[Feature] Rotating the calculator

[xandros9]

nothing big, just a tidbit I discovered and feel others can benefit from it. if you already figured it out, congrats, I didn't know about this until I had my 920 rotated.

rotate the stock calculator to one side to get additional functions! but wait! do it the other way it shows a different set!
such a tiny detail, but I think its just that cool.

 

[mase123987]

I did not know that. Bet you could get some interesting looks on a complicated equation.

 

[teckris]

if MS had gave us the Orientation Lock, no one may have found it
thanks MS for putting in such wonders and CLUES to find it

 

[anony_mouse]

nothing big, just a tidbit I discovered and feel others can benefit from it. if you already figured it out, congrats, I didn't know about this until I had my 920 rotated.

rotate the stock calculator to one side to get additional functions! but wait! do it the other way it shows a different set!
such a tiny detail, but I think its just that cool.

OK, I'm going to make myself unpopular and say that this is poor design. How many users will find the extra functions? I expect UIs to make it easy to find features, not hide them away in obscure ways. It also sounds like it would be annoying to use.

 

[Huime]

OK, I'm going to make myself unpopular and say that this is poor design. How many users will find the extra functions? I expect UIs to make it easy to find features, not hide them away in obscure ways. It also sounds like it would be annoying to use.

If you daily life is just about plus and minus, then I'd agree with you.

 

[anony_mouse]

If you daily life is just about plus and minus, then I'd agree with you.

I hope plus and minus are on the default screen.
I just opened a random calculator app on my phone. It has more functions than can fit on the screen at one time, but has a scrollbar type-thing that indicates how to find more functions. They are not 'hidden'. Does the WP calculator have some clear visual hint that more functions can be found by rotating the phone? If it does, then I take back some of my criticism - although I still think rotating the phone to access extra functions is more annoying than, for example, scrolling or flipping to change some of the buttons.

 

[Pete]

When something is so simple and intuitive, why is there a need to clutter up the screen with explanations?

 

[anony_mouse]

When something is so simple and intuitive, why is there a need to clutter up the screen with explanations?

I am going to assume that you are not being sarcastic.
Is it intuitive? The OP felt it was hidden well enough that she/he felt it was worth posting here. The first person to reply had not found it. I don't think I would find it except by luck. That's bad design, not 'simple and intuitive'. This is not some obscure 'Easter Egg', but core functionality of a calculator.

 

[xandros9]

fun fact, I remember iOS did the same, where rotating it brought a boatload of extra functions onscreen, they didn't have any indication that function existed either. I guess that's what forums and news sites are for

 

[Huime]

I am going to assume that you are not being sarcastic.
Is it intuitive? The OP felt it was hidden well enough that she/he felt it was worth posting here. The first person to reply had not found it. I don't think I would find it except by luck. That's bad design, not 'simple and intuitive'. This is not some obscure 'Easter Egg', but core functionality of a calculator.

Until here, I just want to add, calculator apps had these design back in the gingerbread days. And here is just another "inspiration" of god who knows started it.
And that it"inspired" numerous apps in the past 5 years put your concern in rest...

 

[anony_mouse]

Maybe it's common, even though I've never come across it before. I still think it's bad design, and that this thread proves me right.

 

[N_LaRUE]

Maybe it's common, even though I've never come across it before. I still think it's bad design, and that this thread proves me right.

It's been common on smartphones with touch screens for some time. It's nothing new. I believe all standard calculators on all smartphones do something similar.

 

[anony_mouse]

It's been common on smartphones with touch screens for some time. It's nothing new. I believe all standard calculators on all smartphones do something similar.

Interesting. The calculator on my phone doesn't do this, and the third party one on the iPad doesn't either (and provides a visual clue that some buttons can be scrolled). Are there other apps that hide functions like this? I'm wondering what I've been missing out on!

 

[N_LaRUE]

Interesting. The calculator on my phone doesn't do this, and the third party one on the iPad doesn't either (and provides a visual clue that some buttons can be scrolled). Are there other apps that hide functions like this? I'm wondering what I've been missing out on!

Wow, that's odd. My Nokia N8 did something similar. I thought Apple apps were better than that. Interesting. Well comes down to the developer how they want to do things.

 

[anony_mouse]

I thought Apple apps were better than that.

To be clear, I'm praising the third party calculator on the iPad for providing a visual clue. There isn't an Apple calculator on the iPad. I don't have an iPhone, and I'm happy my phone calculator doesn't hide functions like this either.
Genuine question - do you know any other apps that hide functions by rotation (or any other interesting methods)?

 

[N_LaRUE]

Genuine question - do you know any other apps that hide functions by rotation (or any other interesting methods)?

Not off hand, no. I have a game on my phone that wants you do all kinds of funny things with the phone but that's about all I know. Sometimes when you go to landscape mode in some phones you will get extra bits simply because the area is larger, usually the keyboard but sometimes apps may have things hidden that become visible when in landscape. I wouldn't find it unusual. Just try your apps out and see.

 

[anony_mouse]

Sometimes when you go to landscape mode in some phones you will get extra bits simply because the area is larger

Just to note that the area of the screen does not get change when the phone is rotated. (*) (**)

(*) ignoring microscopic differences caused by the decrease in gravitational force with increased altitude, of course.
(**) screen area may change if you rotate your phone really fast.

 

[Guzzler3]

Yep, rotating calculator to get scientific calculator has been a common feature on many phones.

Now, if you want to really mess with someone with a math or engineering background, hand them any calculator program from Microsoft (Win95 through W8.1 and WP8) and have them play the % button. Watch the madness ensue!!