That's a very good point that I didn't take into account in my "pixels are pixels" comment.
In fact, I run into it all the time myself with ordinary web or desktop apps. Many web designers use large displays running at relatively low resolutions. For example, a 24" iMac running at its native 1920x1200 has a fairly coarse pixel density of 94 pixels per inch. My ThinkPad has a 15" display at 1600x1200, or 133 pixels per inch. And web designers seem to love very small "px" sized fonts, which end up 40% smaller on my display. Making matters worse, I've heard stories of designers saying "I want to see how this will look on a lower-resolution display, so I'll set my resolution to 1024x768." That of course makes their pixels even bigger, leading them to exactly the wrong conclusion. So you're right, the answer is both. If you're dealing with the exact pixels on the screen, then pixels are pixels. If you're dealing with usability at the actual device size, then physical size is what you have to go with. One thing to watch out for there - if you are having people view your comps on their own (non-iPhone) displays, you have no idea what their display pixel size is. Instead, the best thing is to print it out, so that you can control the print size to make it match the iPhone's display size. -Mike > From: Matt Rehkopf > > I think where I get hung up is on pixels vs. inches. Pixels > are fine for desiging how the page will look, but it is not > for how it will be touched. On screen, the 320x356 size image > looks like there is more room to touch because it is larger > than the physical size of the iPhone screen (2" x 3"). But if > you go on pixels alone, you could create buttons that look > large enough on screen but are too small to touch when seen > on the iPhone. It feels like we need to accomodate both the > visual size of the design (pixels) as well as the > touchability of areas when we design (inches). > > Also, I had someone else tell me the dpi also increases the > clarity of items on screen. So, a designer could opt to use a > small font (5pt) that she would never use for a 72 dpi > monitor because it will appear clearer and therefore more legiable. > > Sorry if I am sounding ignorant on dpi and resolution (I am > an IA after all and not a designer), but it seems like this > touchable browser screen is the first time where we need to > be concerned about both pixles and inches. > > *My visual input device (eye) is measured in pixles, but my > pysical input device (finder) is measured in inches.* --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "iPhoneWebDev" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/iphonewebdev?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
