When thinking about the way app icons should be positioned, there are two variables to consider:
- Horizontal axis - the position should be neutral to left- and right-handed users.
- Vertical axis - the most practical position is where user’s thumb rests.
Here is a picture of the current state of things:
Screenshot inside of an app folder on Sony Xperia 10 III.
Horizontal axis: If there are more or less than 4 apps inside of a folder, left-handed users have easier time to reach the apps, since the app listing starts from the left. One possibility is to center all the app icons and limit the amount apps on one row to three. This way, user wouldn’t have to reach to either edge of the screen.
Vertical axis: As one can observe, it takes some effort to reach that top part of screen. One has to either strecth their thumb, use two hands or slide the hand along the edge of the phone. I think this doesn’t align well with the SFOS’ philosophy of ease of one-handed use. Ideally, user would barely have to move their thumb in order to open an app. A suggestion from @nephros was to leave about one row empty at the bottom and start the listing from the second row, counting from the bottom of course.
Here is an illustration of the lower positioning of the app icons:
Illustrating my lack of GIMP skills as well.
If anyone has any thoughts on this matter, I’d sure like to hear them! After gathering feedback from the community, it might make sense to open a ticket on the SFOS issue tracker. I’d be willing to do that, but let’s have a constructive discussion before that :–)
EDIT: Moved to Design category, as this topic doesn’t propose any new features.