All iPads No evolution or revolution for iPadOS 18

[heretiq]

I define low and medium end users as those not requiring complex workflows: e.g. VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, a quick search would have yielded that), writing notes, media consumption - even iMovie could be targetted at low-end users. The majority of these use cases do not require high-end hardware. Games are a different thing, I’d say they’re medium to high-end in workflow and does require sufficient hardware.

One definition of whether I test something to be low-medium vs high end in terms of use case is the multi-tasking (parallel, threaded etc) aspect. If a use case requires multi-tasking, it’s very unlikely to be low or medium primarily.

Pro may mean better, but it has different applications across the lineup, and it’s inconsistent.

Time-out: Let’s never lose sight of the fact that “low-medium vs high end” use cases is purely an invention of arm-chair product designers — and has nothing (zero) to do with how Apple views iPad users and use cases. In other words, this over simplified and argument-supporting abstraction / “map” is not the territory. 🙏🏽

 

[Abazigal]

With the arguments that iPads should address the low to medium, then I also posit that the iPad Pro as a product should not exist, nor should the iPad Air, only the iPad Mini and iPad should. Obviously, Apple doesn’t entirely feel the same, however.

As I continue to use my iPad, and I’ve had an iPad for many, many years, I see that my usage is limited because of what it can’t do; I don’t believe my usage is a necessary reflection of what I could do: there are so many things I want to do, and in my professional life, and even with creatives, there’s significant limitations.

One thing I’m using my iPad for is to remote into a VDI with Citrix Workspace - I can leave it open and multitask on my Mac, however, on my iPad, the app quits in the background or iOS disrupts it, killing the connection. It seems (along with other issues I’ve seen) that iPad is just like iPhone - single task oriented. This fits with the low (not even medium) type usage.

This feels to me more like a "want vs need" situation.

There is arguably zero improvement to my productivity with an oled display vs a LCD one, but I doesn't mean I should not be allowed to pay more for nicer stuff. We see it all the time in consumer products, like cars and bags. Try telling your wife that she shouldn't buy that $2000 branded bag and a $2 tote bag will suffice.

"Niceness" matters, and I feel that the concept of paying for niceness is something that the tech community still struggles to come to terms with. Not everything is about raw specs and functionality. You would think that people using Apple products and posting in an Apple forum would be able to grasp this concept better.

 

[magicvash]

Yeah it made me feel better about not shelling out for the M4 iPads.

100%

I bought an M2 as an upgrade from the 2018 iPad Pro 3rd gen the day before with the idea that I would return it if something was announced that made the M4 a requirement. I almost returned the M2 because this update didn’t even warrant upgrading but my guess is this is the last year the 2018 iPad Pro will get updates so might as well. I’m actually very happy with the M2 iPad Pro and I’m not sure what the M4 would have given me other than “it’s newer”

 

[magicvash]

A lot of people seem to have that reaction. By stubbornly hamstringing iPadOS, Apple is losing money.

Counterpoint: they may be doing this to not divert sales from the MacBook Air, but I agree with the general point. I frankly think if you put an M series chip in the iPad, it’s capable of running macOS. Don’t want to ruin the experience on an iPad? OK - run iPadOS when in tablet mode, and macOS when attached to a Magic Keyboard. Hell it’d suck for accessory manufacturers but they could even say it has to be a direct connection using their magnetic connector and not just any Bluetooth keyboard.

 

[Surfsalot]

100%

I bought an M2 as an upgrade from the 2018 iPad Pro 3rd gen the day before with the idea that I would return it if something was announced that made the M4 a requirement. I almost returned the M2 because this update didn’t even warrant upgrading but my guess is this is the last year the 2018 iPad Pro will get updates so might as well. I’m actually very happy with the M2 iPad Pro and I’m not sure what the M4 would have given me other than “it’s newer”

A brighter screen for starter’s, M1/2 11” not bright enough imo.

 

[Abazigal]

100%

I bought an M2 as an upgrade from the 2018 iPad Pro 3rd gen the day before with the idea that I would return it if something was announced that made the M4 a requirement. I almost returned the M2 because this update didn’t even warrant upgrading but my guess is this is the last year the 2018 iPad Pro will get updates so might as well. I’m actually very happy with the M2 iPad Pro and I’m not sure what the M4 would have given me other than “it’s newer”

One of the possible ramifications of getting a device with a 2-year old processor is that it may not be supported as long in the long run. What happens two years down the road if Apple announces a new feature that is limited to iPads with the M4 chip or later?

I suppose when that day comes, it could also be time for you to upgrade, but it’s also why I always opt for the best that Apple has to offer whenever I buy any of their products.

 

[magicvash]

A brighter screen for starter’s, M1/2 11” not bright enough imo.

IDK man the 12.9” M2 screen is super bright as it is. I have it turned down to 50% just to avoid the glare. I’m sure the OLED screen is probably amazing but it’s not like I’m doing highly detailed graphics work that needs that degree of discrimination on a device that’s a glorified E-mail/Word/Netflix device.

 

[Surfsalot]

IDK man the 12.9” M2 screen is super bright as it is. I have it turned down to 50% just to avoid the glare. I’m sure the OLED screen is probably amazing but it’s not like I’m doing highly detailed graphics work that needs that degree of discrimination on a device that’s a glorified E-mail/Word/Netflix device.

11” M1 I said

 

[Ctrlos]

I do wonder if some users don’t quite realise that the iPad is exactly where they want it to be.

 

[richpjr]

I do wonder if some users don’t quite realise that the iPad is exactly where they want it to be.

That would infer that there is nothing left to fix, enhance or add to the iPad and iPadOS.

 

[Rogifan]

This feels to me more like a "want vs need" situation.

There is arguably zero improvement to my productivity with an oled display vs a LCD one, but I doesn't mean I should not be allowed to pay more for nicer stuff. We see it all the time in consumer products, like cars and bags. Try telling your wife that she shouldn't buy that $2000 branded bag and a $2 tote bag will suffice.

"Niceness" matters, and I feel that the concept of paying for niceness is something that the tech community still struggles to come to terms with. Not everything is about raw specs and functionality. You would think that people using Apple products and posting in an Apple forum would be able to grasp this concept better.

This isn’t a new concept. We went through it with the Apple Watch. Except in the case of the Watch the underlying technology was the same whether you bought the cheapest aluminum version or the most expensive ceramic version. There it was obvious you were paying more for “niceness”, for more “premium” materials. The iPad Pro shares chips with the Mac so obviously people are going to wonder why it can’t be as capable as the Mac.

I’d also point out this narrative that iPad Pro is just about being a “nicer“ iPad didn’t come from Apple it came from
John Gruber (I feel as a way of excusing Apple’s decision to keep iPad OS gimped). Gruber can make that argument because he doesn’t really use an iPad. But the few times he has tried to use iPadOS as his daily driver he’s complained about it a lot. I’ve listened to podcasts of his where he’s been very upset/frustrated about the way multitasking works on iPad.

 

[Ctrlos]

That would infer that there is nothing left to fix, enhance or add to the iPad and iPadOS.

Beyond better use of the larger display, perhaps there isn’t.

Is the Files app as good as Finder? No, but then again it will only be users who already have a Mac who think so at which point: use the Mac.

Is Stage Manager as good as Samsung Dex let alone a proper desktop? No, but then maybe Apple’s user data tells them barely anybody uses it anyway. It’s not really better than Split View or slider over.

We can have our opinions and none of them are wrong. But Apple have access to petabytes of user data telling them what is used most. Then they will look at what to change or improve. And it could be that of the 200m iPad owners only 200 want better Files; they just all live here.

 

[richpjr]

Beyond better use of the larger display, perhaps there isn’t.

Is the Files app as good as Finder? No, but then again it will only be users who already have a Mac who think so at which point: use the Mac.

Is Stage Manager as good as Samsung Dex let alone a proper desktop? No, but then maybe Apple’s user data tells them barely anybody uses it anyway. It’s not really better than Split View or slider over.

We can have our opinions and none of them are wrong. But Apple have access to petabytes of user data telling them what is used most. Then they will look at what to change or improve. And it could be that of the 200m iPad owners only 200 want better Files; they just all live here.

I am quite sure there is an enormous list of things Apple wants to continue adding to iPadOS. They likely have a roadmap of features, enhancements and bug fixes mapped out for years that is constantly reshuffled based on industry trends, critical bugs, user feedback and services they can upsell you on.

 

[Ctrlos]

I am quite sure there is an enormous list of things Apple wants to continue adding to iPadOS. They likely have a roadmap of features, enhancements and bug fixes mapped out for years that is constantly reshuffled based on industry trends, critical bugs, user feedback and services they can upsell you on.

It’s normally last years iOS update plus an extra potatoe!