Why 4:3? Why not wide-screen?

I love my iPad. But I still can't figure out why they went with 1024x768, instead of a nice wide-screen resolution, preferably 1280x720. It sure would of been nice, as it would save me from having to crop or zoom in on many Movies to just get full-screen. Maybe the only reason I can come up with, is it would look a little long when holding it in Portrait mode. Would you have preferred a wide-screen iPad?

 

About an hour ago I watched an episode of some ABC TV show just to see it on the iPad. I have only a 3G connection on the device. Maybe I'm Neanderthal Man, but when I tapped it into full screen, I was blown away by the picture quality. Maybe the next gen will be in 3D but for now, I'm happy.

By the way, I really disliked the network show I watched. But seeing it on the iPad makes me want to buy this hair color stuff they're selling on the commercials.

 

For everything else the iPad does, 4:3 is a much better choice. Video shouldn't override usability in other apps. You can get away with it in a full-sized computer because the screen is large enough.

Ebooks on a 9:16 screen would not be as nice.

Tom

 

the web would look weird in portrait view.

 

It would be akward to hold and type on I think if it was wider. It would also look funny.

 

I voted no. The true answer is yet but...

Yes but it would be a weird shape for web browsing and reading and stuff.

 

I also voted no. I have the archos 9 which is wide screen and the dimensions are very awkward for anything other than video (even that is not very good).

 

For me, watching movies and HDTV is about 1% of what I will do on my iPad. For me, 4:3 is a more functional ratio.

Perhaps Apple thought I am more typical that you.

 

I wonder, if you feel the same way about your desktop or laptop? I know I have widescreen aspect ratio on those. Actually portrate view is more likely to get 1% of my use, as I rarely use it unless forced apron me by the App. And Video watching either movies, youtube, etc.. is/was a high selling point for Apple.

 

So basically in landscape the screen would be too short and annoying for reading, in portrait it would be too narrow. The shape/size of the screen is pretty perfect.