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Apple Has Worked on Docking Accessory to Turn iPad Into a Smart Home Display

cSalmon said:
Until iOS lets the user lock out access to certain apps such as Mail, iCloud files, etc.. what good is an iPad left out for all to use? you can keep your mind out of the gutter everyone still has info and access they don't want others fiddling with, would you really want your 7 yr old sending out emails to your contact book?
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It’s called restrictions. You should look them up. Pretty nifty. Been around for quite some time now.
 
rileyes said:
Have you ever noticed how with Apple, every feature or product that we all know should and could have already been released, is always rumored to be coming a few years out?

An iPad mount with a speaker? This could have been released from Apple years ago. But google does it and suddenly there’s a “rumor” about Apple working on one? What a joke.
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While I agree that some permutation of an iPad docking station could’ve been released a while ago, we won’t actually know why they’ve waited until it’s released why they held for so long’. Maybe there’s an unknown feature/function that needed further technological advancement, BOM costs reduction realzad via economies of scale, or something else before Apple felt it was good enough to release it to their consumers. We will (seemingly) find out soon enough.

Also, I heard about the iPad dock rumors long before Google announced their product. Google’s dock isn’t coming until an undisclosed date in 2023. I wouldn’t be surprised if Google learned that Apple was working on a dock and essentially rushed to announce a dock so they can claim that they ‘announced it first’.

Apple’s ecosystem is much tighter and more established than Google’s. I’d expect t whatever functionality Apple’s dock has to show off features that take advantage of the ecosystem. If it’s merely just a dock with a speaker for your iPad, I’ll be disappointed.
 
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I raged in favor of multi-user support on iPads for years to the point where I just gave up on the idea (and my kids all aged out).

But at this point, is it really necessary on an iPad?

I don’t think Apple will ever do this. iPads are relatively cheap enough nowadays that getting your kid their own is not that much of an issue.

Also, there’s the fact that the iPad requires an Apple ID to setup… they really are designed as single-person devices.
 
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great design never dies
02-imac_hero.jpeg
 
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s
Blue Nova said:
I just hope It won’t cost more than a homepod mini, which is $99.
It will be neat to have a HomePod as the docking station and having the option to listen through its speakers,Meitner you Apple Music or whatever is on your iPad mini screen.
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I think we all know it’ll cost at least 400 dollars or pounds. It’s Apple. It’ll have no processing, or WiFi or Bluetooth, just a weight, speaker, arm and a plate with a connector and magnets.
And when you ask Siri, ‘wake me up at 7AM to Radio 1’, it will reply ‘Here’s something I found on the internet’…..
 
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rileyes said:
Have you ever noticed how with Apple, every feature or product that we all know should and could have already been released, is always rumored to be coming a few years out?

An iPad mount with a speaker? This could have been released from Apple years ago. But google does it and suddenly there’s a “rumor” about Apple working on one? What a joke.

I can no longer muster the slightest excitement for things that are otherwise completely not exciting apart from the fact that “it’s apple”.

Apple has turned into one of, if not the most, boring tech companies out there. I’m literally about one more article like this away from taking all Apple related tech sites off my favorites. There’s really no point in following this stuff. Apple does nothing new.

I should just follow Samsung, google, Microsoft news, and for anything they do that is really successful, I can add on 2-3 years and know that’s about when Apple will do their version.

In fact, did we ever consider that’s where these sources have been getting their “leaks” all along???!
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Apple could have released this years ago… or years afterwards… In fact, that applies to almost everything. Apple could have released a phone 10 years before they did, but they decided not to. And thankfully they usually decide not to do everything just because they can, or because another company has done it before.
 
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ignatius345 said:
Same reason they have never offered multiple users on iPadOS the way they have for years on the Mac: they expect you to buy a whole separate device.
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Do you really think someone (significant number of population) buys a Mac and an iPad because the later doesn’t have multi-user support?

Macs and iPads share some common ground when it comes to use cases, but they’re still two very different devices — to me, that makes way more sense when it comes to thinking why they don’t implement certain features.
 
CyberBob859 said:
I’ll go one step further. It will only be an option for the next-gen iPad Pro, so you’ll not only have to pay a premium for the iPad, but most likely for a stand with a high-quality speaker as well. You’ll have a combo that will cost at least double compared to a home hub with a screen from Google or Amazon.
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I'm yet to meet someone who is excited to talk about their home hub
 
Not sure how this would work. The weight of iPads are all over the place. This base would have to be seriously heavy to not fall over.

Will probably be 3 parts:
- $129 HomeBase - base station/speaker. Arm socket is motorized (which might add the necessary weight).
- $39 MagSafe arm
- $29 H-clamp arm with lightning cable (for older iPads)

Some probable features:
- Siri/Homekit obviously
- Center Stage (hence motorized arm)
- Room motion detection (sweeps)
- People detection; report strangers
- Noise triangulation using connected HomePods; report location with audio recording
- General benefits of having a full iPad on a nice stand
 
NyCeEvO said:
While I agree that some permutation of an iPad docking station could’ve been released a while ago, we won’t actually know why they’ve waited until it’s released why they held for so long’. Maybe there’s an unknown feature/function that needed further technological advancement, BOM costs reduction realzad via economies of scale, or something else before Apple felt it was good enough to release it to their consumers. We will (seemingly) find out soon enough.

Also, I heard about the iPad dock rumors long before Google announced their product. Google’s dock isn’t coming until an undisclosed date in 2023. I wouldn’t be surprised if Google learned that Apple was working on a dock and essentially rushed to announce a dock so they can claim that they ‘announced it first’.

Apple’s ecosystem is much tighter and more established than Google’s. I’d expect t whatever functionality Apple’s dock has to show off features that take advantage of the ecosystem. If it’s merely just a dock with a speaker for your iPad, I’ll be disappointed.
Click to expand...
Those sneaky Googlians…
Tin foil must be on sale this week.
 
MrSkoTA said:
It’s called restrictions. You should look them up. Pretty nifty. Been around for quite some time now.
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I'm curious if you've ever actually used Restrictions/Screen Time in real world use? Switching between users on Mac's OS seems to be significantly easier when you factor in the variables that happen over the weeks
 
NO, it isn't just you: but, as it WAS a clever design (which they, sadly, dropped), there is no earthly
reason why it should not be reused.
 
This would be a brilliant excuse to bring back the iMac G4 design. It was arguably the most innovative industrial design for a computer at a time when thin flat screen displays were rare. It wouldn't work for today iMac's with all of a computer fitting into the display itself, but a speaker as the base and an articulating arm holding an iPad would be the perfect way to carry the design forward. Sign me up for two.
 
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Can do this today with the Home app (I know, icky) and either Guided Access Mode or Single App Mode, without needing a fancy dock, just a way to hang or stand up the iPad and keep it plugged in.

Of course the #1 issue is that this would be ideal for old iPads and Apple likes to obsolete those.
 
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I have seen products for this purpose, including charging and expansion ports that would come way under the price point of an Apple product. No, I have no idea what Apple would charge but I'm sure it won't be inexpensive. Don't get me wrong folks, I'm an Apple guy all the way but their prices on accessories are expensive.
 
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