Apple's Greg Joswiak: No Plans to Merge Mac and iPad

[Freeangel1]

they are already merged as far as I can see.
with every New version of macOS the OS resembles iPadOS More and More.
Come on. Everyone has been noticing this.

 

[code-m]

Not even close. They have 2 completely different softwares. A keyboard can be used on a phone too. Not just an iPad or a laptop.

I believe a BT KB and mouse can be used on an iPhone, no SmartConnector KB/TrackPad or Apple Pencil yet though.

It seems there is one major differentiating factor.

iPhone no ApplePencil support.
iPad no built-in headset support.
Mac no TouchScreen support.

ProMotion will sooner or later make it’s way to iPhone and Mac just like XDR made it to iPhone and iPad and eventually MacBooks.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Technically speaking it does not use LiDAR as it’s on the rear camera housing of iPadPro not front. Whomp whomp.

Center Stage is using the wider field of view and just cropping the ends, if you go beyond that 120 degree field it’s not going to automatically follow you.

That's not my point. The iPad Pro has the LiDAR Scanner which can scan your body and detect when you move so it can move it's camera. The iMac doesn't have LiDAR Scanner so it can't scan you.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I really don’t get how it can be that difficult to understand. When on the move, why the hell do we have to carry two screens? Sometimes you want to use a tablet, sometimes you want to attach a trackpad and keyboard and do some work. Many people do need macOS for the latter, for Xcode, some VPN apps, final cut, productivity tools like Alfred, some terminal work and so on. All of these things simply don’t decently work on iPad OS. At the same time, sometimes you want to use a tablet form factor for entertainment or make some document annotations with the pencil. In this scenario you need two devices with exactly the same hardware which is plain stupid.

When you're on the move, you carry what you need. If you use Xcode, carry a MacBook Air. If you're a painter and need a stylus, carry an iPad. If you're a painter that codes, that represents the <1% of all customers who *need* both an iPad and a MacBook to do what they need. And it's not worth forcing the 99% of customers to get accustomed to using this merged device. Apple is better off forcing the 1% buying and carrying 2 devices than screwing up the UX for the 99%.

You don't *need* to carry an iPad for entertainment. Your MacBook and iPhone covers most of that responsibility. But if you want it, sure, carry both.

 

[techno-Zen]

I would suggest getting a new iPad Pro. And then sell your Mac mini unless you use it a lot.

This would seriously affect my work flow. I manage an IT dept heavily use apple remote desktop. Like I said, a hybrid M1 Macos/ipadOS device would replace all of my other workstations in one.

 

[georgivelev]

Then keep your shiny new megaexpensive iPad for yourselves! Can’t see me buying another 12.9” if I’m not able to fully use it as a mobile computer.

 

[code-m]

they are already merged as far as I can see.
with every New version of macOS the OS resembles iPadOS More and More.
Come on. Everyone has been noticing this.

With every new version of macOS it seems to be receiving the iOS/iPadOS skin while iPadOS is maturing to macOS. Technically it will happen but it will not be a direct port.

 

[rumz]

But also no. Then you have a Mac device with a screen covered in fingerprints that doesn't have input as good as a MacBook does.

How on earth are you managing software on this? People complain Mac devices don't have enough ports as it is...now you've got one - and you need it to charge.

How is the SSD partitioned to handle both OSes? How big does it now have to be? How does it seamlessly swap between both systems, does it dedupe data? Does it have a data partitation, even if you did UB apps for both OS's you'd still have a nightmare then managing them between the two OS, they can't just blend between each other or run as a layer on top of the other one.

What you'd end up with us a comprimised device in both respects and there's literally only one reason anyone would ever ask for this - they can't afford both devices, because it sure as hell is going to manage handling the data between devices any easier.

1) I use my 2018 MacBook Pro 99% of the time connected to a standard Apple Keyboard and a bluetooth mouse. Via a hub. Which means I could use the same input on an iPad via the same hub. Your argument really only applies to portable devices where the magic keyboard is apparently inferior to the built in keyboard & trackpad of a MacBook. That may be the case, I haven't used a magic keyboard.

2) Apple did make a MacBook with a single USB-C port. Not ideal for most, sure. But this doesn't have anything to do with the distinction between a Mac and an iOS device.

3) I can afford both devices. It just seems unnecessary and possibly even wasteful if I don't need to use both at the same time and there's no technical reason why one can't run both systems.

Do I think Apple should market iPads as Macs or call them Macs? "Merge the product lines"-- Not really. Do I represent the vast majority of customers in what they want? Nope. I'm just a nerd who thinks it would be rad if I could spin up Mac OS on my iPad to manage a few things I can't from iPadOS.

Even if they just extended the functionality of sidecar to allowr me to remote in to a desktop Mac from my iPad Pro, that would cover at least a portion of my want for Mac OS on a portable. (think Sidecar but as the primary display instead and initiated from the iPad side. I know this is possible to some degree with third party solutions and I've tried Luna Display, but a first party solution would be better.)

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

I believe a BT KB and mouse can be used on an iPhone, no SmartConnector KB/TrackPad or Apple Pencil yet though.

It seems there is one major differentiating factor.

iPhone no ApplePencil support.
iPad no built-in headset support.
Mac no TouchScreen support.

ProMotion will sooner or later make it’s way to iPhone and Mac just like XDR made it to iPhone and iPad and eventually MacBooks.

Apple Pencil won't ever be compatible with an iPhone.

 

[AgentWalker]

Apple earlier this week introduced refreshed 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with few external changes but one notable internal change - the introduction of the same M1 chip that was also used in the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini refreshes back in November.

Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak and hardware chief John Ternus this week did an interview with The Independent to talk about the new tablets. The use of an M1 chip in an iPad naturally has led to speculation about the merging of the iPad and Mac lineups, a topic that resurfaces over and over again, but Joswiak says that's not the goal.

Rather than merging the two product lines, he claims that Apple is just trying to make the best products in their respective categories.Ternus added that Apple doesn't aim to limit one device in order to avoid impacting another device. "We're pushing to make the best Mac we can make; we're pushing to make the best iPad we can make," said Ternus.

Apple plans to keep making both products better and is not going to "get all caught up in" theories of "merging or anything like that."

The new iPad Pro models arguably have more power than is necessary for a tablet that does not have the option of pro software like Final Cut Pro, but Ternus and Joswiak declined to comment on software that might be coming in the future. Joswiak instead said that the extra performance gives developers more space to find new ways to expand their apps. "Our developers are pretty quick about taking advantage," he said. "It isn't like it languishes for years."

He also said that it's great for customers to know that they can buy a system "that still has headroom" and won't be "immediately obsolete." As an explanation for why Apple opted for the M1 chip over an A-series chip, Ternus said that the best Apple silicon has "always gone into the iPad Pro," and right now, the M1 is "is the best" Apple silicon Apple has available.

The two also commented on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro's new mini-LED display, which is the highest quality display that's been used in an iPad to date and rivals the Pro Display XDR. Ternus said that shrinking it was a "huge undertaking" that required more LEDs because of the size constraints.
Apple added one other new feature to the iPad Pro -- an Ultra Wide front-facing camera with a new "Center Stage" feature that's designed to allow you to stay in frame while moving about a room. Ternus said that it's "liberating" to be able to move around, and it's also useful for FaceTiming with large groups.

Joswiak and Ternus's full interview contains additional tidbits about the new iPad Pro models, and it can be read over at The Independent.

Article Link: Apple's Greg Joswiak: No Plans to Merge Mac and iPa

No plans... looks at plans for iPad apps ability to be ran on Mac OS...
So that’s just nothing, huh lol

 

[howywood]

Dumb as hell. Give me a Macbook Pro with a GD touch screen

 

[The Chosen One]

Totally fine and also fully to be expected.

 

[code-m]

Yes, but what does that have to do with a stylus? The Samsung Galaxies have Syluses.

Eventually friend just like ProMotion was an iPadPro specific feature which will make its way to iPhonePro. Apple likes to milk features and call it refinements as giving the users these features today will not entice an upgrade next year.

 

[code-m]

That's not my point. The iPad Pro has the LiDAR Scanner which can scan your body and detect when you move so it can move it's camera. The iMac doesn't have LiDAR Scanner so it can't scan you.

CenterStage uses the front camera and I don’t believe it’s confirmed if the rear camera also has this feature. That being said if it’s available on the front camera LiDAR is not required. The use for LiDAR is for 3D object mapping with very little benefit for snappier photos. LiDAR on any Mac is a waste as it had its main benefits on an ultra portable like a phone and to a smaller degree an iPad.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

He (Greg Joswiak) also said that it's great for customers to know that they can buy a system "that still has headroom" and won't be "immediately obsolete."

This was the SINGLE greatest obstacle I had to buying an iPad. Real RAM amount, real processing power, real output to a monitor, real access to external drives, AND keyboard & mouse functionality.

The iPad does not need macOS. I don't need macOS (anymore). And Apple knows this.

You guys will have to wait for an enterprising individual to create a hack, or an app even, to get macOS onto the iPad.

 

[code-m]

Apple Pencil won't ever be compatible with an iPhone.

We don’t know what future iPhone will or will not have some form of ApplePencil support. I would guess that a folding or rolling screen iPhone may have some use for an accessory as such.

 

[reyesmac]

In other words, Apple will make one OS code base and purposefully lock out functionality to keep the two products separate until people aren’t amused by apple silicon and then they’ll merge the two in order to get people to buy more product. It’s not ready for prime time yet.
Looks like they need iOS developers to create universal apps before they can ever merge the two. Or else it would be as meh as iPad apps on the Mac OS. It would be cooler to have the app switch the apps interface if you have it docked or not.

 

[1258186]

Of course not, they want to sell you two devices instead of one.

 

[Slix]

Gonna bookmark this for the next time someone tells me the Mac is gonna be running iOS soon.

 

[Neepman]

Pro tip: Its pretty much already been done.

 

[code-m]

In other words, Apple will make one OS code base and purposefully lock out functionality to keep the two products separate until people aren’t amused by apple silicon and then they’ll merge the two in order to get people to buy more product. It’s not ready for prime time yet.
Looks like they need iOS developers to create universal apps before they can ever merge the two. Or else it would be as meh as iPad apps on the Mac OS. It would be cooler to have the app switch the apps interface if you have it docked or not.

Greg Joswiak is not going to risk his career to reveal any future plans for iPadOS or iPadPro, this is how corporate individuals speak.

 

[randfee2]

I don't care what this guy says - I know what they want, they want everybody to purchase a Macbook AND an iPad!
I'd purchase a MacOS iPad IMMEDIATELY. I want a device that has fully fledged apps and is not sandboxed... basically a laptop ...
...BUT
... has touch interface and a Pen so I can use it as a notepad as well.

They could make a much better SufaceBook than Microsoft ever could.... but no... they just can't let it go.

I have five words for Phil Schiller and other Apple Managers who think lifting your arm towards a laptop screen is tiresome: YOU ARE USING IT WRONG!

use it as a laptop when it's a laptop and hold it like an iPad and then touch interface it like you please.

 

[jinnyman]

I still remember how Apple defenders were so philosophical about not allowing mouse on ipad.
Look what we have now?

Finger interface can never reach the level of precision mouse and keyboard can achieve unless some genius comes up with future technology like brain synchronization or something. Ipad is becoming more powerful, and ipad os is unable to keep up with it. When will we achieve true multi tasking? What about simple stuff like vertical multi tasking? What about true external monitor support? Now that macs and ipads share practically a same hardware makes this frustration even more so. Now we can get an ipad with 2tb of storage and 16 gig along with a wonderful M1, but it will be limited by ipad os. I really hope Apple will do much better job improving ipad os 15.

 

[randfee2]

Also, why does the iMac not have ultra wide selfie cam with Center Stage?

because they want you to purchase multiple (!!!) devices!

 

[bobbie424242]

They will merge some of macOS into iPadOS eventually. That's inevitable and just a matter of time.
My guess is that the minimum of macOS will run virtualized in iPadOS: no dock nor desktop as you know it but just what is needed to run unmodified XCode, Final Cut and some other macOS apps in that environment and display it in iPadOS as an app using a remote display protocol (think RDP, VNC and similar protocols) connected to the macOS app running virtualized.
Until you can develop iPad/iPhone apps on an iPad (Xcode running on iPad), the iPad remains a ****ing appliance and a joke in term of "general purpose computer". Primitive computers from the early 80's could do that (integrated Basic environment to create programs) and 40 years later you have this immensely more powerful machine (iPad) for which you need another machine (macOS) to create programs that run on it...