iPad Why does iPadOS not feel like true OS?

[Ludatyk]

I think what this point refers to is the fact that i.e. you can't run a video export in FCP, switch apps and browse the internet in the meantime - the video export will crash, as iPadOS does not allow this sort of background execution.
The "background app refresh" setting is just meant for light data exchange.

But that’s more of an app issue. I don’t come across exporting a video when using LumaFusion…. it’s odd Apple haven’t optimized FCP to allow it to run efficiently in the background. Heck, I had crashing on FCP when importing clips… FCP just needs major improvements.

And I think video exporting will get fixed in the next few updates for FCP, it’s one of those topics that keeps coming up.. so I’m sure Apple will look to address it. I’m holding off on the subscription for the iPad to they iron out the bugs… but I do use on the Mac.

 

[fw85]

But that’s more of an app issue. I don’t come across exporting a video when using LumaFusion…. it’s odd Apple haven’t optimized FCP to allow it to run efficiently in the background. Heck, I had crashing on FCP when importing clips… FCP just needs major improvements.

And I think video exporting will get fixed in the next few updates for FCP, it’s one of those topics that keeps coming up.. so I’m sure Apple will look to address it. I’m holding off on the subscription for the iPad to they iron out the bugs… but I do use on the Mac.

I used FCP as an example, but the limitation is more pronounced than that and comes down to how the underlying iOS platform was designed to work since the earlier days:

Not an iPad Pro Review: Why iPadOS Still Doesn’t Get the Basics Right

Let me cut to the chase: sadly, I don’t have a new iPad Pro to review today on MacStories. I was able to try one in London last week, and, as I wrote, I came away impressed with the hardware. However, I didn’t get a chance to use a new iPad Pro over the past

www.macstories.net

 

[antiprotest]

"True" OS is not the right way to put it. Even the PalmPilot OS is a true OS. Even the Pebble watch OS is a true OS. Even DOS is a true OS.

What you mean is an OS that utilizes the iPad's potential, a topic that has been discussed to death, rightly so, but nothing we say matters until Apple decides to make a change.

 

[Ctrlos]

Stage view? What are you referring to? Removing it completely in favor of SplitView/SlideOver? And when in Stage Manager it defeats the purpose of swiping up to multitasking (App Exposé) when there’s a Recent App area to multitasking from.

If anything I would rather Apple remove App Exposé when in Stage Manager to influence users to use the Recent App area.

With stage manager turned on I find the recent app 'Stages' list fails on all level. It only shows the 4 most recent apps/desktops and just replicates the Exposé feature which shows you not only all open apps but groups the windows into desktops as well.

I would get rid of the LH-swipe Stages in favour of keeping the dashboard and adding Notifications to that screen so that you had 2 columns of widgets and 1 column of notifications all on one screen.

Like this:

 

[Ludatyk]

I used FCP as an example, but the limitation is more pronounced than that and comes down to how the underlying iOS platform was designed to work since the earlier days:

Not an iPad Pro Review: Why iPadOS Still Doesn’t Get the Basics Right

Let me cut to the chase: sadly, I don’t have a new iPad Pro to review today on MacStories. I was able to try one in London last week, and, as I wrote, I came away impressed with the hardware. However, I didn’t get a chance to use a new iPad Pro over the past

www.macstories.net

And I just told you… that I’ve used LumaFusion to export a video in the background while browsing the web, which worked successfully.

I’ve read that article… which he made a valid point on audio limitations, but the rest of it was him trying to prove the point that macOS needs to come to the iPad in some fashion. I’ve been following Federico ever since he got on to the scene… but as soon as he decided to branch out more (which I think it was strategic, who wants to read iPad-focused content constantly).

And when he made that move to the Mac… he started thinking “hey why don’t this iPad become a Mac.” And once he ran with that idea… he’s been in pursuit of ever since. And it’s odd coming from him… because in his early stages, he wanted nothing to do with macOS.

But like I said before, I’m aware iPadOS needs improvement… no doubt about it. But some of the things he brought up can be done on iPadOS, it’s just users need to invest time into finding those solutions… which I admit it doesn’t happen with macOS.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Because it was built off of, and still basically is, iOS ... which was hatched as an OS to run on the very limited resources of early iPhones.

Basically they're trying to build a medium sized commercial tower on a small house foundation

 

[Kal Madda]

I used FCP as an example, but the limitation is more pronounced than that and comes down to how the underlying iOS platform was designed to work since the earlier days:

Not an iPad Pro Review: Why iPadOS Still Doesn’t Get the Basics Right

Let me cut to the chase: sadly, I don’t have a new iPad Pro to review today on MacStories. I was able to try one in London last week, and, as I wrote, I came away impressed with the hardware. However, I didn’t get a chance to use a new iPad Pro over the past

www.macstories.net

This is one of the points I disagree with with that article. He claims that iPadOS doesn’t allow apps to run in the background, but that’s simply not true. I can leave an app while it’s downloading something, or loading something, do something else in a different app, go back to that app, and it’s still downloading/loading just fine. So clearly apps can run in the background. On iPad’s with less physical RAM, and no VRAM support, apps will be binned more aggressively because a lack of enough RAM, but on M1 and later iPad’s I don’t think this is an issue. At least, I have never experienced this issue on my M1 iPad Pro, and I run things in the background pretty often.

 

[Kal Madda]

And I just told you… that I’ve used LumaFusion to export a video in the background while browsing the web, which worked successfully.

I’ve read that article… which he made a valid point on audio limitations, but the rest of it was him trying to prove the point that macOS needs to come to the iPad in some fashion. I’ve been following Federico ever since he got on to the scene… but as soon as he decided to branch out more (which I think it was strategic, who wants to read iPad-focused content constantly).

And when he made that move to the Mac… he started thinking “hey why don’t this iPad become a Mac.” And once he ran with that idea… he’s been in pursuit of ever since. And it’s odd coming from him… because in his early stages, he wanted nothing to do with macOS.

But like I said before, I’m aware iPadOS needs improvement… no doubt about it. But some of the things he brought up can be done on iPadOS, it’s just users need to invest time into finding those solutions… which I admit it doesn’t happen with macOS.

100%. I agree with you completely on that article and Federico. He used to be a proponent of improving iPadOS, rather than copy pasting macOS, but last couple years, I’ve been disappointed with how quick he is to the “copy paste the Mac way” kind of thinking, and the number of false claims he’s made about iPadOS. Clearly background processes do work on iPadOS, you and I have both performed them with no issue, but he claims iPadOS can’t do it. 🤦🏼‍♂️. It really disappoints me how many of these tech reviewers make claims like this about the “limitations” of iPadOS that aren’t true.

 

[nxt3]

100%. I agree with you completely on that article and Federico. He used to be a proponent of improving iPadOS, rather than copy pasting macOS, but last couple years, I’ve been disappointed with how quick he is to the “copy paste the Mac way” kind of thinking, and the number of false claims he’s made about iPadOS. Clearly background processes do work on iPadOS, you and I have both performed them with no issue, but he claims iPadOS can’t do it. 🤦🏼‍♂️. It really disappoints me how many of these tech reviewers make claims like this about the “limitations” of iPadOS that aren’t true.

In his article, he shows how if you are exporting something from Final Cut Pro that the export will stop the moment the app goes into the background. Is that not the case? Should the iPad not continue exporting in the background? What do you mean:

Clearly background processes do work on iPadOS, you and I have both performed them with no issue, but he claims iPadOS can’t do it

?

 

[Ludatyk]

With stage manager turned on I find the recent app 'Stages' list fails on all level. It only shows the 4 most recent apps/desktops and just replicates the Exposé feature which shows you not only all open apps but groups the windows into desktops as well.

Fails? The main purpose of it is to have easy access to your “stages.” And you can’t move windows around in App Exposé.

I can bring a window/app in (or out) from the Recent App area and it’s a much better way to multitask compared to App Exposé when Stage Manager is enabled.

I would get rid of the LH-swipe Stages in favour of keeping the dashboard and adding Notifications to that screen so that you had 2 columns of widgets and 1 column of notifications all on one screen.

They actually did something silimar to this for iOS 10… I wish they never got rid of it and expanded upon it. But however Apple implement it… I just want a more 2 column layout as you are suggesting.

 

[jinnyman]

For me, all they have to fix is two

1. Multi-tasking
I mean a true multi-tasking UI with multiple playback capability & straight forward UI.
How long and how many tries do we have to endure? Their ui changes are something to be laughed at.

2. File System.
They have file app, and atleast fix it so that it's stable.
Has anyone ever tried to copy/move large volume of files to ipad? What's the purpose of offering 2TB ipad? I do have one expecting it to perform atleast steadly, but whenever I try to move my photos from SD card (using Apple's own SD card reader to usbc adapter!!!) to ipad file folder, it always crashes.


and someone telling me that iPadOS is mature enough? LOL

 

[cupcakes2000]

Although the windows for Stage Manager are fine, the actual 'Stage' view is utterly useless. It only holds the most recent 4 arrangements. The swipe-up multitasking view does a better job of window management so why does the 'Stage' interface even exist? Just get rid.

- Why is the dashboard only summonable on the desktop where I can place widgets anyway? And when I have a large 11" display can I only have one column of widgets? Either get rid of the dashboard completely or make it accessible in all apps (by getting rid of the 'Stage' interface)

- Why is control centre limited to one quartile? Expand it and let it fill the screen.

- Why do I have to summon the lockscreen to see notifications, another wasted centre column. Either make them a single column on the RH-side of the dashboard screen or place them in 2 columns on the dashboard screen: one of old and one of new.

These four things should be combined into one interface.

Pinch to access from anywhere:

A screen combining; Mission control, control centre, notifications, widgets and search.

 

[Kal Madda]

In his article, he shows how if you are exporting something from Final Cut Pro that the export will stop the moment the app goes into the background. Is that not the case? Should the iPad not continue exporting in the background? What do you mean:


?

I haven’t tried Final Cut Pro in particular, so I can’t say that that doesn’t stop when the app is in the background. But other apps run in the background no problem, if Final Cut Pro doesn’t run in the background, it isn’t because the OS doesn’t allow it as he claims, but because of an issue with that particular app. The OS clearly supports running apps in the background. He’s claiming iPadOS doesn’t allow any apps to run in the background, which is an untrue claim.

 

[Ludatyk]

In his article, he shows how if you are exporting something from Final Cut Pro that the export will stop the moment the app goes into the background. Is that not the case? Should the iPad not continue exporting in the background? What do you mean:

And that is true. But FCP needs improvements in this area… it’s not necessarily a case with all apps, that’s the point me and @Kal Madda is making.

 

[nxt3]

And that is true. But FCP needs improvements in this area… it’s not necessarily a case with all apps, that’s the point me and @Kal Madda is making.

That makes sense, thanks for clarifying.

 

[Ludatyk]

These four things should be combined into one interface.

Pinch to access from anywhere:

A screen combining; Mission control, control centre, notifications, widgets and search.

I like this idea… but not sure how it would look on a iPad Mini size screen.

Edit. Or is it only implemented for Stage Manager… which it would exclude the iPad Mini.

 

[GuruZac]

It’s pretty obvious iPad can do a lot, but it’s not a MacBook. I’d argue for most people it doesn’t need to be. Most people don’t need a truck when their SUV has practicality and drives like a car

I like the analogy. Where I think the rub is for those wanting more out of iPadOS is that Apple has given the iPad Pros hardware sometimes on par with MacBook Pros, yet the software in some ways seems to significantly hamper what can be done. And many of the requests to be added to iPadOS would appear on the surface to be easy implementations. I like the Magic Keyboard and understand Apple's design decision on why the cursor is a circle, but it feels way less precise than my MacBook Air. I am not sure what the solution is, as I actually enjoy using iPadOS. I think I'll probably always have an iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard, but will probably always have at least a MacBook Air to have macOS as well.

 

[Yebubbleman]

It's entirely app centric. Desktop operating systems tend to be just a bit more file-centric than app-centric. Making iPadOS (at least on M-series SoC-based iPads) something that can be either wouldn't be a bad start. Accessible file system, Terminal, multiple user accounts outside of Apple School/Business Manager, a Disk Utility app of sorts. All of these are things any M1, M2, or M4 iPad Air or Pro has the power to do and none of them require porting macOS to iPad nor sacrificing a touch-first UI.

 

[Macintosh101]

I haven’t tried Final Cut Pro in particular, so I can’t say that that doesn’t stop when the app is in the background. But other apps run in the background no problem, if Final Cut Pro doesn’t run in the background, it isn’t because the OS doesn’t allow it as he claims, but because of an issue with that particular app. The OS clearly supports running apps in the background. He’s claiming iPadOS doesn’t allow any apps to run in the background, which is an untrue claim.

Yes, I don’t understand this claim either. I just tested exporting a hefty Logic Pro file and it did it int he background without issue. It exported no problems, and this was with me switching between multiple different apps, reading the web, etc. I also wasn’t using stage manager incidentally.

 

[Eso]

It needs a persistent dock, full foreground multitasking, and more robust file handling. Basically put finder on iPad OS and make it easy to sync between devices without airdrop and crap. For example, let me download files on iPad and have it actually be worth the time.

Persistent Dock

It needs a dock that is visible at all times so that you can work across apps with a single tap. In current state, the “whoops you just closed your app” gesture to bring up a he dock in is awful. But even if it worked well, an auto-hide dock isn’t nearly as useful without a mouse as it may be on Mac OS. And the multitasking interface where apps appear in random positions and awkwardly slide around is terrible.

Full Multitasking

I’m not saying that apps need to be able to run freely in the background unchecked. I’m a big fan of the limited background processing API. However, iPad OS really lacks foreground multitasking. There needs to be a distinction between “I’m not using this app anymore” and “I’m just looking at a different app momentarily and will be back.” On Mac OS this is the difference between closing a window and quitting the app. For example, If my streaming video platform starts playing ads, I want to be able to swap to another app and not have it kill the app. Not “paused” or Picture in Picture - keep right on doing what apps are doing as if they didn’t even know they aren’t the active window anymore.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I like this idea… but not sure how it would look on a iPad Mini size screen.

Edit. Or is it only implemented for Stage Manager… which it would exclude the iPad Mini.

In my head, on something with a smaller screen the ui could be configured to be swipeable. I imagine a highly configurable 'control' screen. Obviously its about as in apple as can be, especially for an iPad. But I think it would be cool.

Stage manager should be reconsidered. No more weird center window control and random side bar. Its a confusing setup and I use it daily. One never knows what will happen next with it. Opening a new window creates a new space which potentially knock off a useful already configured space in the randomly order sidebar. So unproductive!

Use my control screen idea and get rid of the sidebar (even the dock could be included on the control screen maybe). But proper window controls in the normal place. Remove 4 window limit. Stop opening up a new window using a new space.

 

[Kal Madda]

It needs a persistent dock, full foreground multitasking, and more robust file handling. Basically put finder on iPad OS and make it easy to sync between devices without airdrop and crap. For example, let me download files on iPad and have it actually be worth the time.

Persistent Dock

It needs a dock that is visible at all times so that you can work across apps with a single tap. In current state, the “whoops you just closed your app” gesture to bring up a he dock in is awful. But even if it worked well, an auto-hide dock isn’t nearly as useful without a mouse as it may be on Mac OS. And the multitasking interface where apps appear in random positions and awkwardly slide around is terrible.

Full Multitasking

I’m not saying that apps need to be able to run freely in the background unchecked. I’m a big fan of the limited background processing API. However, iPad OS really lacks foreground multitasking. There needs to be a distinction between “I’m not using this app anymore” and “I’m just looking at a different app momentarily and will be back.” On Mac OS this is the difference between closing a window and quitting the app. For example, If my streaming video platform starts playing ads, I want to be able to swap to another app and not have it kill the app. Not “paused” or Picture in Picture - keep right on doing what apps are doing as if they didn’t even know they aren’t the active window anymore.

With Stage Manager, the App Dock stays at the bottom. 👍🏻

 

[Bubble99]

What is wrong with iPadOS file system and file manger that it needs make over?

 

[Kal Madda]

What is wrong with iPadOS file system and file manger that it needs make over?

Yeah. Files is mostly the same as Finder, at least as far as the UI goes.

 

[Bubble99]

Yeah. Files is mostly the same as Finder, at least as far as the UI goes.

I’m guessing they what files the file manger to have more features?