I’m a writer. Professionally. I use my iPad for work. Having a keyboard is pretty essential. For a professional.
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iPad Pro New Rumors are mouth watering.
- Thread starter TheRealAlex
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4K HDR Output to a PC Monitor.
A. This will run MacOS
B. This will let us use the iPad Pro full screen
C. It will just be for movies like Lightning to HDMI is.
D. It may allow Apple TV like functionality.
A. This will run MacOS
B. This will let us use the iPad Pro full screen
C. It will just be for movies like Lightning to HDMI is.
D. It may allow Apple TV like functionality.
I will not hold my breath and wait patiently. I have had so many issues with the IPP 12.9 G2 LTE that I am going to be hesitant. Touchscreen issues 
Awaiting to see what actually comes out.
Awaiting to see what actually comes out.
If they would just PLEASE go with an OLED screen it would be perfect. Until then my Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 will have to do. I'm all Apple except my tablets. The screen on my Samsung tablets are OLED and with HDR content the picture is unmatched. PLEASE Apple...upgrade your displays!!
OLED is nice but Apple's LCDs are no slouch either. They're considered the best in the business.
When I had my 10.5" iPad Pro, I had no complaints about it whatsoever, especially with its screen. It was a joy and pleasure to look at and use.
I think (A) is going to be the surprise. Possibly not even a full MacOS but a "lite" version. This alone will be a massive shift for iPad Pros and will become a strong seller.
iOS 12 wouldn’t have so many new things for iPad pros if the new ones weren’t going to run on iOS. On the same token, if the iPad pros were also supposed to run on macOS surely it would have been discovered in iOS 12 by now, beta versions or otherwise.
I don't think macOS is going to be the main OS. It appears they're going in the direction of something like Samsung Bixby. This will activate when you're using the keyboard and/or docking it. Would be cool if this is the case.
I think you mean Samsung DeX (Bixby's their voice assistant). But yeah, I don't think we're going to see a proper macOS on an iPad as I'm sure that would have leaked even a little bit by now.
Nevertheless, I would absolutely love something like DeX on the iPad as it's my primary device and being able to connect a larger monitor, keyboard and mouse would be amazing. But for the time I don't think Apple's going in that direction. I am cautiously optimistic that they'll introduce trackpad support for text, etc.
May I ask to you, that is current iPad(s) virtual keyboard so bad to write, that Apple really needs to focus on things that relate to less than, maby 1% of users? In my opinion, external keyboard on iPad is not that special compared to the virtual one.
Instead of, would it be nice that Apple starts to focus on making the virtual keyboard so great on iPads, that there should not be need for external keyboard or hence, a smart connector? Should people who don’t need or want external keyboard, pencil or smart connector, pay for that when purchasing iPad? They are still the majority after all.
Steve Jobs would never allow all this nonsense to happen if he was still on charge.
I know your post was directed at another user, but as I write a lot on my iPad, I thought I'd share. I can type pretty fast on my 12.9" virtual keyboard (well over 40 words a minute with nearly no errors); however, that doesn't compare to my 100+ words a minute on a physical keyboard. It's just the nature of the design that my fingers "drift" away from the keys when I can't feel the keys physically. Could this be corrected in software? To some extent, sure. But I doubt a flat piece of glass is ever going to compare to a keyboard with keys that have physically defined borders that I can feel.
That being said, I love Apple's Wireless Magic Keyboard and I type quite well with the Smart Keyboard Cover, though the keyboard cover does have connectivity issues.
I don't think having a connector is going to increase the cost substantially and the idea that Steve would never allow a connector because some people wanted to use a keyboard seems a bit much.
I've been paying for a 3.5mm headphone jack in my devices for most of my life yet pretty much never use it. I'm not complaining. It's not like Apple's throwing 30 connectors in there at $10 a piece.
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I think we need to step away from Steve Jobs speculations. He’s gone for a long while and was a master of changing his mind if he had to.
While I agree that the on screen keyboards can always be improved, fast typists don’t even look at the keyboard when using a physical one.
For the tablet manufacturers a directly attachable keyboard is very interesting: first they can charge way more than for Bluetooth keyboards, and in one or two product generations they don’t fit on new products anymore when their outer shell changes.
Again, this is an iPad PRO. I know you want to ignore the PRO thing and claim they need to make it for everyone (or, really, just to what you want), but the reality is that they already have a model that does what you want. They literally make a device for the folks that don't need the keyboard or the pencil. And it's cheaper!
I'm not going to explain to you why having the entire screen to work and a decent keyboard that is separate is a better scenario than having half the screen taken up by a keyboard and having to keep looking down near your hands to see what you're typing. It should be self-evident.
You're the guy that has to buy the most expensive sports car on the market and then complains that it has more horsepower than you need. Like, really, stop trolling.
Do they really have a 12.9” inch device with the same hardware specs except the smart connector and pencil support? C’mon! Even though things like smart connector and pencils seems like a small things for those who dont need it, it all adds up really quickly when it comes down to R&D resources or software developers, complexity of the whole operating system, the prize of the final product etc. The other fact is that it is huge majority of iPad users who don’t buy those things either. How many of iPad Pro consumers also get a pencil and keyboard or even one of those? Less than 30%? Less than 10%? Less than 5%?
Also, if you are really depending on a keyboard with your Pro-working, would it be better just to get a good laptop or desktop, with much better keyboard? Those keyboards beats iPads external one easily.
Your horsepower comparison is also out of logic, when horsepower on a sportscar equals a motherchip on a iPad(IMHO). There is no such thing as too powerfull iPad and I have never said anything like that. I would rather compare a keyboard and pencil to a let’s say heated steering wheel or big trunk space on a sportscar. Something I would never pay extra for.
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I’m really not going to deny that currently the virtual keyboard loses to the real one. It does. But I am confident that virtual keyboard could be a much better via software, or even hardware technology. But seems like Apple is not even focusing on those things all that much. The point is, if you are currently a heavy keyboard user, is there a laptop that does better job than iPad + keyboard? Im sure there is.
This sentence pretty much underlines my whole point. External keyboard is really not even that good or reliable on a iPad Pro. There is still laptops that beats it easily on every aspect.
With this one I have to give credit to Apple, they are finally removing 3.5mm connector from the next iPad. It is 100% the right choise for a various reasons. And I guess you should be pretty happy too.
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Once again there doesn’t exist such a model, plus you most certainly don’t know what I want from an iPad so stop making false argumentations on what others want or need.
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That is a primary reason why I will wait for sales, Apple did not replace my 2nd gen 12.9 when it exhibited irresponsive touch issues, I am right there with you.I will not hold my breath and wait patiently. I have had so many issues with the IPP 12.9 G2 LTE that I am going to be hesitant. Touchscreen issues
Awaiting to see what actually comes out.
So there is no way they’re going to get full price from me again.
macOS is never coming to the iPad. There is no point. iOS is built for touch and can expand on it's current feature set.
I think about the small percentage of users.... So do you think that We are not paying for the R & D on our product parts as I am writing this on my 12.9 1 PP with my $99 pencil? I could buy a lot of stylus for a lot cheaper. In fact, I like using a stylus so much, that I have a $70 one that I can use on my iPhone Max. (I can't wait for pencil support on this. Also don't say go get a Samsung Note, I came from a note). How about the price of- ASK ? It is ridiculous. I have a Iogdech bluetooth keyboard that can worK with 3 divices at a time. Way, way cheaper. We are not asking for everyone to have to use these items ... if they did they would all be include and jack up the price.
Yep, ofcourse you are paying for the R&D. And it is a huge amount of money for a pencil, and even more for the keyboard $170, which is not even anything special. It is just average keyboard. Even worse than on most laptops.
Wonder ever why Apple hasn’t ever highlighted its pencil and keyboard sales, customer satisfaction rates etc. on the events? Because it would make them look so ridiculous, thats why.
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Not for me, no. I genuinely like iOS more than macOS and Windows. I like the huge screen on my 12.9" iPad and that I can use it for casual reading, watching movies, long-form writing, or programming. With or without the keyboard. It's a device that really works well for me.
I would disagree and that's coming from someone who has had issues with the Smart Keyboard cover. I think it could be improved and I think Apple will improve it, but I still like using it. But if you're not happy with Apple's offering there are nearly countless third-party alternatives available.
I’m curious what you feel needs improvement on the virtual keyboard?
As for your point - yes and no . . . Yes, I can be more effective at keyboarding on a full sized keyboard at my desk than on an Apple Smart Keyboard . . BUT . . My desktop or laptop can’t do the same things that the iPad Pro w/ ASK can do. I’m a believer in using the right tool for the right job and sometimes that’s my workstation, sometimes that’s my laptop, sometimes that’s my tablet, sometimes that’s my phone.
Regarding external keyboard use:
I use my iPad Pro a lot. Definitely my most used device (more than my iPhone that’s usually with me or my Mac at the office). Heck I’m on it right now instead of the Mac that’s a foot away from me. Maybe I’m in the minority, but the Apple Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro is one of my favourite products from the past few years. Used one for 15 months with a 9.7” iPad Pro and have been using one since June 2017 with a 12.9” iPad Pro. I find it one of the most comfortable keyboards to type on. I have noticed at times the keyboard not being responsive depending on how the iPad sits or makes connection with the smart connector. Rarely rarely happens and I hope it’s something that changes / improves with the 2018 iPad Pro.
Also - is there a laptop that does a better job than iPad + keyboard? Not for me. I know my iPad can’t do everything a laptop/MacBook can, but at the same time I know a laptop can’t do everything my iPad can. For starters, I often grab the iPad itself to read documents in portrait. That alone is a significant advantage over a MacBook for my use.
I doubt it only caters to 1% of users considering that Apple sells a physical keyboard at $160+ that takes advantage of the port built into the iPad for smart accessories. Not to mention that keyboards are basically the only accessory that take advantage of that smart connector.
I use an iPad for work and using an on-screen keyboard that takes up half of my screen's usable space is not productive AT ALL, so a physical keyboard is pretty important. Not to mention my typing accuracy is much lower when using a virtual keyboard.
I’ve found a customer review & ratings for 12.9” smart keyboard on apple website. It gets only 2.5/5 stars (346 reviews). That pretty much confirms my expectations, but it is quite lower than I have even thought. Apple should ditch that keyboard & the smart connector ASAP. But instead of they will bring even more useless accessories to the matket.
https://www.apple.com/us_edu_53697/...129-inch-ipad-pro-us-english?page=3&rs=oldest
Out of curiosity here is what i’ve found ratings for the pencil: https://www.apple.com/shop/reviews/MK0C2AM/A/apple-pencil
That is also getting only 3/5 stars. Those both selling percentages must be also very low. I would ditch the both accessories immediately and focus on a iOS performance, micro-led display tech & wireless charge, cut the prize. For the start.
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It is not only the keyboard, but well, New display tech, namely micro led would bring better colour representation, deeper blacks etc. Those alone improve the virtual keyboard. Secondly iOS 11 showed us how software can ruin the whole experience,. Maby they were too excited to bring smart connector and other useless featuress that they forgot the iOS? Who knows?
Apple has lost allready few years with all this nonsense by not focusing on the right things and seems that it keeps doing it in the future also.
https://www.apple.com/us_edu_53697/...129-inch-ipad-pro-us-english?page=3&rs=oldest
Out of curiosity here is what i’ve found ratings for the pencil: https://www.apple.com/shop/reviews/MK0C2AM/A/apple-pencil
That is also getting only 3/5 stars. Those both selling percentages must be also very low. I would ditch the both accessories immediately and focus on a iOS performance, micro-led display tech & wireless charge, cut the prize. For the start.
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It is not only the keyboard, but well, New display tech, namely micro led would bring better colour representation, deeper blacks etc. Those alone improve the virtual keyboard. Secondly iOS 11 showed us how software can ruin the whole experience,. Maby they were too excited to bring smart connector and other useless featuress that they forgot the iOS? Who knows?
Apple has lost allready few years with all this nonsense by not focusing on the right things and seems that it keeps doing it in the future also.
If Apple were to take your advice and stopped selling the Apple Pencil then my current iPad Pro would be the last iPad I’d ever buy. At the same time, I’m not naive enough to expect others to buy into the Apple Pencil simply because I like to use it personally. Can it be improved? Surely. Doesn’t mean it should be eliminated.
As for the low ratings on both products you mentioned, if you read through the many 1 star ratings for both there are some obvious trends on what users are unhappy about. Surely improvements can be made to either device to address the issues with keyboard connectivity or battery life of the pencil without having to nix the technology altogether.
It is not just the keyboard connectivity and pencil battery life. There are many other issues aswell starting from how heavy or uncomfortable they are to use ending to the bad life expectancy. Those reviews just confirms my thoughs on these products, before I have even read those reviews.
This is not hating on Apple, oh not at all! More of a frustration on how bad decidions Apple is making by continuing with this path with the next iPads also.