts).
In conclusion - the screen is fantastic, the browser is brilliant, the keyboard lets it down - but no more so than other touch devices, and it'll make a great toy for your lounge, but is unlikely to revolutionise the way you run your business. These are just my thoughts, if you disagree, or just want to say hello let me know - hello@resounddesign.co.uk
Ben J Walker · 28th May 2010
Ben founded Resound Design back in 2006 after completing a Computing degree. He now spends his time designing websites, coding web apps, and drinking tea.
What do you think?