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The anger about this is puzzling. Is the reasonable logical conclusion really that Apple did this just because they want to oppress its users?

I'm going to give Apple the benefit of the doubt here. I think their goal was to make a stylus a supplementary tool, not a necessary one. I suspect that they became worried that apps would come out with interfaces designed to be used with a Pencil, but making it less than optimal for use with a finger. In fact, I'll bet they were seeing this in some apps being submitted.

Thus, perhaps for now, they decided to remove it completely even for themselves, so that app developers wouldn't be able to do this. My guess is that they will implement it later when they can find a way that prevents compromising the experience of users without a stylus.

Seems to me a type of oppression of its users, no? ;)
 
The anger about this is puzzling. Is the reasonable logical conclusion really that Apple did this just because they want to oppress its users?

The anger isn't coming from some belief that Apple is intentionally trying to oppress users. The anger is coming from the fact that, while it's not their intention to oppress, it is in fact the effect. Surely you can wrap your mind around that. I'm sure they have their reasons, and from their level and point of view, they probably make a great deal of sense.

Doesn't change the fact that I just spent $100 on something that I thoroughly enjoy, and they're (possibly) taking away the functionality I most enjoy. It's as simple as that.
 
Upon first reading this story, I was nonplussed. When I've got the Pencil out for writing/drawing, I will also use it as a stylus for navigation. Not having that ability would be initially frustrating, so Apple's decision to remove it is mystifying.

But I've had a day to consider, and now I kinda get it. As others have pointed out, Apple wants to reinforce the Pencil as a writing/drawing apparatus. They've never called it a stylus in any press release or promotional material, so this move is about further defining the role of the Pencil as a specialized, optional tool.

My only real complaint here is that Apple should have restricted the Pencil's use from the beginning.
 
Seems to me a type of oppression of its users, no? ;)
Not really that much more than many things related to iOS devices to begin with, like the inability to install just anything you want, or to change default apps, or have various other options that you might want to have that Apple doesn't offer, etc.
 
Not really that much more than many things related to iOS devices to begin with, like the inability to install just anything you want, or to change default apps, or have various other options that you might want to have that Apple doesn't offer, etc.

But not being able to install anything beyond the app store has always been the case since there was an app store. Same with default apps (one reason my personal device is Android by the way), etc..

This is a scenario which is different. Today, those with an iPad Pro and a Pencil have certain functionality. When the GM rolls out - they will lose part of that functionality. Now I have no skin in this game at present. But I can understand why this is an issue and why some are getting upset. Further - it does nothing to entice me towards a purchase as not only might I like this functionality (since I now KNOW it is/was there) but also because who knows what might be taken away next?
 
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But not being able to install anything beyond the app store has always been the case since there was an app store. Same with default apps (one reason my personal device is Android by the way), etc..

This is a scenario which is different. Today, those with an iPad Pro and a Pencil have certain functionality. When the GM rolls out - they will lose part of that functionality. Now I have no skin in this game at present. But I can understand why this is an issue and why some are getting upset. Further - it does nothing to entice me towards a purchase as not only might I like this functionality (since I now KNOW it is/was there) but also because who knows what might be taken away next?
Right, there's a difference in the sense that they allowed it for a short period of time due to a mistake, or an oversight, or something else. In a sense it would be similar if some update somehow allowed apps from outside the App Store to be freely installed and then a later update removed that ability again. There's history that existing features can be tweaked or changed or even replaced or removed in some updates, that's not really new either in the world of iOS or really any OS or software lifecycle. Sure, there are certainly complexities involved when a station like that arises and it's not just completely clear and cut and dry. But, the specific aspect of "oppression", especially as applied to something iOS related, that just seems to be par for the course, so to say, given what iOS and it's devices are and have been.
 
They don't WANT a stylus driven interface. Even when the Pencil was announced they said very clearly that it was for "marking only".

.

Selecting text, underlining text, highlighting text - is marking. Based on this post and thread that has been removed and I feel that is a mistake. While I do navigate my books while reading with the  Pencil, I could get over that, but losing select text is going to impact my ability to study. Which is why I bought this in the first place....
 
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I think many of those that some people call "haters" on Apple forums these days, are simply longtime Apple fans who are not happy with some of the decisions that Apple is currently making.
In some cases you're absolutely right, but there are plenty of people who argue with anyone who dares to say they like something that Apple has done. It's almost like a game where these people fight over who can bend over backwards more to criticize Apple and those who don't criticize them the same way.
 
Frankly I don't give a damn about using the Pencil to scroll, but the whole reason I want to buy the next iPad that supports it is for text selection and marking up documents....not sure what the idea behind the removal of text selection is about.
 
lets hope apple users get back everything they had, it's such a poor decision that quite frankly i don't understand. It's not like anyone is making apps that can only be used with the pencil it's just an alternative to a finger. Poor show apple.
 
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They GUESSED it was an Apple choice and that it wouldn't return.

As I said, it will return in the release.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ality-to-return-in-next-ios-9-3-beta.1957893/

Good to hear. You'd think MR would have checked before reporting on it but guess it generates clicks.
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They GUESSED it was an Apple choice and that it wouldn't return.

As I said, it will return in the release.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ality-to-return-in-next-ios-9-3-beta.1957893/

Good to hear. You'd think MR would have checked before reporting on it but guess it generates clicks.
 
This. Copy and Paste on iOS pure trash. So inaccurate and doesn't even detected text correctly.
My favorite now is when interacting with text(mac rumor forums), I can't highlight any of my text in a text box, as the keyboard pops up, and the highlighting functionality is gone. Makes it really difficult to MOVE a sentence from one place to another.

I already dread having to highlight more than one word to begin with, now they go and do this?

Pfffft
 
My favorite now is when interacting with text(mac rumor forums), I can't highlight any of my text in a text box, as the keyboard pops up, and the highlighting functionality is gone. Makes it really difficult to MOVE a sentence from one place to another.

I already dread having to highlight more than one word to begin with, now they go and do this?

Pfffft
Do what?
 

Edit a post here, when you get the popup, versus the straight text on the webpage. Sometimes the popup appears when editing, sometimes not.

With the popup, highlighting text to delete/move/copy brings up the keyboard, and you can no longer highlight text. At least that is what has happened to me the last 5 times I've tried to highlight text on a popup. Could just be macrumor's/forum tool's implementation.

Still doesn't negate the fact that highlighting text is a horrible experience in iOS.

This is on an iPad, btw.
 
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Have you tried using the 3D Touch "cursor control," though (where you press down on the keyboard to move cursor in text entry field)? It almost always leaves the cursor one notch over from where it was when I picked up my finger!

This is precisely what I was talking about. I have experienced that problem and I just try to keep the finger aligned as I pick it up. Seems like a minor tweak they can make will fix it.
 
The iPad Pro has become a device that is no longer for work but a way for me to stay connected.



Thanks for the link chrono1081 .

The iPad Pro has become a device that is no longer for work but a way for me to stay connected. Starting Chemotherapy again has caused my hands to swell and the skin to crack at times. It can be painful and the cream/ lotion makes a mess on the screen. Using the pencil, wrapped in tissue, enables me to scroll and select as the lotion causes the screen not to recognize my finger.
I imagine users with hand disabilities can use the Pencil as I do when my hands swell. Following this news over the past few weeks is disheartening. Last time with Chemo I lost a bit vision and using the iPad Air was frustrating. Now Apple will take away some of my connectivity which allows me to forget what I am going through and pass time. Scrolling, typing, selecting is so much easier.
Hoping  will do the right thing and allow users to find ways to use products to their advantage.


If you didn't see the news the pencil functionality will be back in time for the release :) Also I wish you a speedy recovery!
 
Navigating with the pencil was a positive experience for me .

I agree! I have arthritis in my finger so a stylus to navigate is actually one of the main reasons I bought the iPad Pro and pencil. What a disappointment if they take functionality away that actually makes the device have greater accessibility for people with defective digits!
 
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