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hajime

macrumors G3
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
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Hello, is bluetooth the best way to connect an external keyboard and mouse to an iPad PRO? Once connected, is it as convenience as a laptop computer in terms of browsing the internet and programming on webpags? For example, taking online courses on programming via an iPad PRO and type the programs on the browser.
 
You cannot connect a mouse at all. A keyboard can be connected perfectly fine with Bluetooth, and after that it'll essentially be as convenient, yes. For development however, it's important to note that there's no full IDE or compiler available for iPad.
 
As @casperes1996 mentioned, iOS is not very useful for development. However, if you can SSH to a server or even RDP to your home machine you would be able to do some development.


Not exactly an elegant solution, but definitely one that could work.

The OP also talked about writing inside a web browser. Of course code academy would work fine, since it's just a web page, but you can't easily graduate on to real projects so to speak
 
Hello, is bluetooth the best way to connect an external keyboard and mouse to an iPad PRO? Once connected, is it as convenience as a laptop computer in terms of browsing the internet and programming on webpags? For example, taking online courses on programming via an iPad PRO and type the programs on the browser.
I recommend a hardwired keyboard for the classes I teach.
Devicewear makes a pretty good one, and it is MFI certified. I do NOT recommend the logitech ( comes up most often in the search, but is a very poor product, mushy keys, weird spacing, long press, buttons come off easily ).
https://www.amazon.com/Certified-Keyboard-Lightning-Connector-Testing/dp/B014X03L08

You can use something like this to code on an iPad:
https://codesandbox.io/

Mouse not needed, just touch the screen.
 
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You cannot connect a mouse at all. A keyboard can be connected perfectly fine with Bluetooth, and after that it'll essentially be as convenient, yes. For development however, it's important to note that there's no full IDE or compiler available for iPad.

Why can't we connect a mouse to an iPad Pro at all?

With my Galaxy Note PRO 12.2, I can use a wireless keyboard and mouse at the same time.
 
I've been using this great device that runs a full OS and has a built-in keyboard. You can connect a mouse, but it also has a great trackpad with multi-touch support. No support for iOS apps, but I've been doing pretty well without them.
 
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Why can't we connect a mouse to an iPad Pro at all?

With my Galaxy Note PRO 12.2, I can use a wireless keyboard and mouse at the same time.
Simply because the iOS is designed as a touch only operating system. Until the iPad version iOS further distances itself from the phone version iOS, we will not see these types of "enhancements", iOS 11 did, however, get the ball rolling. Hoping iOS 12 takes the next step.
 
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Hello, is bluetooth the best way to connect an external keyboard and mouse to an iPad PRO? Once connected, is it as convenience as a laptop computer in terms of browsing the internet and programming on webpags? For example, taking online courses on programming via an iPad PRO and type the programs on the browser.

Just get a retina MacBook instead it'll cost about the same as an iPad pro with accessories and weigh about the same while providing a much better device to code on.
 
Why can't we connect a mouse to an iPad Pro at all?

With my Galaxy Note PRO 12.2, I can use a wireless keyboard and mouse at the same time.
That’s the difference between android and iOS. Apple does not believe you need to use a mouse with an iPad and so there is no built in support
 
That’s the difference between android and iOS. Apple does not believe you need to use a mouse with an iPad and so there is no built in support

I don't like this way of doing business. It is easy for them to add such feature but they intentionally limit such basic functionality to make customers to buy multiple devices. Running out of innovation, they included unless features like touchbar on the Mac. Only iPhone can make/receive phone calls. iPad has bigger screen but can't make/receive calls and there is no access to mouse. It also cannot be used to develop apps. If you want to use the mouse and develop apps, buy a MacBook. I don't like to carry multiple devices. It is heavy.

They could just make a convertible with LTE (voice and data services) portable device that can do all.
 
I don't like this way of doing business
I'd say given the continued growth of iOS and the iPads vs. android, it seems your concerns are in the minority. I'm not belittling your opinion but just pointing out that it falls outside of what Apple thinks is important and the consumers are voting with their wallet.

I will say that I agree with you, and the lack of mouse support is a significant impediment to making the iPad even more useful for my tasks.
 
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I'd say given the continued growth of iOS and the iPads vs. android, it seems your concerns are in the minority. I'm not belittling your opinion but just pointing out that it falls outside of what Apple thinks is important and the consumers are voting with their wallet.

I will say that I agree with you, and the lack of mouse support is a significant impediment to making the iPad even more useful for my tasks.

I'm in a similar boat, but I find this to be a minor issue compared to the satisfaction I get from the iPad Pro/iOS environment. Could a mouse be a good option? Yes. Do I think it's essential? No - the pencil does a decent job of offering precision in controls.

As for the original question, I use the Apple Smart Keyboard (the iPad Pro cover one) which is decent but lacks some shortcut keys from other brands eg Logitech. Bluetooth keyboards do allow you to sit further away, and won't be so finicky with cases (eg in my case, sometimes the keyboard doesn't work unless I align it straight such that it will put a bit of weight/pressure on it so the Smart connector makes contact).
 
Anybody tried a keyboard with a trackpad in it?

Alternatively, does the Magic Trackpad 2 work?
 
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I don't like this way of doing business. It is easy for them to add such feature but they intentionally limit such basic functionality to make customers to buy multiple devices. Running out of innovation, they included unless features like touchbar on the Mac. Only iPhone can make/receive phone calls. iPad has bigger screen but can't make/receive calls and there is no access to mouse. It also cannot be used to develop apps. If you want to use the mouse and develop apps, buy a MacBook. I don't like to carry multiple devices. It is heavy.

They could just make a convertible with LTE (voice and data services) portable device that can do all.
So buy an Android tablet or a MacBook or whatever device works for you. Problem solved.
 
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For reasons of their own, Apple has decided to not support pointing devices on iOS aside from fingers and,now, apple pencils (on select models only).

Some applications do work with other Bluetooth devices (active styluses/styli) and a couple mice, but generally, aside from keyboards, iOS devices support nothing.

Unless you have it jailbroken, of course. In which case mouse support is possible, although it’s not necessarily very smooth.

There is absolutely no technical reason that iPads don’t support mice. It is purely a UX decision on Apple’s part. And for some use cases it makes the iPad inferior or completely unsuited.
 
Hello, is bluetooth the best way to connect an external keyboard and mouse to an iPad PRO? Once connected, is it as convenience as a laptop computer in terms of browsing the internet and programming on webpags? For example, taking online courses on programming via an iPad PRO and type the programs on the browser.

Honestly, I have tried so many keyboards on the iPad Pro and if you’re a great touch typist, I really wouldn’t go past Apple’s own. The only downside is that there’s not backlighting, but it is so light and portable and the keys are an absolute pleasure to type on. The connection is so easy so you never have to worry about Bluetooth. it literally is plug and play. The other keyboards bulk the iPad up and particularly with the initial Logitech or Belkin (can’t remember) that was available at launch I found because I type quickly that it missed keys and I always had to go back and correct them. You can get this with some Bluetooth keyboards.
 
I guess we should consider two cases: 1) Typing on public transportation (better stay away from kickstands?); 2) Typing with a keyboard on a desk.

I guess I should look for one that is the best for typing on public transportation. There are some cases with keyboard that makes the iPad Pro 12.9 looks like a laptop. Are those cases good? I don't know if I should look for one with some protections on the iPP because people walking buy may knock off the iPP from the case while I am typing.
 
Hello, is bluetooth the best way to connect an external keyboard and mouse to an iPad PRO? Once connected, is it as convenience as a laptop computer in terms of browsing the internet and programming on webpags? For example, taking online courses on programming via an iPad PRO and type the programs on the browser.
[doublepost=1529943749][/doublepost]You guys check out Citrix X1 mouse and SwiftPoint GT mouse for Ipad. These Mice are compatible with the Jump desktop application. My workflow looks like this...

1. create a virtual machine on paperspace.com
2. install jump desktop host on the virtual machine
3. remote into your virtual machine using the jump desktop IOS app
4. Use one of the above mice and you now have a full blown operating system and mouse control when you need it.

The only down side to this workflow is that you need a stable internet connection and have to pay for a paperspace machine. If you already have a good workstation, then you can eliminate the paperspace machine cost.
 
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I will say that I agree with you, and the lack of mouse support is a significant impediment to making the iPad even more useful for my tasks.

Agreed.

I'd say given the continued growth of iOS and the iPads vs. android, it seems your concerns are in the minority. I'm not belittling your opinion but just pointing out that it falls outside of what Apple thinks is important and the consumers are voting with their wallet.

I don't mean to belittle your opinion either and realize you're a moderator to boot. So nervous to challenge you. However this type of argument comes up from time to time and does not appear to well supported. Or more specifically it's an example of 'post hoc theorizing' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testing_hypotheses_suggested_by_the_data

Or looking at data after the fact and generating a hypothesis: "See, people don't want mouse support as evidenced by the sales data"

If Apple's primary product decision were driven by sales, then the iPod and iPhone etc would never have launched. Because at the start of a product they have no sales data.

IMO, which could be wrong too, Apple designs by what it thinks is best for the customer and goes from there. They are famously stubborn in what they believe is the right choice. Often sticking to their guns, and not capitulating to pressure.

So yes, something can be popular (eg iPads, iPhones etc) and have a controversial design quirk (lack of mouse on ipad, lack of copy and paste, lack of an app store, 16gb memory limit, lack of magsafe, single mouse button, lack of a headphone jack, a touchbar, a notch, etc)

The product can remain popular, even wildly so, despite the quirk, not because of it.
 
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I don't mean to belittle your opinion either and realize you're a moderator to boot. So nervous to challenge you. However this type of argument comes up from time to time and does not appear to well supported. Or more specifically it's an example of 'post hoc theorizing' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testing_hypotheses_suggested_by_the_data
There you go mate, billion dollar idea. Get cracking at it! Just as Apple has done so well in the past, they know what the market wants before the market wants it. You could be the next Apple or Pear or Pork.

After rereading the above it seemed sarcastic, but it truly is not. You may be right. Apple is not providing the needs of what could be millions ( dare I type billions ) of people, your product could fill that niche. Please do not use Android, have a couple of developers right a custom OS for your device. Start simple ( Apple philosophy ) and then expand over time as needs become apparent. No use in wasting time writing code that no one uses.
 
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