Inability to Use Apple Pencil for Navigation in iOS 9.3 Appears to be Intentional

[macaximx]

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!

Thank you chrono1080. Saw the news. Made my day.
Cycle 2 started today 8 more to go. Will fight this, again!

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

I'd disagree. As someone who has the iPad Pro, there is currently little reason to purchase one if you do not use the Pencil. The Pencil is the Pro's defining feature (and a fantastic one). Without the Pencil, it's just an oversized iPad, and though the size has its own benefits (videos, games, multitasking), for most people I'd bet those are not convincing enough features for the purchase price. Perhaps when iOS better supports more professional workflows, this might change.

I might agree with you that Apple never considered the Pencil to be the Pro's defining feature, given the absurd supply shortages at launch, and the lack of any place to store the Pencil either in the hardware or the case.



Yeah, that's what I was getting at in my earlier message; that there might be technical issues (I've encountered many of the same problems as you mention) that Apple has taken another look at and said, "It's better for quality and software dependability if we narrow the focus of the Pencil". I think it's the fact that they're taking this feature away that has some bad optics, as there's obviously people that are enjoying using the Pencil as navigation tool. For me, navigational input is a net positive despite the occasional glitches, and so I won't be too happy if they take it away.

To your benefit, looks like they'll be bringing back the navigation feature.
I only hope that they never decide to make a hole to store it inside of the iPad. Besides, that definitely takes up internal space for the circuitry inside.

 

[petsounds]

To your benefit, looks like they'll be bringing back the navigation feature.
I only hope that they never decide to make a hole to store it inside of the iPad. Besides, that definitely takes up internal space for the circuitry inside.

Honestly, I hope Apple did it not because people in the media complained about, but because they thought it was the best way. I hope they can keep the feature while also fixing the bugs when using it for UI manipulation.

I'd agree with you about not wanting it stored in the iPad; it's another thing that could break. But I was surprised that there's no storage for it in either the Cover or the Smart Keyboard. I hope they add storage for the Pencil somewhere.

 

[C DM]

Honestly, I hope Apple did it not because people in the media complained about, but because they thought it was the best way. I hope they can keep the feature while also fixing the bugs when using it for UI manipulation.

I'd agree with you about not wanting it stored in the iPad; it's another thing that could break. But I was surprised that there's no storage for it in either the Cover or the Smart Keyboard. I hope they add storage for the Pencil somewhere.

Seems like they will bring it back is because that's what they were planning on doing--not removing the feature--and the reason why it wasn't there is seemingly so that they could potentially work on something related to improving it.

 

[Robisan]

Bold new business model for Apple - take consumer's money for product, then cripple the product. Well played, Tim. *golfclap*

 

[PSDigital]

I hope they keep this functionality. It would be the biggest mistake they could make. I think I would stop using it. I use the pencil for selecting my cursor in between text and you can't do this with your finger. I also use the pencil to keep my screen clean because a dirty screen drives me crazy! The pen costs $99. Are the going to refund half our money if they remove half it's features?

 

[C DM]

I hope they keep this functionality. It would be the biggest mistake they could make. I think I would stop using it. I use the pencil for selecting my cursor in between text and you can't do this with your finger. I also use the pencil to keep my screen clean because a dirty screen drives me crazy! The pen costs $99. Are the going to refund half our money if they remove half it's features?

It's already been returned and is there in iOS 9.3.

 

[Bcook128]

Over the course of the iOS 9.3 beta testing period, iPad Pro users running the update have noticed a disturbing feature removal that limits the functionality of the Apple Pencil. In the current version of iOS, iOS 9.2, the Apple Pencil can be used for navigational purposes, just like a finger. It's possible to tap on buttons, select text, scroll, swipe between apps, access menus, and access general editing controls in non-drawing apps.

With iOS 9.3, much of that functionality has been removed. The Apple Pencil is no longer able to be used for selecting and manipulating text or doing things like scrolling -- it's only available for selecting buttons and drawing, sketching, and writing within apps.

Early on, Apple Pencil users thought the feature removal was perhaps a bug, but full Apple Pencil functionality has not been restored in later betas and the release notes that accompany betas have never mentioned the Apple Pencil's inability to be used for navigational purposes as a known issue. In a recent podcast, Relay.fm co-founder Myke Hurley said he's heard that the decision isn't a bug, but an intentional design decision.Earlier today, iMore's Serenity Caldwell wrote an opinion piece outlining the issue and calling on Apple not to remove the Apple Pencil's existing capabilities. In her post, she points out the Apple Pencil can no longer be used for tasks like editing videos in iMovie for iOS.Many iPad Pro users have come to rely on the Apple Pencil as a finger replacement in some situations, and it is not entirely clear why Apple has opted to eliminate that functionality. iOS 9.3 is expected to be released in the spring, perhaps at Apple's March 15 event, which means the end of the beta testing period is fast approaching. As Caldwell points out, Apple still has time to re-add the Apple Pencil features back into the operating system ahead of that date.

Article Link: Inability to Use Apple Pencil for Navigation in iOS 9.3 Appears to be Intentional

I read this thread when it was originally posted and was shocked and scared about the pencil navigation...glad to be able to post after 9.3's release that the Apple Pencil continues to be usable for general navigation. Don't know if it was the result of simple brainstorming or if Apple simply listened to the masses, but for whatever reason, I'm glad!
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I hope they keep this functionality. It would be the biggest mistake they could make. I think I would stop using it. I use the pencil for selecting my cursor in between text and you can't do this with your finger. I also use the pencil to keep my screen clean because a dirty screen drives me crazy! The pen costs $99. Are the going to refund half our money if they remove half it's features?

I hope they keep this functionality. It would be the biggest mistake they could make. I think I would stop using it. I use the pencil for selecting my cursor in between text and you can't do this with your finger. I also use the pencil to keep my screen clean because a dirty screen drives me crazy! The pen costs $99. Are the going to refund half our money if they remove half it's features?

Luckily it is supported; I'm in agreement with you, if they hadn't....well, I'd still use my pencil, but I'd have been really disappointed. The pencil has proved itself extremely useful as a navigation method in certain circumstances. I use GoToMyPC for work sometimes and it's made life much easier...it's almost impossible to scroll in Windows when you're accessing through the app on an iPad.

 

[PSDigital]

I read this thread when it was originally posted and was shocked and scared about the pencil navigation...glad to be able to post after 9.3's release that the Apple Pencil continues to be usable for general navigation. Don't know if it was the result of simple brainstorming or if Apple simply listened to the masses, but for whatever reason, I'm glad!
[doublepost=1459014035][/doublepost]


Luckily it is supported; I'm in agreement with you, if they hadn't....well, I'd still use my pencil, but I'd have been really disappointed. The pencil has proved itself extremely useful as a navigation method in certain circumstances. I use GoToMyPC for work sometimes and it's made life much easier...it's almost impossible to scroll in Windows when you're accessing through the app on an iPad.

It messed mine up. The tablet won't recognize my pencil unless I first plug it in like I'm going to charge it. Once I plug it in, I have to go to the Widget/Notification page and select Widgets. When it shows the percentage it has been charged, I can remove it and use it as normal. It never did this before the update. The tablet always recognized it.

 

[macaximx]

It messed mine up. The tablet won't recognize my pencil unless I first plug it in like I'm going to charge it. Once I plug it in, I have to go to the Widget/Notification page and select Widgets. When it shows the percentage it has been charged, I can remove it and use it as normal. It never did this before the update. The tablet always recognized it.

Same here. Not impressed.