The iPad is still Apple’s most exciting product

[TSE]

As I sit here using my 10.5” iPad Pro that I bought on the first day it came out, the user experience still gives me that magic Steve Jobs sold us on when he first introduced it in 2010.

It’s not quite laptop replacement. It’s not quite a Wacom replacement (for the small designer community). It’s an iPad. And that’s what makes it so exciting. Everyone that uses one subconsciously knows that the innovation on iPad isn’t anywhere near done.

The iPad is at a crossroads and can go in a million different directions. I’m sure at Apple’s design studio it’s doing just that. Do we want to make the interface more customizable and give the user more control? Do we make it even better as a consumption device? Do we make it more of a companion device to a PC? Do we give it even more tools specifically for designers?

They are answering these questions very, very slowly every year without succumbing to the Swiss Army knife effect; a device that can do everything ok, but nothing perfectly. However, this is where people may agree or disagree on. This is the controversy of the iPad!

The iPad is so well designed, that it feels almost effortless on Apple’s part.
“Good design is obvious, great design is transparent.”

 

[AutomaticApple]

As I sit here using my 10.5” iPad Pro that I bought on the first day it came out, the user experience still gives me that magic Steve Jobs sold us on when he first introduced it in 2010.

It’s not quite laptop replacement. It’s not quite a Wacom replacement (for the small designer community). It’s an iPad. And that’s what makes it so exciting. Everyone that uses one subconsciously knows that the innovation on iPad isn’t anywhere near done.

The iPad is at a crossroads and can go in a million different directions. I’m sure at Apple’s design studio it’s doing just that. Do we want to make the interface more customizable and give the user more control? Do we make it even better as a consumption device? Do we make it more of a companion device to a PC? Do we give it even more tools specifically for designers?

They are answering these questions very, very slowly every year without succumbing to the Swiss Army knife effect; a device that can do everything ok, but nothing perfectly. However, this is where people may agree or disagree on. This is the controversy of the iPad!

The iPad is so well designed, that it feels almost effortless on Apple’s part.
“Good design is obvious, great design is transparent.”

Well said!

 

[chfilm]

Well said!

Agree! I just somehow LOVE using my 11“ iPad Pro. So much that I‘m constantly wondering if it would be even nicer on a 12.9“... but I went to the store again today to compare and found it huuuuge again, so I guess I made the right call.
It‘s just so nice to look at this pro motion display, and to hold a computer in a hand, so that it makes you feel you‘re not interacting with a computer at all.
I really just hope so much that iOS 13 will bring some big improvements this summer to the iPad os.

 

[Falhófnir]

It's the product line they still seem to have enthusiasm and vision for, even more so than the iPhone I think. They've perfected the iPad as it existed in 2010 with the 9.7", new Air and new mini - these are ideal 'middle' devices as originally envisioned and pretty much have the market covered. With the iPad pros, I get the feeling they have a new destination in mind for the iPads to step into full laptop-replacement territory, and I think iOS 13 will be a big step in that direction (or at least I hope so). I can eventually envision a more powerful 'iOS Pro' version to run on the iPad pros which brings in more laptop-like functionality, such as mouse support, a better file management mechanism, multiple instances of apps and floating window support. This will take the iPads to the next level while we will still have more classic iPads running on regular iOS for those who just want to do basic iPad consumption activities.

 

[chfilm]

Ah this endless debate about mouse support. I know I sound like a broken record but I don’t believe in it.

 

[MBAir2010]

Just dnt tryntyping on one!
Imdid not edit this message and slowly pressed every key and tab-bar on mynipad

 

[tps3443]

I’m with the iPad is awesome idea. This year was my first time ever owning one, I really loved it so much I sold it, and bought the most expensive iPad Pro Apple offered. Then I bought my son a iPad too. It is an exciting piece of equipment. I’ve missed years of iPad generation, after generation.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Then I bought my son a iPad too.

Which one?

 

[Ladybug]

I can’t say it’s the most exciting Apple product because I'm sure many with big phones would not agree. However it’s the device I personally use the most and enjoy everyday since iPad 1 came along. My iPhone is used for calls, text, FaceTime, and gps.

 

[MisterSavage]

Without a doubt my iPad is the Apple product I use the most. I'm so happy with my latest one.

Agree! I just somehow LOVE using my 11“ iPad Pro. So much that I‘m constantly wondering if it would be even nicer on a 12.9“... but I went to the store again today to compare and found it huuuuge again, so I guess I made the right call.

Ha ha! For a second I wondered if I was making a mistake when I was waiting to exchange my 12.9 for an 11 because in the Apple store the 11 looks like a Tic Tac compared to the 12.9.

 

[StarShot]

I've had 3 iPads now, the first one, the Air and now the 10.5 Pro. While they all serve a need, certainly not my best "go to" Apple device.

That honor would my my '13 MBA which I use around the house or my IP XS. If I'm in my office, my iMac 21.5. In last place, my iPad.

Main use of my iPad is for online reading (WSJ, NYTimes, texting and general browsing). All my iPad had an accessory keyboard (no virtural keyboards for me.)

 

[jmgregory1]

Agree! I just somehow LOVE using my 11“ iPad Pro. So much that I‘m constantly wondering if it would be even nicer on a 12.9“... but I went to the store again today to compare and found it huuuuge again, so I guess I made the right call.
It‘s just so nice to look at this pro motion display, and to hold a computer in a hand, so that it makes you feel you‘re not interacting with a computer at all.
I really just hope so much that iOS 13 will bring some big improvements this summer to the iPad os.

I recently picked up the 12.9 iPP and love it...for my travel computer. It is too big for bedtime video watching, but that wasn’t why I bought it. My guess is I’ll get more used to the size over time, as it becomes a more natural part of my everyday work and personal computing, creative and consumption usage. I agree that hopefully Apple breaks out more iPad specific improvements with iOS 13. The fact that they just made improvements to Pages, Numbers and Keynote addressing some shortcomings they had on iOS, I’m guessing Apple is working to blur the lines between what you can do on Mac and iOS.

 

[chfilm]

I recently picked up the 12.9 iPP and love it...for my travel computer. It is too big for bedtime video watching, but that wasn’t why I bought it. My guess is I’ll get more used to the size over time, as it becomes a more natural part of my everyday work and personal computing, creative and consumption usage. I agree that hopefully Apple breaks out more iPad specific improvements with iOS 13. The fact that they just made improvements to Pages, Numbers and Keynote addressing some shortcomings they had on iOS, I’m guessing Apple is working to blur the lines between what you can do on Mac and iOS.

Interesting, i would just say it’s the other way around- perfect for at home but too big for talking out. I still kinda want both devices.

 

[tps3443]

Which one?

I bought my son a iPad 6th Gen 9.7” in silver.

I am obsessed with iPads now, it’s such a useful tool that I’ve never had before now! The more I use it, the better I get with iOS, and better appreciation of how much one can do with only a iPad.