All iPads Apple's secret plan for world domination

[KenAFSPC]

Not me, horrible idea. I like having multiple devices. iOS should stay iOS and osx should stay osx. This is the mistake MS made with the surface.

No. Microsoft's mistake was compromising both desktop and tablet interfaces in their attempt to create a tablet interface that desktop users (without touch screens) could use. Microsoft did this to make the app platform more enticing to developers (since tens of millions of people will buy desktops with Windows 8), because there is no way for them to match the installed based of IOS users through tablet/phone sales alone. However, their approach backfired because people don't like compromises; they want the best of both worlds.

You need both interfaces, which are optimized for different uses (no compromises), but that doesn't mean you need two different devices. Of course, if you want two devices, there would be nothing stopping you from buying two devices.

 

[osofast240sx]

No. Microsoft's mistake was compromising both desktop and tablet interfaces in their attempt to create a tablet interface that desktop users (without touch screens) could use. Microsoft did this to make the app platform more enticing to developers (since tens of millions of people will buy desktops with Windows 8), because there is no way for them to match the installed based of IOS users through tablet/phone sales alone. However, their approach backfired because people don't like compromises; they want the best of both worlds.

You need both interfaces, which are optimized for different uses (no compromises), but that doesn't mean you need two different devices. Of course, if you want two devices, there would be nothing stopping you from buying two devices.

I agree, but to add to that I think iOS gives users a place to disconnect from the desktop experience.

 

[GeekGuys]

Tried before... is the time right yet?

This has been tried a number of times. Samsung did one, Sony has tried as well.

For Apple to do this they would need a lot more convergence at the OS level.

IOS to be run on Intel OR OSX to be run on ARM.

Having a dual mode OS is not a big issue and would be easy for apple to implement. Docked, it becomes OSX desktop with keyboard, mouse etc as today. Undocked (tablet) it runs IOS as today.

They big issue I guess would be the peripherals that a desktop/laptop requires that are not there on the tablet.
One of the core values of iPad/IOS is simplicity. It just works and you don't need anything else. It does feel a little bit like Apple deciding that a pen/pointer is suddenly a good idea on the iPad.
Surely, the Apple mantra is, if you can't point to it with your finger, it must be too complicated!!!!!

I also worry that the tablet would become too heavy/bulky. This has been the failing of the previous devices as they host the HDD, DVD player, USB sockets etc etc the mass increases until they become a REALLY heavy tablet !

Maybe with the Thunderbolt port you could daisy chain (with adaptors) USB, VGA, Ethernet cables. Maybe the Ipad Mega would have multiple Thunderbolt ports rather than just one as today.

The other option, as you hinted at with the battery, is to have the expansion bits in the keyboard/dock. For example, extra storage, memory, peripheral ports, power and network sockets.

All is possible and if anyone could design it to be simple, elegant and desirable.... Apple can
They would also make it acceptable for someone to pay $600 for a keyboard with USB sockets !!!!

 

[TyPod]

Who wants one?

Not me. I'm perfectly fine with a tablet being what it is now. I don't find the point on making it so similar to a laptop.

 

[beautifulcoder]

Sounds convoluted and overtly confusing.

This is a lesson the tech industry is now learning. No one cares if your pony can do a million tricks if they are all done poorly.

Apple with their simplicity towards design is finally showing the world how it is done.

 

[whoiare]

i understand that you feel eventually ipads and laptops will merge to the combination of both, but my question is WHY? what NEED are you satisfying by merging the 2?

we all felt that finally after all the big cats where used up apple was going to start more with IOSX, but they havent. They started with more focus into business productivity with Mavericks. Apple isnt pushing the merging of devices, they are pushing the merging of data......iCloud. You can now edit iwork docs ONLINE. When all the new software comes out this fall....you will be able to manipulate files across devices all from icloud....view pics from phone/ipad to atv...share screens to atv or dual monitors. edit page documents in cloud on ipad and instantly have them show up on icloud.com. Mirror any idevice to atv and same for any mac. I use to feel there was a need to merge the two items, but the way apple is moving it looks to me as if the way all APPLE products will come together will be via homesharing/airplay and icloud.

 

[takeshi74]

However, their approach backfired because people don't like compromises; they want the best of both worlds.

That's because people don't realize that "best of both worlds" is frequently a pipe dream while the reality is "jack of all trades master of none". Reality is full compromises due to real world constraints. It's easy to devise "best of both world" products when you're just fantasizing. You don't get something for nothing in the real world. Compromises are always required.

I spent three years working on hardware design teams to create products forum members have in their homes, so yes.

Products such as?

 

[343matt]

Fry

Shut up and take my money!

 

[KenAFSPC]

i understand that you feel eventually ipads and laptops will merge to the combination of both, but my question is WHY? what NEED are you satisfying by merging the 2?

Why do we combine the functionality of any two devices? Convenience. So you can carry one device rather than two.

That's because people don't realize that "best of both worlds" is frequently a pipe dream while the reality is "jack of all trades master of none". Reality is full compromises due to real world constraints. It's easy to devise "best of both world" products when you're just fantasizing. You don't get something for nothing in the real world. Compromises are always required.

I didn't say it would be easy.

 

[jim4spam]

I get this. For most daily computing tasks (email, excel, ppt etc) excepting those who do design and content creation (photoshop, etc) then the power in an iPad (either today or near future) is good enough. So then it's a question of having a user interface that is flexible enough. If you're browsing email on the train - touchscreen mode, if you're typing a long response reach in your bag, hook up the keyboard and type away. If you're needing to analyse that spread sheet in detail, hook up the mouse/trackball/pad as well and click away on cells.

As everything, the devil is in the detail and difficulties in connection, weight, robustness, lag time for mode switching could all be critical negatives. So good idea but executing it flawlessly is the real trick.

 

[MrWillie]

This has been tried a number of times. Samsung did one, Sony has tried as well.

For Apple to do this they would need a lot more convergence at the OS level.

IOS to be run on Intel OR OSX to be run on ARM.

Having a dual mode OS is not a big issue and would be easy for apple to implement. Docked, it becomes OSX desktop with keyboard, mouse etc as today. Undocked (tablet) it runs IOS as today.

They big issue I guess would be the peripherals that a desktop/laptop requires that are not there on the tablet.
One of the core values of iPad/IOS is simplicity. It just works and you don't need anything else. It does feel a little bit like Apple deciding that a pen/pointer is suddenly a good idea on the iPad.
Surely, the Apple mantra is, if you can't point to it with your finger, it must be too complicated!!!!!

I also worry that the tablet would become too heavy/bulky. This has been the failing of the previous devices as they host the HDD, DVD player, USB sockets etc etc the mass increases until they become a REALLY heavy tablet !

Maybe with the Thunderbolt port you could daisy chain (with adaptors) USB, VGA, Ethernet cables. Maybe the Ipad Mega would have multiple Thunderbolt ports rather than just one as today.

The other option, as you hinted at with the battery, is to have the expansion bits in the keyboard/dock. For example, extra storage, memory, peripheral ports, power and network sockets.

All is possible and if anyone could design it to be simple, elegant and desirable.... Apple can
They would also make it acceptable for someone to pay $600 for a keyboard with USB sockets !!!!

Not two OSs, but one. There was a story a while back about OSX for ARM. I know they have it in their lab somewhere. It won't switch the OS, it will stay the same. Keyboard is battery and ports only.

iPad has Lighting connector, not Thunderbolt. I get the port names confused sometimes too.

That's because people don't realize that "best of both worlds" is frequently a pipe dream while the reality is "jack of all trades master of none". Reality is full compromises due to real world constraints. It's easy to devise "best of both world" products when you're just fantasizing. You don't get something for nothing in the real world. Compromises are always required.

Yep, I agree 100%. I see all these convertibles out there that are poor tablets and poor laptops, which is why I carry both.

However, if anyone were to pull it off, I think it will be Apple. I don't know what they are planning or doing, but I am sure they have/are toying with the idea and they prototypes. When the nail it, they'll release it.