It will gain the opportunity to change it if you want to. You can ask the same about the ability to change the screen background or the size of the current cursor ball - what do those gain? And it will take away nothing so why object?
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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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It will gain the opportunity to change it if you want to. You can ask the same about the ability to change the screen background or the size of the current cursor ball - what do those gain? And it will take away nothing so why object?
It will gain the ability to have a consistent experience across. Clearly you don't care. Others would like that.
When did I mention I object to it? My questioning it… is only trying to understand why the obsession with changing it.
The point I’m trying to make is… it won’t affect me one way or another. I’d enjoy using iPadOS regardless of the mouse pointer.
Simply about choice. When you are given only one option compared to the many options of other OS's, folks are gonna complain...and rightfully so. Not about functionality, it's about aesthetics and choice. Windows, MacOS, and Linux all have a ton of mouse pointer options. Heck, even Android lets you change the cursor appearance. Maybe this is just something like the calculator app on iPadOS, or Stage Manager, or Files App....and will eventually be added.
There are just some things we don't need to understand or justify when it comes to other folks choices.
There are just some things we don't need to understand or justify when it comes to other folks choices.
Fair point, maybe my word selection was wrong. But what I'm getting at is how Mac folks criticize the circle and claim it is not a "real" mouse cursor.
Let's be real here... folks will complain about anything. Regardless of options being limited.
Android does not allow you to change the mouse cursor... you can change the color or size (similar to how it is on iPadOS), but not necessarily the symbol.
I haven't replaced it for everything, but I use mine for a massive amount - including writing long documents (Ulysses) and scripts (Slugline). Also, lots of short form stuff - using Word or Google Docs. I have moved over to editing photos (taken with full-frame Lumix cameras, or MFT) and I love that especially - very intuitive with the iPad (Photomator). And of course it's a brilliant content-consumption device. I have the new M4 iPad Pro and the new Magic Keyboard is EXCELLENT - IMHO better than the MacBook Pro I also own. I see lots of people wanting MacOS on the iPad - I don't. The OS is great for the device its on.
An arrow would likely improve usability for precision work. The round cursor feels imprecise for spreadsheet work, fiddly UIs and more.
Perhaps, but if I’m doing anything with precision in mind... I’d use the Apple Pencil. I like using the Pencil when it comes to editing videos or photos.
I guess what I don't understand is your insistence upon understanding other peoples choices or desires, and when they explain...you always come back with ...me, me, me, or I, I, I, and how you do it...seemingly with total disregard for the explanations you solicited in the first place. Looks kinda obsessive.
You know I most generally appreciate and agree with what you post and share, but this is really making me
With the above post I was responding to... I don't see how I'm disregarding their explanation. I didn't disagree with them on their thoughts. I only offered what I tend to do.
Perhaps, it's time for me to take a step back... if it looks like I'm being "obsessive."
lol - face it, forums like these are for those obsessed over the subject matter. Most "ordinary" people I know don't frequent them. We're the fringies.
Edit: Maybe not "ordinary" - "normal"?
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I guess, but just how many counter posts can the subject of pointers and what they look like accomplish…when it just boils down to personal preference? Oh yeah, obsession.🤪
Pointer not needed for big iPhone
You might want one if you're using an attached monitor. But since you're apparently just using a phone, it's not a consideration.
The circle cursor works perfectly fine for spreadsheet work. I have seen no difference in precision between using the arrow cursor on a Mac and the circle cursor on an iPad. They’re both equally precise in my experience, and the circle cursor actually looks more modern and appealing. And I do a lot of precision work with my graphic design workflow, so I don’t believe it’s correct to say that the circle cursor is “less precise” than the arrow cursor.
The weird thing with all of this cursor conversation is that the Pointer APIs let you customize the cursor by passing an arbitrary shape path… theoretically any app could customize the pointer shape to whatever precision best matches their app’s use case. This is another case of Apple providing the tools to provide a better experience and devs not bothering to actually use them.
I think the main idea behind the circular cursor is for it to look & feel sort of like an extension of your finger tip, as the OS is designed to be touch-first.
To me, this feels natural when using the magic trackpad to control the iPad, but definitely out of place when I connect a mouse.
With a mouse, I no longer get that feeling of my finger touching something by extension, and a cursor would feel more suitable.
So having more configurability in this area would not hurt anything and could resolve a very common, very visible micro-annoyance.
I’m not necessarily opposed to having an option to customize the cursor shape, but I don’t think it’s a very high priority. It doesn’t really make much practical difference in utility. And apps can easily integrate alternative cursor options if they want or need to.
I would love to be alble to have the arrow as pointer for apps, affinity would be even more usable that way.
The mouse cursor already changes shape in Affinity. I don’t see how changing it would make it any better than it already is.
Here we go again.
Personal preferences and wishes need not be understood or approved of.I’m not saying they do. I’m perfectly fine with Apple deciding this is a thing and offering a custom cursor option. I was just pointing the current cursor behavior in Affinity out because it seemed like the other commenter was unaware of that. I am just being helpful, not criticizing his want for a feature. 👍🏻Here we go again.
Just saying...we don't need to see how....or understand why it would make it any better than what already exists. Not necessary to challenge everyone's views, or likes, or wishes when it comes to features or lack thereof on something they use.
I was pointing out that I don’t think it would make much practical difference in functionality within the Affinity apps. I wasn’t challenging his views or likes, I was telling him about the current cursor behavior in Affinity because I figured he may not be aware of it, and it could be helpful to him. I was saying that with the way Affinity currently changes the cursor, I don’t think there’d be much difference in using those particular apps. I’ve already said multiple times that I’m fine with a customizable cursor option, so I don’t know why you’re taking what I said as combative or whatever. I think you’re misunderstanding my intent. 👍🏻