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

[44267547]

The tablet has to be more and more like a laptop if they want people who have a powerful smartphone to consider buying one.

The tablet market is shrinking, the laptop market is shrinking, and the desktop market is shrinking. The only thing that's growing is the phone market.

That's Cooks goal and he was quoted where he envisions the iPad ultimately being.

That said, the iPad is stagnant because those don't find a reason to upgrade their current iPad or tablet is plenty powerful and handles most tasks easily. The iPad Pro primary difference is the Apple Pencil and quad speakers, with an incremental difference in performance.

Where your post is not entirely accurate is the smart phone. Yes, it's growing, but a smart phone does not and cannot compete with an iPad or laptop. A smart phone is entirely limited on software for various tasks and does not serve as a bridge, as the iPad does for the laptop.

The iPad is ultimately consumed by the MacBook and MacBook is consumed by the iPad. Everyone differs on how they use their devices.

The iPad needs something big to re-ignite it and live up to Cook's quote.

 

[RH00D]

Apple sells 5.2 million watches = "Dominated Holiday Season"
Apple sells 13.1 million iPads = "Lackluster Sales"

Different products have different expectations.

As an example, nobody expects Apple to sell as many desktop computers as they do phones. That's not logical. For example, a family may get a phone for each family member (4 phones) but have only 1 desktop Mac that is shared by all. And also price is a big factor. Lower priced items should sell more than higher priced ones, generally speaking.

 

[StevieD100]

The thing nobody wants to see is that "phones" are simply cannibalizing on the sales of tablets due to their size. A lot of people just couldn't be bothered to have or pick up an ipad when they have enough big display in their pocket. (Including me). I believe the tablet market has bright future, however the devices themselves need to be bit modified.

For some things an iPad is far, far ,far better than a Phablet sized phone.
Letter box displays might be good for watching HD movies (bit I fail to see the point of doing that) but for viewing photos taken with DSLR type cameras then the iPad is perfect.
I use mine for giving talks to Clubs and even business presentations. Connect the adapter to the TB socket and you have an HD output.
Some of the presentations I've done in the past were in places where you could not take a phone or a laptop yet for some reason, an iPad was fine.
The issue for me is that the iPad is just about perfect for what it is supposed to do.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

The iPad needs something big to re-ignite it and live up to Cook's quote.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of changes would you like to see made to the iPad?

 

[pearvsapple]

iPad with x86 and Mac OS or you can just forget it. iPhone Plus pretty much made the iPad irrelevant with same functionality and usage. The only reason to even have a tablet is the ability to run desktop-quality software instead of those awful mobile toy apps.

 

[Soi Dog]

I bought an iPad Pro 9.7 after an iPad2. The old one was good enough for most things .But it was the pencil that made me upgrade. A thing I always wanted since the first iPad.
When Cook says "Exciting things coming" I know that he and I see it different.
For me the most exciting thing to come for iPads, would be new features in the iOS system. Apple needs to differentiate features between phones and iPads if they don't want the + phones to cannibalise on iPad sales. And if they want it to replace a computer then give us the tools for it.
i.e a file system as on OS X And connectivity to external devices as HD drives.
I would greatly appreciate the pen working as partial area cut and paste of screen shots accros all devices.

 

[kazmac]

Our Roadmap of Exciting Things are in the Pipeline.

 

[easy4lif]

heres how you make things magical...

Magically DROP THE PRICE $150 for those tablets

 

[SeattleMoose]

"Apple will have to add compelling new features that entice the large base of existing iPad owners to swap out their current "good enough" tablet for a new one."

Well if I could just take my old one (iPad 4th generation 2013) into an Apple Store, get a new one, have them transfer all my stuff to the new one, and get $$$ credit by turning it in.....THAT would be tempting.

 

[julesme]

If they do all that, they're just making a laptop.

If you want it, get a laptop. Some of us don't want our tablets ruined.

Your tablet would be ruined with more RAM? Give me a break Phil!

 

[BeforeTheMeds]

I need to reformat and reinstall on my ipad mini, getting really laggy. It will last for a while longer though.

If chrome tablets would come out now that chromebooks can install and run android games I see them as a viable contender. I may go chromebook after this ipad anyway, waiting to see the new ones coming out.
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For some things an iPad is far, far ,far better than a Phablet sized phone.

Exactly, even in size. I have a 6s plus and an ipad mini and they are not even close in size. The 6s plus is closer in size to a 4" phone than to the ipad mini. Completely different category.

 

[skellener]

Need "Pro" apps for my iPad Pro Tim. Where are they?

Apple, where Pro means absolutely nothingl

 

[Greenmeenie]

Not necessari

That's a horrible idea. Microsoft has been working for about half a decade to get an OS that fits with touch and apps that do. And they still haven't fixed the apps issue completely. Everyone talks about touch macOS, but completely ignore just how awful it'd be to just take macOS and throw it on an iPad.

Not necessarily. If Apple could create a fully functioning ipad that becomes a monitor when attached to a computer keyboardbase that runs OS X...they truly could have the perfect portable device. One that really could replace a laptop.

 

[can$rules]

THINNNEEEEERRRRRRR!

On this page I got an ad about the "Dollar shave club". Coincidence? I don't think so!

 

[djgamble]

Intel CPUs and a rich OS?

I think the iPad is already an awkward product somewhere betweeen a phone and a computer. IMO people prefer phones because they are almost the same size and you can make calls with them.

 

[44267547]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of changes would you like to see made to the iPad?

Perhaps 3D Touch, which would reduce reaching and conveniently short cut the applications, reduced bezels with an edge to edge screen (Integrating the home button), improved screen/pixel density, expanded Pencil options would be something to consider to utilize it more. (Apple Pencil 2 is rumored).

The quad speakers are really nice. I would hope Apple continues to expand and include this on other models.

 

[skellener]

Tim Crook says alot of things that never materialized...

King of the empty pipeline.

 

[facemeat]

I prefer the size of the iPad mini, it fits comfortably in one hand, portable enough and has a large enough screen to be productive. I sold it when I purchased the iPhone 6+/6S+ as it served most of my requirements. I still miss the iPad mini though, if it had 3D Touch, Pencil support, Smart Connector support, TrueTone and stereo speakers along with TouchID 2 and a TrueTone flash for the rear camera that would be an instant sale for me as I am thinking of downgrading in phone size.

Plus the hardware is capable to last for 3+ years, at the reduced cost compared to buying a Mac (if not creating) who would not want a lower cost mobile device.

Agreed with all you said. Just wanted to chime in that I also like the mini, prefer it over the Air. I don't love it so much though as to justify replacing an entirely functional Air 2. If an updated model brought (as you put it) pencil support, TrueTone, better speakers and a faster TouchID I'd probably upgrade, despite not needing it. The iPP offers some nice advantages over the Air, but I'm more interested in the mini so the iPPs haven't been worth it for me, despite having nice features.

 

[Michael Goff]

You think I'm joking? I'm dead serious.

I'd venture to say that nearly everyone who has a tablet, has a smartphone that does everything a tablet can do (and more considering it's got a cellular signal). Neither tablet nor phone can accomplish even half the number of tasks a computer can.

And just like that, tablets are rendered useless.

Not useless. Just because you can't figure out how to do things on a tablet doesn't make it useless.

Your tablet would be ruined with more RAM? Give me a break Phil!

Trackpad support is more what I was talking about.

Not necessari


Not necessarily. If Apple could create a fully functioning ipad that becomes a monitor when attached to a computer keyboardbase that runs OS X...they truly could have the perfect portable device. One that really could replace a laptop.

That'd be even worse than a singular OS. Too many moving parts, too much potential for data failure. Just let iOS evolve to do what people use their laptops for.

 

[JamesPDX]

I don't know about y'all, but my iPad Air and iPad mini 2 still run blazingly fast [iOS 8 for now], and even my original iPad from 2010 still gets used daily. The iPads have enough hardware to keep people from upgrading, I think. I just wish iOS for the iPad was a bit more customized, as I think that's the limiting factor. But an iOS upgrade won't make people buy new iPads unless current models run super slow with said upgrade.

Oh, they will run slow. Eventually. The things are generally so well-made that if there wasn't planned obsolescence via iOS updates, few would buy a new iPad or iPhone. That's how you get those profit margins high in 2017.
Before it was about computing power progress. That's why I have an "old" 2003 G5 and a 2006 MBP that tear-ass through Photoshop an Pro Tools using 3GB of RAM on Tiger or Leopard. Don't get me wrong, I still love my pair of 2012 i7 SSD and RAM-upgraded Mini's.

 

[gnipgnop]

You think I'm joking? I'm dead serious.

I'd venture to say that nearly everyone who has a tablet, has a smartphone that does everything a tablet can do (and more considering it's got a cellular signal). Neither tablet nor phone can accomplish even half the number of tasks a computer can.

And just like that, tablets are rendered useless.

You need to ask yourself a single question: why does your computer have a larger screen than a smartphone?

 

[Jim Lahey]

Just make the next one comfortable to use and I will buy it. Enough already with that bloody chamfer. It's ridiculous!

 

[Gix1k]

Oddly enough I never use any of my iPad's anymore.

 

[BarracksSi]

I don't know about y'all, but my iPad Air and iPad mini 2 still run blazingly fast [iOS 8 for now], and even my original iPad from 2010 still gets used daily. The iPads have enough hardware to keep people from upgrading, I think. I just wish iOS for the iPad was a bit more customized, as I think that's the limiting factor. But an iOS upgrade won't make people buy new iPads unless current models run super slow with said upgrade.

I agree. I've still got my pre-retina iPad 2, and it's good enough for poking around emails and Flipboard, along with all the apps I've always had on it. It's my preferred lightweight portable internet appliance -- which is pretty much the minimum that it was ever intended to be.

I have a MBP from 2012, but have rarely -- if ever -- made it break a sweat. 90% of my computer time could be handled well enough by my iPad 2. I've seriously considered upgrading the iPad instead of my 5-year-old laptop (partly because the MBP still runs great, and partly because the ol' iPad isn't getting any more OS updates).

If I had a desk at home, or at least a "home office" space, I'd probably ditch the laptop entirely, put an iMac or Mac Mini on the desk, and use a new iPad around the house.

 

[sos47]

i have an iPad Pro 9.7. Where are the Pro Apps? Apple Photos on iPad Pro has the same IQ like the App on iPhones. There are so many features on macOS Photos which i cannot use on Ipad Pro: Histogramm, Sharpening, Geotagging, Keyword Tagging, Smartalbums.
Next time i would buy a cheaper iPad.