All iPads The hardware's amazing, it's the OS that needs help

[Prolif1k]

I recently purchased an iPad Air 2 after only having a Macbook Air and iPhone.

I think one of the major issues with iOS is that people are continuing to expect to, and try to use their tablet PCs and iOS like a desktop computer. Over the years I've become more and more dissatisfied with using a regular computer. Frankly, even with the Macbook Air I feel like I'm tied to a desk, and overloaded with features, and programs.

One of the things I like about iOS in comparison to OSX is that often times iOS apps, especially the Apple versions, present you with a minimum amount of necessary options, and they force you to be much more deliberate and simple in how you interact. For me, it cuts out a lot of the clutter and allows me to really focus on what's important; I like that.

Frankly, software issues aside, I don't really feel like integrating OSX and iOS on the same device is the answer here. I think that you really need to evaluate what you use these devices for, and then go with the one that meets your needs. If you need a desktop OS and desktop features, buy a computer. Don't buy a tablet and then expect to do the same things.

The OP said nothing about integrating OS X and iOS though. He even specifically mentioned not wanting a hybrid OS like the Surface.

He is totally right, though. The iPad is capable of running a much more robust version of iOS 8 than what is offered on the iPhone. It still bugs me to this day that all the iPad home screens are are a stretched out version of the iPhone. Don't get me wrong--I've had every iPad and I love them, but seeing a bunch of icons widely spaced apart still seems like an afterthought to me. The bigger real estate is just begging to have more information displayed on it besides a pile of icons. Sure, I have my cute little "Today widgets" now, but really they aren't as good as a full home screen implementation. There are loads of things that could be enhanced strictly for the iPad platform, but I would just love to see the iPad have its' own unique home page layout. Maybe widgets are where it's at; maybe they aren't. That idea has been tossed around since Android got them--I'm sure Apple could come up with something better if they really set out to do it.

 

[sviato]

The iPad is a mature product now, it's the right time to optimize the software for it to further drive sales.

Ignoring the people waiting to be spoon-fed by Apple, there's no reason the iPad can't have some better features now without it becoming a "desktop OS". How about bigger folders? More icons on the home screen? Proper ways to save pdfs to iBooks? It's simply for convenience yet Apple is holding back (I'm sure it'll come eventually). There's an opportunity to turn the iPad into a way more productive device. What's all of this power for if there aren't any core features to take advantage of it?

 

[jclardy]

This is exactly the problem. iPad sales have been declining, and it is not because the tablet market is saturated. It is because there is no compelling reason for someone with an iPad (> 3rd gen) to upgrade, and no compelling reason for someone looking for a productivity device to look at the iPad.

Look at one of the biggest use cases that they push - photography. It is fine for amateurs, and ok for previews and such. But it could turn into a pretty serious device with one feature - RAW image file support. But Apple refuses to allow apps to get RAW image data, even if the photos app will store them for you.

For most other productivity tasks you need some more precise input. All the stylii available are just workarounds because iOS doesn't support precise pen input. With a digitizer the iPad could become the top tool used by artists and illustrators on the go (And I am not talking about replacing your desktops and Wacom tablets, I am talking about being a supplemental portable device.)

The other input needed is keyboard. iOS "supports" keyboards, but they do a horrible job. Even the built in apps barely have any shortcuts, and things like Safari will open a new tab, but not put the cursor in the address bar. And you can't do simple things like scrolling with arrow keys.

The problem is that Apple seems to have decided that iOS is touch only, and OS X is keyboard/mouse only. This was a fine way of thinking to launch the iPad, but it needs to expand - touch should still be primary of course, but the iPad needs more precise inputs than just fingers.

 

[AppleHater]

That depends. If Apple wants to enter the enterprise arena with iPads (and many things point to that direction) then the OS must evolve from just a bigger phone OS.

the consumer tablet market is pretty much saturated, re: the flat sales across the spectrum. The only growth area is enterprise. MS realized this early, probably because enterprise is their main market. You can believe Apple realizes this too, re: their new collaboration with IBM.

Apple might leave the current iPad as just a consumer product and create the 'Pro' version. But if they do the consumers will clamor for at least some of the 'pro' goodies. And if Apple doesn't supply those goodies they can kiss goodbye any new growth in their basic ipad market. Plus I'm betting many enterprise settings will prefer the current size rather than a 12".

Let me add, in order to really add anything more than just the basic iPhone functionality Apple needed to do one basic thing, beef up the iPad hardware to handle more computer-like functionality. Hmmmm.....

I do agree that Apple has a big homework in front of them to evolve iPad to be more than extra large phone without the phone capability.

It's also true that they may need to consider enterprise market. Having said all that the one thing that they should do trying all that is just throw in what PC does and call it done.

They should come up with a solution that lets iPad do more but not by mimicking they way PC works.

 

[jrswizzle]

While I agree in that I'd like to see some iPad-specific iOS features, if you're looking to the OS itself for differentiation (between the iPad and iPhone), you are looking in the wrong place.

Where the iPad can truly utilize it's power is in the iPad-specific apps that are available. Many of these are either variations of apps available on the iPhone (in which the iPad version offers more functionality) or completely new apps that are too powerful for the iPhone.

It's to these apps and developers we should be looking to fully take advantage of the power of the iPad. Apple has never been about making iOS the centerpiece (though they've caved on a number of highly useful OS features), but allowing the OS to fade into the background while letting the in-app experience take a front seat.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what developers can do with Swift and Metal and the A8X.

 

[donnaw]

While I agree in that I'd like to see some iPad-specific iOS features, if you're looking to the OS itself for differentiation (between the iPad and iPhone), you are looking in the wrong place.

Where the iPad can truly utilize it's power is in the iPad-specific apps that are available. Many of these are either variations of apps available on the iPhone (in which the iPad version offers more functionality) or completely new apps that are too powerful for the iPhone.

It's to these apps and developers we should be looking to fully take advantage of the power of the iPad. Apple has never been about making iOS the centerpiece (though they've caved on a number of highly useful OS features), but allowing the OS to fade into the background while letting the in-app experience take a front seat.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what developers can do with Swift and Metal and the A8X.

There's really no reason why Apple can't enhance the OS for the iPad with more functionality and have the developers build richer apps. That will probably be the first step.

But as tablet hardware becomes more powerful I truly believe the gulf between a 'desktop' OS and a 'tablet' OS will shrink. While a lot of people slam the Surface Pro the concept is valid. And I guarentee Apple is already working on at least a Hybrid. The rumored Ipad Pro will likely be their first foray.

I still predict that within 5 years all tablets will run the same OS and applications as a 'desktop'. Apple's Continunity/Handoff and the hardware on the new Air 2 both point to Apple's roadmap. We all know Apple is slow to implement things like this. But as the fanboys rightly point out Apple generally does get it right eventually.

Since I'm 63 I probably won't care a whole lot. I'm retired so I don't create much of anything these days. But having worked in software development for a couple of decades I can see where this is going. It sure will be fun to watch. Kind of makes me wish I were still working and that I was involved in the design. I think we are on the very cusp of some really interesting hardware/software innovation. Exciting times!

 

[jrswizzle]

There's really no reason why Apple can't enhance the OS for the iPad with more functionality and have the developers build richer apps. That will probably be the first step.

But as tablet hardware becomes more powerful I truly believe the gulf between a 'desktop' OS and a 'tablet' OS will shrink. While a lot of people slam the Surface Pro the concept is valid. And I guarentee Apple is already working on at least a Hybrid. The rumored Ipad Pro will likely be their first foray.

I still predict that within 5 years all tablets will run the same OS and applications as a 'desktop'. Apple's Continunity/Handoff and the hardware on the new Air 2 both point to Apple's roadmap. We all know Apple is slow to implement things like this. But as the fanboys rightly point out Apple generally does get it right eventually.

Since I'm 63 I probably won't care a whole lot. I'm retired so I don't create much of anything these days. But having worked in software development for a couple of decades I can see where this is going. It sure will be fun to watch. Kind of makes me wish I were still working and that I was involved in the design. I think we are on the very cusp of some really interesting hardware/software innovation. Exciting times!

I feel like the laptop/desktop will come more to the tablet than the other way around.

Both platforms are already essentially the same - there is a program on your home screen (or app if a mobile device) that one clicks (or taps) to engage in a task.

The difference lies in the power of those applications. I don't really see Apple needing to CREATE some hybrid OS. Rather, I see companies/developers creating apps that are more and more like their legacy desktop counterparts until there's no difference at all save for the platform being used.

 

[vigilant]

Idk the note 12.2 and surface pro 3 looks like amazing choices if I was in the market for a tablet for business imo

The Samsung note 12.2 is more of a competitor to Apple then the Surface Pro 3. The surface still doesn't actually have very many productive touch optimized apps. It competes more with MacBook air then it does with the iPad.

The biggest advantage that Apple has is its ecosystem. If Apple released a way for split screen apps to run on the iPad the Apple developers are fast enough to start supporting it as quickly as possible.

 

[donnaw]

I feel like the laptop/desktop will come more to the tablet than the other way around.

Both platforms are already essentially the same - there is a program on your home screen (or app if a mobile device) that one clicks (or taps) to engage in a task.

The difference lies in the power of those applications. I don't really see Apple needing to CREATE some hybrid OS. Rather, I see companies/developers creating apps that are more and more like their legacy desktop counterparts until there's no difference at all save for the platform being used.

I somewhat agree. What does the current mobil OS really need to be considered desktop class.

1). It needs hardware capable of running the richer app you mentioned

2). It needs some sort of capability for the user to see and organize their documents (and this includes pictures etc. all user created files). Not necessarily access to a full-blown file system but more of a 'User' folder where all user-created docs/pics etc are accessible.

3). IOS needs to have the mail app beefed up. I mean come on, you have to be able to attach more than one document at a time and you have to be able to attach doc(s) to a reply. This capability is easy when the user folder is created.

4). Make better use of the desktop real estate with some sort of live tiles/widgets. I guess this one isn't a real need. But it would certainly aid in productivity.

5). Real multitasking. The capability to run and see multiple apps at the same time. I certainly could never have done my job without being to see both a Word doc and and Excel spreadsheet concurrently. Or a Word document and my MS Project doc.

Those are the only things I can really think of that an OS needs to do in order to be really productive. It won't matter if the apps are there if the user can't organize and share their work. I worked on many projects where we had 20+ documents associated. I can't even imagine trying to share those via email one at a time. Of course cloud innovations might help there.

Today's desktops are too complicated. Today's tablets are too simple. But beefing up the tablet OS just a little bit and having hardware that allows development of really rich apps....

You know Apple is working on it. It really doesn't do you much good to start work on a spreadsheet and 'hand it off' to your tablet if you don't have access to the same capabilities in the software, ie Excel or Pages. But Apple has taken the first baby step.

 

[jrswizzle]

I somewhat agree. What does the current mobil OS really need to be considered desktop class.

1). It needs hardware capable of running the richer app you mentioned

2). It needs some sort of capability for the user to see and organize their documents (and this includes pictures etc. all user created files). Not necessarily access to a full-blown file system but more of a 'User' folder where all user-created docs/pics etc are accessible.

3). IOS needs to have the mail app beefed up. I mean come on, you have to be able to attach more than one document at a time and you have to be able to attach doc(s) to a reply. This capability is easy when the user folder is created.

4). Make better use of the desktop real estate with some sort of live tiles/widgets. I guess this one isn't a real need. But it would certainly aid in productivity.

5). Real multitasking. The capability to run and see multiple apps at the same time. I certainly could never have done my job without being to see both a Word doc and and Excel spreadsheet concurrently. Or a Word document and my MS Project doc.

Those are the only things I can really think of that an OS needs to do in order to be really productive. It won't matter if the apps are there if the user can't organize and share their work. I worked on many projects where we had 20+ documents associated. I can't even imagine trying to share those via email one at a time. Of course cloud innovations might help there.

Today's desktops are too complicated. Today's tablets are too simple. But beefing up the tablet OS just a little bit and having hardware that allows development of really rich apps....

You know Apple is working on it. It really doesn't do you much good to start work on a spreadsheet and 'hand it off' to your tablet if you don't have access to the same capabilities in the software, ie Excel or Pages. But Apple has taken the first baby step.

I think iCloud Drive and split screen multitasking take care of all of the issues not related to beefier apps.

I guess my point was just that iOS doesn't need to change and become OS X. Nor do they need to merge ala Windows 8. A couple of well done features and some more powerful apps are all that's required.

Heck, the Air 2 hardware is only 27% slower than my top-specced 2013 MacBook Air. And it blows this Dell I work on out of the water. The hardware is almost there.