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When you use your phone or tablet to read websites or e-books, you probably use portrait mode. However, when you watch a video, play a game, or look at photos, landscape mode is usually more desirable.
Wouldn’t it be nice if your device knew which orientation to use with each app? That’s where Swivel can help you out. Here’s how:
- Grab a copy of Swivel for your Android 4.0+ device.
- Open Swivel and tap the start bar along the bottom of the screen. In the Accessibility menu that loads, enable Swivel (likely at the bottom of the list).
Enlarge ImageScreenshots by Nicole Cozma/CNET
- Now you can head back into Swivel and tap the bubbles next to app names to set whether you want them locked into your current mode, landscape, or portrait. Here’s what some of the different bubbles mean, according to the developer:
- DEFAULT (circle) – the app defaults to the global default screen orientation setting you have set in the notification bar/system settings
- PORTRAIT (lock) – the app will only display in portrait or inverted portrait modes (based on accelerometer)
- LANDSCAPE (lock) – the app will only display in landscape or inverted landscape modes (based on accelerometer)
The rest of the icons and their meanings can be found in the help menu (the question mark in the top right-hand corner).
You can stop all preset orientations from being used by tapping the banner across the bottom of the app’s main screen, which will stop the service.
What do you think of this app handling screen orientation settings for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
(Via Lifehacker)
