TECHNOLOGY
Apple is looking into solutions for Safari’s layout issues on the iPhone Duo’s outer display, which currently limits usable space for websites.
Apple’s Safari team is exploring ways to improve website usability on the iPhone Duo’s outer display. Users report that the browser’s right-aligned controls take up much of the limited screen space, restricting the display area for website content.
Jen Simmons from WebKit acknowledged in a recent blog post that websites cannot currently extend behind Safari’s controls on the outer display. This design choice, intended to save vertical space, limits the available width for web pages. According to Simmons, the typical width remains about 382 CSS pixels in portrait mode.
User feedback indicates that this design can result in frustrating browsing experiences, as overlapping the controls with content isn’t practical. “We would like to give web designers and developers the ability to design and use that space in more creative ways,” Simmons stated.
While developers can technically allow pages to extend beneath the controls using the viewport-fit=cover setting, Simmons noted that many websites do not consider safe margins, which risks important content being obscured. Apple is seeking a more robust and user-friendly solution.
Currently, Apple welcomes suggestions from web developers on addressing this issue. There is no set timeline for these improvements, but Simmons assured that the company would keep users informed of its progress.
In the meantime, users looking for a better browsing experience are advised to use the inner screen for scrolling through longer web pages. Interestingly, opening PDFs in Safari allows users to view two pages side by side when the device is partially folded.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Readhis insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.