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

[dk001]

Thank you for sharing! I think these are all a matter of personal workflow.

1. I have no issues filling in web based forms, especially with split screen and slide over (though it was never a huge pain for me to Command-Tab to another app.
2. In any other platform are you making edits in the default mail app? Personally, I've always had to open the attachment in another application so this doesn't bother me in the least on iOS.
3. Scan and send to a group - easy peasy, especially with a scanner app (I actually find this to be MUCH quicker than using an actual scanner).
4. Is the issue having a "Group"? You can create Groups in iCloud (yeah, I wish I could do it in the OS, but for me, it's minor).
5. Calendar Meetings, especially with Exchange, is a HUGE issue and one of the things that I hate about iOS.

Different strokes for different folks - personally, I've never found any of these deal breakers, just minor annoyances (and every OS has annoyances). I can see how these things can add up for someone though.

For me, iOS is pretty great as it is because it allows me to do stuff quickly without having to bother with all the stuff a traditional computer will make you put up with (such as organizing files, having a 'desktop', etc.). I'm very much task-oriented so for me I want to concentrate on creating my training program, drawing, photography, etc. and iOS makes it very easy to do that in a way a Desktop computer can't (though Windows 8 had a HUGE potential before being ruined by Windows 10).

I numbered them to help ...
1. All to frequently when returning to a tab form, iOS will reload it. With the latest devices it happens less often however it still happens.
2. That is the key. In every other system I can define the default mail app. iOS you can't.
3. Never knew iOS supports distribution lists.
4. iCloud. I seriously minimize it's use. It isn't dependable especially for contacts. and Photos. and Music. and...
5. I so agree.

Different strokes is true. While I enjoy iOS, it doesn't do as good a job as it could in streamlining or simplifying my activities. Maybe someday.

Agree on Win10. Switched my personal device to OS X. Something I thought I would never do.

 

[Night Spring]

1. All to frequently when returning to a tab form, iOS will reload it. With the latest devices it happens less often however it still happens.

This is where the 4gb of RAM on the 12.9 Pro shines. Haven't had one problem with forms reloading when switching away to reference another tab or app.

 

[dk001]

This is where the 4gb of RAM on the 12.9 Pro shines. Haven't had one problem with forms reloading when switching away to reference another tab or app.

Now if they can get that to work on the rest of the iDevices.
Both of mine with 2GB do this and shouldn't.

 

[M. Gustave]

Now if they can get that to work on the rest of the iDevices.
Both of mine with 2GB do this and shouldn't.

My 6s+ has never once done the Safari page reload thing, which was quite frequent on my 5s. Was it a problem in the past? Yes. But going forward it clearly isn't.

The list of similar problems and annoyances in Win 10 and Android is equally long, or even longer.

 

[bensisko]

I numbered them to help ...
1. All to frequently when returning to a tab form, iOS will reload it. With the latest devices it happens less often however it still happens.
2. That is the key. In every other system I can define the default mail app. iOS you can't.
3. Never knew iOS supports distribution lists.
4. iCloud. I seriously minimize it's use. It isn't dependable especially for contacts. and Photos. and Music. and...
5. I so agree.

Different strokes is true. While I enjoy iOS, it doesn't do as good a job as it could in streamlining or simplifying my activities. Maybe someday.

Agree on Win10. Switched my personal device to OS X. Something I thought I would never do.

1. I haven't had the tab reload issue on my Mini 4 and I've noticed it happens a LOT less (almost never) on the iPad Air. I agree that it used to be a HUGE frustrating issue, but not anymore. I think it was a big fix in 9.3.
2. On the mail app - you can't choose a default app, but it's not that much of a stretch (for me) to use a different e-mail app (specifically Outlook). On my work iPad, I use Outlook as my mail app - and I can choose it via the Share menu (just as I would Mail) so it's not too big of a deal for me.
3. Yep - as I mentioned you have to set up via iCloud (which, agree, should be supported on the device, but at least can be easily done).
4. Personally, I haven't had an iCloud issue in YEARS - and I rely on it HEAVILY (for contacts, mail, photos, music, file storage, backup). I find the services to be extremely reliable and haven't had an issue yet. When they bring on a new service (like photos) it does tend to take a month or two for it to really work smoothly, but once it's up and running it works well (for me).
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This is where the 4gb of RAM on the 12.9 Pro shines. Haven't had one problem with forms reloading when switching away to reference another tab or app.

I think the RAM is part of it, but I think 9.3 played a big part in fixing this issue (as I don't notice it as much on my Mini 4 or Air).

 

[eyeseeyou]

Traditional file system meaning access to application or system level infrastructure?

 

[M. Gustave]

Traditional file system meaning access to application or system level infrastructure?

Read their posts all over these forums. They're a VERY vocal minority. These people are stuck in a Windows 95 mindset, forever. They want iOS devices to act like tiny Windows pcs, they want USB jacks, wires everywhere, massive local storage. It's 1990's computing.

There's already a company that caters to that: Microsoft. Go buy an overheating Surface hot plate. Plug in your 2tb usb drive, and play with regedit all day long.

 

[tgara]

Speaking only for myself, I've never worked at an organization that was ahead of the curve with regard to technology. Latest version of Windows? Nope. Office? No. Resisted using social media? Yep. Hung on to Blackberry till the bitter end? Yes. Yet, when I go to conferences, I'm seeing more and more people using their personal devices for work. And more and more, those devices are iPads. They're still in the minority, no question, but that are growing in number.

Do I think companies will be replacing PCs with iPads? No. Hell, I think even iPads are too powerful for some employees and a Chromebook, with a laptop form factor and the centralization it brings to the table, would be more appropriate. But mainly because companies lag when it comes to adoption of tech. A billion iOS devices sold. The even less powerful Chromebooks surpassing Macs in sales. The consumers are voting with their wallets and simple, yet effective is slowly beating powerful and complex.

I think this depends on what type of company you are talking about. Folks in healthcare or legal services have certain confidentiality requirements imposed by law, so unless or until a system offers that, they will stay with older technology. Same goes for certain individuals within an organization who require special software for, say, accounting, drawing, etc. And some of that software simply isn't available for OSX or iOS. It's like the IT folks have to go down to the least common denominator when getting equipment.

All that said, what I've observed is that if the low-level employees ask the IT techs in a company for new devices, capabilities, etc., they usually don't get it. But if the boss, CEO, or the guy who signs the paychecks wants it, the IT personnel will find a way for him to get what he wants, and eventually it will trickle down to the other employees. Fortunately, I'm in the latter category.

 

[richpjr]

Read their posts all over these forums. They're a VERY vocal minority. These people are stuck in a Windows 95 mindset, forever. They want iOS devices to act like tiny Windows pcs, they want USB jacks, wires everywhere, massive local storage. It's 1990's computing.

There's already a company that caters to that: Microsoft. Go buy an overheating Surface hot plate. Plug in your 2tb usb drive, and play with regedit all day long.

As has been explained many times, there are people who work on complicated, multi-document format projects that need a way to better organize, share and work on them without having to fight the primitive limitations of the current iOS approach to file management. Or they need access to large amounts of data and are not online 100% of the time. And on and on and on. Can people work around these things? Sure, painfully and slowly at the expense of a loss of productivity. If your needs are simple, it isn't a problem.

But this thread demonstrates there is a VERY vocal minority that pretends there are no limitations because Apple made it this way, and people should embrace it. They are the fanbois with the narrow viewpoint that if I don't need it, nobody else should either and they must be attacked. Of course, these are the same ones that as Apple improves and expands on the current limitations to make it more useful will then be shouting out to the world how great it is.

 

[pika2000]

I am not quite sure what's with the fascination about a filesystem. I've been using PCs since DOS era, and back then we have to manage our own files manually using directories (folders). We are in 2016 now, with super computers in our pocket. So why I still want to manually managing the files? I bought a computer, why can't the computer do that for me? Seriously.

One reason I switched to Mac was spotlight, the fact that I can just search for a file and found it. I don't care where it is located, as long as I can find it quickly. So if Apple can smartly do those file management for me, the better, so I can do other better things with my time.

 

[ackmondual]

THIS is why I want my in-laws to get a tablet. For the casual user, the iOS system is nearly perfect.

My sister gave our mother an Ipad Mini (1). For the most part, it works well. Facetime, Skype, dictionary, YouTube. When we were in a wifi-less area, she wondered why YouTube wasn't working anymore. We explained, that YouTube requires internet access, which is what the wifi was for. She doesn't have an email account, and I can count the # of times she's gone online with one hand, so she's definitely not tech savvy enough to rip and transfer her own music. I can't just use iTunes because she liked it because it was free, not to mention I don't think iTunes sells foreign music, so I'd have to figure out how to get MP3s from a desktop PC to the iPad.

 

[pika2000]

not to mention I don't think iTunes sells foreign music, so I'd have to figure out how to get MP3s from a desktop PC to the iPad.

Unfortunately this is also my beef with pretty much all legal online music store / streaming services. iTunes is arguably the "best," but still lacks a LOT of international music due to the backward music labels in each country. Other services are worse, catering pretty much just to the western mainstream market. It's too bad. The blame should go to the labels.

Sorry for OT.

 

[sflomenb]

Unfortunately, for me as a developer, I will always need a Mac. But for non-programming related purposes, my iPad can do everything I would do on my Mac.

 

[M. Gustave]

As has been explained many times, there are people who work on complicated, multi-document format projects that need a way to better organize, share and work on them without having to fight the primitive limitations of the current iOS approach to file management. Or they need access to large amounts of data and are not online 100% of the time.

And there are already Windows, Linux, and Mac OS desktops, tablets, and laptops for people with such needs. Why do you need iOS to have the same swiss army knife capability, bloat, I/O, workflow, and baggage as a 20 year old desktop OS? Why is an iPad a 'fail' until it gets it? Do you really think Apple needs to build iOS and iPads to the spec wishlist of scientists, financial engineers, professional wedding photographers, NASA... anyone else I missed? Get real.

 

[subjonas]

And there are already Windows, Linux, and Mac OS desktops, tablets, and laptops for people with such needs. Why do you need iOS to have the same swiss army knife capability, bloat, I/O, workflow, and baggage as a 20 year old desktop OS? Why is an iPad a 'fail' until it gets it? Do you really think Apple needs to build iOS and iPads to the spec wishlist of scientists, financial engineers, professional wedding photographers, NASA... anyone else I missed? Get real.

Scratching my head with your comment. Isn't Apple openly pushing the iPad as a professional tool?
It's not just rocket scientists that need better file management. I'm a humble storyboard artist and not having a file system greatly bottlenecks my workfllow, even with the iPP being a companion device.
And I do have both Windows and Android alternatives, but they suck even more for other reasons. And my MBP doesn't have a drawing screen sadly. Edit- BTW iPP doesn't suck; it just lacks a couple key features for me.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I think that one factor people often forget of is just how versatile a Mac is.

I own a 21.5" iMac for home and a 12" MacBook for away, but the way that I use these machines is very different from one another.

Because of the MacBook's small footprint, I actually use it more like an iPad. All my main apps are run in full screen mode; Mail, Safari, Finder, Office suite, Calendar and a couple will be split view. To switch between them, it's as easy as swiping four fingers on my trackpad. Honestly, I think these are some of the most understated features a Mac has.

Conversely, I tend to have up to three windows on my screen at any time on the iMac; but arrange the spaces depending on the style of work. One space for work, one for leisure, one for scraps.

The point is this. I've personally found iPads great for consumption and that they're certainly capable for productivity. However, when a Mac enables you customise your workflow in so many different ways, the absence of a touchscreen is neglible.

 

[bensisko]

As has been explained many times, there are people who work on complicated, multi-document format projects that need a way to better organize, share and work on them without having to fight the primitive limitations of the current iOS approach to file management. Or they need access to large amounts of data and are not online 100% of the time. And on and on and on. Can people work around these things? Sure, painfully and slowly at the expense of a loss of productivity. If your needs are simple, it isn't a problem.

But this thread demonstrates there is a VERY vocal minority that pretends there are no limitations because Apple made it this way, and people should embrace it. They are the fanbois with the narrow viewpoint that if I don't need it, nobody else should either and they must be attacked. Of course, these are the same ones that as Apple improves and expands on the current limitations to make it more useful will then be shouting out to the world how great it is.

And your viewpoint isn't narrow? I don't see anyone pretending there are no limitations - I see people talking about how they're able to use the device without issues (or major issues).

I get it, iOS doesn't fit everybody's needs - I don't think anybody here will deny that not everyone can (or will want to) use it. There ARE deniers that say "NOBODY can/should replace their laptop with an iPad" - which simply isn't true. Not everybody experiences the same limitations (or see them as limitations) as you do.

This really comes down to personal preference - and we all need to realize preferences are different. Not everybody cares about / needs a user Accesible file management system - and not everybody sees it as a limitation. I certainly acknowledge that some do, but you need to acknowledge that not every one does.

And to say "If your needs are simple, you can" is just insulting, as is your saying that everyone who doesn't agree has a narrow viewpoint and are just "fanbois".
[doublepost=1464286498][/doublepost]

Scratching my head with your comment. Isn't Apple openly pushing the iPad as a professional tool?
It's not just rocket scientists that need better file management. I'm a humble storyboard artist and not having a file system greatly bottlenecks my workfllow, even with the iPP being a companion device.
And I do have both Windows and Android alternatives, but they suck even more for other reasons. And my MBP doesn't have a drawing screen sadly. Edit- BTW iPP doesn't suck; it just lacks a couple key features for me.

The point is file management does not necessarily equal professional tool.

 

[M. Gustave]

Scratching my head with your comment. Isn't Apple openly pushing the iPad as a professional tool?

Yes, for graphic artist types. Not for everybody.

It's not just rocket scientists that need better file management. I'm a humble storyboard artist and not having a file system greatly bottlenecks my workfllow...

Not to be flippant, but you're probably 'holding it wrong'. In other words, re-evaluate your workflow, it might be outdated, or inefficient. Root out legacy thinking and methods, things might just fall into place.

It worked for me that way with iOS.

 

[dk001]

And there are already Windows, Linux, and Mac OS desktops, tablets, and laptops for people with such needs. Why do you need iOS to have the same swiss army knife capability, bloat, I/O, workflow, and baggage as a 20 year old desktop OS? Why is an iPad a 'fail' until it gets it? Do you really think Apple needs to build iOS and iPads to the spec wishlist of scientists, financial engineers, professional wedding photographers, NASA... anyone else I missed? Get real.

Approximately a third of the forms and other objects I need to put data into come via email. For a global support group, that can be at any hour or location. Since I do a lot of my email via my iPad, the ability to open these, pull up the requisite source document(s) and complete the task would be most welcome. Even if I had access offline to said source documents, I have no place on board to store these and are accessible for other apps.

 

[bensisko]

Approximately a third of the forms and other objects I need to put data into come via email. For a global support group, that can be at any hour or location. Since I do a lot of my email via my iPad, the ability to open these, pull up the requisite source document(s) and complete the task would be most welcome. Even if I had access offline to said source documents, I have no place on board to store these and are accessible for other apps.

I would highly suggest GoodReader. You can actually do a lot of edits in a lot of formats through GoodReader - it may be the solution you're looking for! =)

 

[dk001]

And your viewpoint isn't narrow? I don't see anyone pretending there are no limitations - I see people talking about how they're able to use the device without issues (or major issues).

I get it, iOS doesn't fit everybody's needs - I don't think anybody here will deny that not everyone can (or will want to) use it. There ARE deniers that say "NOBODY can/should replace their laptop with an iPad" - which simply isn't true. Not everybody experiences the same limitations (or see them as limitations) as you do.

This really comes down to personal preference - and we all need to realize preferences are different. Not everybody cares about / needs a user Accesible file management system - and not everybody sees it as a limitation. I certainly acknowledge that some do, but you need to acknowledge that not every one does.

And to say "If your needs are simple, you can" is just insulting, as is your saying that everyone who doesn't agree has a narrow viewpoint and are just "fanbois".
[doublepost=1464286498][/doublepost]

The point is file management does not necessarily equal professional tool.

One point all who can use it as a laptop replacement here are forgetting; if you have some type of File Management System to use and don't need it, you can disregard it and use the device successfully. However if you do need it and it doesn't have one, you are pretty much SOL.
Engineering to the least common denominator was not done with iOS.

 

[Night Spring]

Even if I had access offline to said source documents, I have no place on board to store these and are accessible for other apps.

FileBrowser has a special folder called "share with other apps." Files and folders placed in this folder can be accessed from other apps. I think Dropbox and OneDrive have ways to store files locally, and those files can be accessed from other apps while offline. And I think all files in iCloud Drive are also stored locally, though I haven't actually confirmed that they are.

 

[dk001]

I would highly suggest GoodReader. You can actually do a lot of edits in a lot of formats through GoodReader - it may be the solution you're looking for! =)

I've tried Documents and TotalReader - both helped but did not solve all my problems.
I'll give Goodreader a shot and see what happens.
Thx

 

[bensisko]

One point all who can use it as a laptop replacement here are forgetting; if you have some type of File Management System to use and don't need it, you can disregard it and use the device successfully. However if you do need it and it doesn't have one, you are pretty much SOL.
Engineering to the least common denominator was not done with iOS.

I disagree with the "those who don't need it can ignore it" comment. I cannot use a Mac or PC without having to "manage" my files - and I HATE it! It's actually one of the things that I love most about iOS.

IF Apple could figure out a way to create a system that could be ignored AND let there be a usable file management system, I'm ALL for it. I have yet to see a successful example of this though. If OS X or Windows 10 could do it and demonstrate it, I'd be more open to the prospect.

 

[dk001]

FileBrowser has a special folder called "share with other apps." Files and folders placed in this folder can be accessed from other apps. I think Dropbox and OneDrive have ways to store files locally, and those files can be accessed from other apps while offline. And I think all files in iCloud Drive are also stored locally, though I haven't actually confirmed that they are.

There are a lot of "almost" and "hit or miss" options but not a single basic solution that works with all, especially default apps. It has been improving. However at the current improvement pace, it will be on the other side of 2020 before we see any type of really usable solution that we don't have to develop for-arounds for.
For now I have "resigned" my process to iPad for consumptive activities, and non-iOS for everything else.