Apple's Human Interface Guidelines for the iPad outline how to create user interfaces optimized for the iPad device. According to Apple, the best iPad applications: downplay application UI so that the focus is on content; present content in beautiful, often realistic ways; and take full advantage of device capabilities to enable enhanced interaction.
The iPad user experience guidelines are © 2010 Apple Inc.
- Support All Orientations
- Enhance Interactivity (Don’t Just Add Features)
- Flatten Your Information Hierarchy
- Reduce Full-Screen Transitions
- Enable Collaboration and Connectedness
- Add Physicality and Heightened Realism
- Delight People with Stunning Graphics
- De-emphasize User Interface Controls
- Minimize Modality
- Rethink Your Lists
- Consider Multifinger Gestures
- Consider Popovers for Some Modal Tasks
- Restrict Complexity in Modal Tasks
- Downplay File-Handling Operations
- Ask People to Save Only When Necessary
- Start Instantly
- Always Be Prepared to Stop
More Info...
Details on these guidelines and further information on developing for the iPad can be found in Apple's Human Interface Guidelines for the iPad