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

[StevenPG]

I just don't like the guessing game of wondering if it is going to work on something or not. I feel like I have to do all the research on what it will and will not do before I start using it each day.

Much like Apple Pay where I have to research before hand if a business takes it so I don't look like an idiot trying to use it somewhere they do not take it.

 

[reyesmac]

I would like to know if it has anything to do with patents for using a stylus on a computing device. I am sure other companies that actually do such things have many patents for it. If Apple doesn't want to pay up then it won't bother having it at all. Which is rather silly since they could improve their software quite a bit by using proven technology from time to time.

 

[samcraig]

I would like to know if it has anything to do with patents for using a stylus on a computing device. I am sure other companies that actually do such things have many patents for it. If Apple doesn't want to pay up then it won't bother having it at all. Which is rather silly since they could improve their software quite a bit by using proven technology from time to time.

Pretty sure if it was a patent issue - Apple could afford to pay the licensing fees.

 

[Tubamajuba]

Let people use their pad and pencil how they please.

Agreed. There have been situations where Apple makes good choices in regards to usability... but I can't think of a single reason to not let people use their pen whenever they want.

Not to worry.

Any minute now, an Apple spokesperson will claim that "It's a security feature" and the ADF will swing into action defending the way that Apple takes care of our privacy.

A few days later, Tim Cook will nonchalantly text that "It was simply a factory test" and the feature will come back.

The ADF? Huh? I thought the swarms of Apple haters that flood MacRumors had driven them off long ago.

So glad I hopped off the Apple bandwagon.

Obviously you're still on it if you're posting here.

 

[TwinCitiesJHawk]

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

just submitted feedback regarding this. the more people who do this, the better chance apple will listen to its customers.

 

[kwikdeth]

ain't no wrath like the prosumer's wrath.

if they cared about that we'd still have a real Mac Pro.

 

[69Mustang]

"We apologize for any inconvenience, this was designed to be a factory test and was not intended to affect customers. The function was due to appear as an exciting new feature of the Apple Pencil2. Customers who used this functionality previously can purchase a new Apple Pencil2 to begin enjoying the functionality... again. The Apple Pencil2 will appear along side the iPad Pro in Q3 2017. This issue only affected a small number of customers and those customers will be given iPod socks as a consolation." - Apple PR

 

[kwikdeth]

Agreed. There have been situations where Apple makes good choices in regards to usability... but I can't think of a single reason to not let people use their pen whenever they want.

Apple hasnt made good usability decisions in *years*, and the ones they do typically get taken away as they're too complicated to the LCD user base they cater to nowdays.

 

[The Game 161]

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

just submitted feedback regarding this. the more people who do this, the better chance apple will listen to its customers.

Just have to hope for the best I guess.

 

[joueboy]

You're using it wrong! -Apple

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

Well that's odd

*this post was navigated to via a Wacom pen*

 

[scoobydoo99]

and frankly, the idea that Apple would take away functionality that people have come to expect and depend on is a significant hit to usability and overall experience

Ha! Apple has been doing this for years, and no one cares until it affects THEM! Apple took away scroll bar arrows, so that now you have to try and scroll with a mouse wheel or swipe, causing multiple pages to fly by in large documents, with NO way to simply click an "up" or "down" arrow to move line by line! They took away "Save" and "Save As" in iMovie, creating a bewildering file system with little user control. Many, many other examples of Apple removing useful functionality used by millions just because they decide to.

All I can say is "Get used to it"

 

[luigi408]

Everyone should do this: Go to http://www.Apple.com/feedback and leave feed back and tweet Tim Cook (@Tim_Cook) on twitter.

Thanks! Done. This has to be one of the dumbest decisions from Apple.

 

[maokh]

For a $100 stylus, you'd think there would at least be an option!

 

[69Mustang]

Cue everyone who doesn't own an iPad Pro/Apple Pencil being outraged by this rumor.

Good thing ownership isn't a prerequisite for rendering an opinion. What do you think about the actual topic of Apple retroactively removing functionality of an already sold product?

 

[PurringPigeon]

I posted feedback as well - though if it's intentional I doubt they will care. But I guess it doesn't hurt. When people see how the Pro works with the Pencil on 9.2 they are impressed. It'll really make the pencil useless - now I will need to carry two input devices - one for sketching ( Pencil) and one for underlining (some cheap 2$ stylus) - what a rip off. Usually I find the decisions to make sense, even if I don't agree. This one is just absurd.

 

[Porco]

Apple seemingly has to make these bizarre functionality-reducing decisions from time to time, it's like they get an itch they have to scratch.

 

[ghostface147]

I just don't like the guessing game of wondering if it is going to work on something or not. I feel like I have to do all the research on what it will and will not do before I start using it each day.

Much like Apple Pay where I have to research before hand if a business takes it so I don't look like an idiot trying to use it somewhere they do not take it.

For Apple Pay, in new places I've never been before, I always am ready to pay by plastic. However I have my phone handy and when they tell me the amount, I just casually put my phone to the reader and see if it takes it. If not, I have my debit card and just swipe. Not the most efficient method, but since I don't usually stray from my normal spots, I just make a mental note.

 

[rdlink]

Odd move by Apple.

Agreed. Seems silly to remove it unless there was a real issue being created by it.

 

[samcraig]

Apple seemingly has to make these bizarre functionality-reducing decisions from time to time, it's like they get an itch they have to scratch.

"Let's see how many people we can irritate and STILL keep as customers... muahahahahahah"

 

[Rogifan]

Agreed. Seems silly to remove it unless there was a real issue being created by it.

Which is why I would like to know why it was done. As far as we know it wasn't causing any issues so why take out?

 

[alex2792]

This confirms that Apple will be launching an iFinger attachment for fine UI control. It will be completely revolutionary and at $99.99 is a complete steal!

 

[cppguy]

It's unlikely that my Surface Pro will be replaced with an Apple product anytime soon. Not that Microsoft is perfect, but Apple's arbitrary limitations are worse than dealing with the quirks of Windows.

 

[Macalway]

This is right up there folks

 

[damacus]

Navigating with the pencil was a positive experience for me .

I think his point was that app developers might start writing apps that expect the user to be using a stylus, resulting in a worse user experience for the large majority that doesn't have one. I agree with you though, they should leave the capability. Let the market take care of it. People will complain if an app sucks to use without a stylus, or on their phone..