iPad Pro The iPad Pro 12.9 review nobody asked for

[Night Spring]

Except for flash, yes. But as @Beavix points out, there are rare exceptions, which is the fault of the website coders, not Apple.

It's not so rare when prominent websites, such as Google Translate, refuse to give me desktop versions. Also, on the 12.9, why not default to desktop and let users switch to mobile if they wish?

 

[M. Gustave]

It's not so rare when prominent websites, such as Google Translate, refuse to give me desktop versions. Also, on the 12.9, why not default to desktop and let users switch to mobile if they wish?

I guess you missed where I said 'Apple should probably default to that view on the 12.9'?

 

[Night Spring]

When I'm not using my smart keyboard I detach it and I have a really light rear case $10 on Amazon

But that rear case has a cutout for the Smart Cover/Keyboard, right? I hate those cutouts -- makes that side uneven when the cover isn't attached.
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I guess you missed where I said 'Apple should probably default to that view on the 12.9'?

Sorry, not enough coffee.

 

[Michael Goff]

Except for flash, yes. But as @Beavix points out, there are rare exceptions, which is the fault of the website coders, not Apple.

The fault of website coders?

Html5test.com says iOS 9 browser was a 468 and Safari 9 (that came with OS X) was a clean 460. Then we have some examples of Siri on iOS supporting things later. ES6 Number support? iOS 9.3 vs Safari 9.1. They aren't the same.

 

[majkom]

Except for flash, yes. But as @Beavix points out, there are rare exceptions, which is the fault of the website coders, not Apple.

as a user, I really do not care whose fault it is.. reality is, that lot of webpages does not respect reload as desktop command and you are stuck with mobile version on big ipad screen

 

[Eric5273]

I noticed in your original post that started this discussion that you mentioned you wish you could download to iCloud Drive from Safari. There is a free program called "Documents" by Readdle. This program allows for that. You can download anything from email, the web, or any other app to Documents, and then Documents connects to any cloud accounts you have such as iCloud Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, etc. Documents works similar to how Finder on a Mac does, and it allows you to move files around between different cloud accounts, FTP sites, or keep them local on the iPad. Other than Safari, it's the app I use most often on my IPad Pro.

I regularly use Documents to download files to and from FTP sites, iCloud Drive, OneDrive, and it also works fine when using webmail and allows me to upload or download files to any website using Safari.

 

[Beavix]

Let us download from Safari to our iCloud Drive.

They added this feature in iOS 10.

 

[cardfan]

My review is much shorter. It has the processor and RAM for a good 2-3 years going forward. Apple pencil plus ipad is a great drawing experience. The most entertaining ipad yet. Screen is a bit slow though which makes scrolling and browsing a bit hard on the eyes. Looking forward to improvements in Pencil design, updated screen tech, and improved support for Pencil such as wacom for Mac. The smart KB is a joke for the money but still remains the best option for use as a cover IMO but definitely could use some improvements as well. Try to only pay about half price though because spending over 1k on this isn't worthwhile.

Notice I didn't talk about Pro stuff. What might make it (or not make it) a pro. Wanting to use it for productivity. Trying desperately to replace a laptop with all sorts of stupid inefficient work arounds. Or any of that nonsense. Apple would need to focus much more on making an ipad essential to use with a Mac.

 

[Michael Goff]

They added this feature in iOS 10.

View attachment 648005

That doesn't work for everything, sadly. But what they did is a good start.

 

[ShaunAFC3]

I bought the iPad Pro when it was first available and the Logitech keyboard/Apple Pencil came a bit later due to availability. I am now trying to edit booth interviews from the NAB show and I keep running into frustration with iMovie and Pinnacle Pro for iPad. If I could take the best features of both, I'd have a fairly capable video editor. As the OP stated, this thing has a lot of horsepower under the hood, but nobody, including Apple, have stepped up to make a better video editor that takes advantage of this power, except for proclaiming the ability to edit 4K video. Well, that's nice and all, but I'd settle for basic functionality that makes editing video much easier. Such as...

• Audio scrubbing
• iMovie support for stills with transparent background (it puts a white background in and can't just be composited over the video track. Pinnacle does support this function)
• Doing a cutaway shot in Pinnacle is barbaric. Must split audio track, then blade video track and drop cutaway over bladed video track. iMovie puts cutaways on a track above the main video and I can slide the cutaway back and forth at will.
• I have b-roll from a vendor that is in my main camera roll. I can edit the clip, even using the ... and selecting iMovie to edit the clip. But the clip never shows up in the iMovie media browser so I can't use it. Pinnacle has no problem seeing this clip and using it.
• Keyboard support. iMovie has nice support for editing shortcuts although most are non-standard keystrokes. Pinnacle has none.

These are the only two video editing apps I have found that are halfway serious for the iOS platform. I'd love to know of any others that are more robust, but there seem to be none. Now that iPad Pro comes in two sizes, I'd hope there would be a better option out there that requires iPad Pro's abilities from a hardware standpoint.

Here's hoping someone will put the "Pro" into iPad Pro fairly soon.

YES we definitely really need more robust and more featured packed video editors for the iPad!!

I am looking to make my YouTube videos on my iPad in the future but can't at the moment because at the moment the current video editing apps are not advanced enough yet or don't have all of the features that I need, So I really really hope this will change for the better in the future soon!!

 

[rowspaxe]

YES we definitely really need more robust and more featured packed video editors for the iPad!!

I am looking to make my YouTube videos on my iPad in the future but can't at the moment because at the moment the current video editing apps are not advanced enough yet or don't have all of the features that I need, So I really really hope this will change for the better in the future soon!!

I am really not interested in doing video editing with my fingers on a device with no external storage, no pointer support, and no file finder. I suggest "pro" apps are never coming to the ipad because the ui and hardware don't support them. This doesn't mean the ipad isn't a great device, just a limited one and certainly not laptop replacement for productivity purposes

 

[M. Gustave]

I am really not interested in doing video editing with my fingers

You move your mouse with your mind? You use your toes on laptop trackpads?

...on a device with no external storage

iPad has dozens of options available for external storage. How is it even possible that you're unaware of that fact??

no pointer support

iPad supports ten different pointers: five on each one of your hands.

and no file finder.

iCloud Drive, Documents, Goodreader, and many more.

This doesn't mean the ipad isn't a great device, just a limited one and certainly not laptop replacement for productivity purposes

Many others are able to be very productive on iPad, so it seems you're running up against your own limitations.

 

[rowspaxe]

You move your mouse with your mind? You use your toes on laptop trackpads?

A pointer device moves in an abstracted 2d plane and does not obstruct user view while making
very precise selections. It is far more efficient than a finger or the pencil. Don't forget gorilla arm

iPad has dozens of options available for external storage. How is it even possible that you're unaware of that fact??

I am aware that using usb storage--if possible due to power issues--involves jailbreaking or other
complicated workflows, or using a computer.

iPad supports ten different pointers: five on each one of your hands.

See above...move your hand first

iCloud Drive, Documents, Goodreader, and many more.

Cloud storage is not appropriate for working with large source files. If you are importing files
from a computer via Goodreader, why not just edit on that computer. Also, Goodreader is an
awkward app: I hated it for pdfs and it is one reason I migrated from the ipad.

Many others are able to be very productive on iPad, so it seems you're running up against your own limitations.

Many? Many brand participants and evangelists. I am for working efficiently. I am not skewing my
workflows to support any brand or form factor. The limitations I am citing come up in many posts; its
not some idiosyncratic position. The ipad will support some user needs, but not--i think--anyone
needing to work with large source files, needing precision selection or needing a file finder will be
better served on a computer. That said, the ipad pro is a great mobile device and and awesome
graphics digital canvas

 

[M. Gustave]

A pointer device moves in an abstracted 2d plane and does not obstruct user view while making very precise selections. It is far more efficient than a finger or the pencil. Don't forget gorilla arm

'Gorilla arm' refers to interacting with a touchscreen laptop form factor. It has nothing to do with a tablet like iPad. And the abstraction of a mouse may be second nature to you now, but there is nothing inherently more accurate or efficient about it. In fact, if you watch children play with an iPad, it's intuitive and obvious to them to manipulate the UI elements directly.

I am aware that using usb storage--if possible due to power issues--involves creating a root folder and using
a very specific file naming (8 characters long, no spaces).

USB?? LOL. It's 2016, I'm talking about wireless. Hard drives, ssd's, sd card readers, take your pick. You claimed iPad can't access external drives, and you're flat out wrong.

Cloud storage is not appropriate for working with large source files.

Why?

 

[rowspaxe]

'Gorilla arm' refers to interacting with a touchscreen laptop form factor. It has nothing to do with a tablet like iPad.

You are going to do productivity tasks without a keyboard, such as the smart cover?

And the abstraction of a mouse may be second nature to you now, but there is nothing inherently more accurate or efficient about it. In fact, if you watch children play with an iPad, it's intuitive and obvious to them to manipulate the UI elements directly.

Pointing devices are inherently more accurate and efficient. Motion is tracked from a scaled
2d surface which allows rapid and accurate selections over the entire screen space while only
moving ones hand one or two inches. There is no obstruction of screen space by the hand.
Mice allow for expanded right click functionality.

USB?? LOL. It's 2016, I'm talking about wireless. Hard drives, ssd's, sd card readers, take your pick. You claimed iPad can't access external drives, and you're flat out wrong.

I claimed its was difficult for the ipad to access files from a usb device. Your wireless solutions suffer
slow data transfer rates: you are comparing usb 3 to wifi.

(rowspaxe wrote: "Cloud storage is not appropriate for working with large source files.")
Why?

slow data transfer; see above

 

[Michael Goff]

these methods are too slow: your comparing usb3 to wifi transfer rates.

Wifi is faster than USB in my experience these days.

 

[M. Gustave]

You are going to do productivity tasks without a keyboard, such as the smart cover?

Yes, all the time. I use dictation a lot (it has nearly a 100% accuracy for me), and when I'm out, the onscreen keyboard. I'm one of the very small minority that thinks bundling the keyboard with the Pro was a rare misstep for Apple. Having said that, I would absolutely use my Bluetooth Apple keyboard if I was typing out a novel - but then 'gorilla arm' wouldn't be an issue.

Pointing devices are inherently more accurate and efficient. Motion is tracked from a scaled 2d surface which allows rapid and accurate selections over the entire screen space while only
moving ones hand one or two inches. There is no obstruction of screen space by the hand.
Mice allow for expanded right click functionality.

All of which is needed to operate in a desktop OS designed for mouse input. In an OS, and in apps, designed for touch input, the finger is able to perform to the same level. I'm sorry but it sounds like you just don't have very much experience trying to do Real Work™ on an iDevice.

I claimed its was difficult for the ipad to access files from a usb device. Your wireless solutions suffer slow data transfer rates: you are comparing usb 3 to wifi.

No, you said "...on a device with no external storage...", which is wrong. Now you're moving the goal posts and claiming it's just too slow without wires. That hasn't been my experience, regardless.

 

[Osty]

Having said that, I would absolutely use my Bluetooth Apple keyboard if I was typing out a novel - but then 'gorilla arm' wouldn't be an issue.

I'm a professional writer and the iPad is an awesome writing device. When I write long form text (daily), I rarely touch a mouse and in fact I find them to be annoying compared with keyboard shortcuts for navigation and selection. Then, I like Vim

Most old school developers I work with share the same opinion. When you lift your hands off the keyboard your efficiency takes a hit; Sublime Text is built on this mantra and so are Tiling Window managers on Linux (which actually remind me of split screen on the iPad)

As for Gorilla arm, I agree that its not an issue for me. Either the flexibility of using it means I can move the device to a plane that best suits the usage or sacrificing some of my screen time to lift weights is paying off

 

[Night Spring]

When you lift your hands off the keyboard your efficiency takes a hit

Yes, exactly! My earliest experiences with computers was DOS. Whenever I saw a Mac with a mouse, my thoughts were, what an inefficient system for interacting with a computer. Every time you lift your hands off the keyboard and have to roll that thing around on the desk, you lose time. When Windows came out, I used keyboard shortcuts whenever possible -- and in my opinion, Windows keyboard shortcuts are somewhat more efficient than the ones on OS X. I still think the mouse is not very efficient for writing tasks, and I'd rather do copy and paste with keyboard shortcuts than drag and drop, whenever possible. I don't think the mouse is inherently more efficient than touch at any task. People mention precise selection, but that can be solved by other means, such as zooming in, or entering numerical coordinates.

The benefits of a touch interface without depending on a mouse is that it is one less device you have to carry around. People keep saying that those who don't want a mouse don't have to use it, so adding mouse support doesn't harm anyone. But I worry that if Apple does add mouse support to iOS, developers would stop looking for solutions to making touch input more precise. Instead of making a system for zooming in when more precise selection is desired, they could throw in mouse support and call it a day.

In any case, for my work, which is translating short documents that are less than 10 pages, typing on the onscreen keyboard works fine. Especially with the 12.9 Pro, I can see enough of the text on screen even with the software keyboard up. This means I can get my work done whether or not I have an external keyboard with my iPad. It is extremely freeing to just pick up my iPad and go, without having to also pack a mouse and keyboard. That is what tablet computing is trying to achieve.

If mouse support can be added to iOS while somehow ensuring that no developer would ever write an app that REQUIRED use of a mouse, then I don't have an objection to adding mouse support. Just having an App Store policy saying apps would be rejected if mouse use isn't optional is insufficient in my mind, because policy enforcement isn't 100% fool proof. Come to think of it, if mouse support were added, developers would have to update their apps to work with the mouse, which could take time and resources away from other things they could be doing to enhance their apps. So no, it's not a case of an optional feature that doesn't harm anyone who doesn't want to use it. All those accessibility features that nobody uses other than the people with specific disabilities who benefit from them are costing Apple something, in money, time and resources. I'm grateful to Tim Cook for saying he doesn't consider ROI in adding those features, because if he did, they'd never be added. But adding mouse support, he should definitely consider ROI.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I am not sure that they would have to develop for that outcome (using mice). You could have it happen at the OS level. That is how they did it back when I used to jailbreak. Heck you could even have a right click work like a force touch or whatever.
[doublepost=1473255777][/doublepost]I do agree with the OP somewhat. I LOVE my iPad Pro 12.9" with Logi Create keyboard. I love playing music and writing on Scrivener. I love it's tablet nature. However, I did get a laptop to replace my desktop because the workarounds are becoming a trifle overwrought (FOR ME). With a few changes, it really could be great, but I don't think those will ever happen (true finder, true browser, etc.).

That said, I still LOVE my iPad Pro. I use it every day. I may no longer even use Macs, but you can have my iPhone and iPad Pro when you pry them...ah hell you know the rest.
[doublepost=1473255900][/doublepost]It really is funny when you think about it. Apple could own it all. Use real GPUs in your Macs. Add just a couple of touches to our iPads. Instead they allow MS and Google to hang around.