iOS 10 + 3D Touch = Outdated iPad Pros?

[urkel]

We upgraded to the iPad Pro 9.7, Pro 12.9 and Mini 4 and they've all been very impressive machines. But with iOS10 implementing so much 3D Touch into the UI then the iPads are feeling like they may be placeholder devices (like the iPad 3 or Mini 3) and a 3D Touch model is right around the corner.

So are there any other ways Apple could implement these 3D Touch shortcuts/features into the iPad? Long press? Pencil? New gestures? Because these Pros have specs that make them great for the next few years... But only if you're running iOS9.

 

[C DM]

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/14/rich-notifications-without-3d-touch/

The current devices will still be able to do the things that they are able to do today.

 

[lagwagon]

We upgraded to the iPad Pro 9.7, Pro 12.9 and Mini 4 and they've all been very impressive machines. But with iOS10 implementing so much 3D Touch into the UI then the iPads are feeling like they may be placeholder devices (like the iPad 3 or Mini 3) and a 3D Touch model is right around the corner.

So are there any other ways Apple could implement these 3D Touch shortcuts/features into the iPad? Long press? Pencil? New gestures? Because these Pros have specs that make them great for the next few years... But only if you're running iOS9.

I've been sayin since day one of the 12.9" iPad Pro that they should simply just add 3D Touch like functions via the Pencil. Have it do the pressure sensing instead of the screen. We wouldn't obviously get Haptic feedback but a simple audio cue could be added.

It would at least give the iPads that are the same generation as the 6s/6s+ iPhones the same functions. Seems silly to have iPads that are more powerful than the iPhones not even have some major interaction features.

 

[stulaw11]

I dont see them adding 3D Touch to the iPads. It would make no sense in common scenarios like on a stand or the Apple keyboard. It would just topple over trying to 3D touch pressing in on the screen

I suspect the will do something else with the pencil or otherwise though.

 

[QuarterSwede]

The problem with 3D Touch in it's currently implementation is that it doesn't work on a large screen. Rene Ritchie has done a bunch of research into this.

 

[perezr10]

You could get 3D Touch if you added Magic Trackpad functionality. I'd love this for Office apps.

 

[xaqt93]

I just got my iPad Pro, knowing Apple, I really don't think they would make there iPads outdated. However I am very mad at the lack of iPad only features at WWDC. Also, I have not updated my iPad to iOS 10 beta simply because it looks like crap on the iPad. It looks like blown up versions of the iPhone. Apple has lost its style when it comes to the iPad. Which I really hate because I really love this thing.

 

[lagwagon]

I just got my iPad Pro, knowing Apple, I really don't think they would make there iPads outdated. However I am very mad at the lack of iPad only features at WWDC. Also, I have not updated my iPad to iOS 10 beta simply because it looks like crap on the iPad. It looks like blown up versions of the iPhone. Apple has lost its style when it comes to the iPad. Which I really hate because I really love this thing.

How in anyway is iOS 10 more of a "blown up iPhone" than it has already been since forever?

Beta 1 notifications are a tad too small on iPad, yes. But it's beta 1. I expect there will be tweaks made. They've been redesigned for iOS 10, I highly doubt they are done fiddling around with them, especially for iPad.

As of beta 1 they've tweaked the time on the lock screen specific to iPad for when in landscape in iOS 10. It's over to the top left corner instead of top centre, and it shifts to the top right as you slide over to the widgets with the weather taking the top left corner.

 

[rijc99]

I just got my iPad Pro, knowing Apple, I really don't think they would make there iPads outdated.

Haha. Sorry but this line made me lol.

 

[MikeyMike01]

I dont see them adding 3D Touch to the iPads. It would make no sense in common scenarios like on a stand or the Apple keyboard. It would just topple over trying to 3D touch pressing in on the screen

This... sounds like you've never actually used a 6s...

 

[M. Gustave]

I dont see them adding 3D Touch to the iPads. It would make no sense in common scenarios like on a stand or the Apple keyboard. It would just topple over trying to 3D touch pressing in on the screen

I suspect the will do something else with the pencil or otherwise though.

I agree. You need a good bit of leverage to use it. On a phone it's great, but it doesn't really make sense on a big iPad.

 

[m.x]

To be honest, I don't see 3D Touch in an iPad Pro any time soon. The pencil uses its tip to detect pressure, but 3D Touch works by pressing the screen, if it had 3D Touch, it would recognize two different inputs at one spot. How should it tell how hard the pencil is pressed on the screen? If they go with 3D Touch, the pencil needs to be changed to avoid such possible source of error, or am I wrong?

 

[the_art]

I just got my iPad Pro, knowing Apple, I really don't think they would make there iPads outdated.

How about when they released the iPhone 5S with Touch ID and the iPad Air a month later without it?

 

[lagwagon]

I agree. You need a good bit of leverage to use it. On a phone it's great, but it doesn't really make sense on a big iPad.

Not everyone uses an iPad propped up with a case. Many use it flat on a table, in their hands like an iPhone (two handed of course) or on their lap. All scenarios that it wouldn't be an issue.

To be honest, I don't see 3D Touch in an iPad Pro any time soon. The pencil uses its tip to detect pressure, but 3D Touch works by pressing the screen, if it had 3D Touch, it would recognize two different inputs at one spot. How should it tell how hard the pencil is pressed on the screen? If they go with 3D Touch, the pencil needs to be changed to avoid such possible source of error, or am I wrong?

There really is no difference if the screen can sense pressure or if it's a Pencil. iOS only needs to know if pressure has been used (either option has the same result) It can tell how hard you're pressing on the screen the same way it already does while drawing and using pressure for heavier lines. The screen knows where the Pencil is on the screen, the Pencil tells the iPad how hard you're pressing. Making it easily done that when you press into at an app icon on the Home screen, it would know you pressed with pressure on an app icon and then activate the Quick Menus the same way you do with your finger on an iPhone 6s/6s+.

 

[xaqt93]

How about when they released the iPhone 5S with Touch ID and the iPad Air a month later without it?

That was Apple looking for easy fruit to grab with its iPads...I really don't think Apple would put 3D Touch on the iPads. The screens are to big. Also, if you want to get technical, Apple Penciel as the ability to sense pressure. Apple could implicate this and give iPad Pro 3D Touch features like the peeks and pops and app shortcuts and stuff, but other than that, I see iOS from iPhone and iPad a lite bit more diverse.

 

[warden]

I've been sayin since day one of the 12.9" iPad Pro that they should simply just add 3D Touch like functions via the Pencil. Have it do the pressure sensing instead of the screen. We wouldn't obviously get Haptic feedback but a simple audio cue could be added.

It would at least give the iPads that are the same generation as the 6s/6s+ iPhones the same functions. Seems silly to have iPads that are more powerful than the iPhones not even have some major interaction features.

How would the audio cue function when the iPad's on silent?

 

[Xeanor]

Technically it would be extremely simple to implement 3D touch in the Apple Pencil, it would also be a big reason to buy one.

Besides that, they should eventually implement 3D touch in the iPad anyway, but I can imagine that it's probably very challenging considering the physics of it.

 

[oftheheavens]

I have to agree with those saying that they should do it using the pencil (even though i returned my pencil) simply because pushing on the screen for 3D touch would 1. topple it over. 2. wear down the apple smart keyboard hinges.

I am sure it will make it to the iPads eventually but they are noticing a down trend in iPads right now (and starting to see it on the iPhone) so the are using more of their resources trying to better the iPhone. Not sure what feature we will see that will make me want to upgrade from my ipp or iPhone 6s this year and I am one to update (the phone) every year since the first. I think apple is out of ideas, that can be implemented with current technology, hints the rumors that this years updates will be boring as all get out.

 

[HighTechToid]

The fact that rich notifications are coming to non 3D Touch devices doesn't necessarily imply that there will be a 3D Touch iPad (I agree with most here why it's not suitable yet for a large device). Rather, the fact that non 3D Touch devices are getting the same functionality implies that 3D Touch could have been "long press" all along. These new "features" for 3D Touch comes across now as more like an attempt to make the feature more useful than it is. But if everyone else is getting it via a long press then really what use is 3D Touch? An extra second to launch is no big deal.

 

[lagwagon]

The fact that rich notifications are coming to non 3D Touch devices doesn't necessarily imply that there will be a 3D Touch iPad (I agree with most here why it's not suitable yet for a large device). Rather, the fact that non 3D Touch devices are getting the same functionality implies that 3D Touch could have been "long press" all along. These new "features" for 3D Touch comes across now as more like an attempt to make the feature more useful than it is. But if everyone else is getting it via a long press then really what use is 3D Touch? An extra second to launch is no big deal.

Non 3D Touch devices are only getting long press for Rich Notifications. There are many areas where long press can't substitute for 3D Touch for devices without it. (Pressing a link, quick actions on app icons. Just to name two major areas)

 

[subjonas]

I dont see them adding 3D Touch to the iPads. It would make no sense in common scenarios like on a stand or the Apple keyboard. It would just topple over trying to 3D touch pressing in on the screen

I suspect the will do something else with the pencil or otherwise though.

I agree, there are too many uses cases with the larger 9.7 and 12.9 iPads in which 3D Touch would be difficult to use.

But I don't think the Pencil will be the answer either. They market the iPad as primarily a Touch device with the Pencil being an optional peripheral for special use cases. If Apple gives certain iOS navigation functionality only to Pencil users, people will start to see the Pencil as a requirement.

 

[Mabus51]

3D Touch is gimmicky to me. Serves no purpose other than just another way of doing the same task. If it offered the kind of functionality say a right-click does on the desktop it would be slightly more useful. But with the limitations of the mobile OS I see zero value in having it.

 

[VSMacOne]

I love using 3D Touch and wish I had it on the iPad all the time. I understand the issues with bringing it to such a big screen but I sure hope they do it soon!

 

[perezr10]

I agree. You need a good bit of leverage to use it. On a phone it's great, but it doesn't really make sense on a big iPad.

Any time you're using the iPad two-handed 3D Touch would be easy. I would love 3D Touch on an iPad when sitting on the couch and I have one hand supporting the body. I'm not buying the argument that "it's too large" to be effective. And yes, if you're sitting at a table it's also easy.

When the iPhone first came out with a touch screen keyboard you could've made the argument that a touch screen keyboard on a tablet would never work because it was too large to key with your thumbs and too awkward standing up. Or likewise, everyone said a 5.5" screen iPhone was never going to happen because of ergonomics.

The only thing standing in the way of a 3D Touch iPad Pro is manufacturing issues. I don't think ergonomics has anything to do with the delay. I WANT 3D TOUCH ON AN IPAD!