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Try using Android apps on a Chromebook. You'll have a renewed appreciation for how scalable iOS actually is.

I believe there were similar complaints about the Pixel tablet.

(I have an Acer R11, and the Android apps look awful on it in anything other than portrait phone-sized)
I'm not talking about third party apps. I have no complaints with the developers. I'm talking about iOS specifically.
 
Neither am I, unless you're considering Google to be a "third party".
I'm not talking about other operating systems either. I don't care if another OS is worse. That's no excuse for Apple to not improve their OS. And again, it's really not even the features. It's mainly just parts of the UI.
 
Apple and developers share the blame here. I wish I could just copy the files from a USB drive someone gave me to my iPad. Outlook on iOS can't access Free/Busy information.

Incorrect.
iOS Outlook (if on exchange server 2013+) does indeed have free/busy look up. Create an meeting add the people you wish to attend, select the check mark for the people and tap on Time there you'll see their meetings that will conflict if any.

SanDisk iXpand has 32/64/128GB USB to lightning adapter that is very portable for iOS. IBridge also makes the same with up to 256GB compatible but their USB 2 while SanIsk is USB 3.
 
Incorrect.
iOS Outlook (if on exchange server 2013+) does indeed have free/busy look up. Create an meeting add the people you wish to attend, select the check mark for the people and tap on Time there you'll see their meetings that will conflict if any.

SanDisk iXpand has 32/64/128GB USB to lightning adapter that is very portable for iOS. IBridge also makes the same with up to 256GB compatible but their USB 2 while SanIsk is USB 3.
AHA!

I don't think we are Exchange 2013. We are moving to O365 this year so I'll check then.
 
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I would love to move my house to an iOS only house but there are certain things that still require iTunes such as an iOS device restore or the ability to hide iTunes purchases.
 
AHA!

I don't think we are Exchange 2013. We are moving to O365 this year so I'll check then.

Office 365 should work perfectly as well, it's newer than Exchange Server 2013. I don't yet know if an admin can close off access to a specific component of Exchange server mailbox functions via ActiveSync.
 
I agree that having "Pro" Apps for the iPad are the main keys to migration to the so-called post-PC era :)
I am a Photographer, so my needs are in 2 main areas:
Editing
DAM

Right now, Affinity Photo 1.5 for the Mac is THE benchmark. I have been told that Affinity Photo for iPad will be out in 2017 with virtually all the feature sets of the Mac Version - OK if so 50% there!

I have also been told that Affinity will be bringing out a DAM for the iPad - it they do this I am 99% there

Why 99%? Well I still have occasion to do some database design in FileMaker Pro and I STILL need a Mac for that :)

I also think the keyboard issue is self curing: I'll bet in 5 years we are doing more dictating that typing. I know for the most part I am doing that already.

Sure it is hard to do in "public" but I will be very interested to see how paring a pair of AirPods and being able to quietly dictate rather that having to talk in a normal voice? My AirPods are due in in 4 weeks :)
 
Been using my Pro for most of my reading and studying and note taking with Evernote. Works great and when I need a laptop I use my Thinkpad. The iPad Pro is really getting close to being my only device. iOS is so much better than it used to be.
 
Here is how I use my iPad Pro most of the time and I actually prefer it to the MacBook Pro 13" for most things. It feels like a mini desktop. I don't miss a mouse or trackpad. I just touch the screen instead... no biggie. I use the Apple magic BT keyboard (the post 2015 newer one as it fits the laptop bag better since it's really thin. I'm using a Baseus solid walnut stand which looks awesome on a desk and keeps with that Apple look of mixing wood, aluminum etc for modern look in their stores. I use a clear grip transparent case from Luvvitt cases (and have the same one on my iPhone 7 plus as well) and I also have a tempered glass protector on the screen of both the IPP and the iPhone so everything is protected. I like the lightweight of the luvvitt clear grip. I used to use a unicorn beetle Pro case but that thing was heavy and clunky. Great protection but you lose the sleek feel and look.

Anyway I can easily use this over the MBP for almost everything. And since I can move the magic keyboard around without moving the IPP it just works better than the laptop for ergonomics.
By the way that Baseus stand can also be used for a lower angle 45 deg for drawing. You just flip it over.

My only reasons for keeping MBP right now are Dreamweaver and iTunes (but only for emergency restore where I need DFU mode as I have everything backed up on iCloud now anyway and do t use iTunes at all on the laptop).

IMG_0470.JPG
IMG_0471.JPG
 
Come back and give us an update when you get the bigger one and use it for awhile. Always interesting to hear perspectives like this

Well unfortunately after about two weeks, I caved and picked up a MacBook. Initially I loved everything about the 12.9 and still do. However, as I began to have to do more work in Excel, I just couldn't get used to touching the screen so much. Even with the ASK shortcuts, it was still constant screen touching. I was willing to, but my arms and shoulders didn't appreciate it. I have a bad rotator cuff from years of baseball and the repeated reaching for the screen while working was just too much to deal with. I still plan on using it for consumption and light work, but I need a trackpad for longer work periods. I 100% agree that the iPad Pro, specifically the 12.9, can accomplish my work with ease. But for me, the lack of a mouse/trackpad option is still the deal breaker. I would think a mouse/pointer option could be added pretty easily. They could simply have an option in settings to "simulate touch with pointer" or something like that. It seems for now that something like that isn't even a thought but if they did eventually add mouse support, I could ditch a Mac for good.
 
Well unfortunately after about two weeks, I caved and picked up a MacBook. Initially I loved everything about the 12.9 and still do. However, as I began to have to do more work in Excel, I just couldn't get used to touching the screen so much. Even with the ASK shortcuts, it was still constant screen touching. I was willing to, but my arms and shoulders didn't appreciate it. I have a bad rotator cuff from years of baseball and the repeated reaching for the screen while working was just too much to deal with. I still plan on using it for consumption and light work, but I need a trackpad for longer work periods. I 100% agree that the iPad Pro, specifically the 12.9, can accomplish my work with ease. But for me, the lack of a mouse/trackpad option is still the deal breaker. I would think a mouse/pointer option could be added pretty easily. They could simply have an option in settings to "simulate touch with pointer" or something like that. It seems for now that something like that isn't even a thought but if they did eventually add mouse support, I could ditch a Mac for good.


Check this out, I don't know if it will still work or not. There ARE ways to get a mouse to work on iPad, especially if you don't mind Jailbreaking.
http://www.ringwald.ch/cydia/mouse/
http://www.redmondpie.com/btstack-mouse-for-iphone-updated-to-support-ipad/

And also without needing Jailbreak:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7493805?start=0&tstart=0
 
Here is how I use my iPad Pro most of the time and I actually prefer it to the MacBook Pro 13" for most things. It feels like a mini desktop. I don't miss a mouse or trackpad. I just touch the screen instead... no biggie. I use the Apple magic BT keyboard (the post 2015 newer one as it fits the laptop bag better since it's really thin. I'm using a Baseus solid walnut stand which looks awesome on a desk and keeps with that Apple look of mixing wood, aluminum etc for modern look in their stores. I use a clear grip transparent case from Luvvitt cases (and have the same one on my iPhone 7 plus as well) and I also have a tempered glass protector on the screen of both the IPP and the iPhone so everything is protected. I like the lightweight of the luvvitt clear grip. I used to use a unicorn beetle Pro case but that thing was heavy and clunky. Great protection but you lose the sleek feel and look.

Anyway I can easily use this over the MBP for almost everything. And since I can move the magic keyboard around without moving the IPP it just works better than the laptop for ergonomics.
By the way that Baseus stand can also be used for a lower angle 45 deg for drawing. You just flip it over.

My only reasons for keeping MBP right now are Dreamweaver and iTunes (but only for emergency restore where I need DFU mode as I have everything backed up on iCloud now anyway and do t use iTunes at all on the laptop).

View attachment 681739View attachment 681740
That is a rather nice setup. I hadn't considered a separate stand and Keyboard, I have the Apple Magic Keyboard (previous model) and I know it works with iOS. I'll have to search for a nice wooden stand. Thanks for posting.
 
Check this out, I don't know if it will still work or not. There ARE ways to get a mouse to work on iPad, especially if you don't mind Jailbreaking.
http://www.ringwald.ch/cydia/mouse/
http://www.redmondpie.com/btstack-mouse-for-iphone-updated-to-support-ipad/

And also without needing Jailbreak:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7493805?start=0&tstart=0

I did a good bit of searching for a way to use a mouse. I know it can be done with jailbreak, which I wouldn't mind doing if it was available for 10.2. I did check out that other solution but it did not work. Thanks for the links.
 
Well unfortunately after about two weeks, I caved and picked up a MacBook. Initially I loved everything about the 12.9 and still do. However, as I began to have to do more work in Excel, I just couldn't get used to touching the screen so much. Even with the ASK shortcuts, it was still constant screen touching. I was willing to, but my arms and shoulders didn't appreciate it. I have a bad rotator cuff from years of baseball and the repeated reaching for the screen while working was just too much to deal with. I still plan on using it for consumption and light work, but I need a trackpad for longer work periods. I 100% agree that the iPad Pro, specifically the 12.9, can accomplish my work with ease. But for me, the lack of a mouse/trackpad option is still the deal breaker. I would think a mouse/pointer option could be added pretty easily. They could simply have an option in settings to "simulate touch with pointer" or something like that. It seems for now that something like that isn't even a thought but if they did eventually add mouse support, I could ditch a Mac for good.

This was exactly my experience with the 12.9'' iPad pro which i had for about 10 months. The constant need to touch the screen for everything that requires marking fields, working with excel, marking text, copy and paste and other normal interactions with the OS just makes the entire experience extremely demanding from my shoulders and hands. Due to the size of the screen you have to reach further. Sure i can work like that for an hour or so but not do serious work for more than that. Not to mention how this interaction slows your work flow down. For many people who require doing basic work the iPad pro will not work just because of the requirement to constantly touch the screen.
Yes, i also tried to use the Pencil and while it helped a bit, i still had to constantly reach and touch the screen with the pencil and the result was the same. Apple should def add another possible work mode to the iPad that does not require touching the screen, especially on a 12.9'' device. Call it "productivity mode" or whatever.

I agree with the above the apple could easily add a trackpad or "mouse" that does not have a mouse pointer but have a simulated finger touch / gesture on the screen. If they added something like that or an actual mouse pointer, i can totally see myself ditching my MacBook Pro for the iPad pro.

I am the type of consumer that does not do anything super complicated on a PC. I work with web based billing system and excel. Pretty simple. My work requires me to copy and paste a lot of fields between the excel spreadsheets and our billing system. This basic work was a nightmare on the iPad pro due to the above.

Apple doesn't want us to ditch anything so they will keep a very clear separation between their OS's and products so customers will have to buy a Mac and an iPad to achieve different tasks. That didn't work for me and the iPad pro was sold in favor of a MacBook Pro. The iPad pro will never be a true productivity device until proper mouse support is added. For artists maybe, but for a lot of people who do basic office work like me, it will not.
I would love to have one device to rule them all but i guess it will take time until apple will deliver on such a device.
 
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It's funny how people blame the device for their own stupid workflows. In my mind, the keyboard is solely for long stretches of typing. It's not for navigation, and it's certainly not for typing a formula in the occasional Excel cell. If you're reaching up and touching the screen more than once every 15-20 minutes, get the damned keyboard out of the way.

You got "gorilla arm" because you insisted on physically forcing the touch-based iPad into a laptop form factor. That's the problem, not the lack of a mouse.
 
No, Apple insisted on physically forcing the touch-based iPad into a laptop form factor by designing an Apple Smart Keyboard that puts the iPad in a laptop form factor and marketing it as a laptop replacement

...and you're the hapless consumer who fell for Apple's slick advertising?
 
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...and you're the hapless consumer who fell for Apple's slick advertising?

No, but after using it extensively, I think they half assed the approach. Until someone uses the iPad Pro with the ASK extensively as a laptop replacement, they cannot tell if it will work for their needs. I didn't think the lack of a mouse would be that big of a deal but when working for long periods of time, it's a deal breaker. I love the iPad Pro. My only real gripe with it is its lack of mouse/pointer support. What I also don't understand, is why some users are so opposed to the idea of iOS implementing such an option.
 
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The only time I missed a mouse on my iPP was when using Remote Desktop to connect to Windows machines.

Jump Desktop and a Citrix X1 mouse addresses that by adding mouse support to Remote Desktop connections and works brilliantly: It doesn't add mouse support throughout iOS but does add it where I was missing it the most :)
 
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I don't think I necessarily need a mouse. I think I would be rather content with a pointer interface ala the new Apple TV for sliding around cells in Excel. That could work pretty well and could probably be easily accommodated into the smart keyboard (replace the arrow keys with a small pad?)
 
I don't think I necessarily need a mouse. I think I would be rather content with a pointer interface ala the new Apple TV for sliding around cells in Excel. That could work pretty well and could probably be easily accommodated into the smart keyboard (replace the arrow keys with a small pad?)

Yes, something like that would be great. Or even something like the mouse option in Puffin Browser. a little square pops up on the bottom corner of the display and you can use your thumb to navigate around the page and select links, etc. It's much easier to rest your hand beside the iPad and navigate a two inch square with your thumb than reaching up to the top time and time again. Something like that would be easy to implement into iOS.
 
That is a rather nice setup. I hadn't considered a separate stand and Keyboard, I have the Apple Magic Keyboard (previous model) and I know it works with iOS. I'll have to search for a nice wooden stand. Thanks for posting.

If you like something that's a little higher up, I really like the stand I bought. Bought it for the hell of it, not thinking I'd use it that much, but I use it everyday. Might get a keyboard now too, because with the 12.9 onscreen keyboard, it's big enough for me to type at a pretty good speed, but with the iPad in the stand, I might really like it.

PflaflZ.jpg



A1XKGHR.jpg
 
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