I officially hate FaceID on the iPad

[kasakka]

Surfing the web makes only sense in portrait mode if you use the mobile version of the browser. Almost all standard websites are composed for horizontal viewing. The portrait mode might be useful for the iPhones and maybe the iPad mini, but especially the 12.9 iPP screams for horizontal usage (apart from reading magazines or PDFs...).

That's just way, way wrong. I'm a web developer and can say that nearly all content is based on vertical flow. You scroll up and down. Horizontal space is mainly used to allow for things like sidebars or more items in a row on a grid. Website optimization is done based on the horizontal width to make UI work for different size devices where the narrowest is a phone and the widest is that big 27+" desktop display where some silly person still uses a browser in full screen mode.

Having more vertical space generally gives you a better view of a website's information. When browsing the web I use my iPad Pro 12.9" most of the time in portrait orientation. On a desktop display my web browser usually is in a window roughly the size of the 12.9" iPad in landscape but with a much larger vertical height. For example viewing this page on a 12.9" iPad in portrait you can see roughly 4-5 posts in view while in landscape that drops down to about 3.

 

[haruhiko]

How can anyone hate the awesome Face ID on the iPad. I am replying to this post telling you that I'm very satisfied that I don't need to reach out my thumb to the iPad body to authenticate when I'm typing on the Smart Keyboard Folio now.

 

[sracer]

Face Time makes more sense in portrait mode. Also surfing the web makes much more sense in portrait, the same goes for reading magazins and taking notes wth the Apple Pencil. Landscape, for example, is great for multitasking, video and writing longer texts with the keyboard.

Assuming that FaceTime makes more sense in portrait mode, (and all of those other tasks are better served in portrait mode) then why has Apple NOT offered any cover or case that props the iPad up in portrait mode? The first and only time Apple did that was with the keyboard dock for the iPad 1.

 

[44267547]

How can anyone hate the awesome Face ID on the iPad. I am replying to this post telling you that I'm very satisfied that I don't need to reach out my thumb to the iPad body to authenticate when I'm typing on the Smart Keyboard Folio now.

Try reaching down (While holding) to unlock the previous Gen 12.9 iPad with your thumb, it’s very cumbersome to do. Face ID eliminates that unnecessary action seamlessly and one of the reasons why I always thought the Touch ID version of the 12.9 iPad was difficult to manipulate due to this.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Assuming that FaceTime makes more sense in portrait mode, (and all of those other tasks are better served in portrait mode) then why has Apple NOT offered any cover or case that props the iPad up in portrait mode? The first and only time Apple did that was with the keyboard dock for the iPad 1.

I bought a $10 Anker stand on Amazon that can hold an iPad in portrait mode, and I assumed Apple would sell something similar even if it was from a third party. However, I just checked, and you a re right. With the exception of a $300 swivel that looks like it must be for retail use, they don't sell a simple stand that works in portrait mode like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D856NOG/

I'm not sure why they don't, since I do think portrait mode has it's place in certain scenarios.

 

[sracer]

I bought a $10 Anker stand on Amazon that can hold an iPad in portrait mode, and I assumed Apple would sell something similar even if it was from a third party. However, I just checked, and you a re right. With the exception of a $300 swivel that looks like it must be for retail use, they don't sell a simple stand that works in portrait mode like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D856NOG/

I'm not sure why they don't, since I do think portrait mode has it's place in certain scenarios.

I agree that portrait mode is beneficial in many situations but Apple forces landscape usage by how their cases, covers, and keyboards are designed. It is one reason why when I went from my 12.9 Pro+ASK to 2018 iPad, I dusted off my old Apple BT keyboard (with the round barrel) and added the Fintie origami case for it... because it allows me to use the iPad in portrait mode... which is nice at times for document creation.

 

[The Game 161]

How can anyone hate the awesome Face ID on the iPad. I am replying to this post telling you that I'm very satisfied that I don't need to reach out my thumb to the iPad body to authenticate when I'm typing on the Smart Keyboard Folio now.

Yeah for me Face ID on iPad just feels way more natural

Be even better when I get my keyboard case

 

[ascender]

I think it works brilliantly - its even more seamless than on the iPhone and just makes me wish it was available on their laptops & desktop.

 

[jagolden]

Everyone likes smaller and smaller bezels. This is the result. Insufficient room to hold it without getting your fingers on the screen.

 

[Donnation]

The other issue I have is "Too far away from screen." Many times I am trying to unlock or just log into something and the device says "Too far away from screen" because its either laying down on a table or I'm lying in bed and its not right up against my face. Again, something I can try to get used to but I still preferred touchID on this type of device.

 

[44267547]

The other issue I have is "Too far away from screen." Many times I am trying to unlock or just log into something and the device says "Too far away from screen" because its either laying down on a table or I'm lying in bed and its not right up against my face. Again, something I can try to get used to but I still preferred touchID on this type of device.

Face ID not successfully unlocking when laying down is not unusual and certainly not applicable to the iPad only, it occurs with the iPhone X/XS as well. It’s just a current limitation that likely may pose an issue for some, but that’s the trade off for this new technology. Just as Touch ID had its limitations not successfully unlocking with damp/cold fingers, etc.

Partly, I think some are expecting Face ID to be a perfect implementation, when it _never_ will be, but it has proven to offer more conveneint features like Password auto fill, notifications displaying once the user Face ID recognizes the user, etc. [Face ID, Apple Pencil and its new design elements] are some of the best changes the iPad has ever encountered.

 

[Dru_555]

Yes I know, deal with it or move on, but I hate it. I hold the iPad in landscape mode 99% of the time. Any time I’m needed to log into something or even just unlock my iPad I see the “camera covered” and I have to lift my hand up and then let it unlock or log in for me. I know, first world problems, but this is a first world problems forum so I’m making mine known. I really hate this and wish there was another camera somewhere that would fix this problem for me (even though I know that’s not really feasible).

At least it’s only ANNOYING to use Face ID in landscape on the new iPads. Face ID only even works in portrait on the new iPhones for some reason...

 

[MisterSavage]

I bought a $10 Anker stand on Amazon that can hold an iPad in portrait mode, and I assumed Apple would sell something similar even if it was from a third party.

I have that stand also! I was surprised to see that Amazon is selling their own "Amazon Basics" model also.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

The other issue I have is "Too far away from screen." Many times I am trying to unlock or just log into something and the device says "Too far away from screen" because its either laying down on a table or I'm lying in bed and its not right up against my face. Again, something I can try to get used to but I still preferred touchID on this type of device.

I have had that as well, but I find I can be farther away then arms length, so an improvement as previously you would be reaching with your finger for Touch ID. Either way, I call this one a wash on the new and old. Good thing for you that you returned yours and don't have to worry about these issues anymore.

 

[iteklog]

Having the same problem, i find myself only having to move my hand when holding the ipad horizontal due to "camera cover". This new ipad is good but for this and other inconveniences, im going to return it, and stick to the 10.5 with the good old touch id.

 

[jonnyb098]

Hahaha sure Only from over a year ago, but it's something.
[doublepost=1541959561][/doublepost]

Dont tease that Id definitely buy the new iPP if there was a jailbreak for it!

I thought you mean "IVE" as in Jony Ive. LOL not actually you.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Having the same problem, i find myself only having to move my hand when holding the ipad horizontal due to "camera cover". This new ipad is good but for this and other inconveniences, im going to return it, and stick to the 10.5 with the good old touch id.

So moving your hand to press the home button is different than moving your hand to allow the camera to work?

 

[iteklog]

So moving your hand to press the home button is different than moving your hand to allow the camera to work?

Its different.. When holding the ipad in horizontal, your finger is already in the center side which is where the home bottom is.

 

[subjonas]

Assuming that FaceTime makes more sense in portrait mode, (and all of those other tasks are better served in portrait mode) then why has Apple NOT offered any cover or case that props the iPad up in portrait mode? The first and only time Apple did that was with the keyboard dock for the iPad 1.

That’s interesting. I think Apple’s refusal to move the front camera to the long bezel, just like their refusal to add mouse support, is telling of their staunch adherence to that first vision of the iPad that Steve Jobs introduced when he held that first iPad on his lap in portrait orientation using only his fingers. They’re putting off conforming the iPad’s resemblance to a laptop for as long as possible.

 

[TrueBlou]

That's just way, way wrong. I'm a web developer and can say that nearly all content is based on vertical flow. You scroll up and down. Horizontal space is mainly used to allow for things like sidebars or more items in a row on a grid. Website optimization is done based on the horizontal width to make UI work for different size devices where the narrowest is a phone and the widest is that big 27+" desktop display where some silly person still uses a browser in full screen mode.

Having more vertical space generally gives you a better view of a website's information. When browsing the web I use my iPad Pro 12.9" most of the time in portrait orientation. On a desktop display my web browser usually is in a window roughly the size of the 12.9" iPad in landscape but with a much larger vertical height. For example viewing this page on a 12.9" iPad in portrait you can see roughly 4-5 posts in view while in landscape that drops down to about 3.

I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think I’ve ever made a horizontally based website in my life.
The primary content just makes sense when laid out in a vertically scrolling manner.

After all, even on a computer the scroll wheel tends to be for scrolling up and down. Sure it’s easy to go any which way but loose on a Magic Trackpad, but not everyone uses them.

You need to design for the masses, it’s as simple as that. Besides, it’s what we’re used to and taught from childhood. We write in a vertical layout, books are vertically oriented, magazines.... well, you get the point.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I couldn’t agree more. I don’t think I’ve ever made a horizontally based website in my life.
The primary content just makes sense when laid out in a vertically scrolling manner.

After all, even on a computer the scroll wheel tends to be for scrolling up and down. Sure it’s easy to go any which way but loose on a Magic Trackpad, but not everyone uses them.

You need to design for the masses, it’s as simple as that. Besides, it’s what we’re used to and taught from childhood. We write in a vertical layout, books are vertically oriented, magazines.... well, you get the point.

Apple actually has some pages that scroll horizontally now.

https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/

I've done it myself to showcases videos (which are horizontal).

 

[Ambulater]

I just posted this in another thread that I started, but now that I see this thread I’ll copy it here:

So I have been finding Face ID on the iPad to be a little frustrating in my two main use scenarios.

The first is my work scenario. At work, I typically have my iPad laying flat on a desk or conference table in portrait orientation while I’m reviewing documents or taking notes with the Pencil. Every time the screen goes off and I want to unlock the iPad I have to physically lift it and tilt it back towards me so it can see my face which gets kind of old. Just putting my thumb on the sensor on the old IPP was easier and quicker.

The second is my home scenario where I’m just lounging consuming content. I typically do this in landscape orientation. Because I am strongly right hand dominant I typically do all screen touches with my right hand while my left hand grips the left bezel.....covering the Face ID camera.....aghhhh!

So here’s my work around that seems to be working consistently well now. In my work scenario (portrait orientation flat on desk) I turn the iPad to the position that feels like “upside down” to me (I.e. the Face ID camera is at the bottom of the screen). In this orientation, I do not have to tilt the iPad to me for it so see my face an unlock. In home content consuming mode (landscape orientation) I rotate the iPad to a position that also feels kind of “upside down” to me. In this case the Face ID camera is on the right bezel, the back camera is on the lower right hand corner as are the power and volume buttons. In this way, my left hand holds the iPad on the bezel without the Face ID camera and since my right hand is the one I use to tap the screen to wake, it is never blocking the camera.

This works well and consistently, but now I need to get used to holding the iPad in a way I’ve never done before. It could take a while.

 

[Angler]

In all due respect this is such a silly thread. All you need to do is lift your hand up without even moving your fingers off the back of the iPad to have the Face ID work. How can that be harder then moving your hand to hit the home button? The Face ID is amazing, plus faster. I find it stunning at all the problems people come up with. Hate is harsh word IMO. Just enjoy the new toy.....

 

[subjonas]

I just posted this in another thread that I started, but now that I see this thread I’ll copy it here:

So I have been finding Face ID on the iPad to be a little frustrating in my two main use scenarios.

The first is my work scenario. At work, I typically have my iPad laying flat on a desk or conference table in portrait orientation while I’m reviewing documents or taking notes with the Pencil. Every time the screen goes off and I want to unlock the iPad I have to physically lift it and tilt it back towards me so it can see my face which gets kind of old. Just putting my thumb on the sensor on the old IPP was easier and quicker.

The second is my home scenario where I’m just lounging consuming content. I typically do this in landscape orientation. Because I am strongly right hand dominant I typically do all screen touches with my right hand while my left hand grips the left bezel.....covering the Face ID camera.....aghhhh!

So here’s my work around that seems to be working consistently well now. In my work scenario (portrait orientation flat on desk) I turn the iPad to the position that feels like “upside down” to me (I.e. the Face ID camera is at the bottom of the screen). In this orientation, I do not have to tilt the iPad to me for it so see my face an unlock. In home content consuming mode (landscape orientation) I rotate the iPad to a position that also feels kind of “upside down” to me. In this case the Face ID camera is on the right bezel, the back camera is on the lower right hand corner as are the power and volume buttons. In this way, my left hand holds the iPad on the bezel without the Face ID camera and since my right hand is the one I use to tap the screen to wake, it is never blocking the camera.

This works well and consistently, but now I need to get used to holding the iPad in a way I’ve never done before. It could take a while.

Glad you found (tentative) solutions. My questions regarding those are:
Is it always immediately obvious which bezel the camera is on, allowing you to know which way to orient the iPad? Or do you have to sometimes look closely for the camera?
You probably need more time before you can answer this but—does it get tiresome having to find the right orientation for the iPad every time?

 

[Angler]

Glad you found (tentative) solutions. My questions regarding those are:
Is it always immediately obvious which bezel the camera is on, allowing you to know which way to orient the iPad? Or do you have to sometimes look closely for the camera?
You probably need more time before you can answer this but—does it get tiresome having to find the right orientation for the iPad every time?

If you are covering the camera an arrow pointing to the side shows you what hand you need to move to open up the sight line. Not rocket science here.