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All iPads John Gruber’s iPad rant
- Thread starter Rogifan
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It would require a delay for folks that know what they’re doing “Pro iPad users?
” Now, they could have “NO multitasking”, “Easy Multitasking”, and “Training wheels off”, but that wouldn’t send a clear message to developers. I think fewer options that you just trust those who are interested will learn to use is better.Which is the eventual problem with all “tech analysts/reviewers”. They find a tech they like most of all and deride whatever comes after. I’m sure the next Gruber will enjoy their time on the iPadOS and will deride whatever comes after as “not enough like iPadOS”.
It would require a delay for folks that know what they’re doing “Pro iPad users?
I'm all for Apple implementing it, but I don't agree with "Easy Multitasking" and "Training wheels off." I just think the way it's set up is fine as long as we get tweaks to it. I'm just hoping Apple give users a start up screen indicating "Do You Want to Multitask?" Similar how Apple does it for Dark Mode and Standard vs Zoom. It will go a long way to first.. show users about Multitasking and give them the ability to turn off from the jump.
I disagree with Gruber re: poor opinion of the ipad or multi tasking in general, but having said that, there’s elements that drive me round the bend. For example, the fact that everything is centred around the dock, and the differences between what is required to trigger different actions is minuscule. As a result, I’m forever going to the home page when I want to go to expose and vice versa. At least i’ve got to the point where I can reliably bring up the dock...
I also dislike the drag and drop method for multi tasking because it seems to me that it was designed to be used with actual haptic feedback. But ipads don’t offer that, so you’re trying to drag, the icon’s trying to decide what it’s going to do and half the time you bring up the context menu instead! I hope this is tweaked in iOS 14 because it’s a real pain point. I’d also like to see some gesture/hot corner that would allow quick access to app expose—at least in safari.
I also dislike the drag and drop method for multi tasking because it seems to me that it was designed to be used with actual haptic feedback. But ipads don’t offer that, so you’re trying to drag, the icon’s trying to decide what it’s going to do and half the time you bring up the context menu instead! I hope this is tweaked in iOS 14 because it’s a real pain point. I’d also like to see some gesture/hot corner that would allow quick access to app expose—at least in safari.
Well, I do agree that multitasking centered around the dock.. needs to be rethought. I’ve grown to combat it by putting all my apps in the dock. That way.. I can easily multitask when I’m using an app. I can switch to a certain app without ever going home.
Well, I do agree that multitasking centered around the dock.. needs to be rethought. I’ve grown to combat it by putting all my apps in the dock. That way.. I can easily multitask when I’m using an app. I can switch to a certain app without ever going home.
Clever approach. I would not have thought about doing that. I can see some benefits. Like you say, it’s kind of a work around.
For me, most of my iPad usage is concentrated on a handful of Apps, so just having those in the dock is sufficient for me. I do have to go back to the home screen occasionally to get an App into the recently used portion of the dock so it can be moved into slide over or side by side, but again, it’s rare because my use is concentrated on a few apps.
It‘s fun to see different ways people use their iPads.
Yeah... I've had this set up since iOS 11, tbh. Due to how Multitasking is centered around the dock. I've juggled as far as what apps to be on the dock. I recall putting as many apps it can handle before, but I didn't like how it stretched out the dock.
So, the one folder I have... I make sure to put my most used apps on the first page and so and so forth. Makes it easier to access my apps much quicker. And on top of that... because of iPadOS, I can always swipe to access SlideOver to get the many apps I have in that state. And having a external keyboard just pushes it even further.
But everyone are entitled to their opinions regarding Multitasking, I've learn to incorporate it and it's been a cool experience for me. I just wish more developers support it. Whenever I go looking into the AppStore and check the descriptions of an app. If I don't see support for SplitScreen/SlideOver, I don't bother installing it.
Mine is on more than a few apps, but the app I want to use is generally already in the dock (the ones Apple puts there), or, I’ve recently used it, so it shows up as one of the three on the right.
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I’m thinking Real Life, like IRL is In Real Life.
Sorry, real life.
He goes into detail on it here. Apparently there is an update out for iPhone X support, but he has more information on what is going on with him on his Twitter.
For some reason, I thought he was talking about a Pythonista update. He may have talked about both and they merged together in my head.
On Gruber’s latest podcast he had Federico Vittici on to discuss iPad. It was a good discussion. I don’t use a physical keyboard with my iPad Pro but if I did I would have all the same criticisms they do. It got me thinking, couldn’t Apple implement something within iPadOS that would recognize when a hardware keyboard (or a mouse) was attached and present a slightly modified UI/full cursor support which wouldn’t be there if you were using it touch only? It wouldn’t need to be a radical UI change, just some more fine grained controls. And it wouldn’t need to apply to every app, just more complex apps that could use it like Photoshop or Office or iWork apps. It seems to me starting with touch and adding in bits and pieces for mouse/keyboard/trackpad support would be easier to implement than Microsoft/Windows taking a desktop UI and trying to turn it into a tablet UI.
Well, it would be confusing if the UI changed all the time depending on inputs. If "precision mode" also work with pencil, then it might be a good idea. As long as the elegance of not needing a keyboard and cursor remains and touch UI is not compromised, then fine otherwise not. Imagine a warning on app store; "This app requires keyboard and mouse input".
This keyboard and trackpad on iPad makes it awfully close to an ARM based "Mac" that does not run MacOS.
Precision editing of text would increase tremendously if the software keyboard had arrow keys and there where more cover gestures for selecting text.
iWork's UI needs a redesign as it waste screen real estate and that is independent of input.
No in my scenario the touch UI without keyboard/trackpad/mouse wouldn’t change. But certain apps like productivity apps could enable more precision based UI when a keyboard/mouse is connected. Bottom line is if Apple is going to offer a first party keyboard for the iPad they need to make it work so you don’t have to touch the screen. Otherwise they’re going against all the ergonomic arguments they’ve made against a touch screen Mac.
I agree, if the current multitasking is confusing for some folks, a UI that changes depending on inputs would be completely confounding.
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There’s something about the way Apple has implemented the iPad that makes the intermittent touch “work” for some. So much so, that when using a normal laptop, I find myself reaching to the screen for a quick tap (like in a URL bar or text field). They’ve done it such that the keyboard seems to ONLY add different typing expectations, but you still expect to touch the screen. I’ve touched the screen several times editing this post and it just flows, but that’s just for me, YMMV.
I really think that some folks are never going to pick it up (just like some never understood the whole mouse thing) but the number of folks that DO get it will drive sales as they do today.
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I have a different angle: how many of you have had to contact tech support if some kind to get your iPad up and running after a kernel panic, or had to reinstall a driver that flakes out, or had to upgrade RAM or had to reset the PRAM or use keyboard shortcuts to keep your iPad from acting flaky, or have to find the right folder to install some add-on or extension, or had to mess with whether or not you should be in the zlibrsry folder vs the User folder, or need software to monitor which active app is clogging up your system performance to figure out how to force-quit it?
I grew to despise macOS as a tech support analyst for these issues. iPads introduced—and continue to innovate—is so much less underlying root bloat that I find switching to an iPad less frustrating, and not just for me but the user experience as well.
Point being, most of the arguments in this thread seem to be heavy on specific software use cases, not the overall basic issues that were and still are a big headache in macOS, and most iPad users do appreciate that. Yes, there are many legitimate issues and concerns elsewhere, but let’s not lose the forest for the trees here.
With iPad you can be a casual user or a “power” user without either needing advanced knowledge to solve issues that are honest parts of macOS. Multi-tasking/XCode/Final Cit concerns are just noise to 95% of iPad users.
I’m ready for the flames but please don’t make it personal.
I grew to despise macOS as a tech support analyst for these issues. iPads introduced—and continue to innovate—is so much less underlying root bloat that I find switching to an iPad less frustrating, and not just for me but the user experience as well.
Point being, most of the arguments in this thread seem to be heavy on specific software use cases, not the overall basic issues that were and still are a big headache in macOS, and most iPad users do appreciate that. Yes, there are many legitimate issues and concerns elsewhere, but let’s not lose the forest for the trees here.
With iPad you can be a casual user or a “power” user without either needing advanced knowledge to solve issues that are honest parts of macOS. Multi-tasking/XCode/Final Cit concerns are just noise to 95% of iPad users.
I’m ready for the flames but please don’t make it personal.
I've never used a Mac but Windows was probably worse.
That said, I actually prefer being able to troubleshoot individual issues without nuking the entire system.
It seems to me when a hard reset doesn't fix a problem on iOS devices, the only recourse left is Erase all contents and settings and Restore/Set up as new and pray that fixes things.
I have a different angle: how many of you have had to contact tech support if some kind to get your iPad up and running after a kernel panic, or had to reinstall a driver that flakes out, or had to upgrade RAM or had to reset the PRAM or use keyboard shortcuts to keep your iPad from acting flaky, or have to find the right folder to install some add-on or extension, or had to mess with whether or not you should be in the zlibrsry folder vs the User folder, or need software to monitor which active app is clogging up your system performance to figure out how to force-quit it?
I grew to despise macOS as a tech support analyst for these issues. iPads introduced—and continue to innovate—is so much less underlying root bloat that I find switching to an iPad less frustrating, and not just for me but the user experience as well.
Point being, most of the arguments in this thread seem to be heavy on specific software use cases, not the overall basic issues that were and still are a big headache in macOS, and most iPad users do appreciate that. Yes, there are many legitimate issues and concerns elsewhere, but let’s not lose the forest for the trees here.
With iPad you can be a casual user or a “power” user without either needing advanced knowledge to solve issues that are honest parts of macOS. Multi-tasking/XCode/Final Cit concerns are just noise to 95% of iPad users.
I’m ready for the flames but please don’t make it personal.
I understand what you are saying, but I have to disagree. Support is definitely important, bu the main reason that the iPad is not a support nightmare, is that it is just not as capable as a Mac or Windows computer.
No flames, from my direction, just thumbs pointed in an upwardly direction.
I think a "Pro Mode" option during setup
would be a solution.
Keep things simple for the majority of iPad owners but allow more function for those who want more out of their iPad Pro.
I wonder, though, if what most folks are asking for in a “Pro Mode” actually be “training wheels“ mode? Like, “Touch is too hard for me, so make it work like something else I’m familiar with?” It would actually be more suited for the “accessibility” pane.
The majority of users would would be getting more out of their iPad Pro, and this would be for those who want less!
I agree tha iPad in a lap top mode (keyboard) is poor economics and I would also like a trackpad when my Ipad in that mode (not often it happens though). What would be confusing is if for example excel would change UI wether or not I had a trackpad or not attached. One of the really good things with Mac is the consistency of UI. The same consistency is lacking on iPad which makes life difficult. Where the trackpad would shine is simple take like text navigation, selections, editing small features in drawings etc, but perhaps that it what you are meaning rather than the size and placements of buttons and controls.
Exactly. There are loads of elitists here (including tech journalist) that completely lack understanding of the wide variety of users and their needs. These elitists confuse deep computer knowledge with being "Pro" in any field. That actually goes against the philosophy of Apple. The iPad should never be a Mac and will not, even if a trackpad is added to an optional external keyboard.I have a different angle: how many of you have had to contact tech support if some kind to get your iPad up and running after a kernel panic, or had to reinstall a driver that flakes out, or had to upgrade RAM or had to reset the PRAM or use keyboard shortcuts to keep your iPad from acting flaky, or have to find the right folder to install some add-on or extension, or had to mess with whether or not you should be in the zlibrsry folder vs the User folder, or need software to monitor which active app is clogging up your system performance to figure out how to force-quit it?
I grew to despise macOS as a tech support analyst for these issues. iPads introduced—and continue to innovate—is so much less underlying root bloat that I find switching to an iPad less frustrating, and not just for me but the user experience as well.
Point being, most of the arguments in this thread seem to be heavy on specific software use cases, not the overall basic issues that were and still are a big headache in macOS, and most iPad users do appreciate that. Yes, there are many legitimate issues and concerns elsewhere, but let’s not lose the forest for the trees here.
With iPad you can be a casual user or a “power” user without either needing advanced knowledge to solve issues that are honest parts of macOS. Multi-tasking/XCode/Final Cit concerns are just noise to 95% of iPad users.
I’m ready for the flames but please don’t make it personal.
I have not used Macs - only Windows. For the most part my computers actually did quite good. I have specific hardware issues with my desktop related to powerful video card not having enough power supply. This computer however was assembled by me and acquaintance of mine so we could have done something wrong.
My Lenovo laptop had two issues:
1. The hard disk got issues so my best friend changed it. Luckily I was able to transfer all of my saved data from that disk to the new one
2. The Keyboard got wacko and started typing its own symbols when I would try to enter my password. At this point it was already 4 years and I wanted to buy new laptop anyway (wanted better display, SSD and CPU) so I just did not bother and bought new one.
The thing is that in both cases I am actually able to recover all of my data. No need for iCloud or anything. I am talking about 700 GB data.
So yes the iPad might not need that much tech support but when the sht hits the fan it gets really bad and you could potentially lose everything you have. For companion device this is OK. I would not have found it that OK if this was my only device.
Off computer/iPad backup is always needed. If you have ensured backup, why would the iPad be worse than an PC/Mac?
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I think that is Prof Rucys point. The iPad does not carry so much old luggage.
Well with the storage I have on my laptop cloud backup is out of the option. It is backup on physical hard disk. This means that I can always be few days behind doing my back up. Knowing that technically I can always retrieve the information from my laptop as I can remove my hard disk and use it as external drive to any other computer does offer me benefit that the iPad does not have. Also on computer/laptop your personal files like movies, photos etc are on different drive than the OS itself. Even if the disk with OS gets screwed up, your files are safe. You just remove the disk and copy the files somewhere else.
If the iPad goes dead this is it. In other words the serviceabiity of mobile devices and tablets is worse than laptops/computers. This is how the whole market is evolving unfortunately. The more the components get soldered on the logic board, the worse it gets in terms of serviceability. I am willing to accept this for mobile devices (and tablets) because this helps with portability, but not for my personal computers and main drivers machines.
It depends on the person though. I am the type of person to decide to increase RAM memory on my laptop at certain period of time, to have both HDD and SSD etc. I do like to play around with my machines and upgrade them gradually when it makes sense. Not everyone wants this and I understand it. For me however it is important factor.