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iPad Mouse Support - The Missing Elephant

N

neteng101

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 7, 2009
1,148
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So I've always thought the iPad Pro is an odd duck and with iOS 11 finally adding a proper filesystem, you'd think they'd add support for Bluetooth mice too.

Until Apple starts taking the iPad Pro seriously as a desktop replacement and not a UI/OS experiment, it will always fall short of its mission to replace the traditional computer's role.

Mouse support is a must have IMO - and the proper filesystem structure that iOS has long been missing.
 
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I think mouse support IS coming. If I had a mouse, I could truly use my iPad for work. I could RDP to my PC at work and with a mouse and keyboard it would be like I'm there. Perfect. Mouse support is already possible via Citrix on the iPad.

I'm always baffled by those against it. It's literally a matter of turning on the ability to pair a mouse natively. Doesn't harm anyone or anything.
 
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Definitely want this. Plus a Smart Keyboard with a trackpad

It would be optional just like keyboards are optional. But for certain tasks where you are either needing to quickly and accurately move a cursor around (selecting text or moving cursors around in a word processor, or selecting cells in excel for example), a mouse would be very convenient. Especially if you are also using a physical keyboard, as otherwise you'd constantly be reaching back and forth between the keyboard and the screen.
 
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Since they have pen support, and I've been loving using the iPad Pro with the pencil rather than my finger, they could certainly have basic mouse support. I'm not sure it's coming though, since there was no touchpad on the new keyboards (which is nice as it keeps them small), but with iOS11 I think there will certainly be more requests for optional mouse and trackball support. You might want to try the pen though in the mean time.
 
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seadragon said:
I think mouse support IS coming. If I had a mouse, I could truly use my iPad for work. I could RDP to my PC at work and with a mouse and keyboard it would be like I'm there. Perfect. Mouse support is already possible via Citrix on the iPad.

I'm always baffled by those against it. It's literally a matter of turning on the ability to pair a mouse natively. Doesn't harm anyone or anything.
Click to expand...

Diffidently not coming. Apple will keep MacOS separate from iOS. What kind of work are you doing on your iPad that requires a mouse? I have said for a long time that task like excel are only for view only. Manipulating cells an iPad is just not ideal at all. And that is not because the lack of mouse support. It's because of the screen sizes.

The best idea I have heard is Apple adding something like the Apple TV remote input for the iPad. That help those that need precise input on the iPad get things done, and it would be add something unique to the iPad.
 
bmac4 said:
Diffidently not coming. Apple will keep MacOS separate from iOS. What kind of work are you doing on your iPad that requires a mouse? I have said for a long time that task like excel are only for view only. Manipulating cells an iPad is just not ideal at all. And that is not because the lack of mouse support. It's because of the screen sizes.

The best idea I have heard is Apple adding something like the Apple TV remote input for the iPad. That help those that need precise input on the iPad get things done, and it would be add something unique to the iPad.
Click to expand...

Well, I think mouse support will happen on the iPad and I'll be really glad when it does.

I'm a database admin and I work with SQL servers. Mouse is far superior that having to use finger on screen to control a PC. With a mouse and keyboard on my iPad, it would be like I'm sitting at the office. Plus, I would have no reason to bring a laptop with me on vacation. That's what I would like to use my iPad PRO for.
 
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seadragon said:
I think mouse support IS coming. If I had a mouse, I could truly use my iPad for work. I could RDP to my PC at work and with a mouse and keyboard it would be like I'm there. Perfect. Mouse support is already possible via Citrix on the iPad.

I'm always baffled by those against it. It's literally a matter of turning on the ability to pair a mouse natively. Doesn't harm anyone or anything.
Click to expand...

You can use a mouse on RDP now using the Citrix Mouse and Jump Desktop which is (IMO) the best RDP app on the app store: It works really well :)
 
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bmac4 said:
Diffidently not coming. Apple will keep MacOS separate from iOS. What kind of work are you doing on your iPad that requires a mouse? I have said for a long time that task like excel are only for view only. Manipulating cells an iPad is just not ideal at all. And that is not because the lack of mouse support. It's because of the screen sizes.

The best idea I have heard is Apple adding something like the Apple TV remote input for the iPad. That help those that need precise input on the iPad get things done, and it would be add something unique to the iPad.
Click to expand...

Are you kidding me? Tasks like Excel are for view only because of screen size. That's ridiculous! Lack of mouse support has really hurt iPad sales. Tablet sales keep dropping. They keep saying it's a Pro but don't back it up.

Having said that, my 10.5 is a great tablet. From my 9.7, it's a big upgrade, especially the screen real estate. But, boy, if it had mouse support, it would be even better.
 
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seadragon said:
Well, I think mouse support will happen on the iPad and I'll be really glad when it does.

I'm a database admin and I work with SQL servers. Mouse is far superior that having to use finger on screen to control a PC. With a mouse and keyboard on my iPad, it would be like I'm sitting at the office. Plus, I would have no reason to bring a laptop with me on vacation. That's what I would like to use my iPad PRO for.
Click to expand...

If Apple has not added mouse support yet, I don't see why they would now.

In your use case, sure mouse support works much better. I just don't see Apple adding it.
 
Phil A. said:
You can use a mouse on RDP now using the Citrix Mouse and Jump Desktop which is (IMO) the best RDP app on the app store: It works really well :)
Click to expand...

Thanks... I plan to order a Citrix mouse soon. I just bought the new 12.9 and this will be a great combo. I just wish Apple would allow native mouse support and I could use my Magic Mouse. :)
 
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bmac4 said:
If Apple has not added mouse support yet, I don't see why they would now.

In your use case, sure mouse support works much better. I just don't see Apple adding it.
Click to expand...

Well, it's anyone's guess I suppose. I just think with the iPad Pro line, they might start opening things up. I mean a couple of years ago, the idea of Apple allowing access the file system was unthinkable. Also, its when they released the Pro iPads that they started touting the iPad as a laptop replacement for many.

Again, there would be no harm in offering mouse support.

And for those dinosaurs shouting "get a laptop", I say "get with the times"!
 
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Velin said:
Doesn't need a mouse. Don't want a mouse. If you need a mouse, get a laptop.
Click to expand...
That's why the OP said, mouse support, not mouse requirement.

If one doesn't want to use a mouse, then don't.

The beauty of a mouse is that it doesn't require a person to block out part of their vision of the screen with their hand, and it also allows more precise work. Using your finger has benefits as well, for less stuff to carry around. I'd like the mouse for when I'm making flight plans, but when the iPad is on the yoke, that's a good time to just use fingers.

A laptop attached to the yoke of a Cessna 172 really doesn't work that well.
 
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I think one of the things that defines and separates the iPad from the Surface Pro is that it does not have a mouse. It is the logical thing to do

Why

Because the mouse will be added in a later iPad version and it will be introduced as 'amazing'

This is stupid, you guys who want a mouse go get a laptop! Apple clearly thinks you do not need a mouse, so you dont get a mouse. It will come in a later version. Come on, if they gave you a mouse people would think the iPad Pro is copying the Surface Pro.
 
Fuzzball84 said:
This is stupid, you guys who want a mouse go get a laptop! Apple clearly thinks you do not need a mouse, so you dont get a mouse. It will come in a later version. Come on, if they gave you a mouse people would think the iPad Pro is copying the Surface Pro.
Click to expand...
That's why I brought my own brain to the party... Just because Apple doesn't think I need something doesn't mean I don't need it. Actually, "need" is a bit overblown. "Would really like mouse support for convenience in some apps" is more like it.
 
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