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iPad Apple's Forgotten Purpose: What Happened to the iPad's Original Intent?
- Thread starter I WAS the one
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If you think an iPad is just “great for consuming content or casual browsing” and nothing else…you need to start using an iPad a bit more.
I view the Apple watch as primarily a handy cell phone device that also communicates stuff, like the time. So does my wife. The health stuff is useful, sure. And so is the calculator. And the alarms. etc etc.
Technological capabilities of hardware have moved on.
If you want an iPad aligned with the original intent, you want a base model iPad - not an Air, not a Pro.
I think the thread is very interesting as it is more about the philosophy of the iPad. I would say the original intent of the iPad is still there. The success of the iPad (it sells much better than Macs in numbers) explains the diversity in the lineup and the ever increasing numbers of very advanced apps usable for work.
So why is the iPad a success? Possibly because it is a no nonsense devices for the masses or rather for people who are not "computer nerds". "It is just a big iPhone," that many uses at MR and tech sphere to put MacOS on iPad, is actually what drives the success of the iPad in my opinion. Likewise, the reduced feature list of apps is an advantage because it simplifies usage for the masses even if it in some edge cases is a limitation.
"iPad Pro" is positioned the same way as MBP Mx Max, Mac Studio and Mac Pro are positioned in the Mac lineup.
"iPad Air" is positioned as the high end MacBook Air, low-end MBP and iMac.
"iPad" is positioned as the Mac mini, lower end MacBook Air and low end iMac.
For a category that is selling twice as many devices as Mac, the iPad Pro makes lot of sense as is the diversity of the iPad lineup.
So why is the iPad a success? Possibly because it is a no nonsense devices for the masses or rather for people who are not "computer nerds". "It is just a big iPhone," that many uses at MR and tech sphere to put MacOS on iPad, is actually what drives the success of the iPad in my opinion. Likewise, the reduced feature list of apps is an advantage because it simplifies usage for the masses even if it in some edge cases is a limitation.
"iPad Pro" is positioned the same way as MBP Mx Max, Mac Studio and Mac Pro are positioned in the Mac lineup.
"iPad Air" is positioned as the high end MacBook Air, low-end MBP and iMac.
"iPad" is positioned as the Mac mini, lower end MacBook Air and low end iMac.
For a category that is selling twice as many devices as Mac, the iPad Pro makes lot of sense as is the diversity of the iPad lineup.
Why, did they magically stop producing the iPad, the iPad Mini and the iPad Air all of a sudden?
The lineup is made it so peple can decide what bells and they are willing to pay for.
You post make it seems like the only option available is the iPad Pro 13 with 2 tb of storage, the reality is that we have now a cheaper iPad compared to the first iPad with the mini and we gho all the way up to a computer like iPad with higer prices, with all the colore in between.
We have never had such a wide range of choice in any other Apple lineup (Mini, iPad, Air x 2 sizes, Pro x 2 sizes), glad the iPad is not stuck 15 years ago.
One thing that annoys me about the iPad in Australia, is that our cellular companies charge a lot for data. If Apple had just put in an electronic cellular phone sim capability, then iPad uses could not only use it as a phone, but they could buy the data via the cellular company via a cell phone deal, for a fraction of the price of pure data via the cell connection in an iPad.
Another thing that really annoys me about iPad is its lack of weatherproofing. Even the cheap iPhone SE is IP67 - depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes). And iPhone 15 is proofed to Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes).
Now Apple has the new Nano available for outdoor Pro users. Terrific. But it ain't even rain proof. Apple would have huge market for the boating and outdoors markets if they just sealed an iPad it like an iPhone. Its just darn stupid. As an example, a 7" screen on a yacht for navigation etc, costs around $US$3,000. But that yacht screen is connected via either a cable or even by WiFi. There is software to run the same capabities of the yacht monitor, that works fine on an iPhone or an iPad. Boats have typically three or four of these costly monitors. They would only need one if iPads were weatherproof. And oh - waterproof the cases suck. Apple doesn't even sell a water proof casing for the iPad. That's not at all professional.
And they new keyboard for the iPad Pro doesn't seem to be spill proof ... the Folio could take a coffee spill and outdoor use ... Apple advertised it with water on the keyboard ...
Another thing that really annoys me about iPad is its lack of weatherproofing. Even the cheap iPhone SE is IP67 - depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes). And iPhone 15 is proofed to Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes).
Now Apple has the new Nano available for outdoor Pro users. Terrific. But it ain't even rain proof. Apple would have huge market for the boating and outdoors markets if they just sealed an iPad it like an iPhone. Its just darn stupid. As an example, a 7" screen on a yacht for navigation etc, costs around $US$3,000. But that yacht screen is connected via either a cable or even by WiFi. There is software to run the same capabities of the yacht monitor, that works fine on an iPhone or an iPad. Boats have typically three or four of these costly monitors. They would only need one if iPads were weatherproof. And oh - waterproof the cases suck. Apple doesn't even sell a water proof casing for the iPad. That's not at all professional.
And they new keyboard for the iPad Pro doesn't seem to be spill proof ... the Folio could take a coffee spill and outdoor use ... Apple advertised it with water on the keyboard ...
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...Or not because clearly an iPad doesn't suit that person's needs?
An iPad is only as good as the apps and content running on it. The iPadOS operating system doesn't offer any real capability beyond what iOS offers in iPhones, save for one or two convoluted multitasking conventions that aren't as good in practice as they are in theory. The entire premise of an iPad replacing one's laptop, at least as Apple sees it today, revolves around how much any given app can utilize all of that hardware. Because iPadOS certainly isn't providing desktop class anything above the hood.
That's not what that person is saying. That person is saying that the iPad is being positioned as a computer replacement more than it is an in-between device.
Have you tried? I have, and I believe I have even done so in Australia, but I am not entirely sure. Of course you will not be able to actually use the phone capability of the plan, but data should work fine.
OK - but to do so, one would need to have the cell capability in the iPad.
We actually do not need the cellular capability. We just need the GPS. And the WiFi iPad lacks a GPS chip. I guess antennas to seek GPS satellites as well.
I am not sure whether WhatsApp calls would work though. Or another internet based phone service. Of course the video talks apps all work on the iPad.
My wife is the iPad user. She likes map planning, and we have a bush going caravan and 4WD setup. There is rarely cellular in the Australian bush. And sometimes a town will only have one cellular company (there are three cellular operators in Australia - Singapore's Singtel owned Optus, the biggest is Australia's Telstra, and also Vodafone). So as soon as you leave a town, you loose cellular, and hence you loose mapping. But with a GPS - the chip costs about $1.23 - then a mapping app knows where the iPad is.
I also have the elon musk satellite internet setup - StarLink - for the caravan, but haven't installed it yet. If it worked while moving (and it might) then some apps might know where we would be. But I think an iPad for our outback would need the GPS chip. We certainly would not need cellular data though - it's much cheaper here to download via a phone. And the StarLink setup promises fast Ethernet and lots of data.
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I don’t think so, I pad is the in between device, sure it can replace the computer, but the fact that iPad line still has mini and regular / air iPad means they really see it as a device that sits between the computer and the Phone.
The pro is nother story, while it ignited not replace the computer for some professional usage, it goes close to it being the bridge to do the same stuff when portability is a must.
I went iPad only 3 years ago, I do everything i need with it work and leisure, it just speaks how good iOS is and the iPads are, but the main focus for Apple is still a mid between iPhone and Macs.
For some pweople Apple can’t do it right, if they go too much into Mac terrritory then they are positioning it as a mac replacement, if they don’t they have released a “toy” and should have released mac ods for it..
Apple can’t win, either way they make people complain, I enjoy iPads for what they are.
Sorry, I must have misunderstood what you wanted. I thought you wanted to use a SIM for a standard phone plan instead of a data-only plan in an iPad, which I believe you can do.
Both the iPad Air and iPad are still inline with the original iPad intent. From affordable to decently priced, both have a modern look and feel, great optional accessories, great displays and a lot of power.
They have kept pace in several areas although their capability is bottlenecked by their operating system. But while MacBooks battery life has improved in leaps and bounds, iPhones battery life have also improved a lot, the iPad has stayed still. It's always been a claimed 10 hours. All the iPads have the same claimed battery life too. iPads having the same battery life as they did 10 years ago doesn't match other Apple products improvements in battery life. A main strength of the iPad's is its portability. Of all Apple products, the iPad's battery life should have improved at least at the same rate of improvement as Apple's other portable devices.
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Apple has clearly NOT lost sight of the iPad's original intentions, as the mini and base iPads (and even the 11" Air) fit that niche just as well as the first iPad released back in 2010.
You do realize the average price of a new car nowadays is around $48K? Things get expensive as time goes by. The Ipad is still doing what it is intended to do and that's why you hear so many people whining about it making it a Macbook replacement. It's doing what it's suppose top do, it's just more expensive now like everything else.
Except TVs and batteries
I mean yeah, things like new phones and tablets will get more expensive overtime, mostly because of inflation, but consumer electronics as a whole has become wayyy more affordable over the last few decades.
Does anyone know how old mac users are and how old ipad users? Young people grew up with touch display smart phones while the older generation had their days with home computers w/o touch display. So typing is very important for the older ones. They chose the mac over the ipad. How about the younger ones?
No, my point is that if you're going to label something as PRO, make it truly professional! Don't just take the same product and give it better specs. If you're going to upgrade it, ensure it allows us to do professional-level work. I can give you a list of ways to elevate the Pro to a true Pro level without relying on macOS if you'd like. The problem is that Apple is selling you the same thing, just with a shinier exterior!
The multitouch feature on iOS devices is absolutely amazing. When you've experienced editing video or audio using just your hands, going back to the desktop feels outdated. While I typically use Protools for audio production, the introduction by Cubase of a way to edit using the iPad as an extension of the desktop app was a game changer for me and my colleagues. However, the limitations of iOS prevent us from performing regular tasks that could easily be accomplished if Apple expanded the iOS capabilities.
Thank you for this.
So many get hopped up on the hype of the higher-end iPads that they ignore or dismiss the value and capabilities of the base models. (not just the 10th gen, but the 9th before that as well)
The hyperbole of marketing and the eco-chamber of FOMO work exceedingly well to paint the base model as a blurry, laggy mess, that shouldn't even be allowed to exist.
The price of the keyboard folio is the biggest reason for not upgrading from the 9th gen. I'm over my need for a physical home button (primarily because of my extensive use of a Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022) 😁
I'm a rando caveman who is old enough to remember how Apple shocked the tech world when they announced the 1st gen iPad. All the "experts" and pundits predicted an MSRP of $999. The MSRP started at $499.
I preordered a 1st gen iPad and keyboard doc on the first day that preorders were accepted. That 1st gen iPad was amazing. I still have it and use it (see my post on vintage TV re-fit).
The base iPads are even more amazing. Apple is not known for selling products that are bargains, but these base iPads are legitimate tech bargains.
Some of the MR regulars here may recall that I was on a slow but steady path to exit Appleland (mostly due to the lack of reasonably priced products and restrictive functionality). But just as I think I've made the final move, Apple surprises me. So as long as I can still get bargains, I'm still in it. 😂🤣😂
That's not what I had understood from your orginal post. I made my own wishlist of features to improve iPadOS in another thread.
The purpose of the iPad is decided by each individual user. We all have different wants and needs. My iPad Pro is my most used Apple Device by far. If something happens to my iPad, I would be at the Apple Store that day to get another.
I take it you didn’t see the recent comment by Apple VP Tom Boger that iPads and MacBooks are intended by Apple to be complementary, not competitive products. In other words, Apple’s not wanting your iPad to replace anything (except older iPads and Microsoft Surfaces).
Oh, I totally saw that. Doesn't mean that they aren't still positioning it that way anyway. We're talking about the one Apple product family with the most nebulous marketing goals ever.