iPad Pro Waterproof iPad Pro imminent?

[rhyzome]

COVID has forced many schools to hold class outside, even in the rain. Write-in-the-rain notebooks are selling like hotcakes because of this. The iPad is a very important educational tool, and in this situation schools (and really everyone) would be better served if the iPad were waterproof like the iPhone.

Is a waterproof iPad (Pro) imminent?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Where on earth are they teaching classes outside in the rain?

 

[PieTunes]

Not saying it would never happen, but of all the years the iPad has been around, I don't think I've heard or read any remotely vetted rumor or leak that they were going to make them water resistant/proof.

 

[barkomatic]

I haven’t heard that a water resistant iPad was imminent, but I have heard rumors that it has been considered by Apple at various points. I‘d like the feature as it would make the iPad more usable in wet environments like by a pool or outdoors. If it ever does come it would probably debut on the Pro models first I’m guessing.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don’t believe such a model is imminent now or next year.

 

[sonicrobby]

I don’t think apple would invest in parts to try and make the iPad waterproof. I personally would love it though, as I do use my iPad inside the hot tub on occasion. But i don’t believe apple expects a lot of users to be using iPad in proximity to water, unlike the iPhones.

 

[MacPoulet]

Where on earth are they teaching classes outside in the rain?

Atlantis?

 

[kazmac]

waterproof cases maybe?

 

[AutomaticApple]

Is a waterproof iPad (Pro) imminent?

No, but you could always buy a waterproof case.

 

[ericwn]

I don’t see it happening anytime W it never say never of course.

 

[joeblow7777]

COVID has forced many schools to hold class outside, even in the rain. Write-in-the-rain notebooks are selling like hotcakes because of this. The iPad is a very important educational tool, and in this situation schools (and really everyone) would be better served if the iPad were waterproof like the iPhone.

Is a waterproof iPad (Pro) imminent?

That’s a huge reach! Firstly, no school is going to hold classes in the rain. If classes must be outdoors, there would at least be a simple tarp or something to keep the class dry. Sitting in soggy wet clothes is neither comfortable or healthy.

Second, I’ve been a public school teacher for 13 years. Schools are not the market for iPad Pros. We have a budget. You can get 3 standard iPads for the price of 1 Pro. Guess which purchase schools are more likely to make.

Third, even ignoring the previous two points, a waterproof case would make more sense.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have never thought about using an iPad as a flotation device. That would certainly be a niche market and a wet one at that.

 

[Phogro]

Unlikely. I’d expect this use case would be more likely targeted by case manufacturers.

 

[Shirasaki]

I second the idea of having waterproof case instead of building a waterproof iPad. More economical.

With that being said, if Apple ever bother to build waterproof iPad, we might reach the point where USB-C port becomes obsolete and “wireless charging” (pad charging) iPad coming in the way. Just saying.

 

[masotime]

Just need one word for it to make sense.

Waterproof iPad Mini Pro. Yesssssss..... perfect while lounging next to a pool or pulling it out of your raincoat pockets to look at a map. Combined with an display-integrated Touch ID + Face ID + Reduced top/bottom bezels = Take my money...

 

[Freida]

Apple working on extending Apple Watch water ejection to iPhone, iPad | AppleInsider

More Apple devices may gain the Apple Watch method of using speakers to push out unwanted water, and Apple is also researching the use of heat to evaporate moisture.

appleinsider.com

Not saying it would never happen, but of all the years the iPad has been around, I don't think I've heard or read any remotely vetted rumor or leak that they were going to make them water resistant/proof.

[automerge]1599625910[/automerge]

Apple working on extending Apple Watch water ejection to iPhone, iPad | AppleInsider

More Apple devices may gain the Apple Watch method of using speakers to push out unwanted water, and Apple is also researching the use of heat to evaporate moisture.

appleinsider.com

I don’t see it happening anytime W it never say never of course.

 

[Freida]

I love how everyone is thinking its crazy but iPad is a tool and there are tons of jobs that work outside and use iPad constantly. Survey people on the street, swimming (or any sport) instructors that are near water all the time. iPad is used on boats as navigations etc. device. The list is BLOODY LONG!

So of course iPad should be waterproof. The sooner the better as those who need it and don't have ideal conditions will only benefit and the rest of us will have better product.
Watch is water proof, iPhone kinda too so iPad is next. All these are portable devices that should have some form of water resistancy at least.
Water damage is probably one of the most common issues. (or at least used to be when I worked at an Apple store while back).

This is only going to give us better product. So yeah, I'm all in

 

[PieTunes]

I love how everyone is thinking its crazy but iPad is a tool and there are tons of jobs that work outside and use iPad constantly. Survey people on the street, swimming (or any sport) instructors that are near water all the time. iPad is used on boats as navigations etc. device. The list is BLOODY LONG!

So of course iPad should be waterproof. The sooner the better as those who need it and don't have ideal conditions will only benefit and the rest of us will have better product.
Watch is water proof, iPhone kinda too so iPad is next. All these are portable devices that should have some form of water resistancy at least.
Water damage is probably one of the most common issues. (or at least used to be when I worked at an Apple store while back).

This is only going to give us better product. So yeah, I'm all in

I'm not saying it's crazy, just that I've never rumors pointing that way, at least until just today. Could it happen, sure, though there's also a difference between waterproof and water resistant. The Apple Watch has never been marketed as waterproof nor has the iPhone, but maybe someday the iPad will be to the same rating as the aforementioned products. For the time being should anyone need their iPad to be water resistant, there are suitable cases. And in a pinch, from personal experience I know a ziplock bag works quite well. Touch ID even works through it without a hitch

 

[Phogro]

I love how everyone is thinking its crazy but iPad is a tool and there are tons of jobs that work outside and use iPad constantly. Survey people on the street, swimming (or any sport) instructors that are near water all the time. iPad is used on boats as navigations etc. device. The list is BLOODY LONG!

So of course iPad should be waterproof. The sooner the better as those who need it and don't have ideal conditions will only benefit and the rest of us will have better product.
Watch is water proof, iPhone kinda too so iPad is next. All these are portable devices that should have some form of water resistancy at least.
Water damage is probably one of the most common issues. (or at least used to be when I worked at an Apple store while back).

This is only going to give us better product. So yeah, I'm all in

Better is subjective. If waterproofing the iPad increases the cost / changes the form factor / removes USB-C etc are those trade offs “better”. For the person who needs waterproofing yes of course it is but for most people it’s not.

It’s not a huge market otherwise you’d see a lot of case manufacturers trying to capitalize on it so I just don’t see it happening.

Furthermore in the context of this thread the OP asked if waterproof iPads were imminent and there’s no indication that is the case.

At best you’ll see splash proofing.

 

[Superrenz]

Where on earth are they teaching classes outside in the rain?

Teaching outside in the rain? Not here in Germany!

 

[sparksd]

I second the idea of having waterproof case instead of building a waterproof iPad. More economical.

With that being said, if Apple ever bother to build waterproof iPad, we might reach the point where USB-C port becomes obsolete and “wireless charging” (pad charging) iPad coming in the way. Just saying.

That takes care of charging, but what about other connectivity that the port is useful for?

 

[Shirasaki]

That takes care of charging, but what about other connectivity that the port is useful for?

Well, idk, let people buy a new version of magic keyboard folio with two USB-C ports I think.

 

[sparksd]

Well, idk, let people buy a new version of magic keyboard folio with two USB-C ports I think.

lol - Apple's $350 bloated solution. Or perhaps more expensive as now it's a true dock. Probably right.

 

[muzzy996]

All i see with these wishes for additional features like waterproofing and wireless charging is increased cost which the entire market of users would have to bear in order for the segment that wants it to have it. All well and good, provided the segment is the majority of the market. I don't necessarily need waterproofing on my iPad but i would appreciate the peace of mind. I'd rather not spend a significant amount more for it though, after all the Pro line has only increased in cost over the past few years with no appreciable gain in software capabilities. Hopefully things improve there too in the future . . but i digress . .

 

[CjonesHouston]

Umbrella. The end.