iPad Meh, who creates content on an iPad?

[Bruninho]

Do you create content on an iPad? I'm specifically interested in understanding if given a choice between a high end iPad and a high end MBP, what would content creators choose? If they had to choose only one device.

I'd actually go for the M1 iPad Pro, yes. I am an UI/UX designer. If Adobe updates XD to run the same version used on my Mac, then I am all in for it. But I can use alternatives like Vectornator. My whole work is based on:

- Drawing UI designs. That would be on Vectornator for iOS.
- Team meeting calls. That would be on Google Meet.
- Check my email and tasks. That would be on GMail app and Safari, accessing my JIRA web page tasks.
- Take notes during the meetings. Using the native notes app and my pencil.
- Upload the artboards. Using the Safari again, to redpen.io, because I was told to do it so the customers can see them. They didn't want to use the Adobe Creative Cloud content for that (and I didn't ask why).

Sometimes I may be asked to do front-end web work, modifying some code here and there. I can use Coda for iOS to access a web server and do the work. Coda for iOS is a complete solution (SSH, terminal, FTP and IDE). If I need just to SSH, I can use Prompt 2.

Sometimes I may be asked to debug JS code in a browser. I can use an app for that whose name I can't remember now, but its there installed. Works pretty much like the web inspector for Google Chrome, but for Safari on iOS.

And this is all I can do on my iPad for work related stuff (not to mention the games and old operating system emulators).

 

[mcdj]

I don’t know about ad agencies, but say if you’re designing a costume for the latest blockbuster, and need to show the director 20 options. You’re not gonna lay them out on one page. Or storyboarding. You need 200 or more later comps for each panel, no other way to do it.

Besides it’s not the people that have to be adapting to technology. It’s technology that has to adapt to our use case.

So because you’re a costume designer who uses layer comps, “no artist” can use Photoshop on an iPad without layer comps? Ok. ?

 

[imrazor]

So for those of you who create written content, or use the iPad for creating work documents, do you actually write things out with an Apple Pencil (or your finger??), or do you have some kind of bluetooth keyboard attached to your iPad? I have trouble imagining serious writing without access to some kind of keyboard. And the need to constantly hold the thing would be a downer for me too. A laptop works better for me thanks to a 1) permanently attached keyboard and 2) a display that supports itself. Working with a stylus, finger or software keyboard seems dreadfully inefficient to me. IMHO MacOS also offers far superior file management when compared to iOS, and access to a whole world of apps outside of Apple's walled garden.

No, I'm not trying to troll, but trying to understand what is an admittedly alien workflow to me.

 

[uuaschbaer]

The ipad (and similar stylied tablets) are the word processor revolution for mathematics. I use mine every day.

 

[Abazigal]

It has and will always been a content consumption device. Don't need the fastest processor in the world for that, irrespective of the story Apple is trying to tell. Nobody will create content on an iPad. The 10 of you who do, skip this post please.

Here are a few I am aware of.

Writing

A Computer for Everything: One Year of iPad Pro

I wasn’t sure I needed a 12.9-inch iPad when Apple announced the iPad Pro in September 2015. And yet, over a year later, the iPad Pro is, by far, the best computer I’ve ever owned. I’ve never felt so satisfied with any other Apple device before – but the transition wasn’t easy.

www.macstories.net

Photography

iPad Pro + Apple Pencil Review for Photographers. w/ Adobe Lightroom, Hasselblad & DJI Mavic Pro 2 — Travel Photographer - Austin Mann

I was testing the new iPad Pro + Apple Pencil with the Adobe Lightroom app in Iceland. I concluded this combo is the biggest generational upgrade I’ve experienced from Apple in a really long time. It feels like the team listened carefully to feedback from creative pros and took action—not just in im

austinmann.com

Teaching

Video editing

Podcast recording

How to Record and Edit a Podcast with Ferrite for iOS

https://youtu.be/sbDbs-3Af74 I’ve been recording, editing, and posting my podcast straight from iOS for about a year now. The magical elements that let me do this are: * Ferrite for iOS * Blue Yeti microphone * Apple USB-to-Lightning adapter * Apple Pencil The video should give you a...

birchtree.me

Art

Drawing on the new iPad - Penny Arcade

Videogaming-related online strip by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins. Includes news and commentary.

www.penny-arcade.com

The intent isn’t so much to say you have to do all this on the iPad, but it certainly goes to show that the iPad is a lot more capable than the detractors are giving it credit for. If at the end of it all, you still feel that your Mac or Windows PC is still more suitable, then stick with it by all means.

However, if you wish to get more done on your iPad and more out of it, I do feel the iPad has come a long way. There are more apps and accessories available for it now.

Seriously, would it kill the critics to give the iPad its due recognition?

 

[Michael Scrip]

Is email content?

If so... then the iPhone is for creators too.

And for that matter... the Blackberry was as well!

Do we think people buy the iPad Magic Keyboard for browsing the web and watching Netflix?

?

 

[NastyMatt]

So for those of you who create written content, or use the iPad for creating work documents, do you actually write things out with an Apple Pencil (or your finger??), or do you have some kind of bluetooth keyboard attached to your iPad? I have trouble imagining serious writing without access to some kind of keyboard. And the need to constantly hold the thing would be a downer for me too. A laptop works better for me thanks to a 1) permanently attached keyboard and 2) a display that supports itself. Working with a stylus, finger or software keyboard seems dreadfully inefficient to me. IMHO MacOS also offers far superior file management when compared to iOS, and access to a whole world of apps outside of Apple's walled garden.

No, I'm not trying to troll, but trying to understand what is an admittedly alien workflow to me.

I create written content for work and use the Magic Keyboard. Could not do with out it. The MK makes the IPP so much more productive - I have said that elsewhere on here that I think the MK is amazing (without sounding like a fanboy).

I am a COO for a tech company so I do 50+ meetings a week (Google Meet/Teams etc) so wanted the new IPP to have a landscape camera! Office type apps (GSuite - use a browser not native app), Atlassian apps - all browser/cloud based, 3x finance systems - again all browser/cloud based - mail you guessed it GMail (much prefer the browser version so I can see the side bar) - HR system browser app. I can do my entire role from Chrome

Multi screen support is what I really want tho, doing so many meetings a week I like to have the meeting open on one screen and then do stuff on the other, yes I can switch between the two apps but it's nice to have the screen always viewable - especially if some one is presenting something.

One thing I like about the iPad is messaging - I don't need to have the app open like I do on a laptop. they always get to me. My work is all cloud based now so file management is nearly irrelevant to me but I do understand the standard app leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[thefourthpope]

My iMac finally gave up the ghost in December and I’ve been exclusively on an iPad excepting rare times when I’m at the office. I’m university faculty, so my content may be different than the OP intended, but:

- Review, analysis, and editing of field observation videos
- Field notes
- Edit and upload teaching demo videos and lectures
- Finished writing a book, including all final edits for 15 submitted chapters
- Ditto two special issues of separate journals
- Preo and submit grants
- Develop, test, refine, distribute survey protocols
- Wrote a course and built it in our learning management system (the most taxing replacement activity, by far, of the list, but that’s more about Canvas than the iPad)
- Staff reviews and strategic planning efforts
- Myriad other tasks like committee agendas and notes, slack team coordination, grading, uploads, etc etc

 

[thefourthpope]

So for those of you who create written content, or use the iPad for creating work documents, do you actually write things out with an Apple Pencil (or your finger??), or do you have some kind of bluetooth keyboard attached to your iPad? I have trouble imagining serious writing without access to some kind of keyboard. And the need to constantly hold the thing would be a downer for me too. A laptop works better for me thanks to a 1) permanently attached keyboard and 2) a display that supports itself. Working with a stylus, finger or software keyboard seems dreadfully inefficient to me. IMHO MacOS also offers far superior file management when compared to iOS, and access to a whole world of apps outside of Apple's walled garden.

No, I'm not trying to troll, but trying to understand what is an admittedly alien workflow to me.

I start with ideas in NotePlan, predominantly using the magic keyboard. Eventually transition to Word or Google Docs depending on any co-author situation (occasionally use Pages if it’s a more creative, less academic piece, though I also edit a journal and do initial layout in Pages) and write with the magic keyboard. But I prefer to edit with the pencil in GoodNotes. Then I split view between GoodNotes and whatever writing app.

This is where a second monitor would be really key for me. I just run out of real estate on the iPad for that final step. I’d been exporting from GoodNotes to my iMac and working there for just that reason, but every other step of the process is easier and faster on my iPad.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Full-time content creator here that travels approximately 250 days a year (pre-COVID) and I utilize a lot of Apple products to include the iPad. iPads are very useful to me in the field, especially in harsh environments.

The iPad has tons of functionality for people on the go, and tons of functionality for anyone who simply wants a highly portable device. All users envisioned and welcomed!

 

[teohyc]

I use iPad for drawing and note taking. Basically anything that makes sense to use Apple Pencil.

All other visual content creation work is done on a Mac because the workflow is much faster.


So many people asking for Final Cut on the iPad Pro on Reddit.

There’s already the MBA and MBP that runs FCP with proper keyboard and mouse

I’ve made 2500+ videos on Youtube. If you guys know how FCP workflow can be faster on iPad PLEASE LET ME know. I want to make another 2500 videos in less time.

 

[linkgx1]

I think it's great for artists. But also, I feel that many narrow down content consumption to just TV watching. iPads are great for information gathering and manipulation.

Signing docs, reading textbooks and content focus are what iPads excel at. When you need direct content manipulation, it is the superior device.

 

[RevTEG]

Congrats! Will/can you give up your MBP if you had one?

I have a 2015 MBP. It’s still a great machine for its age. I’m not anti MBP at all, but I never use mine unless on the rare occasion that I want a second screen when doing research. I’ve not even considered upgrading in years.

 

[stanza.richi]

I have a 2015 MBP. It’s still a great machine for its age. I’m not anti MBP at all, but I never use mine unless on the rare occasion that I want a second screen when doing research. I’ve not even considered upgrading in years.

Same to you with a late 2013 MBP. Use it only for football manager, adding bibliography at my papers and after dinner streaming.

 

[NastyMatt]

Same to you with a late 2013 MBP. Use it only for football manager, adding bibliography at my papers and after dinner streaming.

I only use mine now (2017 MBP) when someone else is using the IPP!! The only thing it does that the IPP doesn't (for me) is multi screen support and at home I don't need that as I have 34" ultrawide screen hooked up to my desktop which is more productive than a single small screen (13"/12.9").

 

[UBS28]

It has and will always been a content consumption device. Don't need the fastest processor in the world for that, irrespective of the story Apple is trying to tell. Nobody will create content on an iPad.

Apparently, photographers do create content with it using LumaFusion (or whatever it is called). But I let them talk as I am not a photographer personally.

However, you can actually use the iPad for content creation if you use the Cloud. But that is doing it in an indirect way.

 

[dumastudetto]

So because you’re a costume designer who uses layer comps, “no artist” can use Photoshop on an iPad without layer comps? Ok. ?

No doubt if his complaint was a dealbreaker for most of the Photoshop community, Adobe would have some form of layer comps in there already.

Now we're up to 16GB RAM, Adobe will have room to continue adding in more features from the bloated desktop applications.

As for the thread starter, I think he'd be amazed at the amount of content he consumes is made using iPhones and iPads. Websites, written content, social media, podcasts, videos, music, graphics, digital art, etc. etc.

The iPads Pros are productivity supercomputers.

 

[Bodhitree]

I thought it was a really interesting set of usecases in this thread, thanks all. It’s clear to see why the pro is a separate product, it has different demands than a normal iPad. I use my iPad Pro for media consumption, writing, and foruming, I love the battery life and the large screen.

 

[Traverse]

I'm not teaching at the moment, but back when I was a T.A. I used the 9.7" iPad Pro to create my own solutions to accounting problems rather than the generic book solutions. I would color-code, add notes, illustrations, etc. Sometimes I'd create 10-15 pages of solutions that my students could freely download.

I feel like that qualifies as content creation. However, the majority of my usage is consumption. Still, the iPad can lend itself to whatever the user wants it to be.

 

[djlythium]

I do! I use Procreate for renders. Love it!

 

[secretk]

It has and will always been a content consumption device. Don't need the fastest processor in the world for that, irrespective of the story Apple is trying to tell. Nobody will create content on an iPad.

I am kind of middle on this. I do not use my iPad for the typical content consumption that most people think about. I do prefer to watch videos on my laptop whenever I can. I might listen to Podcasts while falling asleep on the iPad though. I also tend to read books and highlight with the pencil.

I am not influencer or content creator, but I do take pictures when I go to trips with friends or during holidays and use Lumafusion afterwards to create video memories.

I do use the iPad for note taking in Notability and sometimes creating mindmaps. So in that sense I might share those creations with co-workers.

And I do occasionally edit photos in Lightroom on the iPad.

So I can tell you that or my needs regular iPad does not work (RAM is not enough). I need at the least iPad Air 4 (I prefer the second generation pencil) or at least 2018 iPP. So yeah I do not see how I can take advantage currently of M1 and 16 GB RAM, but I also do know that basic iPad would not satisfy my needs either.

 

[MBAir2010]

So for those of you who create written content, or use the iPad for creating work documents, do you actually write things out with an Apple Pencil (or your finger??), or do you have some kind of bluetooth keyboard attached to your iPad?

All over the thousand the cartoons on the ipad are from a rough pencil sketch on paper and imported from the camera, usually square settings, then saved to photos and imported through a drawing app (skecthclub).
then they are drawn and colored just by using my index finger and sometimes autofill tool.
A couple of comics were drawn without a pencil sketch scan but that took longer.

hope this info helped!