Apple iOS and the new iPad are very limited.

[ReallyBigFeet]

Research cannot provide all the answers that using the product daily will reveal.
It's less about if the product suits me and more about global functionality when considering competition moving forward. Any software developer should be considering this.

Commercial software developers consider popularity and sales potential of a platform first and foremost. While I can agree that Android and iOS are different, the popularity of app development and the profitability for the developers who make apps for iOS is an undeniable fact. Where you see limitations, the vast majority (devs and consumers alike) obviously have experienced unparalleled opportunities instead.

I'd suggest that your file-based view of app development represents a highly dated archetype. IOS has proven that it can actually enrich the consumer experience by abandoning this paradigm entirely.

 

[Velin]

OP has a significant point.

1. Just look at all the forum posts, especially in app forum, where people are actively searching for workarounds to the limitations the OP identifies.

2. iPad is best tablet on the market, but that's due to design, not functionality. It's telling that I need Dropbox -- ie a file system workaround -- to get iPad to do what I need. This should not be the case.

 

[heliocentric]

I DO agree with you and wish apple would give us a files system where WE can set up folders and store things like word and excel files for when my Dropbox or wifi is not available. With this feature AND a MS Office app, my iPad would become MUCH more productive to me.

I believe this app would perform your requested features -

http://avatron.com/apps/air-sharing

 

[the read]

I agree with the OP.
But I'll take the limitation for all the other benefits of having an iOS device. I guess by having this locked up system, it provides stability, simplicity and more security.

I don't see the stability some people claim. Safari continually crashes when I'm viewing web based movie clips on my iPad. I know others suffer the same issues. I'm ok with this, as all technology crashes. But lets also understand having a basic feature set of browsing your own data is well within the hardwares capabilities and should not result in an unstable device. The Device is not stable because of the lack of a file browsing capabilities.

As for security, who are apple trying to provide safety from, the feature set suggests ourselves the end user? Cloud systems are no more or less secure then my hard drive, and I can brows and asses data stored in the cloud?

Don't get me wrong, I like my iPad, but with basic os functionality added I would use it way more than I do today. It would be a necessity not a toy.

 

[Oppressed]

The tablet market tends to disagree with you.

 

[the read]

I'd suggest that your file-based view of app development represents a highly dated archetype. IOS has proven that it can actually enrich the consumer experience by abandoning this paradigm entirely.

I would "suggest" this comment to be a large leap beyond your abilities to really asses anothers development capabilities from only reading this thread. Some may even think a touch of ignorance would be required to suggest such a thing.

But its ok, I'm not offended by your premature aggressive suggestion.

 

[thewitt]

Having read thru all the dialog, I'm more convinced than ever this was simply a troll.

Sorry I got sucked in.

 

[onthecouchagain]

You know what's ridiculous? That every Tim you go to download an app, you're forced to watch the download animation. Apple seems to think people shop one app at a time every single time always. What the duck?

 

[Jonesy76]

The issue as I see it here is that the majority of people on these forums (from my limited experience of being on here) are exceedingly tech savvy. However this bunch of people - the tech savvy - do make up an incredibly small portion of the iPad users out there, the vast majority of which the people on these forums will ever meet due to the fact that they don't hang around on tech forums.

These tech consumers are the VAST majority at whom Apple aim their software (iOS) and believe me when I say they are really NOT bothered in the fact that they have no access to their iPads file system, or that they are 'limited' by the restrictions that Andoid users feel Apple put on their operating system. In my circle of friends and colleagues with iPads (and one with a Playbook who's eyeing my new iPad with interest) I'm the only one who has any real interest in the tech inside my device, and even I don't feel restricted by the coral that Apple keeps me within.

I swapped from a quad core laptop to an iPad and an iMac with the idea that the iPad would become my little computer away from home, however what has happened over 22 months is that my iPad has become my go to device, and the one that I spend 75% (at least) of my computing time on. It's more reliable than a Swiss clock (my old iPad 1 that is, the new one is proving exactly the same so far) and has supreme battery life for whatever I wish, which is something my old non-Apple laptop certainly could not say.

The simple fact is that the majority of the world operates on a democratic basis, so why would Apple change their supremely easy iOS just so that a tiny portion of their tech savvy consumers could have more access to their devices inner working? A change that may well make the operating system more confusing for the vast majority who love the simplicity? The average tech consumer just loves how iOS simply WORKS! Even my consultant friend (who admits she knows nothing about computers) finds her iPad now an essential part of her daily kit, although she knows nothing about how it works.

Sadly - for. Few who want more - I can't see Apple changing what works to appease such a small portion of iOS users.

You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time...........just remember that.

 

[matttye]

I've learnt to love both iOS and Android. iOS is very simple to manage, but you're safe in the knowledge that you'll get updates for a number of years.

Android suffers from fragmentation issues but you have a lot more freedom.

 

[andiwm2003]

I agree with all the points in the OP. However the customers who want an open filesystem for the iPad and who want to work in a document centric enviroment as opposed to an App centric environment are in the minority.

We are compared to the consumer type users such a small minority that Apple chose to ignore our specific needs and wants and rather focusses on a smooth user experience for the vast majority. Although I don't like this it is a good business strategy.

In the log term this might change. Palm had a similar system without open file system and eventually changed it. However at that time they had lost a huge marketshare because of this. I doubt however that Apple will have the same problem because unlike Palm their customers for the most part only consume media and use the web or use Apps for a very defined purpose.

 

[wsc9005]

Wirelessly posted (iPad (1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen) )

PDFs in Good Reader, Music in iPod, Videos in Video, what more do you want from a tablet ????

 

[srf4real]

I don't see...

There are pros and cons to all OSes. I think you should switch and join the Android forums.

 

[ZBoater]

Whether the OP was trolling or not, he makes a good point. I remember when the first iPhone came out it didn't have copy and paste. COPY and PASTE for crying out loud! And there were still some folks in this forum defending Apple for that. Incredible.

No one denies the iPad is a runaway success. But the OPs comments are very reasonable and well articulated. Those limitations are part of what I've been complaining about not being able to reply to an email and attach a file. Such a simple operation is beyond iOS's reach.

There are ways to provide better access to data and still remain easy to use and secure. I guess we'll just have to wait for Apple to deide it's time, like they did with copy and paste...

 

[the read]

I've learnt to love both iOS and Android.

I feel I'm forced to follow suit with you here.

 

[shellbryson]

Apple are all about the 'user experience'. The vast majority of folks don't need access to the file system. If most folks don't need access to something, they will not add complication by proving functionality for a minority of users. Ease of use is everything. Now, Apple don't always get this right, but I'm sure they think very carefully about what features are enabled.

 

[tigres]

I find nothing wrong with OP's post. More importantly, as we all know that  will not allow the file structure access in this Post PC era, what are to to see with the full conversion of iOS to OSX.

OP's dead on with the file structure discussion. This stops the basic thing as attaching anything to a simple email without using a specific app that skirts around the most basic function of being productive.

iOS is still not Productive, but rather seems to remain more consumption driven.

I love the iPad, (still have the 1st gen), but I can't work on it to any level of productivity 3 years after introduction based on the Sandbox, Lack of file structure, and Apple's closed mindedness of not "letting go".

Lastly, love the (-)'s on OP post, gotta love the kool-aid or bust thinker's not thinking differently, but rather enjoying the brainwash.

 

[VulchR]

I do not own an iPad, but after doing research and asking colleagues' opinions about their iPad's I am about to purchase one. I think the core issue is that Apple has imposed limitations (e.g., lack of a user-accessible filing system) for various reasons (security, energy management, simplicity, etc.) because they believe the advantages outweigh the costs. Obviously a given user can disagree, but on my part I have had a very positive experience with my iOS devices - not a single virus, not a single fatal crash, and the use of lots of functionality. To invoke an analogy, a swiss army knife is limited compared to a fully stocked toolbox, but it's damned useful anyway and the same is true for iOS devices.

I gather there are apps being developed to allow the iPad to mirror the screen of a Mac - that would seem to me to be the best of both worlds if the network connection was fast enough.

 

[Batavian]

Starting one thread by calling it dumb, and another thread calling it weak, probably won't gain you many supporters. The file system isn't an issue for me with Dropbox and iTunes match.

 

[Macclone]

OP, maybe it isn't the product that is dumb. Stop trolling. Sell your soul and data to Google, we really don't care. Enjoy a good virus and some sweet malware to.

 

[the read]

Whether the OP was trolling or not, he makes a good point. I remember when the first iPhone came out it didn't have copy and paste. COPY and PASTE for crying out loud! And there were still some folks in this forum defending Apple for that. Incredible.

No one denies the iPad is a runaway success. But the OPs comments are very reasonable and well articulated. Those limitations are part of what I've been complaining about not being able to reply to an email and attach a file. Such a simple operation is beyond iOS's reach.

There are ways to provide better access to data and still remain easy to use and secure. I guess we'll just have to wait for Apple to deide it's time, like they did with copy and paste...

You have understood my original intentions here. I undrestand the benefits of an App centric device, but it does not have to be the only abilities the device has. Work arounds are available, but a basic file browsing soloution would simplify many tasks we all use every day on the iPad.

PS: really again, I'm not trolling.

 

[kirk26]

In addition to the above, Apple don't sell the iPad as a substitute for a good notebook. I use my iPad for workshopping music ideas, writing lyrics, and...fun...My iMac, MBP and MBA take care of the hard work, the iPad is just great at night when propped in bed. As others have commented, if you really feel it's "dumb" take it back and get something which better suits your requirements.

My school is online. I use pages and keynote for my submissions to class. I much prefer my iPad over a notebook.

 

[Macclone]

You have understood my original intentions here. I undrestand the benefits of an App centric device, but it does not have to be the only abilities the device has. Work arounds are available, but a basic file browsing soloution would simplify many tasks we all use every day on the iPad.

PS: really again, I'm not trolling.

Oh, yes you are. Buy a playbook and enjoy all 20 apps. Or a Xoom, Dell Streak or any of the other failed tablets. Maybe the company that sold 60 million devices knows more than you.

I have had an iPad for over a year. Not once did I think, FU Apple, I need a file system. Some people work toward the future, while others can't let go of the past.

We really don't care what to buy or like.

 

[Bob Sanders]

Your comments will only inflame the Apple product lovers as they find it hard to hear anything wrong with their Apple product.

I DO agree with you and wish apple would give us a files system where WE can set up folders and store things like word and excel files for when my Dropbox or wifi is not available. With this feature AND a MS Office app, my iPad would become MUCH more productive to me.


I am hoping that one day when Apple does see how many move to Android and other more versatile platforms, they will pull some of the restrictions off their device and allow it to be what it COULD be.

Android tablets outside of the Fire and maybe the Nooks are barely hanging by a thread and losing money for the people making them. When Windows 8 comes out Android will melt back to phones.

Apple's tablet strategy is based on two things:
1. Device needs to be always or nearly always online.
2. The elimination of the file system. Files just come down from the cloud and populate themselves in the programs you need them in.

A power user may buck and whine before settling on something like dropbox but my 50 year old mother who got one for Christmas and now never uses their PC hasn't noticed that it's missing. She is more than happy to look at Photos, play WWF, use Facebook and browse the web. The big thing for me as their son I used get a ton of stupid questions about how something works their computer. Now from her at least I just get a facetime call and usually explain whatever she needs within a minute or two. It is much easier to help a novice user on an iPad than a PC.

My dad on the other hand managed to turn down the software volume slider on his XP machine and waited two weeks until I visited to get his sound back.

----------

No need to get personal. These are very valid comments being suggested by myself and supported by others on this forum. This is not Trolling. This is a valid conversation with regards to serious limitations to a product. One post has even linked a possible soloution that I will investigate in the hope of partly solving theses issues.

It's not about dissing Apple. That is not my intention. I have many Apple devises at home and work and I enjoy them.

Maybe it's your attitude that requires assessment. But I forgive you and hope neither of us get banned.

You didn't make a single valid point in that other thread. You didn't even mention your file system complaint. That was the worst thread I have ever seen. It looked like it came out of the Engadget comments section.

 

[matttye]

I feel I'm forced to follow suit with you here.

You're not forced to do anything. You can buy any combination of devices you wish.

I feel that I need freedom with my smartphone because it's something I have with me all the time. I want to be able to install whatever apps I want, change the look and feel of the device etc.

As the iPad is something I use at home or when I'm sat down elsewhere for prolonged periods of time, customisation is less important and content is more the key for me. I want to be able to read all of my books, browse the web, play games, etc. the iPad is the best for all of those things IMO.