All iPads It sure would be nice to split screen top/bottom instead of left/right

[usagora]

Anyone else a bit frustrated that Apple still hasn't enable users to split screen top/bottom instead of just left/right? Often I'd rather have more width than height in an app, but I'm never able to take advantage of the longest dimension of the iPad display to do this because there's no ability to move one app to the top of the display and the other to the bottom. I'm actually surprised that Apple didn't implement this from the get-go.

 

[rui no onna]

They probably didn’t think it’s particularly useful unless a physical keyboard is attached since the OSK pretty much blocks half the screen in landscape.

 

[usagora]

They probably didn’t think it’s particularly useful unless a physical keyboard is attached since the OSK pretty much blocks half the screen in landscape.

As you and I have indicated, it depends on the use-case. So why not give users the option? There's lots of features in iPadOS that many will never find useful, yet many others do and they're there.

As for the OSK (when no BT keyboard is connected), that's easy - just have it "jump" to and cover whichever app is not in focus and/or have a button to switch to a floating keyboard. I mean, the OSK already is obtrusive in left/right split on my iPad Air anyway, so what's to lose? ?

And of course the OSK is not needed all the time or even needed at all, depending on what you're doing.

 

[ericwn]

Personally I don’t think it’s super useful but sure, why not have the option. Although I’d rather take a native weather app, Apple Watch app and apple calculator app over this, to be honest.

 

[usagora]

Personally I don’t think it’s super useful but sure, why not have the option. Although I’d rather take a native weather app, Apple Watch app and apple calculator app over this, to be honest.

If I'm trying to insert text into a PDF using my Apple Pencil, for example, I have to zoom in and scroll around because the document is too small since it only fills half the screen (yes, I can adjust the split screen to make it 75% but then the other app is too narrow). Top/bottom split solves that by allowing the PDF to use the full screen width.

 

[ericwn]

If I'm trying to insert text into a PDF using my Apple Pencil, for example, I have to zoom in and scroll around because the document is too small since it only fills half the screen (yes, I can adjust the split screen to make it 75% but then the other app is too narrow). Top/bottom split solves that by allowing the PDF to use the full screen width.

I see. But wouldn’t you then have to scroll up and down through your pdf docs a lot since the height of the window would be rather low?

 

[usagora]

Oh, and another thing I find frustrating is that we can't fine-adjust the split-screen size of each app. It's either half or 3/4 - nothing in between.

 

[usagora]

I see. But wouldn’t you then have to scroll up and down through your pdf docs a lot since the height of the window would be rather low?

Yes, but the other way I have to scroll up/down AND left/right. And since text is normally left-right, it makes morse sense to see full lines. And the post I just made right above this reply sort of ties in with that. It would be nice to be able to fine-tune the app heights (if there were a top/bottom split option) or widths (left/right split). Currently there are only two options: half and half or 3/4 and 1/4

So, the amount of up/down scrolling depends on the iPad size (it will be more on my iPad Air vs. the 12.9" Pro) and would be greatly mitigated by the ability to fine-tune the app sizes.

 

[Jessica Lares]

It's easier to drag text between left-right than it is top-bottom.

Your example is like what Slide Over can be used for.

 

[TechRunner]

Agree with @ericwn here. Can't see where I'd ever need it, but it would be a nice option for those who do.

Also, +1 for a native calculator app. Sure, there are many in the app store (I use one I found there), but they all show annoying ads.

 

[Digitalguy]

It's definitely useful, particularly in portrait mode or when you want to have a video and something else (the current split screen is terrible for videos). It's possible on Samsung tablets (including resizing), but due to the more square ratio of iPads it would be more useful on iPad, it's another limitation of iPadOS....

 

[usagora]

It's easier to drag text between left-right than it is top-bottom.

Well, I don't normally drag text, but I fail to see how dragging anything up/down is harder than left/right.

Your example is like what Slide Over can be used for.

No, Slide Over is not what I want. I want both apps to be split screen (not overlapping) but top/bottom instead of left/right for reasons I've explained above.

Also, +1 for a native calculator app. Sure, there are many in the app store (I use one I found there), but they all show annoying ads.

That's another thing about iPadOS that makes absolutely ZERO sense. Craig F. attempted to explain it in an interview but his explanation didn't make any sense to me.

 

[darngooddesign]

I agree about portrait top/bottom split-screen; would be nice for watching videos while browsing. I have no opinion on fine-tuning split-screen width as I find the current presets fine for my needs. I just use Spotlight search or Siri for simple calculations; there are plenty of calculator websites you can access in Safari.

 

[capathy21]

Yes it would. Specifically when watching two different football games in Safari simultaneously. There is so much wasted space on an iPad due to OS limitations.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Well, I don't normally drag text, but I fail to see how dragging anything up/down is harder than left/right.

Ah, right, now I get what you're doing with the Pencil. Top-bottom split screen would make sense there.

You can grab text at the very top, the middle, and the bottom, and it all can go straight to the left/right. Whereas with the other way you're going to end up scrolling the text up and down and have to drag through the middle of the app to get it to the other one.

 

[akash.nu]

That's another thing about iPadOS that makes absolutely ZERO sense. Craig F. attempted to explain it in an interview but his explanation didn't make any sense to me.

Didn’t he just say that they didn’t get to it? And that for a properly functional calculator on an iPad they want to make sure it does more than just a basic calculator?!

 

[ericwn]

Didn’t he just say that they didn’t get to it? And that for a properly functional calculator on an iPad they want to make sure it does more than just a basic calculator?!

No bother, they’ve only had 11 years so far. If it doesn’t happen now it’ll be sometime in the next 11 then

 

[usagora]

Didn’t he just say that they didn’t get to it? And that for a properly functional calculator on an iPad they want to make sure it does more than just a basic calculator?!

Yeah, that's precisely what doesn't make any sense. iPad came out in 2010. A calculator and weather app should've been there from the get go. I don't think users want some revolutionary re-inventing of the wheel with these apps like Craig seems to imply they need to do. And what would be the harm of just releasing the basic apps and then perhaps at a later date introduce the "revolutionary new versions" of them?

Here's the clip:

You can even tell by his body language after the question is asked that he knows his answer is weak.

 

[akash.nu]

You can even tell by his body language after the question is asked that he knows his answer is weak.

Yep this I agree with. I felt the same. It feels like He made something up at that point.

 

[Isengardtom]

You can use different tools:
* Numbers or Excel
* Spotlight can calculate
* a 3rd party app

I get the request for a dedicated calculator app but I also think it’s much ado about nothing. I’d prefer a more customisable Home Screen, file app improvements and more powerful software over a weather app and calculator.

The horizontal split screen is also a nice addition I think, along with an option for a Quick note style floating window as an option besides the current options already available (split and slide over)

 

[ericwn]

You can use different tools:
* Numbers or Excel
* Spotlight can calculate
* a 3rd party app

I get the request for a dedicated calculator app but I also think it’s much ado about nothing. I’d prefer a more customisable Home Screen, file app improvements and more powerful software over a weather app and calculator.

The horizontal split screen is also a nice addition I think, along with an option for a Quick note style floating window as an option besides the current options already available (split and slide over)

I know there are alternatives but come on, I’m not gonna set up a spreadsheet to make calculations on the go, spotlight is rather clunky and third party apps - especially for weather, but also for calculating- are often ad driven messes. Basic app parity is what I like to see, then start building out additional features that suit the device type.

I like your idea with the notes window!

 

[usagora]

You can use different tools:
* Numbers or Excel
* Spotlight can calculate
* a 3rd party app

Sure, it's not the end of the world, but I think what's perplexing to people is the inconsistency between the iPhone and iPad there. After all, you could apply your "argument" there to the iPhone as well, right? No need for an iPhone calculator or weather app because you could just use a spreadsheet, Siri, Spotlight, or a 3rd party app. Yet Apple deemed the iPhone worthy of these native apps, but not the iPad. Just strange is all. It's almost as if there's some weird Apple hangup about it that they're not supposed to talk about and so they make up a flimsy cover story instead, LOL!

 

[Isengardtom]

Maybe a solution would be to launch such apps as floating windows so they don’t look like blown up phone apps with a whole lot of nothing. That way those apps are also more interactive with other apps like the quick note app is (it keeps the video on during a teams call for example)