Apple Said to Be Targeting Fall 2014 Launch for 12-Inch iPad Focused on Enterprise

[disgruntleddave]

You gave an example that works and one that doesn't. Apple certainly is very capable of doing what you want but chose not to do it. There must be a reason - I bet it's the adding complexity. They just wanted to make a simple to use mail app that even grandpa can use. They did provide the mechanisms in the OS for anyone to implement a complex version, and you'll find them in the app store. Those apps you've mentioned can send files as email attachments; whether they implemented sending more than one attachment is up to them. Within the Apple implemented apps, the philosophy of sharing files is very simple and narrow. Take it as it is but do not say it can't be done. Let's take as an example of the Photos app. You can select several photos inside the app and send it by mail as attachments. It's just a different way of doing things that not everybody likes. You can't make everybody happy - specially when you're trying to make things very easy to use.

I understand and completely respect your arguments. The challenge is that while Apple is making that mail app that appeals to Grandpa, the rest of the marketplace is becoming more savvy about what they can do with their devices and their opinion about what they "should be able to do" with the stock software is changing as well. Apple is looking like a device for Grandpa while everyone else buys Android because it is easier to do the more "complex" tasks (although I hardly think of attachments as complex).

If Apple wants to take the philosophy that mail "starts" from somewhere else, that is fine. But for a huge part of the market mail "starts" in the mail app.

Perhaps it is better to use a Mac for these kinds of tasks and the iPad should be reserved for more casual use - however, with competition providing an alternative that seems "more useful" Apple is really suffering.

 

[Sym0]

I am almost certain the rumour is of a product that is a retina screened MB Air with iOS and all solid state internals.

 

[perealb]

I understand and completely respect your arguments. The challenge is that while Apple is making that mail app that appeals to Grandpa, the rest of the marketplace is becoming more savvy about what they can do with their devices and their opinion about what they "should be able to do" with the stock software is changing as well. Apple is looking like a device for Grandpa while everyone else buys Android because it is easier to do the more "complex" tasks (although I hardly think of attachments as complex).

If Apple wants to take the philosophy that mail "starts" from somewhere else, that is fine. But for a huge part of the market mail "starts" in the mail app.

Perhaps it is better to use a Mac for these kinds of tasks and the iPad should be reserved for more casual use - however, with competition providing an alternative that seems "more useful" Apple is really suffering.

An app that even grandpa can use is not the same as a grandpa app (or device). You missed my point there but i agree with you that people are more ready for complexity now than before and I believe that Apple understands that. They have added complexity to the iOS and their apps but with always easy to use in mind. As I've mentioned before, you don't have to depend on stock apps to have a more complex and complete experience with the iPad. There are plenty of options in the App Store. The support is also there for anyone to implement more complex apps using the iOS SDK. I also agree that Apple is a control freak - specially on things like the app sandbox, no root access and no access to OS modifications, but it's their way of keeping things simple and more importantly, safe.

 

[Renzatic]

They have added complexity to the iOS and their apps but with always easy to use in mind.

One thing people need to keep in mind around here is that complexity and ease of use aren't mutually exclusive. A well designed app with a good UI can be as complex as it needs to be on the high end, yet still be grandma friendly on the low end.

Good design isn't cutting complex features for the sake of simplicity. Good design is making the complex features seem intuitive. With iOS, Apple sometimes forgets the latter, and goes for the former.

 

[The Doctor11]

Why should this information be of interest to anyone but you?

I don't know.

 

[CalWizrd]

... edit: though to answer your original question, calling autumn the fall is a fairly recent thing. When I was a kid, both were used interchangeably. I remember reading books that called it only autumn, never fall. After awhile, fall started getting used more and more, until finally it became the word everyone used.

There once was a fellow named Paul
Who fell in the spring in the fall
Would have been a sad thing
If he died in the spring
But he didn't, he died in the fall

 

[disgruntleddave]

An app that even grandpa can use is not the same as a grandpa app (or device). You missed my point there but i agree with you that people are more ready for complexity now than before and I believe that Apple understands that. They have added complexity to the iOS and their apps but with always easy to use in mind. As I've mentioned before, you don't have to depend on stock apps to have a more complex and complete experience with the iPad. There are plenty of options in the App Store. The support is also there for anyone to implement more complex apps using the iOS SDK. I also agree that Apple is a control freak - specially on things like the app sandbox, no root access and no access to OS modifications, but it's their way of keeping things simple and more importantly, safe.

I understand your point about finding an app to download. I guess for me it seems "easier" and more "simple" to just use the stock Android Mail app than to poke around the App Store digging for a good third party solution.

For me I used to love Apple because they took care of all my needs in one premium package. To find that I need to look for third party solutions to perform tasks on iOS that are extremely easy to accomplish with stock Android is just disheartening. It's actually more simple on Android because I don't have to search for anything.

I haven't converted to Android or anything of the sort, I am just kind of making a point and worried about Apple because I genuinely do care about the company and its products.

 

[Renzatic]

There once was a fellow named Paul
Who fell in the spring in the fall
Would have been a sad thing
If he died in the spring
But he didn't, he died in the fall

I see what you did there.

 

[mabhatter]

I'm curious as to the price of a 12inch iPad. It would be dangerously close to the MBA.

They would have to lower the prices of the regular iPads across the range and slot the 12inch at the top.

If the iPad Mini became $199 regularly, the rest of the industry would be in a world of hurt.

well the base Retina iPad is $499 for wifi & 16GB. This would start at $599+ and I don't think 16GB would be a justifiable starting point, so at least $699 and up...

----------

I thought that Tim Cook made it abundantly clear that Apple wouldn't be heading in the "Surface direction" with their product line, because it ends up compromising both tablets and laptops when you do so. I swear he said that during the Mavericks unveil back in June or July.

I don't think anybody media related can differentiate "iOS+" from "Surface-like". If anything a 12" iPad would probably unlock more "MacOS-like" features... maybe allowing more direct access into the system that Enterprises need for maintaining a fleet of iPads.

As far as hardware features, the case makers have done a great job of creating accessories for just about anything you need. Apple adding some kind of power/data interface accessory makers are allowed to FULLY use would be nice.

 

[janstett]

edit: though to answer your original question, calling autumn the fall is a fairly recent thing. When I was a kid, both were used interchangeably. I remember reading books that called it only autumn, never fall. After awhile, fall started getting used more and more, until finally it became the word everyone used.

It goes back to the ancient sun-worshipping religions. The sun "falls" towards the south, leading into winter solstice.

 

[Mainsail]

Like many, the idea of a hybrid tablet-laptop sounds desirable to me. But, when I think about the difficulties of mixing a touch UI with a Desktop UI, it loses some of its luster.

I am not saying the such a device can not be built. Windows 8 tablets and laptop hybrids are examples. But, just because these devices are feasible to build doesn't make them a great user experience. The hybrids that I have tried require a significant amount of compromise regarding the touch or desktop experience.

Also, I wonder if an Apple hybrid would really be that cost effective to own. I can buy an iPad plus Mac Mini for about $1100. I doubt Apple would make a touch screen retina iPad/Macbook hybrid for much less.

In the past, having two devices was a pain to keep in sync, so owning one hybrid would be an advantage. Today, it is really very easy to keep documents, calendars, email, etc in sync on multiple devices.

 

[thebeans]

Let's Hope

Who knows what Ive is going to do to OSX this year.

Let's hope he doesn't mess it up like iOS 7.

 

[disgruntleddave]

Let's hope he doesn't mess it up like iOS 7.

I pray to god that they open up the iCloud file system and make it usable. If they try to cram MacOSX down the road of the "sandboxed" app in iOS it will be a disaster. I just don't think I would be able to use it for productivity anymore the way I need to use a computer.

 

[winston1236]

The biggest challenge to apple will be the price tag, all companies care about these days is cutting cost.

 

[rowspaxe]

Like many, the idea of a hybrid tablet-laptop sounds desirable to me. But, when I think about the difficulties of mixing a touch UI with a Desktop UI, it loses some of its luster.

There seems to be this prevailing thought that touch apps will replace mouse/trackpad apps--that its just a matter of time before ms unveils a workable touch based version of excel or word, or there is a fully functional touch based photoshop.

Its never going to happen. The menuing is too complex and the precision requirements are not obtainalbe via touch

So it make sense that future os's will encompass both touch and mouse/trackpad interaction. I've used a mouse with a surface to so some things--its very handy. Other things i do with touch. There is really nothing that confusing about it--except for reviewers

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Honestly, the iPad Pro is a great idea, but not many people want just an overgrown version of the full size iPad, with another ARM based processor which means you cannot run desktop applications, and once again stuck to iOS for "Enterprise". If the iPad Pro comes true it should use i5 / i7 processor, SSD storage, and basically be a shrunk down version of the MacBook Air but with a touchscreen and no separate keyboard. Think of it as similar MacBook Air internals but new form factor - now that would be more useful and functional - basically a re-branded Surface Pro 2, but built by Apple with Mac OS X OS.

 

[Renzatic]

Honestly, the iPad Pro is a great idea, but not many people want just an overgrown version of the full size iPad, with another ARM based processor which means you cannot run desktop applications, and once again stuck to iOS for "Enterprise". If the iPad Pro comes true it should use i5 / i7 processor, SSD storage, and basically be a shrunk down version of the MacBook Air but with a touchscreen and no separate keyboard. Think of it as similar MacBook Air internals but new form factor - now that would be more useful and functional - basically a re-branded Surface Pro 2, but built by Apple with Mac OS X OS.

Naw. For the iPad Pro to succeed, it's gotta be its own thing to justify its size. You're right, a simply bigger iPad wouldn't cut it, but neither would it being a tableted up MBA. For the simple sake it's an iPad, it's gotta be a touchscreen iOS device, but with more ram, a faster version of the A7, a more flexible, less regimented version of iOS, and a Wacom stylus digitizer. Things that make it more useful for content creation, while still keeping in line with its namesake.

If it comes out, I'm thinking it'll be the starting point for heavy, desktop level applications on iDevices, and justify the jump Apple made to 64-bit with the 5S. It'll be...The iPad Pro.

 

[petvas]

Naw. For the iPad Pro to succeed, it's gotta be its own thing to justify its size. You're right, a simply bigger iPad wouldn't cut it, but neither would it being a tableted up MBA. For the simple sake it's an iPad, it's gotta be a touchscreen iOS device, but with more ram, a faster version of the A7, a more flexible, less regimented version of iOS, and a Wacom stylus digitizer. Things that make it more useful for content creation, while still keeping in line with its namesake.

If it comes out, I'm thinking it'll be the starting point for heavy, desktop level applications on iDevices, and justify the jump Apple made to 64-bit with the 5S. It'll be...The iPad Pro.

This is definitely not happening this year. iOS 8 will be a refinement of all the bugs and issues of iOS 7, just like Snow Leopard was to Leopard.
Wacom support? You can forget it...
It's going to be the size of it, because it enables other apps. That's it.

 

[Renzatic]

This is definitely not happening this year. iOS 8 will be a refinement of all the bugs and issues of iOS 7, just like Snow Leopard was to Leopard.
Wacom support? You can forget it...
It's going to be the size of it, because it enables other apps. That's it.

Possibly, though I think Apple would be saving all the bug fixes for point releases, while keeping the big changes for the numbered. I mean iOS7 isn't so buggy it requires a full year of nothing but concentrated effort by the entire OS department to get it working. They could still do both.

And while it doesn't have to be Wacom technology specifically, I do think we'll see pressure sensitive stylus on a future iPad Pro. I mean the whole tablet form factor is practically begging for it, and the capacitive styluses just don't do a good enough job in comparison to the competition. Hell, it's one of the first major justifications for a larger iPad.

...cuz what else could you do with a 12" iPad that just flat out can't be done with a 10". You would have a little more room for more complicated UIs, but it wouldn't make for a night and day difference. Just a roomier one.

 

[rodriguise]

Is that a footlong?

And then some.

 

[Tech198]

I'm just thankful this for Not for the average consumer...

Is "hybrid' what i think they mean here, like those hybrid pc's/tablets ?

 

[osx11]

I pray to god that they open up the iCloud file system and make it usable. If they try to cram MacOSX down the road of the "sandboxed" app in iOS it will be a disaster. I just don't think I would be able to use it for productivity anymore the way I need to use a computer.

I agree!

While Apple can afford to do this with iOS and the post-PC devices, they need to leave the Mac open and the way it is. OSX on an iPad wouldn't make sense and iOS on a Mac wouldn't make sense. I seriously hope that this inevitable merge doesn't happen. The Mac is a productivity tool and productivity is more important than esthetics. Just look at Windows 8. It arguably looks better than Windows 7 but in terms of productivity, there's a reason why the business community isn't adopting Windows 8 anytime soon.

 

[smulji]

Possibly, though I think Apple would be saving all the bug fixes for point releases, while keeping the big changes for the numbered. I mean iOS7 isn't so buggy it requires a full year of nothing but concentrated effort by the entire OS department to get it working. They could still do both.

And while it doesn't have to be Wacom technology specifically, I do think we'll see pressure sensitive stylus on a future iPad Pro. I mean the whole tablet form factor is practically begging for it, and the capacitive styluses just don't do a good enough job in comparison to the competition. Hell, it's one of the first major justifications for a larger iPad.

...cuz what else could you do with a 12" iPad that just flat out can't be done with a 10". You would have a little more room for more complicated UIs, but it wouldn't make for a night and day difference. Just a roomier one.

"I mean iOS7 isn't so buggy it requires a full year of nothing but concentrated effort by the entire OS department to get it working."

To you. I've read many an Apple blog, this one included, where many incessantly complain about the bugs & instability issues of iOS 7.

"And while it doesn't have to be Wacom technology specifically, I do think we'll see pressure sensitive stylus on a future iPad Pro."

I'm with you on this one. Apple should integrate support for pressure sensitive styluses, be it third party or Apple-branded ones.

 

[Pegamush]

can't they please just make a normal computer with a normal OS, like the mba + retina diaplay and, for those who are bothered, multitouch?

a 1kg laptop with 12.9 screen to unify the current mba lineup is the only think i'd want now

 

[thekeyring]

Or maybe Apple won't call this alleged larger iPad, iPad Pro. Maybe they'll still call it iPad Air but now in two sizes - 9.7" & 12" (12.9"). Kind of like how you have two sizes of the MBA. You don't see Apple calling the 13" MBA, MBA Pro.

Very good point.