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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.

Almost 2 years after posting this, I’m so glad it’s finally here. Having this option is a huge plus for the iPad. This will make using the iPad docked in the Smart Keyboard so much better without having to reach for the screen as often.
 
Now the elephant is the cursor ;)
Hah funny, but mouse support is first and foremost an accessibility feature and I guess the reasoning for Apple to make the cursor seem a bit intrusive is to make it easier for people who have disabilities.

But, holy crap, they've finally done it. The iPad really is getting there. Give it some time and I'm sure Apple will allow users to change the cursor.
 
This update in general is huge. There must be some kind of faction in Apple who are against progress, as there are here. They have their own ideas about how it should be.

But there's very strong buzz about this, all positive, and momentum. I don't see it going back, although it is early; like one day? :D

There'a plenty of time to bring this out front, and give us all the options. And at LEAST it's going to be interesting how this develops.
 
Almost 2 years after posting this, I’m so glad it’s finally here. Having this option is a huge plus for the iPad. This will make using the iPad docked in the Smart Keyboard so much better without having to reach for the screen as often.

Yes, this was one of my biggest gripes as it has always been an ergonomic nightmare to constantly reach up and touch the screen when using a keyboard.
 
I really hope 3rd party keyboard case makers embrace this and add a trackpad.

Would make it the ultimate tablet/laptop hybrid.
 
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Does anyone know yet if the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad support gestures like in macOS (two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, three-finger swipe to reveal home, etc.)? Does moving the cursor to the bottom of the screen reveal the dock?

Or is it just basic point-and-click and long press support and nothing more sophisticated?
 
I’m betting Brydge will have a trackpad enabled model, with backlighting and cheaper than the Apple option that will be here by next year. Wait for it; an Apple Trackpad Pro.

Tom
 
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Hah funny, but mouse support is first and foremost an accessibility feature and I guess the reasoning for Apple to make the cursor seem a bit intrusive is to make it easier for people who have disabilities.

But, holy crap, they've finally done it. The iPad really is getting there. Give it some time and I'm sure Apple will allow users to change the cursor.
Correct. Technically, Apple introduced mouse support as an accessibility feature for those with disabilities, but I don't think that was their only motivation for it.

I think that Apple was trying to set expectations for how they see a mouse working on an iPad. If they simply said, "hey, here's mouse support!" people would've expected the mouse to work like it does on Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, etc.

But by placing it under accessibility, they're putting us on notice that the mouse will behave differently than what we might expect.

Those who will benefit the most from this mouse support will be those who "think different" about mouse usage on a touch-centric device.
 
Correct. Technically, Apple introduced mouse support as an accessibility feature for those with disabilities, but I don't think that was their only motivation for it.

I think that Apple was trying to set expectations for how they see a mouse working on an iPad. If they simply said, "hey, here's mouse support!" people would've expected the mouse to work like it does on Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, etc.

But by placing it under accessibility, they're putting us on notice that the mouse will behave differently than what we might expect.

Those who will benefit the most from this mouse support will be those who "think different" about mouse usage on a touch-centric device.

Well said and the implementation makes perfect sense in this light.
 
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I just wonder how we are going to progress this thing to everyone's liking. If Apple sees that this is strongly desired they will move it forward. Frankly, i'm not 100% happy with it as a sub-alternative.
 
I just wonder how we are going to progress this thing to everyone's liking. If Apple sees that this is strongly desired they will move it forward. Frankly, i'm not 100% happy with it as a sub-alternative.
iOS goes counter in many ways to traditional desktop OS approach to workflows and people adjust. Some of the differences are beneficial, others are just nuisances. Official support for mice on iPads is only a day old and THAT in beta format. There's a lot of time between now and when it goes GA. Between those two points there'll be lots of testing and experimenting... and possibly some changes.

But what I've seen (2nd hand) so far, encourages me.
 
I’m going to buy a external monitor for my iPad Pro 1TB, and a mouse and keyboard. Then it will be a legit video editing machine with LumaFusion 2.0.

This is so cool.
 
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Is anyone having any success with pairing a Magic Mouse? It is NOT getting discovered by the iPad - other Bluetooth mice are, but not Apple’s own?
(P.s. this is both in general Bluetooth settings and the accessibility sub-menus)
 
To be clear about this. The metaphor (or idiom) is 'Elephant in the Room'.

Which would be the missing mouse function as something that's VERY obvious, but is ignored. Mouse support is not an elephant that's missing. It's just that it's being perpetuated now and forever.

Ok, I'm just telling you guys :D Mixed metaphors for non-english speaking people.

Why not, 'The Elephant Mouse'? Now we're getting somewhere.
 
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To be clear about this. The metaphor (or idiom) is 'Elephant in the Room'.

Which would be the missing mouse function as something that's VERY obvious, but is ignored. Mouse support is not an elephant that's missing. It's just that it's being perpetuated now and forever.

Ok, I'm just telling you guys :D Mixed metaphors for non-english speaking people

Thank you Macalaway - that is extremely useful information and especially timely in view of yesterdays news.
Anyone having luck pairing with apple’s own accessories - strange that I can do it with 3rd party mice but not their mice OR trackpad!
 
Now the elephant is the cursor ;)

Boy no kidding… I really hope that gets changed by the time it releases or at least has an option for some other looks.

If you’re using a mouse why on earth would you want the cursor to be the size of your finger?
The whole point is to have more precision than your finger.

That “cursor” they chose is literally in the way

God I am so tired of Apple overthinking every goddamn thing.

Those of us who’ve been jailbroken in the past have used mice on iPads forever and it works wonderfully with a normal cursor.

Get out of the way Apple.
 
Hey at least we have a cursor for the iPad now. Being able to mirror a display and use a keyboard without having to touch the iPad is awesome!

It is only going to get better from here. Apple has already taken the biggest step at least.
 
OMG! I am so happy about this! Maybe not perfect yet, but a fantastic start! About time! Thinking about a 12.9 inch Pro now because of this feature.
 
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