At this point it doesn't really look like it. Since the iPad Pro doesn't really innovate much. IMO, the fact that it is still bound to iOS really kills it.
What exactly do you class as innovative? People keep throwing that word around but I don't think they know what they mean by it. Just looking at the A9X alone would lead me to say that's incredibly innovative. And if not, I can't see what you'd consider as innovative from Microsoft.
In response to the iPad Pro being bound to iOS, the fact that the Surface Pro is still bound to Windows 10 is what kills it for me. That is a very unpopular opinion as the knee jerk reaction is: "one runs desktop apps, the other iOS apps! It's obvious which one is better. Are you stupid, keys?!". So please allow me to explain:
Windows 10 is an OS consisting of two different UIs and tablet mode is not very well designed. Even if you're not using tablet mode, when you're only using the touchscreen and completely ignored a mouse/keyboard interface, it just simply doesn't touch the iPad as a touchscreen OS. I can't see how anybody would disagree with that. It's not comparable as a touchscreen against the iPad.
Microsoft have put all their eggs in one basket. They don't have the tablet marketshare or developers' passion to really push a move to a mobile-only OS. Many argue that W10 running on touch tablets was a well thought out and a deliberate move, but it absolutely isn't. It was because they couldn't hack the alternative, which was a touch-exclusive version of Windows. They've tried on numerous occasions to do this; with Windows RT and now with Windows 10S, which will also fail as RT did, and as Windows Phone OS did.
What Microsoft need are a lot of developers who are absolutely committed to making tablet-only versions of their applications. However they will not get this. Windows relies so heavily on legacy support and a classic mouse/keyboard interface, even with their foray into touchscreen. Anybody looking to develop a tablet version of their application will sooner make it for the iPad than for Windows 10S; or even Android instead of 10S. Again, I can't see a any argument to dispute that.
Microsoft also have a bad reputation for discontinuing stuff which doesn't take off. Apple make a lot of unpopular opinions but they stick with their guns and people eventually adapt. If Apple release a pencil for their iPad, then you'll damn well know it'll be there to stay, for better or for worse – so it's time to update your app. Conversely I can't begin to imagine people justifying development time and cost to make a Windows 10S application. Microsoft don't have the self-belief and a lot of these decisions ultimately are made by the shareholders. Not making money? Discontinue it.
To conclude: Windows 10 runs on touchscreen out of necessity, not out of choice. Microsoft would absolutely
love to make a streamlined tablet OS that runs faster and still offers the same wealth of applications. But ultimately for the reasons stated above, and many more, it's not something I believe they can reasonably achieve without some aggressive and, dare I say,
courageous tactics. Microsoft have painted themselves into a corner with the Surface Pro and I still maintain that in 5 years' time, we're really going to see the negative consequences of this. Time will tell.
