All iPads Could Apple announce "iPad Catalyst" at WWDC23?

[WilliApple]

I think Apple used "iPad Catalyst" for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Thinking about this, we might also see Xcode on the iPad this year if my theory of "iPad Catalyst" is real.

If "iPad Catalyst" is real, and a ton of developers use it, I might even buy an iPad as a Mac replacement.

If you didn’t know, Mac Catalyst is a technology that helps you port your iPad/iPhone app to the Mac, and also make it true to the mac, not just copying and pasting your iPad app using your iOS code. I’m asking if Apple made the reverse.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I think Apple used "iPad Catalyst" for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Thinking about this, we might also see Xcode on the iPad this year if my theory of "iPad Catalyst" is real.

If "iPad Catalyst" is real, and a ton of developers use it, I might even buy an iPad as a Mac replacement.

It is interesting that their Pro apps will be released for the iPad before WWDC — great way of showcasing what is possible on the iPad for developers. And you may be right that they created some way to more easily port a Mac app over to iPad. Should be probably the most exciting WWDC in quite some time.

 

[rappr]

I think its more likely Apple started with the iMove and Garageband iPad codebases, and added onto those.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I think its more likely Apple started with the iMove and Garageband iPad codebases, and added onto those.

I think this is more likely the case too. The screenshots for both are telling me that these are for YouTube/demos/and working away from your Mac setup to do mixing and edits.

 

[WilliApple]

I think this is more likely the case too. The screenshots for both are telling me that these are for YouTube/demos/and working away from your Mac setup to do mixing and edits.

I think its more likely Apple started with the iMove and Garageband iPad codebases, and added onto those.

Isn’t there Mac FCP Bundle support for them though? How would they get that working on the iPad if it was based on iMovie?

 

[spiderman0616]

I think its more likely Apple started with the iMove and Garageband iPad codebases, and added onto those.

Right. I’m thinking the development is also an enormous undertaking that will require the same continuous iteration that the Mac versions do, hence the subscription model. I’m also wondering if they’re hedging their bets a little bit and saying “Ok, fine. We’ll put LogicPro and FinalCut Pro on iPad. Let’s see how many of you really want, use, and support those apps and how many of you just like to complain that you don’t have the option.” Then they can quietly pull support later if the interest just simply isn’t there. Just a wild theory—but I do know there are an awful lot of people out there who like to complain about Apple, and the iPad’s lack of pro apps is one of their favorite things to bring up, so it could be that there are a lot more people complaining than really need those apps on the iPad.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I think its more likely Apple started with the iMove and Garageband iPad codebases, and added onto those.

I think the code base of both iMovie and GarageBand were already based on FCP and Logic in the first place.

 

[teh_hunterer]

Maybe explain what catalyst is if you're going to create a thread about it.

 

[WilliApple]

Maybe explain what catalyst is if you're going to create a thread about it.

Sorry, I will do that right now. I was assuming everyone knew, but I guess it’s a developer thing.

 

[Jessica Lares]

I think the code base of both iMovie and GarageBand were already based on FCP and Logic in the first place.

Yeah.

I don't think they're making a bet. It's that the iPad is at the point where these apps make sense and there's a generation of people who grew up on iOS devices that are going to be learning and using them.

It's obvious that most people won't leave their Mac plugins and workflows behind. They have too much money invested in them. There was already a bunch of noise being made the last time they did huge changes to how the apps worked.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Yeah.

I don't think they're making a bet. It's that the iPad is at the point where these apps make sense and there's a generation of people who grew up on iOS devices that are going to be learning and using them.

It's obvious that most people won't leave their Mac plugins and workflows behind. They have too much money invested in them. There was already a bunch of noise being made the last time they did huge changes to how the apps worked.

The old school won’t leave them behind, but who knows what each new generation will do with new tech.

The problem with some people, a lot of which are vocal in these forums for example, can’t or won’t see a future where a massive powerhouse computer isn’t necessary for the kind of work that it once was.

Most certainly in the laptop space, more and more power in devices like tablets and even phones, have huge potential to make an impact further and further into more niche computing pursuits, just like they already have with basic needs. Some people don’t even own a computer yet use something every few minutes that they keep in their pocket that would have been next to impossible on anything other than a full laptop barely a decade ago.

I used to use a laptop and it was ok but was a little bulky because I needed a powerful one, but it was never Powerful enough.
There was never a way I could justify a powerful laptop and a powerful desktop.
Now I use a Mac Studio (a fairly reasonable 2k) and an iPad Pro (a not particularly unexpected 1.2k).
That 3.2k is a better spend than a half maxed 16” MacBook Pro for example, and for substantive power, and for me, substantially more utility.

Each to their own but computing is changing.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I don’t think Xcode would be widely used by software developers even if ported to the iPad. The screen-size and only one external screen is a deal-breaker for many.

 

[WilliApple]

I don’t think Xcode would be widely used by software developers even if ported to the iPad. The screen-size and only one external screen is a deal-breaker for many.

Nah, I would take Xcode on the iPad all day. Would rather use an iPad than a Mac, but I am force to use a Mac due to the lack of desktop software on the iPad.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Nah, I would take Xcode on the iPad all day. Would rather use an iPad than a Mac, but I am force to use a Mac due to the lack of desktop software on the iPad.

To each their own.

 

[Jessica Lares]

It'd be perfect for building Shortcut actions, Safari extensions, and widgets you could test right on the device. I think Swift is more approachable than HTML/CSS/posting things on the web nowadays, which is why I'm not against sideloading because we could be doing a lot of things with it besides just traditional applications and have templates for other uses.

 

[Ctrlos]

It is interesting that their Pro apps will be released for the iPad before WWDC — great way of showcasing what is possible on the iPad for developers. And you may be right that they created some way to more easily port a Mac app over to iPad. Should be probably the most exciting WWDC in quite some time.

This was 100% a 'Google are revealing a tablet tomorrow so lets highlight the iPad's 'Pro' chops' announcement.

 

[floral]

I think Apple used "iPad Catalyst" for Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. Thinking about this, we might also see Xcode on the iPad this year if my theory of "iPad Catalyst" is real.

If "iPad Catalyst" is real, and a ton of developers use it, I might even buy an iPad as a Mac replacement.

If you didn’t know, Mac Catalyst is a technology that helps you port your iPad/iPhone app to the Mac, and also make it true to the mac, not just copying and pasting your iPad app using your iOS code. I’m asking if Apple made the reverse.

Finally, people can stop yelling at iPad computer users for not using a "real computer".

 

[spiderman0616]

This was 100% a 'Google are revealing a tablet tomorrow so lets highlight the iPad's 'Pro' chops' announcement.

I hope you're not implying that Google tablet is any kind of competition for even the base model iPad.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

Finally, people can stop yelling at iPad computer users for not using a "real computer".

These people will still exist but merely shift the goalposts with whatever personal arbitrary criteria that they have.

 

[floral]

These people will still exist but merely shift the goalposts with whatever personal arbitrary criteria that they have.

Sigh.

"Your tablet can write code now? Cute. Let me know when it can use LLMs locally!"
(added)
"...It can actually do that? Pffft. Amateur hour. It still can't use Word properly."
(added)
"That's added?... Well what about the other Office apps? Is a $800+ device really so bad that it can only handle one?"
(added)
"Who cares about those silly Office apps? The real issue here is clearly the fact that the iPad cannot sideload."
(added)
"Sideloading is so 10 years ago anyways. The iPad doesn't even have a decent assistant! Siri is absolutely idiotic."
(added)
"So Siri is improved now, you say? Well, then riddle me this: WHY CAN'T SHE FILE TAXES?"

 

[Ctrlos]

I hope you're not implying that Google tablet is any kind of competition for even the base model iPad.

Chalk and Cheese really. The Google model is built as more of a home appliance, replacing a Nest Hub and useable by a whole family for breezy tasks like reading the news, Google apps or games. (Its also quite a capable emulation device and supports casting from a phone)

The iPad is almost the ultimate personal computer with a much better suite of apps and capabilities. It still doesn't support multiple users however and Airplay receiving support would be nice. Maybe this year?

Whilst the Google Tablet isn't really competition for the iPad itself its £599 price point is a lot cheaper than buying everyone in your family a separate tablet just for breezy tablet stuff.

 

[spiderman0616]

Sigh.

"Your tablet can write code now? Cute. Let me know when it can use LLMs locally!"
(added)
"...It can actually do that? Pffft. Amateur hour. It still can't use Word properly."
(added)
"That's added?... Well what about the other Office apps? Is a $800+ device really so bad that it can only handle one?"
(added)
"Who cares about those silly Office apps? The real issue here is clearly the fact that the iPad cannot sideload."
(added)
"Sideloading is so 10 years ago anyways. The iPad doesn't even have a decent assistant! Siri is absolutely idiotic."
(added)
"So Siri is improved now, you say? Well, then riddle me this: WHY CAN'T SHE FILE TAXES?"

You've obviously been to this rodeo before. 😅