A jQuery plugin to selectively disable the iOS double-tap-to-zoom action on specific page elements (and have that generate two click events instead).

jquery.nodoubletapzoom.js

// jQuery no-double-tap-zoom plugin

// Triple-licensed: Public Domain, MIT and WTFPL license - share and enjoy!

(function($) {
  var IS_IOS = /iphone|ipad/i.test(navigator.userAgent);
  $.fn.nodoubletapzoom = function() {
    if (IS_IOS)
      $(this).bind('touchstart', function preventZoom(e) {
        var now = (new Date().getTime()),
            elapsed = now - (this._lastTouch || 0),
            fingers = e.touches.length,
            isDoubleTap = (fingers === 1 && elapsed < 500);

        if (isDoubleTap) { e.preventDefault(); }

        this._lastTouch = now;
      });
  };
})(jQuery);

e.timeStamp and e.originalEvent were not available for me and I didn't need to synthesize an event because we're using synthetic tap events already, to work around the browser delay on click events (due to double-click detection). So this is what I'm using. I've also refactored the logic for clarity.