Is iOS 10 proof that we need an iPad specific iOS?

[Michael Goff]

Think tvOS, for example.

There have been rumors going on that we are going to see improved features for the iPad ... in a future release. We're expecting them shortly after the release, maybe a 10.1 release. The initial release is going to do very little for the iPads. This is, most likely, because of time. They need to focus on the thing they consider to be more important, and for now the fact that it releases with the new iPhone means that the phone gets priority.

iPad features get to take a back seat.

Imagine, though, if we had an iPad OS. They'd have to hire more people on, most likely, but it would be for the best. We wouldn't have to think "hey, will Apple be focusing on the iPad this time around", because they would always have a team of people whose only job was to make the iPad shine.

 

[dcp10]

Never going to happen

 

[Abazigal]

I guess the question then is - what's stopping Apple from hiring more people right now? All other things equal, more people either means more personnel to work on iPad features, or you finish your iPhone development faster, which in turn means more time for iPad-specific software.

I am not sure the two departments should be separated for now. For one, the iPhone and iPad do share many common software features. Might two separate teams result in a silo mentality of sorts, where we end up seeing two completely different implementations of the same feature?

I think we just have to trust that Apple has big plans in store for the iPad, given their recent push to position the iPad Pro as a solid computer replacement.

 

[ShadovvMoon]

quality > quantity
throwing more people at the problem isn't necessarily going to make it better

 

[C DM]

Some similar sentiments expressed at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-10-on-ipad-is-an-iphone-experience-again.1977783/ as well.

 

[HangJebat]

It is not like Apple don't have the financial strength to hire more quality talents, they need to start spending that mountain of cash rather than stockpiling it. We expect more from Apple, especially when their products are sold with premium price.

 

[gwhizkids]

It is not like Apple don't have the financial strength to hire more quality talents, they need to start spending that mountain of cash rather than stockpiling it. We expect more from Apple, especially when their products are sold with premium price.

True, but there are only so many engineers, etc to go around and there is fierce competition in Silicon Valley for them. I agree with those who think having a completely separate team would result in problems. For all we know, they have saved any iPad specific enhancements for a .X release when iPad Pro 2 is announced, which may not be at the September event.

 

[iOSUser7]

I own an iPad mini 4 and I'm happy it runs iOS and not a more complex OS because I use it as a media consumption device only, I don't do work on it. The same is true for when I had a (9.7") iPad Air.

However I still can't figure out after nearly one year why the iPad "Pro" is running iOS. To my eyes, it should have been running a brand new OS or at least a modified version of OS X. I know OS X is technically not compatible with touch screens but it's already a lot touch friendly with all the trackpad gestures and features (notification center, dashboard, launchpad, app store, side by side multitasking, etc) built in that resemble iOS in a lot of ways.

If you call a device "Pro" you have to make the extra work to make it so and to compete with others "Pro" devices.

 

[FoxMcCloud]

They have iOS as a base for tvOS and watchOS. So it should be the same for the others too. phoneOS and padOS maybe even airportOS and finally get them some decent features.

It'll be full circle as it was originally iPhoneOS once upon a time before the iPad.

It's a good base. iPad needs some major love.

 

[gwhizkids]

They have iOS as a base for tvOS and watchOS. So it should be the same for the others too. phoneOS and padOS maybe even airportOS and finally get them some decent features.

It'll be full circle as it was originally iPhoneOS once upon a time before the iPad.

It's a good base. iPad needs some major love.

My concern is splintering the base. That's a major problem for Android. I'd like to see the iPad stay on iOS, but with some pad-centric features (much like split screen, split keyboard, etc...).

 

[FoxMcCloud]

My concern is splintering the base. That's a major problem for Android. I'd like to see the iPad stay on iOS, but with some pad-centric features (much like split screen, split keyboard, etc...).

It would still be iOS, just more customised for iPad.

TvOS and watchOS are also iOS.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

What exactly is wrong with iOS 10 on an iPad? They could improve the Appswitcher in Splitview somehow, but other than that?

 

[gwhizkids]

What exactly is wrong with iOS 10 on an iPad? They could improve the Appswitcher in Splitview somehow, but other than that?

I don't think anything is wrong, per se. However, the larger screen screams for additional functionality (like splitview) that is not there. Copy and paste between Splitview apps would be a good start, for example.

 

[TurboPGT!]

I don't think anything is wrong, per se. However, the larger screen screams for additional functionality (like splitview) that is not there. Copy and paste between Splitview apps would be a good start, for example.

You can already copy and paste across the OS...so obviously it already works between Splitview Apps.

 

[gwhizkids]

You can already copy and paste across the OS...so obviously it already works between Splitview Apps.

I actual meant drag and drop.

 

[TurboPGT!]

I actual meant drag and drop.

Yeah, I'm just not sure how useful that would really be. If you think about how much drag and drop you do on a Mac between open windows, its lot of copying files around, which you won't do so often on an iPad. The use of drag and drop gets greatly reduced. So its not such a huge priority I don't think.
I think they ought to first improve the ability to even achieve two side-by-side apps in the interface. A swipe in from the left should pull the current app immediately to half screen, and on the right half be a reduced view of the Home Screen Apps so that you can quickly launch an App from your familiar home screen.

 

[lagwagon]

Why is iOS 10 suddenly "the OS that ruins iPads"? Seriously. I don't understand this recent kick people have been on about iOS 10 is terrible on iPads (but iOS 9 and below for some reason is good)

Some of you worry about the strangest things.

 

[TMRJIJ]

Why is iOS 10 suddenly "the OS that ruins iPads"? Seriously. I don't understand this recent kick people have been on about iOS 10 is terrible on iPads (but iOS 9 and below for some reason is good)

Some of you worry about the strangest things.

Just wait. Next year they'll say the same thing but for iOS 11

 

[iOSUser7]

Why is iOS 10 suddenly "the OS that ruins iPads"? Seriously. I don't understand this recent kick people have been on about iOS 10 is terrible on iPads (but iOS 9 and below for some reason is good)

Some of you worry about the strangest things.

Because of wasted space maybe ? Plus, people have been complaining of iOS on the iPad since the release of the first one.

EDIT : Also, keep in mind that people have been expecting new features and UI changes that take advantage of the iPad big diplay since 2010 and now with the release of the iPad Pro, Apple is still doing nothing to make it "Pro" so those people are mad and iOS 10 is taking all the hate from previous years of waiting too.

 

[stooovie]

For example Control Center doesn't use extra screen space on iPads at all. It mimics the iPhone layout for sake of useless consistency, effectively neglecting unique strength of each platform.

 

[TurboPGT!]

Because of wasted space maybe ? Plus, people have been complaining of iOS on the iPad since the release of the first one.

EDIT : Also, keep in mind that people have been expecting new features and UI changes that take advantage of the iPad big diplay since 2010 and now with the release of the iPad Pro, Apple is still doing nothing to make it "Pro" so those people are mad and iOS 10 is taking all the hate from previous years of waiting too.

These people you speak of. Are they real?

 

[iOSUser7]

These people you speak of. Are they real?

Maybe, what do you think ?

 

[GrindedDown]

I agree that they are now at a point where they need to be some considerable differences for the ipad pro between the ipad lineup. I do however think it should still run iOS.

There should be a dedicated ipad app store for pro level apps. This will help with distinguishing. A higher price point for pro level apps.

The home screens need more customization. While i do not totally dislike the traditional looking iOS home screen, there is a lot of wasted space on the ipads, particularly the ipad pro 12.9. Also i would really like to see ios allow for putting icons anywhere on the screen. The grid system on android is awesome.

On the backend, apple needs to find new ways to attract ipad developers like offering to take smaller percentages for pro level apps. Since the world isn't being swamped with record numbers of ipads being sold, not many developers are focusing on the ipad. This needs to change if the ipad should continue as a viable, distinguished platform.

 

[TurboPGT!]

For example Control Center doesn't use extra screen space on iPads at all. It mimics the iPhone layout for sake of useless consistency, effectively neglecting unique strength of each platform.

There is no such thing as useless consistency. I'm sure what you're imagining is that iPad should have its own Control Center layout (1 card instead of 3) because it might be big enough to handle it. But I'm sure you haven't thought through Portrait vs. Landscape. Or 7.9" vs. 9.7" vs. 12.9" iPads, where there are dramatic size differences between iPad mini Portrait, and iPad Pro Landscape. Exactly how many different Control Center layouts are you advocating? That is called fragmentation and it pisses off users. They never know where a button is because there is no standard.

One place they have used the space a little more without compromising UX is with the Widgets page. 2 columns instead of 1.

 

[Michael Goff]

Why is iOS 10 suddenly "the OS that ruins iPads"? Seriously. I don't understand this recent kick people have been on about iOS 10 is terrible on iPads (but iOS 9 and below for some reason is good)

Some of you worry about the strangest things.

Let me explain where I'm coming from on this one. We've had several versions of iOS. None of them have done a huge amount for the iPad. It has always looked like a stretched out iPhone screen. But they're pushing it as a laptop replacement now. And it's becoming obvious to me that putting the UI/UX in the same hands as the people who make the one for the phone will just lead to phone first and iPad maybe sometime down the road.

The iPad needs a group of people who wake up in the morning and their only job is to make the iPad the greatest it can possibly be from a software perspective.