iPad How about an iOS PRO version!?

[Abazigal]

The specs won't be equal. It will probably have an A9X or even, God forbid, Intel, while the iPad Air will probably have an A9. It will probably have 4GB of memory, while the Air will stick with 2.

But even so, I would still like to see pro software on the iPad Air 3 and iPhone 6s. I don't see why not.

I don't see the ipad pro sporting dramatically improved specs from the ipad.

For one, we already have problems with developers not fully supporting the latest hardware? Why lock yourself out of a larger user base by creating apps that require the full 2gb of ram and a tri-core processor to use? Many people are still rocking older ipads with A5 processors and 1gb of ram or less, and that is what many apps will target. How many people will actually bother to create "pro" iOS apps that make full use of that 4gb of ram?

Because of this, I am having a hard time envisioning a use case for an ipad pro. The hardware may be there, but the software ...?

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Want iPad to continue to be a high utilization device with increasing sales?

Create a PRO model with PRO OS! Shared file repository, file management, multiple display multitasking, USB connection, etc.

Who's with me?

If you're going to see something like this, it'll come out of the partnership with IBM. Considering IBM's position in corporate cloud computing, the solution will probably be on IBM's end, not iCloud, which makes sense, since companies need a whole lot more than file storage from the cloud (email, scheduling, conferencing, etc.).

As far as other "pro" features go... there's a reason the new rMB is as it is - near-tablet-size package, full OS X capabilities. Store clerks doing point-of-purchase aren't going to need any of these things - that, not desktop computing, is where the real need for "pro" tablets lies.

 

[Billy95Tech]

Tablets are not going to replace laptops.

Yes they already have!!!!

Lots of people have replaced laptops with tablets for casuel use or for business, content creation/ productivity use or both and tablets will continue to replace laptops in the future.

Tablets(including Windows hybrids/tablets) are the future of personal and business, productivity computing.


I have completely replaced/ditched my laptop with tablets and it is awesome and yes i do some content creation(video editing), make Youtube videos on one of them! 🙂

 

[tdale]

This is precisely the point!
If Apple is going to create a pro line of tablets, it needs to distinguish itself from the 'regular' line. And though I'm not a tech guy, I'm pretty sure that the Air 2 has more than enough power to do many of the things a 'pro' line needs to do. It's the software that presents most of the limitations. (not all, but most) So by upgrading the software to encompass 'pro' features, and giving the hardware enough juice to do the job, a pro version of the iPad could really be a great hybrid device.

Power isn't the cause of the iPad being a regular device and the Pro being a pro device. The functions that Apple restricts is not power based. A laptop has a full OS, an iPad has a lite OS, aimed at consumption. If they made the pro less restrictive so its on a par with laptop functionality, thats dumb. The regular iPad users will fume. I see Pro as being size. The MB12 would make a suitable iPad replacement as its small and light and a full OS. All Apple needs to do is assess whats had, awkward on an iPad functionality wise, and make that do-able on any iPad. You then have a true iPad that can, if required be a suitable laptop

 

[Billy95Tech]

Tablets are the future!

Completely agree!!

 

[tdale]

I don't see why software has to be created specifically for a "pro" line of iPads, instead of letting all iOS devices access those features directly.

File management, split displays and even support for USB-C are something that could benefit both iPhones and iPads equal, not just a larger iPad. If you want developers to support said feature, it should be something accessible on as many devices as possible to make it worth their while, rather than being restricted to what is probably a niche market at best.

Likewise, software like final cut pro or photoshop for iOS is not something you really need a dedicated file directory or split-screen capabilities for anyways. Assuming all specs equal, I don't see why an app designed to run on an "iPad pro" should run on an iPad air.

I just don't see the merits of your argument here.

I see that a Pro iPad has a larger screen, pro is equals business use. Pro has a stylus, helps with business use. Pro is much more expensive, keeps it more for business customers. Air is smaller, thinner, Pro is larger, costly, makes sense. I cannot see a new iOS just for the Pro version.

My iPad Air 128 cost circa NZ$1400, MB12 costs NZ$2000, whats a Pro worth? NZ$1700? Expensive iPad but if light enough, great for me to watch,read,play. As a hybrid, no way, rather have OSX on a similar screen

And I feel the term hybrid be g used here is incorrect, its not an OSX/iOS device, or an SP3 that uses full and tablet apps. It NEEDS to be a tablet, using tablet apps, that can carry out ALL laptop like functions.

Doesn't need a file system, there is already a file system in iOS where you can access all of your files. It needs other means to transfer a video,pdf, document from anything to the iPad. There used to be a raft of this that an Android device can do that we cannot, that gap has narrowed, lets narrow it further so we can use an iAd as a laptop if required, rather than jump through hoops

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I don't see the ipad pro sporting dramatically improved specs from the ipad.

For one, we already have problems with developers not fully supporting the latest hardware? Why lock yourself out of a larger user base by creating apps that require the full 2gb of ram and a tri-core processor to use? Many people are still rocking older ipads with A5 processors and 1gb of ram or less, and that is what many apps will target. How many people will actually bother to create "pro" iOS apps that make full use of that 4gb of ram?

Because of this, I am having a hard time envisioning a use case for an ipad pro. The hardware may be there, but the software ...?

I agree fully.

The key is, what can we do in OSX that we cannot, or is a PITB on an iPad???

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Yes they already have!!!!

For some very light users

Lots of people have replaced laptops with tablets for casuel use or for business, content creation/ productivity use or both and tablets will continue to replace laptops in the future.

Content creation is often klunky. Mate, hers that 4GB video on a flash drive, can you do that edit you promised me? No. Why not? I an't get the file onto my iPad. Just one example.

Tablets(including Windows hybrids/tablets) are the future of personal and business, productivity computing.

Busted! Windows hybrids, yes as they are tablets and they are a full OS, iOS is not a full OS



I have completely replaced/ditched my laptop with tablets and it is awesome and yes i do some content creation(video editing), make Youtube videos on one of them! 🙂

Cool, but you will find few that are not light users that would ditch all of their desktop/full OS devices

 

[Abazigal]

I see that a Pro iPad has a larger screen, pro is equals business use. Pro has a stylus, helps with business use. Pro is much more expensive, keeps it more for business customers. Air is smaller, thinner, Pro is larger, costly, makes sense. I cannot see a new iOS just for the Pro version.

I can also argue it the other way.

If I were on the move, I wouldn't want a larger and bulkier tablet. I would want a mobile computing device that has the best compromise of portability and battery life, and in that regard, I feel the 9.7" iPad fits the sweet spot. I can walk around with an iPad air in one hand comfortably, don't see myself doing the same with an iPad pro.

If Pro can have a stylus, no reason such a feature couldn't be extended to other iOS devices. Would help adoption too, since you have a larger user base.

Likewise, enterprise tends to look at price tags more closely. A more expensive iPad may be a tougher sell, compared to a cheaper laptop.

I don't see a market for such a device, seriously.

 

[nj-morris]

I can also argue it the other way.

If I were on the move, I wouldn't want a larger and bulkier tablet. I would want a mobile computing device that has the best compromise of portability and battery life, and in that regard, I feel the 9.7" iPad fits the sweet spot. I can walk around with an iPad air in one hand comfortably, don't see myself doing the same with an iPad pro.

If Pro can have a stylus, no reason such a feature couldn't be extended to other iOS devices. Would help adoption too, since you have a larger user base.

Likewise, enterprise tends to look at price tags more closely. A more expensive iPad may be a tougher sell, compared to a cheaper laptop.

I don't see a market for such a device, seriously.

needs to make each of the iPads what they can be. The pro will be the most expensive iPad, so will need to show it off. The pro features will eventually make their way to the other iPads, but the Pro will always be a step ahead. Just how it works. need to, as you say, compromise portability and functionality, but they can't make a device which is amazing at both. You say that the perfect blend lies in the 9.7-inch iPad, nobody is arguing with that. It's your choice. But some people do want an iPad that can do more, and are alright with it being bigger and more expensive. The pro is for them, not for you.

 

[tdale]

needs to make each of the iPads what they can be. The pro will be the most expensive iPad, so will need to show it off. The pro features will eventually make their way to the other iPads, but the Pro will always be a step ahead. Just how it works. need to, as you say, compromise portability and functionality, but they can't make a device which is amazing at both. You say that the perfect blend lies in the 9.7-inch iPad, nobody is arguing with that. It's your choice. But some people do want an iPad that can do more, and are alright with it being bigger and more expensive. The pro is for them, not for you.

So, a pro iPad is bigger with more features, so the 9.7 iPad that many prefer due to portability is left without these features, that will make users love Apple more, not.

 

[nj-morris]

So, a pro iPad is bigger with more features, so the 9.7 iPad that many prefer due to portability is left without these features, that will make users love Apple more, not.

Just keep thinking about the Mini 3, that should make you feel better.
I'm not saying that shouldn't improve the iPad Air. I'm saying that they should make enough features to justify the update. You could say that the MacBook Air has all these features, why not put them into the iPad Air? Because the iPad Air is affordable and for casual use, it doesn't need to have pro features. But for those who want pro features, they can go ahead and buy the pro. It's simple.

 

[tdale]

Just keep thinking about the Mini 3, that should make you feel better.
I'm not saying that shouldn't improve the iPad Air. I'm saying that they should make enough features to justify the update. You could say that the MacBook Air has all these features, why not put them into the iPad Air? Because the iPad Air is affordable and for casual use, it doesn't need to have pro features. But for those who want pro features, they can go ahead and buy the pro. It's simple.

Rubbish

Pro features? Whats a Pro feature??

An iOS devuce is not a pro device its a lite OS. Lets say you want a car with electric windows, and you want a 4 door small/medium sedan, you can't have electric windows unless you buy a large station wagon, so you alienate a lot of users. And remember, other devices like Windows metro and Android are pro devices as they are not cut down. Apple just needs to get with the play and offer their "pro" features as what is normal for everyone else. Its that simple. Its not pro, its normal

 

[nj-morris]

Rubbish

Pro features? Whats a Pro feature??

An iOS devuce is not a pro device its a lite OS. Lets say you want a car with electric windows, and you want a 4 door small/medium sedan, you can't have electric windows unless you buy a large station wagon, so you alienate a lot of users. And remember, other devices like Windows metro and Android are pro devices as they are not cut down. Apple just needs to get with the play and offer their "pro" features as what is normal for everyone else. Its that simple. Its not pro, its normal

You really got me thinking here.
Look at it from a marketing perspective. It would only make sense that a bigger, more expensive tablet would have more features. It's annoying yes, but changing the tablet industry won't just happen like that. They will start off where it makes sense to make a laptop replacement: at a standard laptop size. Then, depending on the reception, they might make the smaller ones equal. Time will tell

 

[JoeRito]

You're forgetting the name of this thread. iOS Pro. The point the OP is trying to get across is that this would be a less restrictive (whatever that means) OS. That and pro apps. I wasn't saying that they were enough to fully match laptops now, but the fact that they have a future.

Yes, if there is to be a "pro" version, it should have a more robust OS. Leave the lighter version ios in iPhones and base version iPads. I dont want a laptop replacement, some of us want a tablet that you can walk with and stand and work with, without a keyboard. but the ability to share a single file between apps, to manage files better, to run a bit more robust apps would be attractive. The hardware is awesome, Im talking more /better software. Changing the size to 12" doesnt make the device professional.

 

[sracer]

Rubbish

Pro features? Whats a Pro feature??

Anything that provides more capabilities and flexibility that results with an increase in complexity. Those who NEED those functions accept the overhead of having to deal with the complexity. Those who don't need those functions, aren't burdened by the complexity (because those functions aren't available on a non-Pro device).

Where that particular line is, is open for discussion and debate.

The beauty of iOS is (or was) that it simplified and minimized the amount of effort required for a user to interact with the OS to get things set up, adjusted, and configured to an individual's use. And interacting with an iOS devices, one wasn't distracted by the OS itself... focus was on the apps.

When iOS was introduced, you couldn't even have a wallpaper background. That made things absurdly simple.... and therefore short-lived.

An iOS devuce is not a pro device its a lite OS. Lets say you want a car with electric windows, and you want a 4 door small/medium sedan, you can't have electric windows unless you buy a large station wagon, so you alienate a lot of users. And remember, other devices like Windows metro and Android are pro devices as they are not cut down. Apple just needs to get with the play and offer their "pro" features as what is normal for everyone else. Its that simple. Its not pro, its normal

Car analogies never work. This is no exception. 😉

Adding "Pro" features to all iPads saddles every customer with the added complexity and cost, whether they want it or not.

 

[tdale]

Anything that provides more capabilities and flexibility that results with an increase in complexity. Those who NEED those functions accept the overhead of having to deal with the complexity. Those who don't need those functions, aren't burdened by the complexity (because those functions aren't available on a non-Pro device).

Where that particular line is, is open for discussion and debate.

The beauty of iOS is (or was) that it simplified and minimized the amount of effort required for a user to interact with the OS to get things set up, adjusted, and configured to an individual's use. And interacting with an iOS devices, one wasn't distracted by the OS itself... focus was on the apps.

When iOS was introduced, you couldn't even have a wallpaper background. That made things absurdly simple.... and therefore short-lived.




Car analogies never work. This is no exception. 😉

Adding "Pro" features to all iPads saddles every customer with the added complexity and cost, whether they want it or not.

Yep, car analogies always fail, although my one is closer to the mark.

I agree iOS is simplified, as its app based, no need to use Finder, just the app. But I did ask what are Pro features, none have been quoted. What I find, and the general consensus is that iOS lacks features, such as managing files between apps, a file system, even attaching an attachment. Many little things. These actually make iOS more complex as we have to hunt for alternatives to do a simple task. Or go without. If features that satisfied what many users whine about, that won't make it more complex, it will make using iOS easier. Attach a flash drive to the lightning/USB adaptor, up pops a box, browse to the app where that file is to go, and vice versa, same with a wifi drive. easy, just like Windows. No need for a file system if each app that houses files has the ability to add/change folders, as Goodreader does, easy.

These and other features aren't Pro features, they are absent features that would help an iPad be usable as a laptop when required. Not complex as if a user doesnt use these. they don't use them.

 

[nj-morris]

Yep, car analogies always fail, although my one is closer to the mark.

I agree iOS is simplified, as its app based, no need to use Finder, just the app. But I did ask what are Pro features, none have been quoted. What I find, and the general consensus is that iOS lacks features, such as managing files between apps, a file system, even attaching an attachment. Many little things. These actually make iOS more complex as we have to hunt for alternatives to do a simple task. Or go without. If features that satisfied what many users whine about, that won't make it more complex, it will make using iOS easier. Attach a flash drive to the lightning/USB adaptor, up pops a box, browse to the app where that file is to go, and vice versa, same with a wifi drive. easy, just like Windows. No need for a file system if each app that houses files has the ability to add/change folders, as Goodreader does, easy.

These and other features aren't Pro features, they are absent features that would help an iPad be usable as a laptop when required. Not complex as if a user doesnt use these. they don't use them.

Sorry, just realised that I should have made myself more clear. I meant hardware features for the iPad Pro. Things like an advanced processor, more memory, better flash storage, better graphics card with dedicated video card, USB-C, etc. I don't doubt that the iPad Air can have features such as file management.