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iPad as a laptop replacement
- Thread starter Omar Comin' Yo
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Hmm, I got a warning that FileHub was a 32-bit app before updating my 12.9 Pro to 11. I'll re-install it and try it.
what app do you use to access the RavPower? itunes won’t let me install FileHub because it is a 32-bit app.
I'm using both FileHub Plus and FileBrowser. Are you trying the "non-Plus" version? I've streamed video, opened JPEGs, and bridged an Internet connection with FileHub Plus without a problem (Air 2 on 11).
Actually, I don't even see the old "FileHub" app, just the "FileHub Plus" app in the App Store. Also, on my 11 update, I didn't get any warnings on 32-bit apps.
Thanks for the pointers! Yes, i was using the non-Plus version. I tried the Plus version and was able to get it to run, but after a few minutes it would drop. (I have the RP-WD01) I purchased FileBrowser and it is working well, including streaming videos. Thanks again!
Glad to hear. That device has been really useful to me while traveling. And FileBrowser is pretty darn slick.
me too, but that original FileHub app looked like the first app that i developed for the Commodore Vic 20. LOL Filebrowser really is slick and worth the price.
After getting back to using an iPad with my new 12.9” Pro, I think there are two big things that need to be added to iOS to make it much closer to being a better replacement for a computer.
1) Support for technology to allow web browsing to be more like the desktop. I’m not sure how to describe this, but there are a couple of websites I use for work that don’t work well in Chrome or Safari on iOS at all. Mostly related to scrolling lists, pop ups I can’t access certain fields without putting it into portrait mode (or can’t access at all). I’m under the impression that all browsers are based on some implementation of WebKit (could be wrong here) but if Chrome worked like it does on the desktop, this would be killer.
2) At least some option or support for a pointing device. I really don’t have much issue here at all, but there is some work like working with a lot of text selection, spreadsheets, things like that would simply be better with some sort of interface besides touch. I don’t think this would ever need to be the primary way to interact, but if it were there, it’d certainly help fill the gaps for this type of work.
Overall though, I’ve been blown away by how much an iPad can actually do to fill the need of a laptop, plus it adds all of the additional benefits having an easy to hold device with touch brings with it.
1) Support for technology to allow web browsing to be more like the desktop. I’m not sure how to describe this, but there are a couple of websites I use for work that don’t work well in Chrome or Safari on iOS at all. Mostly related to scrolling lists, pop ups I can’t access certain fields without putting it into portrait mode (or can’t access at all). I’m under the impression that all browsers are based on some implementation of WebKit (could be wrong here) but if Chrome worked like it does on the desktop, this would be killer.
2) At least some option or support for a pointing device. I really don’t have much issue here at all, but there is some work like working with a lot of text selection, spreadsheets, things like that would simply be better with some sort of interface besides touch. I don’t think this would ever need to be the primary way to interact, but if it were there, it’d certainly help fill the gaps for this type of work.
Overall though, I’ve been blown away by how much an iPad can actually do to fill the need of a laptop, plus it adds all of the additional benefits having an easy to hold device with touch brings with it.
iOS 11 is definitely a big improvement. But for multitasking, the dock is only slightly better than the side panel. Overall, I think it’s a mistake. It limits easy multitasking to only a small portion of your apps. It’s cumbersome starting a split view with the majority of your (albeit less frquently used) apps, which I think is a big fail. Wouldn’t it be much better to do something like: four finger swipe your current app down so that only its top edge is visible at the bottom of the screen, revealing the home screen... then you tap ANY app and it will pop up over your current app. I don’t get why Apple didn’t do something like that.
Thank you for posting this. This is a significant limitation that doesn't get mentioned because it doesn't greatly affect the casual/recreational browsing experience.
You are far from alone. Google has managed to implement optional support for pointing devices YEARS AGO in a way that does not interfere with the touch-only experience... nor did that support result in apps that REQUIRED the use of a physical pointing device.
Speaking of Google, I'm very interested to see what they bring to the table on October 4th.
Just need FCPX and Logic - and it will be for me - love the drag and drop from files to apps.
been a joy to use.
been a joy to use.
So after working with the iPad Pro on iOS11 I'm finding the file feature "ok" and others good but not life changing. I've done the split screen app activity and it's arduous to get it setup. Once it is, it is ok. I think Mac OS is easier to use. I actually updated to the new MacBook Pro because the iPad Pro just isn't cutting it as a laptop replacement. I definately use it to type emails, browse the web, read and such. But ultimately the multitasking on iOS via iPad Pro is the drawback. On my laptop I can easily move back and forth between applications, layer applications and have complex applications. With iOS the applications are limited, the interface isn't multitasking friendly (split screen is a hair in the right direction), and the touch interface hurts my hand after a while having to constantly move from keyboard to screen.
What I would like to see:
1) Easy viewing and moving between applications via the keyboard (no need to touch the screen)
2) More complex applications for iPad Pro beyond just drawing apps and word processing apps (developers need to be convinced to do this based on demand)
I know that the iPad Pro is a touch interface device but the OS is so dependent on touch that the "quickness" is lost. I might be struggling because all my devices except the phone and iPad are manual keyboard and mouse interfaces. Maybe if the mac had a touch interface I could translate touch to iPad easier. I really don't know. I'm just not in love with being so heavily dependent on my fingers moving the interface quicker than keyboard shortcuts. Maybe it's the trip my hand has to make from the keyboard to the screen that bugs me. Maybe they need to bring some Mac OS multitasking and shortcuts to the iPad to help with the interface issues. Also I DO NOT like the changes in how you manage bluetooth devices. It's terrible. Old interface was easier.
What I would like to see:
1) Easy viewing and moving between applications via the keyboard (no need to touch the screen)
2) More complex applications for iPad Pro beyond just drawing apps and word processing apps (developers need to be convinced to do this based on demand)
I know that the iPad Pro is a touch interface device but the OS is so dependent on touch that the "quickness" is lost. I might be struggling because all my devices except the phone and iPad are manual keyboard and mouse interfaces. Maybe if the mac had a touch interface I could translate touch to iPad easier. I really don't know. I'm just not in love with being so heavily dependent on my fingers moving the interface quicker than keyboard shortcuts. Maybe it's the trip my hand has to make from the keyboard to the screen that bugs me. Maybe they need to bring some Mac OS multitasking and shortcuts to the iPad to help with the interface issues. Also I DO NOT like the changes in how you manage bluetooth devices. It's terrible. Old interface was easier.
Anyone have any experience with western digital my cloud? Is that a good solution for those iPad only users?
I have a 4TB MyCloud with an additional 4 portable hard drives attached to it via a USB 3.0 hub. I access it from my Air 2, Windows desktops & laptop, an Android Galaxy Tab S2 tablet, and a Galaxy S7 Edge phone. I can access it over my home network (primary use) or over the Internet. With the Air 2, I access files on the system with the WD app, FileBrowser (works great), and for movie streaming, Infuse. All in all, it works quite well for me. Any specific questions on it?
I’ve got the WD My Passport Wireless Pro 4 TB Drive. The battery lasts about 10 hrs and can be used to charge the iPhone or iPad when out. It also has built in SD and USB slots to import files. I use it with File Browser and nPlayer apps. nPlayer streams media off the drive easily and FB to manage files between the Drive and all apps.
I’m actually replacing a MBA for an iPad Pro. I’d liked to dump all my documents and random pictures to my cloud. Then access them from my iPad. I’m assuming the initial dump needs to be done from the MBA?
Yeah, the MyCloud should work great for that but be sure to either get a mirrored version or make duplicates of everything (backups). I'd do that initial dump from the MBA and if it's a lot of data I'd use a wired connection for the MBA - my wired desktop gets 80-90MBps transferring to the MyCloud while my wireless transfers are naturally slower.