Tab navigation
From MobileDesign
[edit] Applies to:
User Interface: Included,
Excluded
Hardware: Category: Thing,
Category: Another thing
Tabs are a common mechanism used to arrange more controls than can fit on a single page. Common desktop examples include Windows preferences dialog boxes and Apple.com or Amazon.com web sites.
[edit] Design
No changes from desktop tab navigation: what works on the desktop works on mobile, if on appropriate devices.
What doesn't work on the desktop (e.g. bottom tabs) will not work on the mobile.
Restrict the number of tabs to that which will fit in one row on the screen.
[edit] Applicable Devices and Platforms
Stylus and touch devices.
Tabs are also acceptable when all of the following apply: * Scroll and select device with 4 way navigation (including left and right) * Access to left and right controls * Vertical scrolling to go line-to-line and not just control-to-control * A platform with focus control * Initial focus is placed below the tabs
None of the major browsers support all of the above. MIDP 1 doesn't support it. MIDP 2 can, but will have to be designed very carefully and tested on all devices.
Also note that users of scroll and select devices often have trouble understanding or using side-scrolling functions, like tabs, even when the device supports side scrolling just fine.
[edit] When Used
Same as desktop tab navigation.
[edit] Rationale
Same as desktop tab navigation.
The limitations on scroll-and-select devices arises from the small width and the need to scroll past each of the tabs individually. The experience can be replicated on many desktop sites: try using a site with only tab, shift-tab, letters, numbers, and enter/return. No mousing allowed. Tabs become quite tedious, as does left side navigation.
Also see: Any that apply, Else remove it entirely
