How do you reposition iPadOS 18 Floating Tab Bar?

LotusPilot wrote:

The linked 9to5mac article dates from August - before the production release of iPadOS 18.

While I don't intend to imply that Apps with this pre-release feature don't actually exist, other than Apple News, I am yet to encounter any Apple or third-party App that offer a customisable tab bar. For the News App, the tab bar cannot be repositioned.

Oh gosh, I have about 9 apps that have adopted this feature. Believe me, it exists. But none of them are customizable as they were touted which makes them not user-friendly. Maybe in time they will be. For now, I may be stuck with these top-only menus.

Thanks much for your time.

LotusPilot wrote:

To be absolutely clear, having established that the tab bar is in no way a "floating" (re-positionable) element of the UI, we are now on the same page. Some Apps that I use do indeed use the refreshed UI with its new tab bar.

As for the tab bar being configurable, the only App encountered thus far that offers this capability is the News App. As I personally choose to use the sidebar in preference to the tab bar. I have therefore configured none of the tab bar buttons - and it is therefore not visible at all.

Shew—glad we agree. 😊

I’ve been reading up on this and have new information that I think will help us both.

1. The floating tab bar is an interface that Apple is strongly suggesting that all iPadOS app developers adopt.
2. The floating tab bar has some optional features that are at the discretion of the individual app developers.
3. Features include positioning the tab bar at the top of the screen or the left side.
4. Features include changing the order of the tab headers.

I do wish that, in the future, Apple considers allowing the tab bar to also be positioned on the right, of my personal favorite… on the bottom. My fingers are already on the bottom because my keyboard lives there. The top of the screen is a long distance away, relatively speaking.

In my experience (obviously based on the set of apps I’m using), developers have been quick to adopt, but sadly not quick to adopt the very features that make the tab bar magical. And without the magic, it’s just not that great. So in the end, while I think the tab bar could be improved by Apple, it’s ultimately up to the individual app developers to pass that magic on to their users.

LotusPilot wrote:

Many Apps are often just a web front-end - and will behave in exactly the same manner as accessing content using a web browser.

True, but nonetheless, Apple has steered app developers to use this floating tab bar on their iPadOS apps. I’m my experience, there’s not much floating going on. The “bar” remains in a fixed position at the top which, in my opinion, is the worst place for a menu on a mobile device. It creates a lot of finger traveling and places the user’s hands in the way of the screen. Many developers have adopted this, so I’m seeing it on a lot of iPadOS apps now.

Apple has touted the “bar” as being customizable by the end user. This has not been my experience.

LotusPilot wrote:

To reiterate, elements of App user interfaces, such as controls or buttons, are rarely configurable. While App Developers may choose to follow Apple's current App-design guidelines, many choose to follow their own vision of App design or visual layout.

Where, specifically, have you seen Apple suggest that the "bar" of which you complain is user configurable?

Thanks again for your engagement. The news was everywhere. It coincided with the release of iPadOS 18. Here is one particular link.

https://9to5mac.com/2024/08/16/ipados-18s-new-tab-bar-for-apps-is-more-powerful-than-it-first-appears/

It’s new. Apple started rolling it out to app developers ahead of iPadOS 18. I’ll attach an example. One image is the IMDb app on iOS with its own bottom navigation menu. The other is the same app on iPadOS, but with the new tab bar. Many app developers have rolled out the new tab bar based on specifications set by Apple.

@LotusPilot, I don’t think we’re talking about the same thing You’re describing mobile browser behavior. My question is regarding mobile app behavior, specifically for iPad use.

I do appreciate your time, though.

LotusPilot wrote:

Developer Kits are "libraries" used by programmers - not end users - to provide quick access to system functions. Unless you intend to write your own code, this knowledge is of no use or relevance to an end user.

I already know this, but thank you anyway. Have a good day. 😊