Gurman: Redesigned Magic Keyboard to Accompany New iPad Pro
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George Dawes
Suspended
I don't suppose there's any chance they could take a look at the magic mouse while they're at it ??
DribbleCastle
macrumors 6502
Disagree. I absolutely love my magic keyboard and how it has changed the iPad for me. Allows me to use my iPad in so many more ways. I like that it's a great tablet if I want it, but it can also be more like a little computer too. Of course, not with all of the complexity of the Mac, but ya know what, some people just don't want that complexity sometimes.
I also love my Mac for everything it does well. It would be harder to convince me of adding touch to the Mac where I feel like the only benefit it would provide is an occasional interfacing for scrolling or maybe pinching to zoom.
jlc1978
macrumors 603
I also have both, and disagree the iPad needs MacOS. The iPad does tablet very well, just as the Mac does computer. Turning the iPad into a keyboard less MBAir would needlessly complicate the interface to get it to work as a tablet and a computer OS.
Consider the difference in app UI’s between the two - tablet apps use buttons and drop downs to facilitate input, being touch input friendly, vs textual entry in MacOS. Using MacOS would either result in having to use the cursor to do teh same on a Mac since it has no touch input, or designing the app to recognize the device and switching the input; resulting in a confusing UI as a user switches between machines.
Then there is teh issue of memory and storage needs. Running MacOS would require more of both, driving up prices or resulting in a device, if they aren’t increased, that is limited as to what programs it can run well; which would result in all kinds of “Apple crippled the iPad pro…”
I do agree a better file system would be nice.
There may very well ultimately be a convergence of the two designs and it’ll be interesting to see what tradeoffs are made to straddle both worlds.
camelphat2019
macrumors member
mind boggling that a base ipad pro and keyboard costs more than a base macbook pro/air. People should choose an ipad/keyboard combo because its more affordable than a laptop but its not. Makes no sense IMO
Agree to disagree.
Tagbert
macrumors 604
But then you would not be able to use the keyboard with the iPadOS apps on your iPad. That seems weird. What has keyboard to do with your OS choice?
I’m not saying that it wouldn’t be interesting to try Mac OS on an iPad as an experiment, but don’t force it with some assumption how people are using their machines.
I'm repeatedly foolish about iPads, but learned to give up the quest a few years ago. I won't buy one again.
No matter how shiny and new they make them, mine always gets relegated to seldom/backup use behind my Apple laptop. Nothing compelling compared to a traditional laptop, for me.
No matter how shiny and new they make them, mine always gets relegated to seldom/backup use behind my Apple laptop. Nothing compelling compared to a traditional laptop, for me.
Royksöpp
macrumors 68030
Apple needs to be very careful with how they price the 11 inch and Magic Keyboard. If the 11 inch gets too close in price to 12.9 people will go with that instead. If the Magic Keyboard is too expensive people may opt out of the iPad package all together and go with a MBA or MBP instead. I’ll be upgrading no matter what just for the better screen in the smaller form factor. However, will it be enough for first time buyers considering the Air will cost significantly less.
I wouldn't be surprised if the next iPad Pro takes on a similar form to this
Edit:
Apple wins a Patent for a next-gen hinged keyboard iPad accessory with multiple modes that could possibly double as a Hybrid Device
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to a new hinged iPad keyboard accessory that provides multiple installation modes that could deliver superior flexibility for users. One particular patent figure would strongly suggest that the iPad could...
Goes hand-in-hand with this rumor from about a year ago:
Last edited:
gregmancuso
macrumors 6502
Considering iOS / iPadOS / MacOS all use the same base operating system and the differences are in the window managers and active or installed services it shouldn't be hard to use MacOS was the underlying OS at all times. When undocked from MK lock the user into Springboard and disable "MacOS features". When docked ask to confirm switching window managers / services. Could probably even fairly easily all switching between "environments" on the fly. Think a lightweight, built-in Parallels. You could even have the option at setup whether to install / configure / activate the option to switch or configure as iPadOS-only.
arcite
macrumors 65816
Dude, that’s not a tablet, that’s a keyboard-less laptop.
Did you mean you’re not in favor of a touch screen MacBook then? Personally, I am not; I only want Pencil support in order to use pen input with desktop-only applications. I would disable touch if it was supported.
Or did you just mean you want Pencil trackpad support additionally? As I said, I don’t see any major obstacles there, and would probably bet on it happening soon.
I kind of see what you mean by profiles. But as they say “the devil is in the details”, so whether or not it would work would probably depend heavily on exactly how it’s implemented. As far as switching window management styles, would switching to Stage Manager in macOS not suffice for you?
arcite
macrumors 65816
That’s called a laptop. They have those already.
ApplesAreSweet&Sour
Suspended
The closer to a “dual device” MacBook + iPad combo we get, the more happy and productive I will be in my particular workflow.
Yes, the two separate devices do each thing well.
But I really don’t see how there’s anything wrong in being able to pop on a keyboard on my iPad when, at its core, it’s really not much different to a MacBook Air or a 13” Pro.
I get that using an iPhone like you would a Mac doesn’t make sense, and using an iPad for phone calls is also a bit weird maybe.
But apart from iPads only being able to run iPadOS apps, how is it not just a touchscreen-only MacBook Air with a single port?
The differences are arbitrary. And even the form factor and dimensions are overlapping.
Why wouldn’t I want to use my Apple Pencil on my MacBook display, or hook up a keyboard and use my iPad as a laptop?
The fact that iPads don’t double as laptops is a choice, not a technical limitation or an improvement to the user experience.
I doubt Apple will ever go all the way. But getting FXCP and Logic on iPad and hearing these rumors from Gurman brings me hope.
Macalicious2011
macrumors 68000
2017 iPad Pro is still a beast. I wish I had not sold it to my gf and upgraded to the M1 iPad Pro. There is zero noticeable difference in real life or in procreate.
prospervic
macrumors 65816
The limits of iPad usage are imposed by the limits of one’s imagination. These devices are used everywhere for all types of activities by all kinds of people.
Approaching iPad from a PC/Mac mindset, and expecting it to be the same is indeed limiting.
A smaller version of macOS that has a larger UI that can only run iPad apps just sounds like ipadOS with more macOS capability. Maybe it’s acccurate to describe it either way, maybe it’s more accurate to describe it as a “smaller macOS”, but in my opinion people are going to be a lot more disappointed if they hear “smaller macOS” but it doesn’t run Mac applications.I wouldn't be surprised if the next iPad Pro takes on a similar form to this
Edit:
Apple wins a Patent for a next-gen hinged keyboard iPad accessory with multiple modes that could possibly double as a Hybrid Device
Today the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that relates to a new hinged iPad keyboard accessory that provides multiple installation modes that could deliver superior flexibility for users. One particular patent figure would strongly suggest that the iPad could...www.patentlyapple.com
Goes hand-in-hand with this rumor from about a year ago:
The keyboard patent description was a little unclear to me, but if it’s departing from the cantilever design, which it looked like from what I saw, then I fear how heavy it’s going to have to be to keep the iPad Pro from tipping over. The MK cantilever design helps a lot for balance with as little weight as possible, and the MK is already heavy enough IMO. 😳
tcatsninfan
macrumors member
Just posting to say that this is a horrible take. Apple already limits options/customization in so many ways, and you want them to limit things even more?
This is an interesting comment. I don't believe anyone actually expects that.
On one hand you have iPad die hards, who claim they can use the iPad for "productivity", and they can use it for 90% of all tasks.
On the other you have "old school" Mac/PC die hards, who claim the iPads are merely toys to be used on subway and for elderly people will impared vision.
But no matter how much effort you put into it, iPad has always been (and probably always will be) a secondary device. NOBODY can use it as a primary (solo) device. If you do real work, you will always (for now) need a proper Mac/PC.
I admit that for certain productivity tasks, iPads are perfect. But this is exactly the point of the controversial post. Adding keyboards and trackpads to it only shows that they are merely a fancy Wacom for a proper computer.
YES, some people actually remember the times, when you had a Mac workhorse, which can do anything and a iPhone/iPad which is a safe unbreakable (software and hardware wise) haven to use carelessly for content consuming and mundane tasks and which is easy to use even for an elderly family member.
iOS/iPad OS of today has changed in a way it became too unnecessarily complicated. Some crazy workarounds for multitasking, which almost nobody ever remembers how they work, etc.
tcatsninfan
macrumors member
If you're addressing each person in this thread that you disagree with, you're gonna need to post that about 20 more times...