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Apple Pencil Navigation Functionality to Return in Next iOS 9.3 Beta
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When Siri was introduced, it had the option to be activated by placing the phone onto your ear. That was removed when they introduced Hey Siri! (Which was more limited at the time, since prior to the 6s you had to be plugged in for it to work). They also got rid of the quick reply function for Facebook and Twitter when iOS 7 rolled out.
Wow. If you believe that Apple made a decision based on complaints on a rumors site in 24 hours you have some serious reality issues.
Ok, I take back what I said yesterday, lol. I'll definitely pick up an Apple Pencil the next time I upgrade my iPad if they offer support for it in future 9.7" models. IDK if I'll ever get an iPad Pro unless they offer a 9.7" model with a "Pro" label because it has beefier specs. The large size is fantastic to behold and it's very tempting—especially when you see a movie or website on one—but it's just not very practical in day-to-day use.
Just release an iPad Pro 9.7" with the extra RAM, faster clock speed, Apple Pencil Support, and smart connector. Price it at $699 for 32GB and $799 for 128GB and there's a good chance I'll upgrade to that at some point. Make it slightly thicker with extra battery and a USB-C port for limited accessory capability through the App Store with the ability to move content back and forth from external drives and I'm buying it immediately. Also we need pro apps, led by Apple as an example, to show everyone else what is possible.
Just release an iPad Pro 9.7" with the extra RAM, faster clock speed, Apple Pencil Support, and smart connector. Price it at $699 for 32GB and $799 for 128GB and there's a good chance I'll upgrade to that at some point. Make it slightly thicker with extra battery and a USB-C port for limited accessory capability through the App Store with the ability to move content back and forth from external drives and I'm buying it immediately. Also we need pro apps, led by Apple as an example, to show everyone else what is possible.
Or you could very reasonably draw exactly the opposite inference -- that Apple in fact planned to put this feature back and that the outcry therefore was premature and entirely pointless.
When I saw the post about it on Daringfireball, I thought to myself it might be at a tipping point.
I'm just thankful Apple listens to consumers - or is smart enough to capitalize on the appearance of doing so.
Either way, it's fixed. If you don't like using the pencil for navigation, it's an easy fix - use your finger.
I'm just thankful Apple listens to consumers - or is smart enough to capitalize on the appearance of doing so.
Either way, it's fixed. If you don't like using the pencil for navigation, it's an easy fix - use your finger.
The early iOS 9.3 betas removed key functionality from the Apple Pencil, an unpopular move that eliminated its ability to be used for navigation. There were rumors suggesting the feature removal was intentional, but Apple today told The Verge that's not the case.
Apple has confirmed that the features that have been removed in iOS 9.3 will be returning in the next beta, and that they have been temporarily pulled as the company works on improvements.Since the first iOS 9.3 beta, the Apple Pencil has not been able to be used for tasks like selecting text, scrolling, swiping between apps, accessing menus, and general editing functions in non-drawing apps. These are all features that are available in iOS 9.2, and their absence from four betas in a row led customers to think the removal was both permanent and intentional.
The inability to use the Apple Pencil for navigating has been frustrating for iPad Pro owners, and many of our own MacRumors readers said they would not upgrade to the new operating system if it meant being unable to use the iPad Pro outside of drawing apps.
Article Link: Apple Pencil Navigation Functionality to Return in Next iOS 9.3 Beta
Wonderful news. I use this tool exclusively in "other" than design functions and eliminating this from the release would make it completely useless to me. It's the ability to select fine points within applications instead of using my fat finger that is the value of this device. Apple Product Management would have lost their minds if they would have decided to not make this available for other than the "purist" usage and intent.
lol@tipping point...
umm.. Home sharing was another one that went away, and came back
now its the Apple pencil functionality... whats next i wonder..
Apple's making a few "opp-ies" more common now-days. :
so, i think we now know Apple tactics...
Rather than build stuff around , they'd rather remove it, upset users, implement changes, then bring it back later and everyone is happy. This is going to be some new trend going forward ?
umm.. Home sharing was another one that went away, and came back
now its the Apple pencil functionality... whats next i wonder..
Apple's making a few "opp-ies" more common now-days. :
so, i think we now know Apple tactics...
Rather than build stuff around , they'd rather remove it, upset users, implement changes, then bring it back later and everyone is happy. This is going to be some new trend going forward ?
Daringfirewall also seems to believe public feedback was responsible for this reversal:
"One thing I take away from the vocal reaction to this: the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro have passionate users."
"One thing I take away from the vocal reaction to this: the Apple Pencil and iPad Pro have passionate users."
Umm, actually, this is the whole point of beta testing. If it weren't for these people, Apple would not be restoring the functionality.
I suggest that they add an iFinger to the other end of an iPencil, call it the iFingerpencil and charge the people that want to continue to do it wrong and not use their own existing finger to navigate $150 for the privilege (a $50 premium over the iPencil). This would save Apple the hassle (and idealogical turmoil) of having to change and test the software again. Simple.
You don't know if that's true. You are making an assumption (probably incorrect) and spouting it as the gospel.
This kind on nonsense is what drives intelligent people away from here and leaves those who love to play games and be childish!
One could always poke the FBI with the pencil!
Not so sure if they are doing damage control after seeing the reaction of beta testers.
That;'s what you get if you don't follow what Steve said about a stylus.
After all he knew everything!
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I heard they are switching from Motorola to Intel chips.
What's the trend there? Doesn't necessarily seem anything like that was in play here given that nothing was actually publicly removed so far.
Actually, it didn't report that it wouldn't return, only that the removal was intentional. In fact, the end of the article says: "Apple still has time to re-add the Apple Pencil features back into the operating system ahead of that date."
Seems like it's down to interpretation given that even with that part present in the article many (probably even most) people that read the article and others like it simply took it all as saying that given the (supposed) intentional nature of the change the feature is gone and that's that.
Battery life on the iPad Pro would be better if the pencil is used as little as possible, right?
I was commenting on the reaction here on MR not the poorly speculated article it referenced. But good job missing the point there.
Yes I did. It was removed for testing of other functionality and always intended to be replaced. That's what Apple has said internally.
This isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened. Apple could up its communication skills and improve customer satisfaction (and bring an end to such controversies.)
Would it really be that difficult for Apple to indicate such things in the beta release notes?
"This release temporarily removed X functionality, for improvement, and will be restored in a forthcoming update in the near future."
Were I Tim, I would task my team to look at how customer and market facing communication processes could be improved to prevent such such needless controversies.
Would it really be that difficult for Apple to indicate such things in the beta release notes?
"This release temporarily removed X functionality, for improvement, and will be restored in a forthcoming update in the near future."
Were I Tim, I would task my team to look at how customer and market facing communication processes could be improved to prevent such such needless controversies.
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As in they simply put out a statement to calm all the speculations and that's basically it?
Ugh. As if any of this matters. My company has to order through CDW and I'm STILL waiting for my Apple Pencil.