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iPad Mouse Support - The Missing Elephant
- Thread starter neteng101
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But Microsoft brought it to its surface pro in 2016-2017 so it happens even in today's time!
This subject has been beaten to death -
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mouse-support-the-missing-elephant.2051933/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mouse-support-the-missing-elephant.2051933/
1. Mouse support has never = Windows.
2. Sometimes inventions withstand the test of time. Something will come along eventually to make mice obsolete but that day hasn't come yet.
That is probably how they'll go if they do. And they'll come up with some pretentious name like, "Point"
(cue Jony Ive)"With Apple Point, high precision access of high resolution content is now possible like never before."
They may also come up with a system that allows you to use your iPhone as a trackpad for the iPad. I'd go for that. 
"We asked ourselves, How can we take something so common and make it an extension of the human body? The Apple Point is machined from a solid block of AluminEEum. It doesn't move the insertion point as much as it positions it for optimum text entry."
Apple already sells a device for this that you can set next to your iPod-- it adds full mouse-centric support, just as though the OS was designed for it.
They call it the "MacBook".
As if replacing your laptop with a gigantic screened iPhone will do you wonders........
I wouldn't bank on that. Microsoft might claim the Surface as a tablet/laptop hybrid, but most people I know use it as a laptop and even Microsoft's own marketing shows it mostly as a laptop. Apple is pushing the touch interface and I don't think they're going to change their mantra anytime soon. At best, I could see them adding a really small touchpad to their Smart Keyboard with the sole purpose of moving the insertion point during text entry; even that is probably a couple years away.
I think eventually, yes, but not system-wide. It will be for a specific set of productivity apps.
I see your point, but I don't think adding mouse support to certain productivity apps (word, excel, numbers, and the like) would be the same as throwing an OS on it that isn't meant for touch. They could easily do this and it wouldn't detract from any experience. The only place it might hurt Apple is their pockets, and that is why they are likely hesitant.
I see the point for those type of apps definitely, my only concern would be the user experience, if they could make it work good enough then yea. That's my problem with the whole Surface and Touchscreen laptops it's not because it's Microsoft doing it it's that when they try and do a laptop and a tablet in 1 it ends up not being a very good tablet and so those who want a decent tablet then end up buying one separately anyway.
The mouse on a MacBook or iMac is great and very precise I'm not sure it could be the same on an iPad that's my concern.
I have tried mouse support on a jailbroken iPad and the user experience was the same as it is without it, you just have the ability to use a mouse. It really doesn't negatively affect anything at all. Again, it all comes down to money with Apple, as it always does (and probably should to some degree).
Fair enough, I think they are moving closer to making the iPad Pro a PC replacement especially with IOS 11 later this year and the features they have put into it, I'm looking forward to trying it out that's for sure.
Yea I think it would be great if it is ever implemented. I don't need or want it system wide, just for certain apps that would much easier to navigate via a mouse. We'll see if it ever happens.
They may also come up with a system that allows you to use your iPhone as a trackpad for the iPad. I'd go for that.
Seriously!
Tim, just bake it into iOS 11 already