Device Types

In today’s world, there are many types of digital devices: desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, and so on. A harmonious and efficient user experience is only possible when the software’s user interface is tailored to each device’s physical characteristics and the way that a user will interact with it.

For information regarding the differences between a user interface and the user experience, see the responsive in the HIG.

Some devices are adaptable, e.g. a tablet with a keyboard plugged in, or a convertible laptop with only the touchscreen in use. These types of devices will require the user interface to adapt as necessary for each usage mode. If minimal changes are needed (for example, a laptop plugged into a large external screen) this can be achieved with a “responsive” design, as described in responsive in the HIG. For more extensive changes (for example, a tablet plugged into a docking station with a mouse and keyboard attached), an entirely different user interface paradigm may need to be presented.

[TODO] Notable differences in behavior of kirigami on different types