iPad Pro IPP/iOS 10 concerns?

[Jasmynp]

My husband and I had a conversation about this earlier today and I've seen a couple posts here and on other forums that support his point of view.

I got him the 12.9 for our anniversary. He wanted it because he hoped that iOS 10 would unlock features that would be optimized for the ram, screen size, and overall power. He got me one a few months later before a used his incessantly and kind of hoped for the same thing.

Having seen that iOS 10 has no optimization for the pro, do you now have 2nd thoughts about updgrading at the first generation?

 

[Feenician]

Wouldn't that simply mean the iPad would last longer as the software grows into it? I'm not necessarily saying that's a good thing, just that it's the logical conclusion of your assertion that there's a lack of use of the available resources.

Edit: fixed typos

 

[richpjr]

Having seen that iOS 10 has no optimization for the pro, do you now have 2nd thoughts about updgrading at the first generation?

Nope. I'd never buy something hoping that despite no promises of new features for it (or even a hint about them) that I'd somehow win the lottery and they'd do something anyway. That's a sure fire road to disappointment.

 

[M. Gustave]

...he hoped that iOS 10 would unlock features that would be optimized for the ram, screen size, and overall power. He got me one a few months later before a used his incessantly and kind of hoped for the same thing.

I don't understand. He 'used his incessantly', and liked it enough to then buy you one too... but he's unhappy about iOS 10... which hasn't even been released yet. Ok, I'm lost.

 

[Jasmynp]

So this guy puts it better than I was able to.

We both like the pro. We both use them often. Upon purchased it made since that ios 9 was not optimized for the screen, but the fact that 10 isn't going to show optimization either is a disappointing.

 

[jgelin]

I would not say that the Pro is done being optimized for... look at how long it took watchOS to get up to par with our expectations? The hardware it has will not be substandard for some years.
It will happen soon, just maybe not as fast as you or I would like.

 

[bensisko]

Nope. I'd never buy something hoping that despite no promises of new features for it (or even a hint about them) that I'd somehow win the lottery and they'd do something anyway. That's a sure fire road to disappointment.

In total agreement here.

So this guy puts it better than I was able to.

We both like the pro. We both use them often. Upon purchased it made since that ios 9 was not optimized for the screen, but the fact that 10 isn't going to show optimization either is a disappointing.

Gave the article a read. It seems like kind of a whiny review - especially since it was posted just after release. The author was trying to justify their purchase instead of buying it because it fit a need or want. They can't use it for work because it's iOS (um... Duh?), and can't use it for entertainment because it's big (duh again?).

It all comes down to expectations - don't expect what Apple hasn't promised.

 

[M. Gustave]

So this guy puts it better than I was able to.

Look, everyone's entitled to their opinion, but that article was nitpicking at best. His main gripes are too much gray space in the clock timer app, settings screen, and Instagram is sized weirdly? ok...

Let me ask you, what should be onscreen when I'm using the iOS timer? Random text? News feeds? Facebook posts?

 

[sracer]

So this guy puts it better than I was able to.

We both like the pro. We both use them often. Upon purchased it made since that ios 9 was not optimized for the screen, but the fact that 10 isn't going to show optimization either is a disappointing.

I understand what you mean. Yes it was painfully obvious that iOS 9 was not optimized for the iPad Pro. It does look goofy with the widely spaced icons... making it look more like Fisher-Price's "My First Tablet" for preschoolers than the top-of-the-line iPad. Lots of wasted space in apps that don't take advantage of the larger screen.

At MSRP, I thought the 12.9 iPad Pro was (and is) overpriced for what it does. I only bought one when there was a significant percentage-off sale. I am enjoying it, and it is doing what I expected a giant iPad to do. So no surprises or disappointments there. I think based on what you've written in this thread, I think you and your husband feel the same way... the current functionality is fine.

But... with extensive use of the 12.9 iPP, it becomes obvious that this beast (in the good sense) of a tablet has so much untapped potential. A little tweak here, a little tweak there, and this thing could be so much more. For some of us, just a few minor adjustments to iOS and a few minor additions.

So to watch the iOS 10 reveal be nothing more than Emojis, shared clipboard, and split-window Safari tabs is indeed disappointing.

For me, the iPP has essentially replaced my 11" MBA and iPad Air 2. It supplements the iMac in my home office. I'm not letting Apple's lethargic pace of enhancing iOS for the iPP prevent me from enjoying all that it does and what it can currently do. I've received a Citrix X1 mouse that works with the iPad (within Jump Desktop only) so that I can access OSX on my iPP using a keyboard and mouse.

I can do this with great confidence in spite of the situation, because the alternatives are far worse (IMO). How do I know that? I've used them extensively.

I don't understand. He 'used his incessantly', and liked it enough to then buy you one too... but he's unhappy about iOS 10... which hasn't even been released yet. Ok, I'm lost.

Although iOS 10 hasn't been released yet, the "highlights" were announced at WWDC last week. Shared Clipboard and Emojis-R-Us were the "stars" of the iOS 10 reveal. While it is possible that Apple has some whiz-bang iPad-specific updates up their sleeve that they haven't announced yet, based on what Apple has chosen to show us, there is nothing that is optimized for the iPad Pro... oh, except being able to have a Safari tab open in each window of Split-screen.

So yes, it is reasonable to be disappointed in iOS 10 based on what is publicly known about it. If Apple reveals more, then reasonable people would factor that new info into their opinion and adjust accordingly.

 

[M. Gustave]

While it is possible that Apple has some whiz-bang iPad-specific updates up their sleeve that they haven't announced yet, based on what Apple has chosen to show us, there is nothing that is optimized for the iPad Pro...

Forking iOS into "pro" and "not-pro" streams of development is the wrong way to go, IMO. I don't even like the concept of non-universal iOS apps.

 

[bensisko]

Forking iOS into "pro" and "not-pro" streams of development is the wrong way to go, IMO. I don't even like the concept of non-universal iOS apps.

Amen!

Although iOS 10 hasn't been released yet, the "highlights" were announced at WWDC last week. Shared Clipboard and Emojis-R-Us were the "stars" of the iOS 10 reveal. While it is possible that Apple has some whiz-bang iPad-specific updates up their sleeve that they haven't announced yet, based on what Apple has chosen to show us, there is nothing that is optimized for the iPad Pro... oh, except being able to have a Safari tab open in each window of Split-screen.

So yes, it is reasonable to be disappointed in iOS 10 based on what is publicly known about it. If Apple reveals more, then reasonable people would factor that new info into their opinion and adjust accordingly.

I'm obviously not promising anything, but remember the first beta builds of iOS are ALWAYS iPhone-centric - and of course they are, it's the iOS cash cow.

I wouldn't expect a great deal of new features, but iOS 10 optimization has only just begun. Remember the iOS 7 beta? The first one barely worked on the iPad - it dragged the system down to a crawl. It got better, and more optimized, with each release.

 

[sracer]

I'm obviously not promising anything, but remember the first beta builds of iOS are ALWAYS iPhone-centric - and of course they are, it's the iOS cash cow.

I don't remember that.

I would expect a great deal of new features, but iOS 10 optimization has only just begun. Remember the iOS 7 beta? The first one barely worked on the iPad - it dragged the system down to a crawl. It got better, and more optimized, with each release.

Why would you expect a great deal of new features AFTER WWDC?

Are you basing that on iOS 7? I also remember that the "greatest" (ie. most important) features were announced at WWDC. There is a difference between getting it beyond "barely working" and including new features/capabilities to exploit the hardware.

Forking iOS into "pro" and "not-pro" streams of development is the wrong way to go, IMO. I don't even like the concept of non-universal iOS apps.

To the best of my knowledge, no one is advocating forking iOS. It doesn't require a new code branch to support a higher resolution icon grid to support larger screens.


Look, I don't want to come off as being argumentative. You both are entitled to your optimism regarding the new, as-yet-unannounced, iPad-specific improvements that will be included in iOS 10, but as it stands now that is nothing more than wishful thinking, and that is fine. But please don't give others the impression that any concern about iOS 10 vis-à-vis iPad Pro is unfounded. At this moment in time, there is reason for some to be concerned.

 

[bensisko]

Why would you expect a great deal of new features AFTER WWDC?

Are you basing that on iOS 7? I also remember that the "greatest" (ie. most important) features were announced at WWDC. There is a difference between getting it beyond "barely working" and including new features/capabilities to exploit the hardware.

Sorry, that was a typo. It should be "I wouldn't expect any new features..."

My point being that new features were shown, but optimization is an on-going process.

 

[stevemiller]

while some nifty new features would always be interesting, as long as the tablet continues to do what i bought it for well enough, i don't feel particularly disappointed.

 

[Jasmynp]

I understand what you mean. Yes it was painfully obvious that iOS 9 was not optimized for the iPad Pro. It does look goofy with the widely spaced icons... making it look more like Fisher-Price's "My First Tablet" for preschoolers than the top-of-the-line iPad. Lots of wasted space in apps that don't take advantage of the larger screen.

At MSRP, I thought the 12.9 iPad Pro was (and is) overpriced for what it does. I only bought one when there was a significant percentage-off sale. I am enjoying it, and it is doing what I expected a giant iPad to do. So no surprises or disappointments there. I think based on what you've written in this thread, I think you and your husband feel the same way... the current functionality is fine.

But... with extensive use of the 12.9 iPP, it becomes obvious that this beast (in the good sense) of a tablet has so much untapped potential. A little tweak here, a little tweak there, and this thing could be so much more. For some of us, just a few minor adjustments to iOS and a few minor additions.

So to watch the iOS 10 reveal be nothing more than Emojis, shared clipboard, and split-window Safari tabs is indeed disappointing.

For me, the iPP has essentially replaced my 11" MBA and iPad Air 2. It supplements the iMac in my home office. I'm not letting Apple's lethargic pace of enhancing iOS for the iPP prevent me from enjoying all that it does and what it can currently do. I've received a Citrix X1 mouse that works with the iPad (within Jump Desktop only) so that I can access OSX on my iPP using a keyboard and mouse.

I can do this with great confidence in spite of the situation, because the alternatives are far worse (IMO). How do I know that? I've used them extensively.



Although iOS 10 hasn't been released yet, the "highlights" were announced at WWDC last week. Shared Clipboard and Emojis-R-Us were the "stars" of the iOS 10 reveal. While it is possible that Apple has some whiz-bang iPad-specific updates up their sleeve that they haven't announced yet, based on what Apple has chosen to show us, there is nothing that is optimized for the iPad Pro... oh, except being able to have a Safari tab open in each window of Split-screen.

So yes, it is reasonable to be disappointed in iOS 10 based on what is publicly known about it. If Apple reveals more, then reasonable people would factor that new info into their opinion and adjust accordingly.

I'm with you the fact that it's better than the rest. I've had many MANY android tablets and they really don't come close. I also appreciate that the hardware and "disk space" that I got will last me quite awhile so I'm not worried. It's disappointing that this are making progress in micro-steps - an exaggeration of course, but still.

 

[TheRealAlex]

My husband and I had a conversation about this earlier today and I've seen a couple posts here and on other forums that support his point of view.

I got him the 12.9 for our anniversary. He wanted it because he hoped that iOS 10 would unlock features that would be optimized for the ram, screen size, and overall power. He got me one a few months later before a used his incessantly and kind of hoped for the same thing.

Having seen that iOS 10 has no optimization for the pro, do you now have 2nd thoughts about updgrading at the first generation?

The 12.9 is especially extra bad for 2 reasons despite many more obvious ones. And they are few apps are optimized for it's crazy resolution. And developers will target the lowest common denominator and optimize for 2GB DDR4 RAM and A9X speed. They can not target the 4GB model because not many people own one thus their app would not succeed.

Also iOS 10 is very Light on new Features but Under the Hood code is optimized for the A9X CPU and 8 Core GPU like never before. Plus the Extra RAM will make everything better.

 

[jamesrick80]

The 12.9 is especially extra bad for 2 reasons despite many more obvious ones. And they are few apps are optimized for it's crazy resolution. And developers will target the lowest common denominator and optimize for 2GB DDR4 RAM and A9X speed. They can not target the 4GB model because not many people own one thus their app would not succeed.

Also iOS 10 is very Light on new Features but Under the Hood code is optimized for the A9X CPU and 8 Core GPU like never before. Plus the Extra RAM will make everything better.

I rather them not target utilizing the 4 gb ram at the highest common denominator since I can currently keep more tabs open without refreshing in safari. The 4 gb ram is more useful in the long run since they are targeting the lowest common denominator. Your comment above is just an excuse to making the best case scenario for the 2 gb of ram being more useful in the smaller iPad Pro although it can't hold as many tabs and apps open without refreshing.

You will not be stating this when the smaller IPP goes to 3 gb or 4 gb ram next year since the new iPhone will have 3 gb ram based on rumors this very year. Therefore, 3 gb ram will be the lowest common denominator very soon.

Furthermore, unless we are talking about trackpad support and more productive apps to utilize the large display on the 12.9 IPP, there is nothing too bad about blown up iPad apps since the iPad Pro 12.9 scales almost perfectly with its larger resolution and the split screen is truly useful with the larger model.

 

[Abazigal]

There's a theory going around that iOS 10 is more about the iPhone (which gets released later this year) and Apple might push iPad-related updates in the .1 updates, to coincide with iPad refreshes in March / April period.

I don't think Apple is done with trying to push the iPad as a productivity tool, but it will likely continue to play second fiddle to the iPhone, and so we may have to wait a little longer for more features.

 

[spesifikbrush]

Buying something because it may get better features later is not ideal tbh. I ordered an iPad Pro 9.7 myself instead of a laptop even though I know I can't play desktop games or manage my files like on Windows. I do want new features on iPad Pro too but, I know I will still be happy with the current iOS if they don't come. My point is, if you and your husband already like your iPad Pros with their current features, keep them right now. And don't upgrade to the next Pro if you don't like the fact that it would have the same limited iOS. Maybe Apple will surprise us, maybe not.