Should we consider iPad as a handheld/mobile device , when we make website for smartphones?

Should we consider iPad as a hand-held/mobile device , when we make website for smart-phones like ip开发者_开发问答hone, android, Blackberry, Windows Phone?

iPhone and iPad share same Operating system. So along with iPhone i should consider ipad also as a mobile device or I should consider iPad as a desktop/laptop device.

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Well, that depends. In general, I would say the iPad belongs in the laptop/desktop category. Most of the time, mobile sites are designed because of the small display-size or browser limitations on mobiles devices. The iPad has both a reasonable screen-size and capable browser.

However, when the site requires a lot of interaction with the user (like a web app or social site), I would prefer an interface that is a bit more kind to touch screens.

Alternatively, you could take a look at responsive design.

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It depends on your site, I would say. If the 'desktop' version of your site works OK on the iPad, and is easy to use, there is no reason not to use that one.

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I would say not unless you are developing in flash otherwise it falls into the category of netbooks IMHO, simply because of the larger screen real-estate.

Handhelds / mobiles are usually low resolution / small screen 'need to sacrifice' devices.

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It depends upon the kind of webapp you're developing. A typical publishing site, for example, might be perfectly legible in the default layout for regular desktop computers. But since users visiting the site on iPad and tablets will be using their fingers to navigate, you may want to have a streamlined presentation that optimizes readability and makes navigation buttons and links a bit larger and easier to target by finger.

Also any touchscreen platform is not going to have use for a :hover state on links. This may have implications on your IxD if that kind of user feedback is important for regular platform users.

My approach currently is to use responsive design in a mobile-targeted front-end theme, that adapts use of screen real-estate depending upon resolution but still optimizes for the touchscreen experience.

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iPads tend to be used as a netbook / laptop replacement more than a mobile device, in my experience. Most sites work pretty well on them already. You should certainly check your sites on one, but barring the lack of Flash and smallish issues like the lack of a onmouseover event, there's little reason to develop an entirely separate site for them.