iPad Pro Someone needs to do a IPP challenge

[Night Spring]

I understand what you're saying but overall, I think it will increase the power and flexibility of iOS. I mean attaching files in iOS can be a chore if not impossible depending on what you're looking to do, as an example. There's work arounds to be sure, but building a work flow on work arounds and add-ons can produce a fair amount of headaches.

I can see both points of view. Personally, I bought FileBrowser when it first came out, I think the same year when the first iPad was released, and never felt like I needed anything more in terms of file management. But then, I never have to attach a lot of files to an email. For attaching several files, FileBrowser had that capability from almost the very beginning.

 

[JD2015]

How is the filesystem argument not real?

What if I want to airdrop some video files over to my iPad Pro? Probably won't support them.

What if I want to download an album from bandcamp.com and then manage the files? Can't. It's either buy on iTunes or sync the files with a computer.

What if I have thousands of jpgs that I want to organize in folders on my own? I can't, every image file gets thrown into Photos even though I only want photos I've taken with my iPhone to be in Photos.

If the iPad Pro and iOS is going to make the next step, it needs to be able to download stuff in Safari. It needs Finder. It needs to be able to download apps from the web (Software companies will NEVER give Apple a 30 percent cut on their pro software). It needs Xcode. It needs more robust file support like OS X.

From a power standpoint, the iPad Pro can do all these things easily. Apple just needs to support them. iPad Pro will never become a "computer" until it does those things.

You can airdrop video files to your IPP. Like any PCs,laptop it is will be restricted to file formats it can handle. Tons of Apps support various video formats so shouldn't prove too much of an issue.

Photos - use a dedicated photo app other than stock one. That's what I do. Loads to choose from which gives you option to organise them in whatever folders you want. FLickr and Dropbox are great apps for this.

As others have pointed out you can download documents, YouTube videos etc from Safari.

It has a finder system already inbuilt which is superb.

 

[FrancoRumors]

A "regular" ipad air would do fine for those three things. An ipad pro is suppose to do things a regular ipad air won't do. At least that is what the Apple reps lead me to believe.
[doublepost=1453176609][/doublepost]

The Apple reps we consulted promised us the IIP would edit three streams of 4K video at the same time with no hiccups. We did not dream up this claim. It came straight from the mouth of Apple. I'm not saying it can't be done theoretically on an IIP, but we could not duplicate what the reps told us we could do with the footage produced by the Red Digital Cinema camera that we rented. Our amazement came from the fact that they promised us we would have no problem when in fact they knew the limitations of imovie. There is an expectation that a pro model can do things that a non pro machine can't do. I believe the IPP has the necessary horsepower - but it is severely crippled by the operating system.

iMovie isn't the only editor available for the IPP. Also, it's not OS preventing you from completing your project - it's apparently a software issue. That being said.. As per apples iMovie website IPP can handle editing three 4K streams at a time. If you do a search(I just did) there are plenty of people who have successfully edited 4K video. Perhaps it has more to do with the file settings you used when recording with your red cam. Every application from iMovie to FCP etc have file limitations that effect file size and format.

 

[bensisko]

Hows it a metaphor, it's a requirement of use for pretty much any business app... Where do I store my files? The device must always be connected to a cloud or repository in order to use it. So mid flight over the Atlantic makes it pretty pointless. The fact it has no useable file system therefore for many means it's not possible to replace a laptop. This is why android devices with usb or SDcards are leaps and bounds ahead. IPP for me is a toy at best.

Everything you do in a graphical user interface is a visual metaphor for what's going on with the computer. A 'file' is just data - a metaphor carried over from the days of punch cards. "Files" to the user should be irrelevant- what you should be concerned about is the content. Let the device worry how things are organized, you concern yourself with the task at hand - writing the quality document, creating the proposal presentation, viewing/editing pictures.

I'm not saying iOS is perfect (far from) but if I'm going to work on a presentation, open up PowerePoint and I see all the presentations I've worked on - no spreadsheets, Jpegs, videos, word processing docs to sort through - just presentations. If I need to transfer that presentation to my laptop, there are tons of ways to do that (Cloud, Airdrop, USB, etc.).

Also, iOS has local storage - both my Mini 4 and iPad Pro have 128 GB. Would remove able storage be nice? Six months ago I would have said Yes, but between a large local storage and cloud/streaming, I'm actually pretty set. The ONLY thing I would like a built-in SD for is to transfer pictures from my camera (but a dongle works just fine - and with EyeFi card, I usually transfer from camera to iPad via WiFi).

 

[ctg7w6]

I really want to use the IPP as a laptop, but it just isn't there for me. It's not due to lack of power, but a lack of multitasking ability... I need 3-5 programs open at once on the screen (I have a large external monitor).

 

[bensisko]

I really want to use the IPP as a laptop, but it just isn't there for me. It's not due to lack of power, but a lack of multitasking ability... I need 3-5 programs open at once on the screen (I have a large external monitor).

Just curious - Why so many windows? Are you monitoring multiple systems?

 

[Night Spring]

I really want to use the IPP as a laptop, but it just isn't there for me. It's not due to lack of power, but a lack of multitasking ability... I need 3-5 programs open at once on the screen (I have a large external monitor).

But surely if you are using your laptop with an external monitor, then you are using it at a desk, and not for mobile computing. I think for *mobile* computing, the iPP can replace laptops for many, if not most people, and that most people who say it doesn't replace their laptops are using the laptop more as a desktop.

 

[hiddenmarkov]

Just curious - Why so many windows? Are you monitoring multiple systems?

Can't speak for your quoted but I can have fair bit of apps open.

Just came back from a Tokyo trip and lots of RAWs to work. Post processing app doing its thing last night.

Same trip I finally got my Ninja 2 external disk recorder/monitor for my dslr video new hobby. So cheesy few minute clips being uploaded and looked over in final cut pro. mainly testing the system's ability to gauge focus and exposure. Manual focus was my issue with dslr video...now I can improve on that from what I saw last night.

Parallels opened up. It hosts my Linux servers that were being updated last night.

Terminal app (iterm2 I like) used to ssh into the servers as CLI only servers and setup as headless since I prefer terminal over the parallels windows to access them.

Safari open surfing.

Several windows open to set up file transfers from MBP to my NAS. Enter cloud/management debate...for my predicted data needs it was more cost effective to buy a NAS with a fair amount of TB's than to pay say google drive for same level of service.


I tend to leave .txt notes in my folders. So BBEdit open to write said notes. Case of pics text file gives basic info like what was shot, and notes I'd like to look up not having to open up an application to read exif data and some data is not even in exif. Like if neutral densities (ND) filters used, these screw in, they don't talk to the camera as it were so not in exif data.

7 apps there. I will take away file transfer since not an iOS feature. leaves 6. Parallels...I live and die by so it stays. Learned early on in it its best to break stuff in virtual than in production. VM breaks you can delete it , restore a backup/snapshot and you are back up in minutes flat image size depending. break your production box...much much longer to be back up.

Nice t-bolt display with the option to drag smaller windows to the MBP display (I don't run clamshell) and I get a fair bit of screen real estate to work with.

I can abuse my MBP basically.

Again this my needs. Some people can work off the 1 or ever 2 screens IPP split screen can give them. Cool it works out for them like that and I am happy for them really. Not saying I am uber pro user and they are not. I actually envy a streamlined setup and wished I could have it at times. I just need to do lots of things at once at times. Others do as well.

Work what works best for you as in all things really.

 

[Night Spring]

I just need to do lots of things at once at times.

I understand you like to keep lots of windows open, but how many of those windows do you actually need to *see* at once? Like if you are writing notes in your Notes app, then you aren't surfing on Safari at the same time, even if the Safari window is open.

I find that when using my laptops without an external monitor, I just full-screen / maximize all my apps and switch between them using Ctrl+tab, basically getting almost the same experience I do on iOS.

As I said in my previous post, I don't think iPP is meant to replace a desktop experience, which is what you are describing. But a laptop experience is much more limited. I wouldn't try to open that many windows and do so many things at once in a laptop unless I have a big external monitor attached -- and in that case, it's not really a laptop, it's a desktop.

 

[nightlong]

I can see both points of view. Personally, I bought FileBrowser when it first came out, I think the same year when the first iPad was released, and never felt like I needed anything more in terms of file management. But then, I never have to attach a lot of files to an email. For attaching several files, FileBrowser had that capability from almost the very beginning.

A bit off topic, but may I ask two questions about Filebrowser. Have just got it ...

1. On iPads it can't find my MBPr on the same wifi network. I turned on sharing and put in the MBPr name it has there. Seems to have an issue with the name.
2. On iPads in the file list, am I supposed to see iCloud content (as I can with my other cloud storage, Dropbox etc). I can import/export to iCloud and can see content then, but when I touch the iCloud icon in the file list it is blank where the other cloud apps show content.

Thanks.

 

[Beavix]

Everything you do in a graphical user interface is a visual metaphor for what's going on with the computer. A 'file' is just data - a metaphor carried over from the days of punch cards. "Files" to the user should be irrelevant- what you should be concerned about is the content. Let the device worry how things are organized, you concern yourself with the task at hand - writing the quality document, creating the proposal presentation, viewing/editing pictures.

That may work if you're the type of computer user who works with one app at the time in isolation from other apps.

Many of us have to work with multiple apps exchanging files between them, so the files cannot be irrelevant to us. On the contrary, files (and folders) are essential for organizing and exchanging the information between apps and people.

I'm not saying iOS is perfect (far from) but if I'm going to work on a presentation, open up PowerePoint and I see all the presentations I've worked on - no spreadsheets, Jpegs, videos, word processing docs to sort through - just presentations.

If you can do everything using only PowerPoint, then good for you. For me working on a presentation goes something like this:

• I do the presentation using PowerPoint
• I always have to insert some graphics like photos (JPG files), logos (could be any file types like JPG, GIF, EPS, Illustrator...), drawings, flowcharts or other type of graphics I create myself using a vector drawing application.
• Sometimes I have to add a table from an Excel file.
• And most of the time I get the content for the presentation in a Word file.
• All the above mentioned files have to stay together somewhere so I can find them easily when I need them or when I have to make changes.

That's why I need access to a file system, so I can group all the different files belonging to a project into a folder.

 

[hemon]

Something I really cannot understand: WHY may/should/would I use the iPad Pro and take it with me if I can do my WORK with a laptop, which can have THE SAME measures and weight as the iPad Pro (see macbook, macbook air 11/13, dell xps 13), ways better because of the windows/osx/linux OS? Which are the advantages of the iPad pro over a same-sized laptop + iPad Air 2?

Can someone give me an answer to this question(s)?

 

[Eric5273]

Just an observation here, but it seems like most of the people who are saying they cannot use an iPad Pro as their main computer are people who are involved in some sort of IT or programming work. I think it's pretty clear that someone who manages servers, does programming, or something similar is going to need a real computer and not a tablet running iOS. But for regular business folks who use spreadsheets, word processors, PDFs, etc, it is likely all the computer they need if they are willing to learn to compute in a new way.

 

[Night Spring]

A bit off topic, but may I ask two questions about Filebrowser. Have just got it ...

1. On iPads it can't find my MBPr on the same wifi network. I turned on sharing and put in the MBPr name it has there. Seems to have an issue with the name.
2. On iPads in the file list, am I supposed to see iCloud content (as I can with my other cloud storage, Dropbox etc). I can import/export to iCloud and can see content then, but when I touch the iCloud icon in the file list it is blank where the other cloud apps show content.

Thanks.

Sorry, I'm just a user, I don't know much about how to troubleshoot network problems. I've never had problems connecting to computers on my network like you describe.

And yeah, I just discovered FileBrowser can only see its own iCloud folder, not manage the entire iCloud filing system like it can with other cloud storage systems. Never realized that, since I don't use iCloud storage too much.
[doublepost=1453298404][/doublepost]

Something I really cannot understand: WHY may/should/would I use the iPad Pro and take it with me if I can do my WORK with a laptop, which can have THE SAME measures and weight as the iPad Pro (see macbook, macbook air 11/13, dell xps 13), ways better because of the windows/osx/linux OS? Which are the advantages of the iPad pro over a same-sized laptop + iPad Air 2?

Can someone give me an answer to this question(s)?

If you like working on a laptop, then there is no reason why you should switch.

I prefer to work on the iPad Pro because it doesn't have a keyboard, which gets in my way when I want to just read. And since I already have an iPad, it's a bonus if I can just do work on it without having to pick up another device. I also prefer working on iPads when sitting on sofa or bed -- never got the hang of typing with a laptop on my lap. But basically, it's just a personal preference. If you like typing with a laptop on your lap and don't spend a lot of time just reading stuff on computers, then a thin laptop with comparable battery life would work as well or better than an iPad.

 

[Cnasty]

I haven't seen hate for a new device like this in a while. Maybe I am looking in all the wrong places but man some people are bitter about this machine. If it doesn't do what you want it do to, then don't buy it? Who cares if it says Pro, Master, Genius or anything else on it.

It is an incredible piece of hardware, that fits the needs of a lot of a population, and it will only get better with time. All of these "professionals" and their high and mighty whine whine whine that this won't suit their needs and they need their laptops. Good. Use your laptops and quit your crying.

For us other tech enthusiasts and logical human beings, we will sit back and enjoy fantastic new devices being released and determine if it is something we want and purchase as needed or enjoy what we have.

Happy Wednesday.

 

[Night Spring]

All of these "professionals" and their high and mighty whine whine whine that this won't suit their needs and they need their laptops.

I think you've hit it on the nail. It seems like anybody who considers themselves "pro" thinks that a device isn't "pro" unless it fits THEIR needs.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter what a device is called. Evaluate its capabilities, see if it fits your needs. If it doesn't, use something else. I think perhaps the hate is from disappointed expectations. Probably those complaining jumped to the conclusion that the name "pro" meant it will be "pro" for them.

 

[ctg7w6]

But surely if you are using your laptop with an external monitor, then you are using it at a desk, and not for mobile computing. I think for *mobile* computing, the iPP can replace laptops for many, if not most people, and that most people who say it doesn't replace their laptops are using the laptop more as a desktop.

I thought of it when I was posting... I use the external monitor for convenience. I can do something similar at a smaller level on my laptop screen, or I can use the multiple desktops function or whatever its called.

Perhaps there is some way that I can jump between apps on the IPP and use split screen, but compared to even a small laptop screen, the inconvenience would simply be too much, if it were even possible.

So, I guess, it isn't always necessarily about "can it do it" but rather that it is simply more convenient for the things I do to use a full-blown operating system. And more convenient by such a huge margin that it would honestly be rather stupid for me to try to use the IPP by itself.
[doublepost=1453303141][/doublepost]

Just curious - Why so many windows? Are you monitoring multiple systems?

Nope, I do academic historical research, writing papers that are 10-100 pages long or so. Also, some of it is translation work, so I may have an English copy, German copy, and a dictionary pulled up at the same time, along with the paper that I am writing and another window that contains secondary source literature.

Nowadays I do have a PDF reader that has tabs, so that has cut down on some stuff, but sometimes I really do need to compare side by side.

In a few years I am upgrading to a MBP from an MBA so that I can have two external monitors. It will make my life so much easier lol. I can't wait to use one screen for full-split screen and the other for just a bunch of windows.

 

[rowspaxe]

I used to complain about this but not anymore. You should really try some of those file manager apps. Some of them are even better than Finder on a Mac for some tasks.

You should do a thread on this--it comes up a lot. I think apple needs some sort of global manger app that embeds in the ios browser. I am pretty convinced it will happen--ios seems like the future for most users--but functionality needs to be added. I ios had a simplified finder and pointer device support--apple might have the laptop/tablet for "the rest of us"
[doublepost=1453314394][/doublepost]

If it doesn't, use something else. I think perhaps the hate is from disappointed expectations. Probably those complaining jumped to the conclusion that the name "pro" meant it will be "pro" for them.

Yes, "disappointed expectations". Its not a "pro" thing--because the pro thing is about "pro" applications. Its more about people sensing apple has walked up the line of usable "hybridity" and and sort of dropped the ball. You can argue--validly--this not their agenda; but the disappointment is still palpable
[doublepost=1453314956][/doublepost]

But for regular business folks who use spreadsheets, word processors, PDFs, etc, it is likely all the computer they need if they are willing to learn to compute in a new way.

I agree expectation for programmer support is a bit much--but i am not doing text or spread sheet work without a pointer device. Many want to "compute" in ways that are faster and easier to them. Also--available office type apps are not desktop quality.

 

[Night Spring]

Perhaps there is some way that I can jump between apps on the IPP and use split screen, but compared to even a small laptop screen, the inconvenience would simply be too much, if it were even possible.

If you are using an external keyboard, Cmd+Tab allows you to switch apps.

So, I guess, it isn't always necessarily about "can it do it" but rather that it is simply more convenient for the things I do to use a full-blown operating system. And more convenient by such a huge margin that it would honestly be rather stupid for me to try to use the IPP by itself.

Yes, I agree. When I'm home, I just move from my iPad to desktop if I find I'm doing something that will be more convenient or better on the desktop. But if I'm going out, I just take my iPad, and feel confident that anything that needs to be done can be done on the iPad, even if it might be easier at a desktop. Before, if I were going away for a few days, I might have considered taking my MacBook Air. But the iPP screen is nearly the same size as my MBA screen, so I feel like I can get work done as easily on either device.

Nope, I do academic historical research, writing papers that are 10-100 pages long or so. Also, some of it is translation work, so I may have an English copy, German copy, and a dictionary pulled up at the same time, along with the paper that I am writing and another window that contains secondary source literature.

Yeah, that would need more than two windows. My mom actuality uses several iPads at once when she needs more windows. She had an Air and a Mini, and now she has the Pro, so that gives her 4 app windows -- 2 on the Pro, and 1 each on the Air and Mini. She really enjoys working that way and prefers that over working on a computer.

 

[AppleFan360]

As far as I'm concerned, a desktop has been and still is the "gold standard". No contest. My iMac will do EVERYTHING I need. Mobile devices will not. Period.

 

[ctg7w6]

If you are using an external keyboard, Cmd+Tab allows you to switch apps.

That may be, but it is not convenient to switch back and forth. I want to look at one thing, look at another, look at the first one again. If I am quoting something from a long document (and working with a translation), I don't need to cycle through things over and over. I need to see them side by side, including when I am working in a third program typing it up.

Don't get me wrong, I want it all to work on an IPP... But honestly, what I really want is an IPP that runs OSX. I know it's been debated ad nauseum, but it really is what I want, and the only way the IPP would become convenient enough for me to make the switch.

 

[bensisko]

That may work if you're the type of computer user who works with one app at the time in isolation from other apps.

Many of us have to work with multiple apps exchanging files between them, so the files cannot be irrelevant to us. On the contrary, files (and folders) are essential for organizing and exchanging the information between apps and people.



If you can do everything using only PowerPoint, then good for you. For me working on a presentation goes something like this:

• I do the presentation using PowerPoint
• I always have to insert some graphics like photos (JPG files), logos (could be any file types like JPG, GIF, EPS, Illustrator...), drawings, flowcharts or other type of graphics I create myself using a vector drawing application.
• Sometimes I have to add a table from an Excel file.
• And most of the time I get the content for the presentation in a Word file.
• All the above mentioned files have to stay together somewhere so I can find them easily when I need them or when I have to make changes.

That's why I need access to a file system, so I can group all the different files belonging to a project into a folder.

You're still not demonstrating why you NEED to worry about organizing files - I can do all of that without having organized file structures with folders and sub-folders. It comes down to preference.

I'm absolutely not saying that you can do everything in ONE app - that's VERY far from what I said.

I also create resources in other apps (cleaning up pictures in Adobe Photoshop Fix, creating and editing data in Excel, maybe getting informations from a document in Word) but that doesn't necessitate me worrying about where my files are and how they're organized. My graphics are either in Photos or the Photoshop App and I can bring them into PowerPoint or Word as a resource from another app.

To each their own, but I think some of these visual metaphors of "classic computing" will be come less and less. We have file browsers on OS X and Windows because they built graphic metaphors of command-line tasks. As we learn more about how we can interact with machines, we can start to rely less on learning to interact with machines and more on natural interaction (such as touch replacing the mouse).

 

[Beavix]

You're still not demonstrating why you NEED to worry about organizing files

Yes, I think I demonstrated clearly enough.

I can do all of that without having organized file structures with folders and sub-folders.

I could do that too, but it would be very very inefficient.

My graphics are either in Photos or the Photoshop App and I can bring them into PowerPoint or Word as a resource from another app.

Imagine one day you get a call from your boss (or your client) asking you to email him all the files belonging to that presentation project you've been working on. You're on iPad, don't have an organized file structure and have 20 files stored inside 5 apps (let's say PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Autodesk Graphic, Photos).

Good luck.

 

[Night Spring]

Don't get me wrong, I want it all to work on an IPP...

Why? Maybe you mentioned it before and I missed it, but if a MacBook meets all your needs, why not just stick with the MacBook? In other words, what does the iPad have that you don't get from a MacBook?

 

[ctg7w6]

Why? Maybe you mentioned it before and I missed it, but if a MacBook meets all your needs, why not just stick with the MacBook? In other words, what does the iPad have that you don't get from a MacBook?

Oh, I totally agree. Which is why I have a MBA and will get a MBP when I upgrade in 2 years. Here is the reason I want the IPP to work:

I work with a LOT of PDFs. Mostly just reading and annotating, but in large quantities. When I am done reading and annotating them, I have to do a lot of writing/research, etc. Right now I use my iPad for reading PDFs and LOVE it. But, when it comes time to do my writing, I need the laptop.

This is all fine, it's really not that bad. But I would really like it if I could have both in one device. Yes, I know, basically a Surface Pro, but I want iOS and OSX.

I love it when technology comes along and increases convenience or revolutionizes the way I do something. The iPad did that when it first came out. I am not expecting anything revolutionary now, but I do want a way to increase convenience by only having one device. I am simply tired of lugging around both devices, or always worrying that if I just bring one I may need the other.

I literally just want the iPad and MacBook to fuse, lol. And, like I said, I know this topic has been done to death, but my feelings remain the same.

-Edit-
Basically, I read a whole bunch and it is easier on an iPad.