Tim Cook Says 'Exciting Things' Coming to iPad as Tablet Sales Continue to Drop

[absynth]

Sjeez relax man!
I wonder why you even bother responding on an apple forum on a topic abour ipads. When you are so happy about your surface. What is the point?
We are seeing this a lot lately. People pushing their galaxies in an iphone thread and bashing an iphone, etc.
What is the use? In my opinion that is looking for an argument/" fight" .
Be happy with your stuff and just let it be.

Maybe you forgot I replied to someone in this topic, on a topic about the 'Exciting things' coming to iPad? Maybe I would like to see a true iPad Pro hybrid device from Apple instead of the overpriced, halfbaked solution Tim is flaunting right now?

The person responding to me was trolling by comparing a Surface Pro to a $100 Android device and suggesting (yeah asking...) I never really used one, and I'm the one being aggressive?

I use the best possible device for the task and right now, none of those are Apple. I'm not anti-Apple but I would really like them to up their game and be competitive again.

 

[jujufreeze]

Depends on the situation ultimately.

On a desk at home with ready access to wifi? Probably a laptop or desktop.

When I am on the move outside? A tablet's form factor can be a godsend. I remember last year when I was one of the emcees for my school's prize award ceremony. The script was typed out in google docs, which I accessed from my iPad. During the rehearsal, numerous changes were made to the script, all of which were made directly to the document via my iPad. Either onstage or backstage. The poor wifi was remedied with my iPad's inbuilt 4g capabilities.

I have done my fair share of typing on my iPad and it's something that can be mastered with a little practice and dedication.

And you don't appreciate how thin and light the iPad Pro is until you have had to hold it for 3 hours at a stretch while standing.

Sure in a pinch I can see how an iPad Pro comes in handy.

 

[Count Blah]

What is the difference? Imac gpu not cutting it anymore? You have to replace your imac.
It has never been different.
Perhaps the really old mac pro being the only exception.

With this response, I'm guessing you don't really understand the criticism people have had against Apple.

 

[DevNull0]

And as tablets get better that percentage continues to drop; and even now there are users that don't have a secondary need that requires a computer. For many, computer may be currently easer to use because it has a keyboard and mouse or the program has more features on a PC but as tablets become more powerful those benefits fade.

And besides the stylus, what can the latest iPP do that an iPad 4 couldn't? Faster CPU/etc is not more functionality. I'm talking actual capability. Things that would require a real computer for an iPad 4 that don't for an iPP?

The keyboard, mouse, and program features are huge. As is the larger screen. And peripheral connections. You can't get that in a tablet without making it into a full computer anyway.

 

[jlc1978]

And besides the stylus, what can the latest iPP do that an iPad 4 couldn't? Faster CPU/etc is not more functionality. I'm talking actual capability. Things that would require a real computer for an iPad 4 that don't for an iPP?

Larger screen and stylus are key features for those that use them. As for faster CPU/etc. that is often the only distinguishing features between MacBooks as well - and useful if you need it.

The keyboard, mouse, and program features are huge. As is the larger screen. And peripheral connections. You can't get that in a tablet without making it into a full computer anyway.

That's only because you have a traditional computer centric viewpoint; which is fine if a desktop is what you need. I can add a keyboard to my iPad, attach peripherals such as an external monitor, etc. The iPad (and tablets in general) are becoming viable replacements for traditional computers for many use cases; a pattern that will continue as they get more powerful. Just because you have needs beyond an iPad's capabilities doesn't mean it's not more than capable for meeting other users needs.

 

[ValO]

With this response, I'm guessing you don't really understand the criticism people have had against Apple.

With this response, I'm guessing you don't really understand the criticism people have had against Apple.

You mean critcism from the beginning of the imac?
I understand the criticism, but it has never been different with the imac, and i guess they will not change in that aspect.
But you are welcome fighting an uphill battle.

At least in my scenario, you would just have to replace the monitor instead of an entire imac.

 

[DevNull0]

Larger screen and stylus are key features for those that use them. As for faster CPU/etc. that is often the only distinguishing features between MacBooks as well - and useful if you need it.

Amazing how you switch gears when a point goes against you.

You said the iPads are getting more and more computer-like in capability with each release. When you're questioned on it, mentioning MacBook evolution is just a red herring. It's completely irrelevant to what we were talking about, but I guess that's a valid debating technique. When you lose, change the subject.

 

[Michael Goff]

Amazing how you switch gears when a point goes against you.

You said the iPads are getting more and more computer-like in capability with each release. When you're questioned on it, mentioning MacBook evolution is just a red herring. It's completely irrelevant to what we were talking about, but I guess that's a valid debating technique. When you lose, change the subject.

Except he's pointing out that CPU/GPU/RAM are generally the only differences in the evolution of most conputers over the past decade.

 

[Count Blah]

You mean critcism from the beginning of the imac?
I understand the criticism, but it has never been different with the imac, and i guess they will not change in that aspect.
But you are welcome fighting an uphill battle.

At least in my scenario, you would just have to replace the monitor instead of an entire imac.

The iMac was introduced in '98. You had affordable towers(G3,G4 and G5) and the Mac Mini as alternatives to the iMac.

So please don't act like the sorry state the Apple lineup is in now, means that it's always been that way.

 

[jlc1978]

Amazing how you switch gears when a point goes against you.

You said the iPads are getting more and more computer-like in capability with each release. When you're questioned on it, mentioning MacBook evolution is just a red herring. It's completely irrelevant to what we were talking about, but I guess that's a valid debating technique. When you lose, change the subject.

Actually, you deprecated faster CPU/et.c as a valuable feature and thus I pointed out that that often is the only main delta between Macs as well. Despite your feeling the comparison between tablet and PC evolution is irrelevant it is in fact relevant in that it shows tablets are following a similar path to becoming more useful for more people as they involve. Portables had many limitations one they first came out but evolved into viable machines as a primary device. Tablets are heading that way as well.

As for more computer like, they add multi tasking, compatibility with mainstream applications, split screen, keyboard, external devices, etc. - all features found on a PC thus the are becoming more like a PC since they already are a computer.

I'm not sure why you feel threatened by iPads becoming more powerful and primary devices for users. That takes nothing away form you Mac.

 

[robotica]

If Apple really wanted to they could create an iOS layer over OS X to have a touch screen Mac.

That would be a step in the right direction.

 

[BarracksSi]

If Apple really wanted to they could create an iOS layer over OS X to have a touch screen Mac.

That would be a step in the right direction.

Like Win10 is now?

 

[gothiquegirrl]

i'm looking to upgrade my 2010 Mac and my iPad. I haven't seen anything in the Mac line that even gets my attention.. and I want my iPad for drawing on the go.. but the larger Pro isn't even as nice as the smaller one.. So why do i need to update my Air2? The pen? that I have to buy separately? UGH. So... still not spending my money. If it weren't for the software, i'd switch. That's why I'm here.. but the hardware is such a let down.

 

[robotica]

Like Win10 is now?

Yeah but you know, actually useful

 

[ValO]

The iMac was introduced in '98. You had affordable towers(G3,G4 and G5) and the Mac Mini as alternatives to the iMac.

So please don't act like the sorry state the Apple lineup is in now, means that it's always been that way.

Sjeez man, they also had an ipod with a clickwheel. Try to get one now.
But you are talking about ages ago, that is what i mean. You' ll never get a mac with upgradeable pci slots anymore. So if it is in a sorry state , it already is for ages, and it won' t come back. Don' t be offended. Just stating facts.

 

[Count Blah]

Sjeez man, they also had an ipod with a clickwheel. Try to get one now.
But you are talking about ages ago, that is what i mean. You' ll never get a mac with upgradeable pci slots anymore. So if it is in a sorry state , it already is for ages, and it won' t come back. Don' t be offended. Just stating facts.

This all stemmed from a discussion of a monitor/GPU combo.

Though, if it means that Apple actually begins to give a damn about the Mac mini again, then it might not be the worst thing in the world.

 

[DevNull0]

Actually, you deprecated faster CPU/et.c as a valuable feature and thus I pointed out that that often is the only main delta between Macs as well.

CPU performance doesn't say much about what a machine can do. The iPhone has orders of magnitude more processing power than NASA had to put a man on the moon. That doesn't mean you could run the space program from an iPhone.

It's not how fast your CPU is but how you use it that counts.

Despite your feeling the comparison between tablet and PC evolution is irrelevant it is in fact relevant in that it shows tablets are following a similar path to becoming more useful for more people as they involve.

The point is that tablets are not evolving, they're stagnating and dying...which is why iPad sales are down 50% from their peak while mac sales are up. The latest iPP is just an iPad 4 with a stylus and a smaller chassis.

As for more computer like, they add multi tasking, compatibility with mainstream applications, split screen, keyboard, external devices, etc.

All those are implemented as cheesy kludges on a defective by design platform and they only serve to prove how refined the modern computer is.

In the 90's, computers were convoluted and a pain to maintain and use. They had small limited displays and clunky interfaces. The tablet brings back those days.

I'm not sure why you feel threatened by iPads becoming more powerful and primary devices for users. That takes nothing away form you Mac.

How can I feel threatened by something that isn't true?

On the other hand to bring us back full circle, when Timmy the Stooge says all you need is an iPad and stops releasing any macs that aren't just gelded versions of the older model at a higher price, it certainly does take away from my Mac.

 

[coolspot18]

It'd be pretty exciting if they just dropped the device and put their focus back into making a good computer.

Or actually put some effort into the iPad ... like perhaps 32GB of storage minimum, SD card, and a USB port. You know, making it into a useful device.

Or even better, put a usable version of OS X on the tablet like what Microsoft did with the Surface.

 

[Michael Goff]

CPU performance doesn't say much about what a machine can do. The iPhone has orders of magnitude more processing power than NASA had to put a man on the moon. That doesn't mean you could run the space program from an iPhone.

It's not how fast your CPU is but how you use it that counts.



The point is that tablets are not evolving, they're stagnating and dying...which is why iPad sales are down 50% from their peak while mac sales are up. The latest iPP is just an iPad 4 with a stylus and a smaller chassis.



All those are implemented as cheesy kludges on a defective by design platform and they only serve to prove how refined the modern computer is.

In the 90's, computers were convoluted and a pain to maintain and use. They had small limited displays and clunky interfaces. The tablet brings back those days.



How can I feel threatened by something that isn't true?

On the other hand to bring us back full circle, when Timmy the Stooge says all you need is an iPad and stops releasing any macs that aren't just gelded versions of the older model at a higher price, it certainly does take away from my Mac.

Macs are consistently around the 5m mark for the last few years. Still more iPads sold than Macs.

 

[Abazigal]

Or actually put some effort into the iPad ... like perhaps 32GB of storage minimum, SD card, and a USB port. You know, making it into a useful device.

Or even better, put a usable version of OS X on the tablet like what Microsoft did with the Surface.

We will have to agree to disagree on what makes an iPad better then.

OS X on a tablet?

 

[jlc1978]

The point is that tablets are not evolving, they're stagnating and dying...which is why iPad sales are down 50% from their peak while mac sales are up. The latest iPP is just an iPad 4 with a stylus and a smaller chassis.

If you look at mac sales they've stagnated at 4 - 5 million units per quarter since the end of 2010. While those are good numbers it's not exactly a growing market. iPad Q1 sales are down but Q2-3 numbers show lesser decreases. In at the face of greater competition, Apple does need to do something to get people to want new iPads since it seems the older ones are powerful enough that there is no need to replace as often and they need to figure out ways to bring in potential PC purchasers to consider a tablet instead.

It's not there yet but it is the future.

All those are implemented as cheesy kludges on a defective by design platform and they only serve to prove how refined the modern computer is.

What do you consider defective by design? It's quite good for many users at checking email, surfing the web, watching movies, texting, and other tasks that they don't need a computer.

Just because it has a different approach than the Mac doesn't make it's design worse, just different.

In the 90's, computers were convoluted and a pain to maintain and use. They had small limited displays and clunky interfaces. The tablet brings back those days.

Hardly. If anything, iPads and tablets in general bring back the big iron - terminal model of eras bygone; except now you have a smart terminal with a really good display.

Change is inevitable. We've gone form big iron to desktop PCs to laptops; tablets are the next step in that evolution. Does it mean iOS on an iPad? Who knows. iOS may evolve into being more like MacOS; but given Apple's drive to strip away complexity and beyond just a computer company to one whose products integrate into a broad spectrum of a person's life, from communications to content to home control to telling time and integrating the separate components;it will be interesting to see how their products evolve.

The Mac may stick around but I bet it'll be as different in the future as today's is from the original 128K Mac. Apple, more than other computer companies, has shown a consistent willingness to drive change through deliberate deprecation of features and systems to meet their view of the future.
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Or actually put some effort into the iPad ... like perhaps 32GB of storage minimum, SD card, and a USB port. You know, making it into a useful device.

As much as I like that idea it doesn't appear to square with Apple's design philosophy and view the the cloud is the future.

Or even better, put a usable version of OS X on the tablet like what Microsoft did with the Surface.

While that sounds appealing, I'm not sure a desktop OS is the way to go on a tablet. For me, eagles interchange of information is more important. The ability to work on a spreadsheet and pick up on a PC if needed is more useful, IMHO. The underlying program and OS is irrelevant as long as it is transparent to the user.

As for the Surface, I haven't used one enough to form a strong opinion. Th few times I did try one in the MS Store it just felt wrong. Then again, I use an iPad and a Mac so Windows feels odd every time I have to use it.

 

[Tech198]

lol.... Exciting things as sales drop....... ya, like perhaps a crash.

 

[BarracksSi]

Like Win10 is now?

Yeah but you know, actually useful

;P

My work laptop is Win10, and it's got a half-tablet, half-desktop UI. I f***ing hate it.

It needs a pointing device because not everything has been redone to be fingertip-friendly. I just spent ten minutes trying to change the display settings so it'll go full-screen on its built-in display (a problem for a Win10 forum) and it didn't take long to end up in an old-fashioned UI with tiny checkboxes and tabs. But then I go back up a few layers, and it gives me a fat-and-flat UI (called "Metro", right?) which might be OK for tapping with my thumbs but ends up with a lot of wasted space.

Let's not forget all the tiny click targets present in the UIs for Outlook, Office, print/save dialogs, and more.

Since it needs a mouse or trackpad pretty much all the time, Win10's UI is not tablet-friendly at all. IMNSHO. If Apple were to try plopping a standard desktop UI onto the iPad, and apps weren't rewritten to be touch-friendly either, the result would stink just as bad as Win10's does.

 

[MacBergin]

Call the plumber because Apple's pipeline seems to be clogged with "Exciting Things" Let's not talk about the pipeline stop the delay and lets get them in the stores. I've been waiting for a reason to upgrade my ipad as have 2 other people in my family. Now I hear rumors that it won't be March...pipeline is plugged.

 

[BarracksSi]

Call the plumber because Apple's pipeline seems to be clogged with "Exciting Things" Let's not talk about the pipeline stop the delay and lets get them in the stores. I've been waiting for a reason to upgrade my ipad as have 2 other people in my family. Now I hear rumors that it won't be March...pipeline is plugged.

(at the risk of invoking Jobs's line about, "If Henry Ford had asked people what they wanted, they would've said, 'A faster horse.'"...)

What should be added? Which hardware feature? What kind of upgrade? Should it be an OS-only upgrade? Should it break compatibility with older apps? Should it be a dual-lens camera? What if it changed from Lightning to USB-C?

You say you want a reason to upgrade. What would push you over the edge and convince you to buy a new iPad?