iPad The Future of the iPad Does Not Include A Traditional Filesystem

[AFEPPL]

Since I don't use digital cameras, I'm glad iPad isn't cluttered up with a SD card slot I'd never use. People who want this functionality can buy the camera kit.

Just WOW!

Can you teach the rest of us mortals how to have the perfect idilic workflows where an iPad without SD card and a FileSystem (among many other things) would be workable... If we simply continue to talk down all other users opinions or workflows maybe people will simply conform to the iPad.

"i dont do it, want to do it, see the value in doing it so I'm going to dismiss everything else"

 

[Night Spring]

Just WOW!

Can you teach the rest of us mortals how to have the perfect idilic workflows where an iPad without SD card and a FileSystem (among many other things) would be workable... If we simply continue to talk down all other users opinions or workflows maybe people will simply conform to the iPad.

"i dont do it, want to do it, see the value in doing it so I'm going to dismiss everything else"

How is my position any different from yours? You want a SD slot for your workflow, so you don't care if it makes the iPad thicker and more clunky for everyone else.

No product is going to be 100% perfect for everybody. There are advantages and disadvantages to having an SD slot, Apple chose not to include it.

 

[Aluminum213]

Due to Phil Schiller's snarky comment about poor sad PC users with five year old computers, and using the iPad Pro to replace these PCs, there have been more than a few threads concerning how the iPad Pro is not ready for prime time. Fair enough. But the solution, surprising to me, most recommended here at MacRumors and other Mac-centric sites, revolves around giving iOS a traditional file system. Here's Steve Jobs, back during the 1997 WWDC and his vision prior to coming back to
Apple. The portion concerning files and backup starts at 13 minutes, 7 seconds and ends at 18 minutes, 33 seconds.

Obviously, Apple is not where they want to be with ubiquitous and cheap connectivity yet. But with regard to file systems, all indications seem to indicate Apple is still marching toward a "it just works" user experience and will not give iOS a traditional file system.

It doesn't include a traditional file system till apple decides it does

 

[bensisko]

If we simply continue to talk down all other users opinions or workflows maybe people will simply conform to the iPad.

...or realize there are other solutions out there that conform more to what you're looking for.

 

[Wahlstrm]

And 20 years later "now available in pink"..

 

[M. Gustave]

And 20 years later "now available in pink"..

iOS is 9 years old.

 

[AFEPPL]

iOS is 9 years old.

If you want to be pedantic, iOS doesn't come in colours...!

 

[bensisko]

If you want to be pedantic, iOS doesn't come in colours...!

iOS 9 supports millions of colors, including Pink and Rose Gold!

 

[Wahlstrm]

iOS is 9 years old.

It´s was more of a reflection regarding the youtube clip in the first post and how Apple once where all about changing the world of technology.. Steve basically describes iCloud and his frustration over not being able to buy an equivalent of the iPhone, in 1997..

 

[617aircav]

I meant possibilities by that statement. Regardless of the person, iPads can do 80% (admittance probably more) of everything that a computer can do, but it may not be the most efficient tool for the job.

Your post is kind of what I was hinting at: these debates are pointless because neither an iPad nor a Mac are an absolute replacement device.

I would say it can do 90 percent but the 10 percent of things it can't do are very important.

 

[Southern Dad]

The lack of a file system is not something that I miss on my iPad Pro 12.9". Now that I use the cloud for storing most of my documents, it just seems easier once I got used to it.

 

[subjonas]

I think this debate (for those who are debating) will continue forever without any substantial progress for three main reasons:

1. The only way to prove whether file systems on iPads are necessary (or at least a much better option than anything currently offered, at least for some people) is to get REAL WORLD examples with excruciatingly specific details--NOT hypotheticals and generalizations--then see if file systems really are their best option. But people are too lazy to come on this forum and break down their life needs in detail on a forum for a bunch of strangers (who likely won't read it carefully and reply thoughtfully).

2. Even if the above point is proven, some argue that category of people is too "niche" for the iPad. But the only way to prove or disprove that is for someone here to get a hold of survey data showing exactly how many people in the world fall into this category, and to find out if that number will motivate Apple to put a file system in the iPad. ... Very unlikely methinks. Until then, nobody's guess is any more valid than any other's.

3. Of course, many people continue to believe what they already believe, no matter what.

That said, I think there are some who hear the opinions and points made here, consider them, and benefit from having more thoughtfully-made decisions. So I guess, carry on.

 

[M. Gustave]

I think this debate (for those who are debating) will continue forever without any substantial progress...

Reminds me of the movie "Steve Jobs", where Woz is arguing with Steve about the Macintosh being "closed", i.e. no slots or user customizable parts. Woz didn't get it. Steve didn't want to build computers for the fringe of tech geeks and specialist professionals.

Steve was right, and iOS is obviously descended from that vision.

 

[dk001]

I think this debate (for those who are debating) will continue forever without any substantial progress for three main reasons:

1. The only way to prove whether file systems on iPads are necessary (or at least a much better option than anything currently offered, at least for some people) is to get REAL WORLD examples with excruciatingly specific details--NOT hypotheticals and generalizations--then see if file systems really are their best option. But people are too lazy to come on this forum and break down their life needs in detail on a forum for a bunch of strangers (who likely won't read it carefully and reply thoughtfully).

2. Even if the above point is proven, some argue that category of people is too "niche" for the iPad. But the only way to prove or disprove that is for someone here to get a hold of survey data showing exactly how many people in the world fall into this category, and to find out if that number will motivate Apple to put a file system in the iPad. ... Very unlikely methinks. Until then, nobody's guess is any more valid than any other's.

3. Of course, many people continue to believe what they already believe, no matter what.

That said, I think there are some who hear the opinions and points made here, consider them, and benefit from having more thoughtfully-made decisions. So I guess, carry on.

Good thought.
1. How poplar was iFile amongst the jailbreak crowd?
[doublepost=1465182347][/doublepost]

Reminds me of the movie "Steve Jobs", where Woz is arguing with Steve about the Macintosh being "closed", i.e. no slots or user customizable parts. Woz didn't get it. Steve didn't want to build computers for the fringe of tech geeks and specialist professionals.

Steve was right, and iOS is obviously descended from that vision.

If so then TC never should have portrayed the Pro as a laptop replacement.

 

[bensisko]

Good thought.
1. How poplar was iFile amongst the jailbreak crowd?

Well, the 'jailbreak' crowd is a small percentage of the total iOS population, so... Even smaller?

If so then TC never should have portrayed the Pro as a laptop replacement.

Actually, missing the point. The point is that it's not a laptop replacement for the Tech Fringe.

 

[subjonas]

Reminds me of the movie "Steve Jobs", where Woz is arguing with Steve about the Macintosh being "closed", i.e. no slots or user customizable parts. Woz didn't get it. Steve didn't want to build computers for the fringe of tech geeks and specialist professionals.

Steve was right, and iOS is obviously descended from that vision.

Actually, missing the point. The point is that it's not a laptop replacement for the Tech Fringe.

Ok fine, I'll say one more thing haha.

I don't think file system has anything to do with techie or non-techie. It's a type of organization and workflow method that has always existed outside of technology. Before computers, some people needed it and some didn't. It's still the same way, and I think it will always be that way.

 

[bensisko]

Ok fine, I'll say one more thing haha.

I don't think file system has anything to do with techie or non-techie. It's a type of organization and workflow method that has always existed outside of technology. Before computers, some people needed it and some didn't. It's still the same way, and I think it will always be that way.

...except the ' file system' is just a metaphor, one we can do without. We have technology, let's put it to use so we don't HAVE to worry about it ourselves. Let's let go of these out dated metaphors.

 

[subjonas]

...except the ' file system' is just a metaphor, one we can do without. We have technology, let's put it to use so we don't HAVE to worry about it ourselves. Let's let go of these out dated metaphors.

I think we're from different planets. But hey it's nice to make contact.

 

[bensisko]

I think we're from different planets. But hey it's nice to make contact.

You mean there's an entire planet where people are free to think about User Interface and User Experience design that's not constrained to a 22 year old method of thinking about computers?

 

[dk001]

Well, the 'jailbreak' crowd is a small percentage of the total iOS population, so... Even smaller?


Actually, missing the point. The point is that it's not a laptop replacement for the Tech Fringe.

For the jb crowd, I meant that as a starting indicative point. Not the end all.
As for the laptop replacement, tech fringe? What world do you live in? Unless you are a niche user or don't need a laptop, the iPad cannot replace a laptop.

 

[bensisko]

For the jb crowd, I meant that as a starting indicative point. Not the end all.
As for the laptop replacement, tech fringe? What world do you live in? Unless you are a niche user or don't need a laptop, the iPad cannot replace a laptop.

I live in a world where my technology world view is larger than my own. Your statement, "the iPad cannot replace a laptop", is incorrect. It can and it does - there are posts on this very message board that attest to this. I get that, for you (and others) it does not - that's fine, it doesn't have to for everybody.

 

[sparksd]

For the jb crowd, I meant that as a starting indicative point. Not the end all.
As for the laptop replacement, tech fringe? What world do you live in? Unless you are a niche user or don't need a laptop, the iPad cannot replace a laptop.

I just tried replacing my laptop with my Air 2 for managing photos & videos on a recent 20-day Galapagos trip and it was a mistake. To stay small and light as we were boat-based, I took the Air 2 plus a wireless FileHub and HDD for photo/video backup and review. The backup aspect worked well but I was really restricted in my ability to review pictures and videos (I had about 130GB total). I shoot RAW and the times for viewing from the HDD was many seconds/photo due to rendering the RAW file for viewing (using FileBrowser to view, not copy, the photo). Viewing video was just as bad as the very high bitrate videos were very choppy unless I copied them over to the Air 2 first – also time-consuming. I really I wished I had a laptop for rapid review (and quicker copying times from the cameras’ SD cards to the HDD). I tried this all out on a shorter trip but underestimated the desire to view a lot of shooting results in a timelier manner on a longer trip. Next trip I’ll be taking a Dell XPS 13 (< 3 lbs) for more efficient workflow and the ability to also process RAW photos with full Lightroom. In this case, an iPad could not efficiently replace a laptop.

 

[dk001]

I live in a world where my technology world view is larger than my own. Your statement, "the iPad cannot replace a laptop", is incorrect. It can and it does - there are posts on this very message board that attest to this. I get that, for you (and others) it does not - that's fine, it doesn't have to for everybody.

I agree there are some who have. However I come back to a very basic statement: For almost all people, if an iPad can replace your laptop/desktop, you very likely didn't need a pc to start with.

Between work, student mentoring, personal, family, friends, peers, and consulting, many have tried to go the "tablet" route. Successes were few. Even those who almost could still found they needed a pc for some things.

 

[M. Gustave]

I just tried replacing my laptop with my Air 2 for managing photos & videos on a recent 20-day Galapagos trip and it was a mistake... I shoot RAW...

Yep, you did make a mistake! You have a fringe legacy use case (shooting raw), and did not bring the legacy equipment needed to efficiently process that workload.

99.9% of people taking photographs shoot jpeg. Whether you or I agree with that choice or not is irrelevant. Apple is not building iPads and iOS for the 0.1% of the market that cares about such things.

 

[sparksd]

Yep, you did make a mistake! You have a fringe legacy use case (shooting raw), and did not bring the legacy equipment needed to efficiently process that workload.

99.9% of people taking photographs shoot jpeg. Whether you or I agree with that choice or not is irrelevant. Apple is not building iPads and iOS for the 0.1% of the market that cares about such things.

The only disagreement I have is the use of "fringe legacy" and "legacy equipment". Most serious photographers I know shoot raw and it will not go away. And I question the 99.9% - reputable reference to substantiate that?