Highlights
- Apple designer hints at possible landscape logo for future iPad models.
- Increased use of iPads in landscape mode with accessories like Magic Keyboard.
- Recent iPads feature front cameras and boot logo aligned to landscape orientation.
- Logo change could signify Apple’s shift towards iPad as a laptop alternative.
The iPad was originally designed to be used mostly in the portrait position, with the Apple logo on the back appearing upright.
However, with the iPad serving as a laptop replacement for most, it is equally seen in landscape mode, particularly when coupled with other accessories such as the Magic Keyboard case.
And with this shift in usage, there is the question of whether Apple would ever make the orientation of the iconic logo bend to suit them.
“I think it could change,” said Anderson, per a computer translation of the French-language interview. “We are thinking about it. The iPad has long been a product that is used in portrait mode, but we are using it more and more in landscape mode.”
Apple product designer Molly Anderson shared (machine translated): I think it could change, I don’t think it’s set in stone. We are thinking about it. The iPad has long been a product that is used in portrait mode, but we are using it more and more in landscape mode. We cannot say that it is fixed.
Designer Hints at Potential Change
In a recent interview with Numerama, Molly Anderson, an industrial designer at Apple, was asked about the “upside down” logo when the iPad is used in landscape.
Her response?
“This could change” in the future, a clear indication that a landscape logo orientation might just find its way into some future iPad models.
Anderson noted that, though the iPad is engineered for use \”in all directions,\” more and more people have been using it horizontally of late.
Apple’s actually been doing some of this work on the iPad design to landscape orientation anyway.
The new 10th-gen iPad, M2 iPad Air, and both iPad Pros now feature front cameras centred along the landscape axis.
And since iPadOS 14.5, the logo orientation changes to match how the iPad is held during boot up.
A Symbolic Shift?
While a rotated logo may seem like a minor cosmetic change, it could represent a significant philosophical shift for Apple in how it envisions iPad use going forward.
Traditionally, the tablet has been viewed as a content consumption device best used upright, but Apple itself now markets it as a laptop alternative suited to landscape productivity workflows.
User Reception
Should Apple implement this logo change, it will be interesting to see how users and critics react.
Some may view it as a logical evolution acknowledging changing user behaviour.
Others may criticise it as an admission that the iPad has strayed too far from its roots as a distinctly different form of mobile computing.
Ultimately, only time will tell if Anderson’s vague comments foreshadow an actual change.
Apple tends to keep mum on unreleased product plans and details.
But the shift to landscape for certain iPad features suggests Apple is at least pondering such a logo reorientation for future models.
FAQs
Why is Apple considering a landscape logo for the iPad?
Apple is considering a landscape logo to better align with the growing trend of using iPads in landscape mode, especially with accessories like the Magic Keyboard.
What did Apple designer Molly Anderson say about the logo change?
In an interview with Numerama, Molly Anderson suggested that the orientation of the iPad logo could change in the future to accommodate landscape usage.
How are recent iPad models designed for landscape use?
The 10th-gen iPad, M2 iPad Air, and both iPad Pros feature front cameras cantered along the landscape axis, and iPadOS 14.5 changes the logo orientation during boot up to match how the iPad is held.
What could a landscape logo represent for Apple’s vision of the iPad?
A landscape logo could symbolize a significant shift in Apple’s vision, emphasizing the iPad’s role as a laptop alternative and a productivity tool.
How might users react to a landscape logo on the iPad?
User reactions could vary; some might see it as a logical evolution reflecting changing usage patterns, while others may view it as a departure from the iPad’s original design philosophy.
Has Apple made any official announcements about changing the iPad logo orientation?
No, Apple has not made any official announcements. The idea of a landscape logo was hinted at by designer Molly Anderson, but there are no confirmed plans yet.
Also Read: iPad Pro (2024): Design, Processor, Cameras, Display, and, What To Expect
Also Read: iPad Pro Series Surpasses iPhone in Latest Antutu Benchmark Scores