Orientation for mobile apps (smartphone vs. tablet)

Hi all,

I recently conducted testing for a mobile application where the orientation
is restricted. From my use of the app in testing, I did not see any
exception that could be made for essential functionality that would require
such restriction to one orientation.  I wrote this up as an issue citing
the WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.3.4 Orientation and reported it back to
the development team.

There has been some back and forth conversation regarding what is
essential, as well as the development team checking other apps that they
use personally and seeing that not all apps allow for both orientations.

The development team seems interested in making changes though they seem to
be looking at this from the perspective of a smartphone vs. tablet. Their
latest exchange with me is:

*Presume we need to change the app to support landscape mode. What if it
was already done on tablets (various Android tablets and iPad). Does that
satisfy the requirement? In other words, the phone would be portrait-mode
only but if someone wanted it in landscape-mode they could use a tablet -
same functionality, same everything, just on a tablet. *

My initial response was that based on the W3C's definition of mobile there
is not a distinction between a smartphone or a tablet that would allow you
to orient in both landscape and portrait for one but not the other. In my
mind, this approach actually highlights the fact that there is no essential
use/function as to why the application cannot accommodate both orientations.

I am looking for thoughts on this development team's approach as well as
suggestions on what has worked for others when taking orientation into
consideration for mobile applications.

Responses are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

-- 

*Monica Dinehart*

*Test Consultant*



*TSYS *



+1 706.644.8465 O

mdinehart@tsys.com



*A Global Payments Company *