iPad Pro I’m embarrassed to say, I actually needed a headphone jack on the iPad Pro 2021

[Abazigal]

Hmm, I can’t say I have needed to plug in both HDMI and audio out at the same time. Just lucked out of this one, I guess.

 

[Piplodocus]

They need to update their tech there to include Bluetooth speakers

This is totally missing the point. 🤦‍♂️ Why should they? They obviously don't need to a spend the money, except when someone turns up with something that lacks a long-running industry-standard port and doesn't have an adapter to replace it's missing basic analog audio out functionality. What bluetooth speakers? If they're decent loud video-conferencing speakers in a meeting room like we have here, or are an in-ceiling system like I've seen elsewhere, or just a straight up regular PA, no good, most Bluetooth speakers are crappy little things. So then a separate Bluetooth box that connects to the pre-existing speakers? For very few people to use and just has to be unplugged for >95% of users, else they have to bugger about trying to set up the right bluetooth pairing and which audio out they're using? Why? Makes more sense everyone just uses their audio out jack, or for the *very few* devices you're likely to use in a business enviroment without one, have the right adapter with you. Then it's right back to the original problem: iPad Pros annoyingly need an adapter and you don't always have one with you.

If you can plug any laptop into it (or most tablets), you can't just pass the blame.

I didn't even think about this when I got my iPad pro last year and actually exclaimed a disappointed expletive aloud and facepalmed when I realised I didn't get one. Not to worry - I've since bought 3 adapters because I need to plug it in certain places without Bluetooth (the mix in on my electronic drum kit for one, so I can't "just use bluetooth" for many use cases). One was cheap and died. The other 2 are higher priced. One can be jumpy and I have to plug it in and out sometimes, the other doesn't work unless it has a power adapter in the 2nd port, so is a PITA. I could buy the Apple one, but then can't charge at the same time. Adapters are a minefield. And I've still been caught out a few places when I've been somewhere with it and can't plug in a mates stereo (a lot of decent high end audio from only a few years back, and basically any decent pro audio equipment/mixers/studio stuff obviously doesn't have Bluetooth, and doesn't need it). Or been at work with it, my Bluetooth AKG headphones have gone flat, and I can't just plug the wired lead in instead.

If it had a simple 3.5mm jack I'd have no adapters, no issues, never be caught out, and it would *always* work. Maybe you can make the counter-argument for an IP67 rated phone that fits in your pocket and you use outside in the rain? But I call BS on justifying it for a 12.9" 'pro' tablet with no IP-rating for water/dust ingress.

 

[arvinsim]

When you want to use both a midi controller and headphones to make music on the iPad, you will REALLY sorely miss the 3.5mm jack.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I love how people are blaming the conference setup...



Anything but blame dear Apple apparently
If it doesn't jive with what "Apple decided was right" --- it must be wrong..

 

[sracer]

I love how people are blaming the conference setup...



Anything but blame dear Apple apparently
If it doesn't jive with what "Apple decided was right" --- it must be wrong..

"Blame the customer" is the Apple way (and the way of their fans)

It is exhibited when people ridicule others for what those other people need (that Apple doesn't provide) rather than criticize Apple for not providing.

But the script gets flipped the moment Apple provides....

It happens with every feature...

People: "It would be very helpful for Apple to provide a physical keyboard for the iPad."
Fans: "If you want a keyboard, get a Macbook! It goes against the very concept of a tablet!" (ignoring the fact that Apple provided a keyboard dock for the iPad 1)
(( Apple release the smart keyboard ))
People: *cheer*
Fans: "The smart keyboard is great and really improves the user experience. Apple is showing the industry how to be innovative!"



People: "It would be very helpful for Apple to provide support for a physical mouse."
Fans: "If you want a mouse, get a Macbook! The iPad is a touch-centric device! Besides, if Apple allows support for mice then apps will require them... and mouse support can't be implemented properly." (ignoring the fact that Android has had full and optional support for mice from day-1)
(( Apple releases some hokey half-baked support for mice ))
People: "uh... ok... that's a start but not what we wanted."
Fans: "see! We were right! Mouse support can't be done right!" (ignoring the fact that Google did it right in Android)

rinse and repeat.

This behavior doesn't bother me. I find it mildly amusing.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@sracer

Just how I feel about the e-ink vs LCD (iPad) for reading discussion in the other thread..

If Apple came out with an e-ink device it would be (probably uncomfortable to hold)...

"the BEST THING EVER!"

"GAME CHANGER"

"I could NEVER read on an iPad again -- WAY too fatiguing.."

 

[rui no onna]

If Apple came out with an e-ink device it would be (probably uncomfortable to hold)...

True. I'd much rather have the humpback Kindle Oasis than whatever ultra-thin bezel-free design Apple comes up with.

 

[turbineseaplane]

True. I'd much rather have the humpback Kindle Oasis than whatever ultra-thin bezel-free design Apple comes up with.

Me too
Something you hold in your hand should conform to that situation.

"Ultra thin" and "bezel free" ≠ "comfortable to hold and use for hours on end"

 

[vddobrev]

Since Apple “courageously” removed the headphone jack in the iPhone 7, I’ve been highly supportive of the move. With the proliferation of high quality and affordable Bluetooth headphones, who needs a 3.5mm port? Even the most archaic users (like my wife) can just pick up a pair of Lightning headphones or use the 3.5mm to Lightning adapter.

Well, fast forward to today. I’m currently at a conference, and one of the presenters couldn’t fly into town. No problem — I’ll connect my trusty iPad Pro to the projector (via a USB-C hub with HDMI) and we’re good to go. Or, so I thought. The conference setup had an HDMI cable to connect video, but the audio feed was piped through a 3.5mm cable to the speakers in the room.

Embarrassingly, we had to connect using someone else’s Windows laptop (which required IT’s help) and wasted 15 minutes of the hour and half for the panel fiddling with laptops and connectors.

It is stupid, but this is the reason I always have my lightning to 3.5mm converter in my bag, in a zip locked pocket, for such situations. A friend of mine had a party, and he needed fresh music - had it not been for my adapter, I would have not been able to play some music.

 

[mavis]

This is what happens when plan A fails and there is no plan B. Plan A will have involved the IT people with setting up the conference confirming with the main speaker what IT device they will be using so the IT people can make sure they have all necessary cables and adapters ready to connect to the speakers device. When the main speaker cannot make it and a replacement speaker is found, the problem arises when the new speaker has a device that is not 100% compatible with the conference device.

I've been in situations where the opposite to that of the OP has occured. The equipment in the conference room is the latest and greatest but the devices owned by the speakers are old and are not able to connect to it.

Totally. The last time I had a really important presentation, it resided on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro, with dongles for each and a 4K Apple TV just in case. Sure, it was a hassle to bring the Apple TV with me, but it ended up saving the day because sure enough, the available connections were incompatible with my other gear. It also allowed other participants to AirPlay photos and other contributions to the discussion.