One handed usage of iPhone / left hand

I use an iPhone 3GS and feel that Apple makes it intentionally difficult technically for me to unlock it. Each time the iPhone locks, I need to use this "swiper" to unlock it.

It is hard to impossible to do that with the left thumb, and holding the device with a prosthetic device is very very risky as they made it curved at the back and straight edges rather than little indents that a hand or hook could hold on to.

The very best solution would be an option in the "settings" dialog to switch the direction of the "unlock" swiper.

Is there a way to change the Unlock button direction? An Application maybe?

Posted on Jan 31, 2010 9:17 AM

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14 replies

Jan 31, 2010 1:02 PM in response to Wolf Schweitzer

Wolf Schweitzer wrote:
I use an iPhone 3GS and feel that Apple makes it intentionally difficult technically for me to unlock it.


Really ? You actually think that Apple goes out of its way with designs to make life difficult ?

Well just because you're not paranoid, doesn't mean that Apple aren't out to get you.

Righties are the vast majority of people so its fairly logical to find it configured that was as a default. Your point however about a reverse option is actually a pretty good one once you get over the paranoia/victim complex thing - I would have thought that you could suggest it to Apple along with some references to the American Disability legislation and they would put a reverse or one handed option.

Or you could just not lock it or would that be too easy ?

Feb 1, 2010 3:24 AM in response to Graham Outterside

Graham Outterside wrote:
Wolf Schweitzer wrote:
I use an iPhone 3GS and feel that Apple makes it intentionally difficult technically for me to unlock it.


Really ? You actually think that Apple goes out of its way with designs to make life difficult ?

Well just because you're not paranoid, doesn't mean that Apple aren't out to get you.

Righties are the vast majority of people so its fairly logical to find it configured that was as a default. Your point however about a reverse option is actually a pretty good one once you get over the paranoia/victim complex thing - I would have thought that you could suggest it to Apple along with some references to the American Disability legislation and they would put a reverse or one handed option.

Or you could just not lock it or would that be too easy ?


I am not paranoid, but I realize that both having the lock only one way and Apple aficionados such as you must base on a similarly rigid view of others, or maybe viewing a perfectly normal critique as so much more may much rather be a bit paranoid. Seeing as if Apple makes everything else as easy as possible and seeing as if every little piece is subject to endless meetings it is safe to assume that the one-way design of the lock is intentional.

Now, I "only" have a thumb motion issue in that mine is
not as flexible as maybe others. Simple as that. A lock is necessary
as I found the phone does funny things when I just take it out of the
pocket unlocked. It's not a big deal other than rather impractical and
as long as we pay good money for things above average practical - the
iPhone attempts just that - I find it perfectly adequate to highlight
this deficiency and ask for a fix. I work in IT myself and I tell you
that changing buttons placements or directions is not really a
problem.

But, funny post anyway, interesting terms and viewpoints of a
generally sunny mindset 😉

Here we go:

Section 255 and Section 251(a)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934,
as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, require
manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of
telecommunications services to ensure that such equipment and services
are accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, if readily
achievable. These amendments ensure that people with disabilities
will have access to a broad range of products and services such as
telephones, *cell phones,* pagers, call-waiting, and operator
services, that were often inaccessible to many users with
disabilities.

Message was edited by: Wolf Schweitzer

Feb 1, 2010 4:28 PM in response to Wolf Schweitzer

I guess I don't understand. I just held and unlocked my iPhone in my left hand no problem. Locked it back. Even sent a text message holding and typing with only my left hand... and I'm right handed.

Maybe it's the size of my hands, being somewhat big. That's the only thing I can think of because otherwise I don't see any issues a little practice couldn't handle.

Feb 2, 2010 2:43 AM in response to Wolf Schweitzer

I tried so many times. Every time my thumb grabs the slider and gets to the edge of the screen, due to my anatomy and restricted thumb motion, the thumb tip curves up just for a bit and I regularly fail to unlock the phone.

But, good news - I just installed "Twitterific" (a free app) and guess what that has: a switch called "LEFT HANDED CONTROLS".

Now, you really and seriously are doing sit down and tell me that Apple cannot implement such a simple switch? Like, 'can not'? While people writing free apps can? And to infringe on Telecommunications act section 255 / 251(a)(2)?

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One handed usage of iPhone / left hand

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