Apple Smart Case - wrong orientation?
I haven't marked this as a question because I guess any answers are very subjective, but does anyone else think the orientation of the cover on the Apple Smart Case is "wrong"?
For the past 2.5 years I've had a first generation iPad. This has lived in a Marware Eco-Vue case which to my mind holds the iPad in the most perfectly accessible way possible when using its built-in 'kickstand' on a flat surface. The home button is on the right, where it falls naturally for operation with my right thumb (I am right-handed, so for southpaws YMMV). The rotation lock and volume rockers are in the top-left corner where a quick slide of the left index finger allows almost instant control, and the headphone outlet is on the bottom left which is a) on the edge nearest the desk and so has the least vertical cord drop and b) keeps any trailing cord to the left of my body where it won't interfere with my dominant right hand if I need to use a mouse, pen and paper etc.
When the iPad2 was released I loved the design and function of the Smart Cover but wasn't impressed that it offered no protection for the rear of the iPad case. But since I never owned an iPad2, this was moot.
I've just taken posession of a 4th generation retina iPad and an Apple Smart Case which, when I ordered it, seemed to combine the best features of the Smart Cover with a backshell that offered some protection for the rear of the iPad itself. Unfortunately now I've fitted it I notice the 'hinge' of the Smart Case is oriented along what I've come to think of as the 'bottom' of the iPad, so when the cover is rolled into a prism for use as a kickstand the orientation of the iPad is completely wrong.
The home button is now on the left, which is arguably something I could get used to but feels very wrong after having it on the right of every other Apple device I've owned. The headphone socket is now on the top-right, leaving the cord dangling and snaking past my right hand where I keep catching it. But worst of all, the orientation lock and volume controls are now on the bottom-right edge, hidden by the lip of the Smart Case itself! To operate either control I have to physically lift the iPad off the desk to get access to the buttons.
I guess I can use the on-screen volume control for videos or music, and learn to use the task switcher volume control for games, but the orientation lock is a real problem. If the iPad is locked to portrait and I set it down to watch a video, I have to pick it up again to disengage the lock. I suppose I could set the lock switch to be mute, and use the soft orientation lock in the switcher, but that's quite a serious configuration and useage change just to overcome a silly case design problem.
I realise if you look up "first world problems" in the dictionary you'll probably find this list, and in the grand scheme of things a couple of configuration changes and a few days re-programming my muscle memory probably isn't going to be too onerous a task. But with Apple's emphasis on design and ease of use I'm really surprised that they designed the Smart Case to operate this way. I certainly can't think, off the top of my head, of any disadvantages to orienting it the other way. Although I'm open to suggestions.
Has anyone else found the orientation of the Smart Case to be an annoyance, or am I just being far too picky?
iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 6