iPad Pro Email response from Craig Federighi re: external storage iPad Pro

[Beards]

iOS external storage in a useful way is never going to happen. Is isn't a popular feature that is needed by most. If a user really needed that feature, they would have switched to android a long time ago.

I bet if it were available though many would take up the opportunity.
iOS and the iPad Pro have many compelling reasons for use over Android. The sum of all is greater than one single use. The lack of files/folder access (being one such single use) is not enough to tempt users to Android. As such we shouldn’t expect it to hold any reasoning to change from iOS to Android.

Since most aren't switching to android, apple is probably thinking it isn't a killer feature.
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Privacy.

Apple introduced the Files App recently. I would have thought they also intended to exploit it’s potential when iOS 12 was introduced. However, as we know Apple changed their plans and instead of new features they made iOS 12 for stability. Therefore one would assume iOS 13 is going to be the next big thing.
Seeing as the Files app is now onboard it would be a logical move to presume it will be given greater access.

 

[pika2000]

Apple actually already laid out the groundworks for better file handling within and between apps. Problem is, I'm seeing inconsistent application from the app developers. Heck, I can take an example of printing. Apple already set AirPrint, but almost all printer OEMs decided to do their own via their own apps, and their take on the file sharing API is not consistent. Some can take an exported file, while others need to use the "copy to" command. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see printer manufacturers using the AirPrint at all (Samsung, Brothers, Canon, at least the ones I have used all push their own apps for printing instead of the standard Air Print).

I cannot imagine what would happen if Apple open up the whole file system. There will be total chaos. And consumer suffers. Note that Apple's goal is to have an appliance, something that mere mortals can use, not another traditional computing device.

 

[secretk]

I don’t understand why people curse iTunes so much. Personally I’ve never had any issues with using it to transfer music.

Do you have Mac or Windows computer? I have Windows and just want to make sure if it's related to the OS.

iTunes is not intuitive at all. Quite often by synchronizing photos or music I end up deleting everything from my iPad and have to transfer it again. Same for photos. When it comes to transferring other type of files (not music or photos) I have to go to a specific app and transfer the files to the app. That for me is counter productive. I want to be able to open the files with any app that has the ability to do so. If I transfer video to my iPad I want to be able to open it from any app that can play videos.

And lastly there are some pure user experience bugs. I click on an app to transfer files to and I see empty space with no buttons. I have to scroll down to see the button Add file. Once I click it there is something going in the background but I don't receive good visual feedback on whether something is working or not. As a result I used to send more than one request for the same file to be transferred.

 

[sparksd]

Today is another reminder on why I don’t rely on the cloud - sitting in a nice hotel but in a smaller town, I’m getting 2Mbps Internet service. I have a wireless FileHub with an HDD connected but that transfer link is sloooww. I decided to go only with my iPP on this trip and left the laptop at home - should have brought it (I’m working with many 10’s of GBs of photos/videos).

 

[Pepe4life]

iOS external storage in a useful way is never going to happen. Is isn't a popular feature that is needed by most. If a user really needed that feature, they would have switched to android a long time ago.

Since most aren't switching to android, apple is probably thinking it isn't a killer feature.
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Privacy.

Good to see that you are able to speak on behalf of millions of iPad Pro users

 

[sracer]

Good to see that you are able to speak on behalf of millions of iPad Pro users

In a sense, that poster is not wrong. Millions of iPad Pro users continue to buy the iPad Pros, at even higher premium prices... all bought without support for external storage and no promise by Apple of it coming.

"need" is subjective and it is a scale. If iPad Pro users "need" it but can currently do without, then that "need" isn't very high on the "need-o-meter". The workarounds and more involved workflows to overcome the lack of external storage support serve many people. Some push "iCloud is the way" and that physical local storage is in the past. Interestingly, these same people who advocate iCloud dismiss Chrome OS because of their reliance on the cloud. (which has become far less true now than when chromebooks were first released)

If customers keep buying iPad Pros without the features they want/need, then Apple has no incentive to offer products that include them. They haven't included support for external storage and mice/trackpad support and yet most of those people who want them, still buy iPads.

I need support for external storage, mouse/trackpad, support for USB peripherals, and universally accessible filesystem. This is why I no longer use my iPads (Pro and non-Pro) as my main mobile devices anymore. I use alternatives that DO support those things. When Apple provides those things (yes, they WILL provide them when iPads sales dip enough to require them to boost sales) I'll review how they implement those things and hopefully return to using iPads as my main mobile device.

 

[akash.nu]

Do you have Mac or Windows computer? I have Windows and just want to make sure if it's related to the OS.

I use Mac.

iTunes is not intuitive at all. Quite often by synchronizing photos or music I end up deleting everything from my iPad and have to transfer it again. Same for photos. When it comes to transferring other type of files (not music or photos) I have to go to a specific app and transfer the files to the app. That for me is counter productive. I want to be able to open the files with any app that has the ability to do so. If I transfer video to my iPad I want to be able to open it from any app that can play videos.

I see what you mean. I don’t generally transfer any other type of files other than music to be honest. My photos are all synced via iCloud.

Having said that specific platforms have their own ways of doing things. I’ve just gotten used to it, that’s all. Most of my workflow requires internet anyway, I guess I just don’t face the problems of offline storage.

And lastly there are some pure user experience bugs. I click on an app to transfer files to and I see empty space with no buttons. I have to scroll down to see the button Add file. Once I click it there is something going in the background but I don't receive good visual feedback on whether something is working or not. As a result I used to send more than one request for the same file to be transferred.

This could be an issue specific to the windows client probably. Never had that with any of the files I needed to transfer.

 

[secretk]

I use Mac.

I assumed this hence my question .

I see what you mean. I don’t generally transfer any other type of files other than music to be honest. My photos are all synced via iCloud.

Makes sense. I don't pay for iCloud storage because accessing iCloud via Windows is PITA. It's so slow. If I can't use iCloud from my computer, it does not make sense to use it all because I have Android phone. Basically for my specific case using iCloud does not make sense and it's not relevant.

For music I also dislike iTunes because it's not user friendly enough to allow me to create playlists and basically organize my music. In general I find the touch interface hindering for my specific usage and I prefer to do all those organizational stuff on my computer and then just transfer the playlists to my device. I have issues with my wrist and using touch on 9.7 inch screen causes some strain for me.

Having said that specific platforms have their own ways of doing things. I’ve just gotten used to it, that’s all. Most of my workflow requires internet anyway, I guess I just don’t face the problems of offline storage.

Makes sense. I don't want to use cable Internet so I use 4G Internet and I have some data limits which is why I don't want to rely always on Internet. However I also did not want to get LTE iPad and to pay additional cost for it.

This could be an issue specific to the windows client probably. Never had that with any of the files I needed to transfer.

Most probably it is.

 

[A.R.E.A.M.]

Loonnggg time android user since 2008. PC user since forever. Only have an iPad Pro.

Agree with EVERYTHING @secretk wrote 100%! iTunes on windows is not intuitive at all. Ive deleted stuff off devices i was syncing to (not by choice) it and have just stopped using iTunes all together. I’m not a fan of the iOS but the iPad Pro (12.9 1Tb SG LTE) is difficult to beat when it comes to music production on the go. This is my main reason for being with the iPad through it’s 3rd generation.

 

[melman101]

@secretk @macfacts I wasn’t saying that we should use iCloud Drive instead of USB drive. The person who i was responding to said that you can’t use a USB drive because you could get a virus. So my response was a “what’s the difference between iCloud Drive and a USB Drive”...

Not in a bad way. I want to use USB drives too. LOL

 

[secretk]

@secretk @macfacts I wasn’t saying that we should use iCloud Drive instead of USB drive. The person who i was responding to said that you can’t use a USB drive because you could get a virus. So my response was a “what’s the difference between iCloud Drive and a USB Drive”...

Not in a bad way. I want to use USB drives too. LOL

Sorry. I must have read the comment out of context. You are right though. If the file has a virus you can technically upload the virus on iCloud as well. And when you download it, it will be on your iPad too.

 

[jamesrick80]

If there was one thing I find missing in iOS that is basic 1-2-3, that would be Androids access to files and folders.
If my iPad Pro had this it would certainly make the tablet further in line to what Cook said
'Why would you buy a PC anymore?'

Android can actually be a laptop replacement if the developers ever made more desktop like apps but Dex and the microsoft apps on the tab S4 make it more a laptop replacement than any ipad pro. Plus, the included mouse and file manager helps. Anything you want to transfer can be simply done by plugging a usb c flash drive in the device (one of the many methods) and transferring in and out etc.....

Otherwise Chrome OS is heading in the right direction; just needs some more development.

 

[akash.nu]

@secretk @macfacts I wasn’t saying that we should use iCloud Drive instead of USB drive. The person who i was responding to said that you can’t use a USB drive because you could get a virus. So my response was a “what’s the difference between iCloud Drive and a USB Drive”...

Not in a bad way. I want to use USB drives too. LOL

Sorry. I must have read the comment out of context. You are right though. If the file has a virus you can technically upload the virus on iCloud as well. And when you download it, it will be on your iPad too.

There’s not much difference in terms of being able to spread a virus with either mechanism but I feel that the chances of someone casually connecting a dodgy USB device is way higher than having to upload a file to iCloud and then download it on a device.

Although, the sandboxing in iOS is probably the best defence we have against such attacks as mentioned by @sracer earlier.

 

[rowspaxe]

They really need to open this up, as it is easily worked around with things like wireless drives so it just becomes incredibly frustrating.

could you clarify where files from wireless drives are stored on the ipad? in local storage?
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1) External Hard drive support (Most important)
2) Multiple accounts (Nice to have)
3) Mouse support (Nice to have)

imo-
1) External Hard drive support (less important, icloud is usable for ipad sized projects)
2) Multiple accounts (whatever)
3) Mouse support (must have to support productivity apps)

 

[Moakesy]

could you clarify where files from wireless drives are stored on the ipad? in local storage?

Yeah, pretty much. Just tried it and switched off WiFi, file was there and accessible. Another example was email, stored locally then as well.

Putting the question another way, what processes does apple use to prevent deployment of unknown files on your iPad in any way, shape or form? It doesn’t.

I can send any file of my choosing via email. I cannot send any file of my choosing via a usb drive. Why?

 

[Moyapilot]

Here is my conspiracy theory:

If apple was to enable full file access from an external drive on the iPad, they would have to enable the same feature on the iPhone. Now this is where they have been making truckloads of money on upselling us on storage, with each tier costing us an arm and a leg. The iPhone easy profit loss would be many many times more costly than the iPad. Now Apple didn’t make a trillion by being generous.

They are able to get away with it because unlike MacOS, iOS has never had support for external storage from the beginning . They just keep quiet and keep on.

Now they have kind of started to tick off reviewers because of the 20% price increase on the 2018 iPad Pros, and pushing it down our throats of how with it we no longer need a PC. This has brought this issue much more in the lime light and might be our only hope that Apple will relent on holding us hostage with storage.

 

[dk001]

Ok that’s just read access. I’m sure the minute that happens a lot of people will start shouting about write access as well.

Also don’t forget virus can be hidden as some other type of file. Unknowingly a user can easily compromise the system.

Ok that’s just read access. I’m sure the minute that happens a lot of people will start shouting about write access as well.

Also don’t forget virus can be hidden as some other type of file. Unknowingly a user can easily compromise the system.

I can already access my cloud accounts, wireless drives, etc... Adding wired should be a no-brainer.
Evolve "Files" in to a truly useful app instead of the cripple it currently is while keeping system files hidden or read only. This seems like extremely minimal or no risk effort.

 

[subjonas]

Here is my conspiracy theory:

If apple was to enable full file access from an external drive on the iPad, they would have to enable the same feature on the iPhone. Now this is where they have been making truckloads of money on upselling us on storage, with each tier costing us an arm and a leg. The iPhone easy profit loss would be many many times more costly than the iPad. Now Apple didn’t make a trillion by being generous.

They are able to get away with it because unlike MacOS, iOS has never had support for external storage from the beginning . They just keep quiet and keep on.

Now they have kind of started to tick off reviewers because of the 20% price increase on the 2018 iPad Pros, and pushing it down our throats of how with it we no longer need a PC. This has brought this issue much more in the lime light and might be our only hope that Apple will relent on holding us hostage with storage.

This sounds pretty plausible to me.

 

[dk001]

Asking this question as I do not know the technical iOS details under the hood:
How hard would it be to expand Files to be a real file management system?

I wonder if there is something in iOS which Apple does not have an easy work-around that would either make iOS very vulnerable or it ....

 

[ThatiPhoneKid]

Photos or it didn’t happen

 

[rowspaxe]

Yeah, pretty much. Just tried it and switched off WiFi, file was there and accessible

where is "there"?

 

[aevan]

just needs some more development.

It's not 'just'. Software is hard. By that logic, iPad also needs just some more development to replace PCs. But the truth is, creating something that is good, optimized, polished, functional.... not easy. And I'm betting iPads become full computer replacements for a lot of people before Chromebooks.

 

[sracer]

It's not 'just'. Software is hard.

Sorry, but software is NOT hard.

By that logic, iPad also needs just some more development to replace PCs. But the truth is, creating something that is good, optimized, polished, functional.... not easy. And I'm betting iPads become full computer replacements for a lot of people before Chromebooks.

I can't see how that is going to happen when chromebooks already support Chrome OS, Android, Linux, and Windows apps. Chromebooks already have nearly the same level of connectivity and expandability options as full computers do.

Chrome OS tablets are just coming to market and as Chrome OS is further refined for tablet-centric devices we're going to see a real head-to-head competition.

 

[Corallus]

Software may be hard, and there are obviously other factors..
But when I look at my iPad, I keep seeing the word PRO.
I cannot think, in this digital age of a professional that doesn't work with either large files, portable drives or some kind of backup system at a physical level.
The files app on iPad pro is beyond parody levels of pointlessness, and I honestly get triggered about how my Pro device has had almost no file management development, but has a whole system set up for animated poo or unicorn etc emojis.
Adding external drive support, would immediately make iPad pro an option to so, so many more professionals, and would stop the ones with iPads already asking themselves "why is this not working"

 

[aevan]

Sorry, but software is NOT hard.

Oh boy. I mean, I so disagree. I really think you're really wrong here.

Chromebooks already have nearly the same level of connectivity and expandability options as full computers do.

If you're looking at things from the point of connectivity and expandability. But if you're looking at it from a 'getting things done' perspective - you can create profesional illustrations, videos, music, presentations, 3D models and animations on an iPad, you can also edit photographs profesionally, manage your business or render, export and publish your videos. I am yet to see a Chromebook that can do these things well - or at all.

Of course, if you think software is easy and it will just take some more software development to get all the required software on Chromebooks, then - sure, Chromebooks are totes the future, 100%, no problem. And that's before taking all the software optimizations into account (how are those Pixelbooks doing with, you know, with horrible lag and stuff these days - I mean, since software is easy?). Aaaand, even if they somehow managed to fix all that (you know, with magic - because that's what it will take), it will still be hard to match iPad in terms of hardware.

And, sure, Chromebooks run Android apps.... horribly. And these are mostly phone apps to begin with. Fortunately, software is easy, so any day now....

On the other hand, iOS is most likely one update away from these expandability options you mention.

It really depends what you care about. If using a mouse and plugging in hard drives is all that you value, sure, Chromebooks are there. If it's creating stuff - I don't see how Chromebooks are even close.

Look, sure, some people may find Chromebooks much more useful. I'm sure you can. But, for a lot of people a computer replacement means doing tasks that require serious software. And no amount of connectivity and expandability options will make up for the lack of it.

Chrome OS tablets are just coming to market and as Chrome OS is further refined for tablet-centric devices we're going to see a real head-to-head competition.

Doubt it.