Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad Pro Dummy Points Towards Dual Lightning Ports or USB-C Port
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I always thought iPads should have speakers at diagonally opposite corners so you could have stereo in all four orientations.
I'm thinking it's a development thing and won't be on the final (i.e. two ports). However, I do think it would be a USB-C port so we will have universal chargers and allow for other accessories.... however, the OEM market will go nuts if Apple changes the charging port again. I guess we'll see in the fall. USB-C on all Apple devices would be very cool in the long run.
Very possible and frankly people have asked for it. The question then becomes is it a second port or just an alternative for the original port
I think you mean that iOS would need to get AppKit...unless you are assuming that the rumored iPad Pro would run OS X natively?
I thought much the same when seeing this article. I'm hoping that Apple received enough publicity over proprietary ports on iPhones and iPads that they have seriously considered USB-C for iPads at the very least. More so update iOS to make driver installation possible and stop being dicks with the MiFi program.
Well, you are quite welcome
I didn't feel the need to write a lot about it, as I almost can't believe Apple will launch such a product.
- Apple's initial setup was the 10" (or 9.7") iPad only. Several companies came out with other sizes, both larger and smaller. Apple did jump on the smaller size because it proved a success with competitors. Larger sizes were not a succes, mainly because of weight, coming close to eg a MB Air 11" (at the time). Of course, it's quite possible Apple will try to launch a new segment, but it would have to be a lot more than an iPad + 2".
- There is hardly any hand held use for a prolonged time : too big and too heavy
- Its weight will be almost the same as that of the new Macbook without the universal use of a real computer. iOS is (imo) still primarily an OS for content consumption, not creation.
- Who is it for ? I don't see any target audience, except maybe a niche like a drawing artist ?
- OS-wise : to do more than a 9.7", you'd have to change the OS. OSX is in its current state completely inadequate for a touch device. Until now there's no proof of a hybrid OS in development that's the best of both worlds.
- Even if you change the OS : what's the target audience ? What content will you create on it unless you take a keyboard with you ? Typing on a flat surface is still a long shot from using a real keyboard. Or is it just about more content consumption ? So the audience can have a better look
It seems like the evidence of the product is building, but as mentioned, I fail to see the market strategy. Even the iWatch makes more sense
Last edited:
Exactly what I was thinking, I don't see 2 ports in any of the pictures, I see the one port on the side (relative to the orientation of the Apple logo) and that's it.
That doesn't work in real life where devices have different needs and constraints. For instance Thunderbolt required an additional controller chip which wouldn't have been practical mobile devices and made it expensive. USB-C has much more potential since it's versatile, simpler, and cheaper but it still isn't quite a full replacement for other cables yet.
The iPad Pro rumor has been going around for so long that I'm not even sure what I want out of this device anymore. But I'm very curious about what kind of components Apple would choose. Given how a tablet is used, this may require a lot of battery but it'll make it thick and heavy. Will Apple still stick to that 10 hour continuous battery life target? Will they go for 4k resolution?
Also, I wonder if this year Apple will focus on iPad some more. I felt like with the original iPad, iPad 2 and iPad 3, everyone was talking about them. I knew I didn't need an iPad, but Apple made me want one anyway.
The iPad 3 brought with it iPhoto and GarageBand and Apple seemed to really care. I thought then that by now we might have Final Cut Pro X or more iPad-only iOS features, or something.
Each iPhone still feels new and exciting, yet the latest iPads feel more like Mac upgrades when all they do is change the specs.
I know this isn't a fair analysis as the iPad Air 2 is incredibly thin, fast, with a great camera and Touch ID, yet it's like Apple doesn't care about the iPad line as much?
The iPad 3 brought with it iPhoto and GarageBand and Apple seemed to really care. I thought then that by now we might have Final Cut Pro X or more iPad-only iOS features, or something.
Each iPhone still feels new and exciting, yet the latest iPads feel more like Mac upgrades when all they do is change the specs.
I know this isn't a fair analysis as the iPad Air 2 is incredibly thin, fast, with a great camera and Touch ID, yet it's like Apple doesn't care about the iPad line as much?
Thunderbolt couldn't be used for charging, and you wouldn't want a port that huge for a phone charger. Apple always had separate data and charging cords, and one for mobile (iPod/iPhone) and mac (MagSafe). The only thing new is the USB C, maybe it could become a standard for their devices.
Dubious, but assuming these are real (and don't change):
Extra charging port: NO.
I would have said that made sense once upon a time--but as even LAPTOPS are moving towards NOT being plugged in during use, I don't see the iPad of all things gaining features for charging during use. (And another port isn't a trivial factor in designing the internals.)
So, maybe USB-C? That would be interesting, although the iPad has always been wireless-centric. Maybe a SIM or mic or speaker or button or some other thing entirely. Something to do with an optional first-party stylus? (That's a niche worth serving because it would make a drawing solution better than any other in key ways: big area but light weight, with great software like Procreate.)
Wired keyboards and mice: NO.
Wireless was common long ago for keyboards, and the iPad's not going to backtrack (although I think you already can technically use a USB keyboard with Apple's camera kit--but not as an Apple-promoted common use case).
And mice would make no sense. Wrong OS. Wrong form factor. Get a MacBook. There's something conceptually cool about a Microsoft Surface Frankenpad that tries to be "all things." It appeals to me... but not in any practical way. A mouse UI on a tablet is the best solution for a VERY small niche of people. And only a fraction of those who have tried such a thing will continue down that road with their next hardware purchase.
Extra charging port: NO.
I would have said that made sense once upon a time--but as even LAPTOPS are moving towards NOT being plugged in during use, I don't see the iPad of all things gaining features for charging during use. (And another port isn't a trivial factor in designing the internals.)
So, maybe USB-C? That would be interesting, although the iPad has always been wireless-centric. Maybe a SIM or mic or speaker or button or some other thing entirely. Something to do with an optional first-party stylus? (That's a niche worth serving because it would make a drawing solution better than any other in key ways: big area but light weight, with great software like Procreate.)
Wired keyboards and mice: NO.
Wireless was common long ago for keyboards, and the iPad's not going to backtrack (although I think you already can technically use a USB keyboard with Apple's camera kit--but not as an Apple-promoted common use case).
And mice would make no sense. Wrong OS. Wrong form factor. Get a MacBook. There's something conceptually cool about a Microsoft Surface Frankenpad that tries to be "all things." It appeals to me... but not in any practical way. A mouse UI on a tablet is the best solution for a VERY small niche of people. And only a fraction of those who have tried such a thing will continue down that road with their next hardware purchase.
Not sure what the problem is, all three of those products use USB cables. My ipad, nexus 5 and Macbook air also use USB cables.
Could someone explain why Apple is pushing USB-C instead of Thunderbolt 2.0? Doesn't Thunderbolt carry everything dual channel - power, audio, data, etc and allow daisy chaining without significant signal loss? It seemed remiss of them to forgo it completely. (this is in regards to the MacBook, sorry if it's a bit OT, but ties into my next question)
As for Lightning cables, I know the EU has been passing laws to agree on one simple standard across all manufacturers to combat e-waste, which I greatly applaud. Is USB-C the new standard? Thanks!
As for Lightning cables, I know the EU has been passing laws to agree on one simple standard across all manufacturers to combat e-waste, which I greatly applaud. Is USB-C the new standard? Thanks!
now it'd be hilarious to watch some people here flip flop and tell us how important having more than 1 port is.
"more ports than the new macbook ZOMG"
nice to know tech-obsessed people still have no idea that the new macbook wasn't marketed to them.
"iPad Pro - USELESS! ZOMG!"
nice to know tech-obsessed people still have no idea that the new iPad Pro isn't going to be marketed to them.
what do you people do, sit there looking adoringly at your accumulated top-tier rig over the last 10 years, finger all the ports lovingly, and then hit the forums to exhibit how limited your imaginations are?
nice to know tech-obsessed people still have no idea that the new macbook wasn't marketed to them.
"iPad Pro - USELESS! ZOMG!"
nice to know tech-obsessed people still have no idea that the new iPad Pro isn't going to be marketed to them.
what do you people do, sit there looking adoringly at your accumulated top-tier rig over the last 10 years, finger all the ports lovingly, and then hit the forums to exhibit how limited your imaginations are?
While this is interesting - how much is Apple planning to charge for this? Assuming they want their 20-30% margin - you are looking already at Macbook territory. For the market that would be interesting in this (content creators, big kiosks, professional movie editing, etc), would they paid 800-1000+ for this?