Yes there is the other logic. But we are not helicopter pilots, and our device has no buttons, so we can focus on the window solely, no problem.
That is why taking the the application as orientation is the best solution.

Like a few others have mentioned here, I too like to read in bed, and I prefer keeping the same logic to close browser windows as I would be sitting straight up and have been used to from day 1.

It strikes me that they would change their already clever interface design.

For example I love how the default browser will not rotate to portret when the Nokia logo is down. That is great design.

Firefox Mobile keeps rotating. Wrong, useless.
A Palm Pre 3 keeps rotating all the time, lock not to be found, impossible to read from bed. Out it went!


Indeed, there definitely should be one more configurable swipe option: back

whenever in a menu structure, swipe from right to left (or configurable) means back one menu level.

Maybe also for browsing. I now use open in new window more efficiently than the browser back button.

I miss the simple logic of tapping in the blurred area to go back, it worked from day 1 on the N900, no need to read a manual.