iPad Instead of a landscape camera on iPad…

[subjonas]

… how about keyboard stands that can hold iPads in portrait orientation? I think we ask for landscape cameras because we use our iPads in landscape with our keyboards. And I think we use our iPads in landscape with our keyboards because most keyboard stands only hold the iPad in landscape, also we think of landscape as “normal” coming from laptops. But laptops mainly use landscape displays because they are fixed to the keyboard. It’s not because landscape is better than portrait, except probably while multitasking (which probably doesn’t account for most iPad usage for most people while on a video call) and movies/tv (which I don’t think you’re watching full screen while on a video call). Portrait orientation is actually amazing for web browsing, word documents, and just general tablet use. And an iPad/tablet is uniquely able to be used in portrait. So instead of asking for landscape cameras, why not ask for keyboard stands like the Magic Keyboard to support portrait orientation?

I suppose you could ask for both, but if keyboard stands could support both orientations, I don’t see the need for landscape cameras. Plus with portrait cameras in portrait orientation, the camera is higher at a closer to level with your face, which provides a more natural angle. AND for one on one calls, a portrait framing of a person is better because you can see more of them and less of their room/background (assuming they are vertical and not lying down).

Edit- just in case it wasn’t clear, I meant keyboard stands with support for both portrait and landscape orientations of the iPad.

Edit 2- I think this is slightly more applicable to larger iPads, particularly the 12.9”. The smaller the iPad, the more it might need to be in landscape orientation for websites/docs that don’t adjust well to smaller screens either with text body width or if it has wide images that have to shrink. But regardless, I think switching to portrait for a video call could still be advantageous!

 

[sparksd]

They probably just don't see a large enough market to make the ROI worth it. They don't even make folio cases supporting portrait mode (few 3rd party cases do, either). The only time I ever use my iPad (M1 12.9 now) in portrait mode is when an app forces it.

 

[subjonas]

They probably just don't see a large enough market to make the ROI worth it. They don't even make folio cases supporting portrait mode (few 3rd party cases do, either). The only time I ever use my iPad (M1 12.9 now) in portrait mode is when an app forces it.

That’s possible. Not a lot of people seem to be thinking about or asking for this, and the product design would probably need to be more involved and expensive. But I think any extra cost would be worth it to better utilize one of the main key advantages of a tablet (portrait option). I’m hoping more people will want this, though at this late in the game, it”s probably unlikely.

 

[Isamilis]

… how about keyboard stands that can hold iPads in portrait orientation? I think we ask for landscape cameras because we use our iPads in landscape with our keyboards. And I think we use our iPads in landscape with our keyboards because most keyboard stands only hold the iPad in landscape, also we think of landscape as “normal” coming from laptops. But laptops mainly use landscape displays because they are fixed to the keyboard. It’s not because landscape is better than portrait, except probably while multitasking (which probably doesn’t account for most iPad usage for most people while on a video call) and movies/tv (which I don’t think you’re watching full screen while on a video call). Portrait orientation is actually amazing for web browsing, word documents, and just general tablet use. And an iPad/tablet is uniquely able to be used in portrait. So instead of asking for landscape cameras, why not ask for keyboard stands like the Magic Keyboard to support portrait orientation?

I suppose you could ask for both, but if keyboard stands could support both orientations, I don’t see the need for landscape cameras. Plus with portrait cameras in portrait orientation, the camera is higher at a closer to level with your face, which provides a more natural angle. AND for one on one calls, a portrait framing of a person is better because you can see more of them and less of their room/background (assuming they are vertical and not lying down).

Edit- just in case it wasn’t clear, I meant keyboard stands with support for both portrait and landscape orientations of the iPad.

Edit 2- I think this is slightly more applicable to larger iPads, particularly the 12.9”. The smaller the iPad, the more it might need to be in landscape orientation for websites/docs that don’t adjust well to smaller screens either with text body width or if it has wide images that have to shrink. But regardless, I think switching to portrait for a video call could still be advantageous!

Interesting perspective. One aspect I could think of, is ergonomic and stability. Landscape position provide better stability and ergonomic than portrait. But I agree that MK should be able to attach the iPad on portrait as well. Let users decide what orientation they want.

 

[subjonas]

Interesting perspective. One aspect I could think of, is ergonomic and stability. Landscape position provide better stability and ergonomic than portrait. But I agree that MK should be able to attach the iPad on portrait as well. Let users decide what orientation they want.

True, landscape is more naturally stable. It would probably be considerably more difficult to make a keyboard case/stand that can do both while still being stable, which is probably why we don’t really see them. I’m hoping it’s possible for Apple though with some good old ingenuity and motivation. But probably higher cost, and maybe more bulk.

What do you mean by ergonomics though?

 

[sracer]

Apple's first and only keyboard dock for iPads put the iPad in portrait orientation. It was fantastic! Even on the 1st gen iPad with 9.7" screen, it was a treat to work on documents on the iPad with this setup. I was greatly disappointed when Apple discontinued the dock and never produced a follow up to it.

Keep in mind that the 1st gen iPad didn't have any cameras. So it was very odd when they placed the camera in portrait orientation but never produced a case or stand that could put the iPad in portrait orientation.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

Finally someone gets it, portrait mode simple is superior for so many tasks. In fact portrait is my standard orientation when using my iPad Pro.

 

[iPadified]

… how about keyboard stands that can hold iPads in portrait orientation? I think we ask for landscape cameras because we use our iPads in landscape with our keyboards. And I think we use our iPads in landscape with our keyboards because most keyboard stands only hold the iPad in landscape, also we think of landscape as “normal” coming from laptops. But laptops mainly use landscape displays because they are fixed to the keyboard. It’s not because landscape is better than portrait, except probably while multitasking (which probably doesn’t account for most iPad usage for most people while on a video call) and movies/tv (which I don’t think you’re watching full screen while on a video call). Portrait orientation is actually amazing for web browsing, word documents, and just general tablet use. And an iPad/tablet is uniquely able to be used in portrait. So instead of asking for landscape cameras, why not ask for keyboard stands like the Magic Keyboard to support portrait orientation?

I suppose you could ask for both, but if keyboard stands could support both orientations, I don’t see the need for landscape cameras. Plus with portrait cameras in portrait orientation, the camera is higher at a closer to level with your face, which provides a more natural angle. AND for one on one calls, a portrait framing of a person is better because you can see more of them and less of their room/background (assuming they are vertical and not lying down).

Edit- just in case it wasn’t clear, I meant keyboard stands with support for both portrait and landscape orientations of the iPad.

Edit 2- I think this is slightly more applicable to larger iPads, particularly the 12.9”. The smaller the iPad, the more it might need to be in landscape orientation for websites/docs that don’t adjust well to smaller screens either with text body width or if it has wide images that have to shrink. But regardless, I think switching to portrait for a video call could still be advantageous!

Would be the only reason for me to buy a keyboard to an iPad.

 

[ericwn]

I love using portrait orientation on tablets and even have a monitor on my workstation in that position. I’d love for Apple to get back to their older product that already supported this as well, just like others mentioned above.

 

[Dr.Chekhov]

Nedrelow has a smart folio with this option. Thinking of trying it!

smart folio case for iPad (works in portrait or landscape)

New size! for 6th gen iPad mini! You asked for it, and now it's here. A magnetic smart folio case for the iPad that works in portrait and landscape orientations. Great for "work" and writing in portrait orientation. It magnets on the back of the iPad (no bulky case). It's nice in portrait...

www.nedrelow.com

 

[subjonas]

Nedrelow has a smart folio with this option. Thinking of trying it!

smart folio case for iPad (works in portrait or landscape)

New size! for 6th gen iPad mini! You asked for it, and now it's here. A magnetic smart folio case for the iPad that works in portrait and landscape orientations. Great for "work" and writing in portrait orientation. It magnets on the back of the iPad (no bulky case). It's nice in portrait...

www.nedrelow.com

I think I’ve seen that. That’s pretty cool. Let us know how it is if you get it.
Personally, I’d really want an adjustable viewing angle. My ideal would be a Magic Keyboard to which you could attach an iPad horizontally or vertically. Better yet, being able to rotate the iPad while it’s still attached to the MK since the iPad “hovers”. But in portrait, the iPad would probably touch the keyboard so it would have to elevate as it rotates. But then stability might be an issue. Lots to work out.