You must have an iPad app.

You just released your b2b iPhone app, you don’t know the ROI, but you LOVE it. And you’re ready to charge ahead with the iPad. You’re excited; but consider these tips on how designing for the iPad is different from the iPhone.

Tweaking your iPhone app isn’t an iPad design solution.
It’s not just a big phone. The iPad requires a different interface and interaction design. Approach it as a new project.

1. What are your goals?
2. What is your strategy?

Don’t start with the device. Start with people.
If you decided you have to have a b2b iPad app just because you have an iPhone version think again. It’s not about the new technology; it’s about how people use it. 

1. Is the iPad used by a large percentage of your b2b target audience? (Check your stats. Survey your audience.)
2. What role does the iPad play as a part of their lives—inside and outside of work?

Know your b2b audience and medium.
The larger size means an iPad app is more conducive to tools for productivity. A larger keyboard makes it easier to input information. Your iPhone app is likely to be used in short bursts, but the iPad presents an opportunity for longer engagement sessions.

1. What does your audience need? 
2. How would they use your application?
3. What makes your app unique or valuable?

Okay, you have a plan. Now on to design.

iPad App Design Considerations 

1. More space does not mean more stuff.
More screen space doesn’t mean that you need more interface. Don’t waste space, or the user’s time, with non-essential items. It also doesn’t mean that you should make everything visible at once. Only display the content and controls the user needs at the moment.

2. Keep the interface and functions simple. Minimal is best.
Figure out what is important to your audience and limit your application to the features that users need. By keeping it focused, the interface will be simpler and easier to use. Don’t let feature creep hamper your design.

3. Orientation: There can be no ups and downs.
Landscape or portrait the interface needs to look good and work seamlessly.

4. I have fat fingers.
You may have lovely little fingers but the smallest touch point on the iPad is the size of the tip of a man’s index finger. Make targets big, obvious, and easy to hit.

5. Look, Steve, two hands!
Just because I have two hands, don’t assume I want to use both of them. Dual motor functions should be optional and not mandatory to access key functions. The ability to use two hands is also not another reason to add more stuff. (See #1.)

6. Gestures have meaning. And purpose.
Tap, drag, pinch, flick, swipe, hold, rotate. Use it when it makes sense and stick with established cognitive models. Being unique isn’t going to get you anywhere if it’s not intuitive.

7. Be true to real life.
Touch changes everything. The nature of the device itself, its size and weight, makes associations in our minds. This is why graphic representations of file folders, notepads, clipboards in the interface seem natural. Embrace the power of touch and make things look and respond how they do in real life. Take Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines:
"The more true to life your application looks and behaves, the easier it is for people to understand how it works and the more they enjoy using it." - Human Interface Guidelines for the iPad

8. Test. Test. Test.
You aren’t the user. If you don’t involve users in your development and testing, you are missing opportunities to make your app truly great.

There’s lots of great info out there. Check out the resources below.

iPad App Design Tips and  Resources

• Apple’s User Experience Design Guidelines
• Smashing Magazine’s Design Tips
• Designing for iPad Reality Check
• O’Reilly on how its different from the iPhone
• 40 ipad tools and tips for designers 
• Interaction Snapshots Flikr Collection
• Quick iPad User Testing