None of which makes Apple's implementation unique or novel as the poster I replied to was suggesting.
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Universal Control is a Result of Years of Work on iPadOS, Says Apple Product Manager
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What’s automatic connection or setup?
You have to enable it manually once just like with Logitech Flow and Synergy.
No iPad support, yes true, because of Apples monopoly, device lockdown and anticompetitive business practices, but this will be fixed soon with EU’s Digital Market Act and Digital Services Act and sideloading.
No drag and drop, hmm copy+paste is sufficient and works across multiple devices and operating Systems(macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Android).
gimmick no one will use after a first few tryouts, why would Apple even spend so much time on this?
In theory it’s cool, so long as you have 802.11 enabled, if you want to use 802.11 with a wired machine, forget it!!! I can’t think of any valid reason for this, same subnet - broadcast domain - so nothing stopping it at L3, perhaps something further up the stack needs a 802.11 feature to make it work? I’ve logged it with Apple anyway ??
So the Apple folks sat there in uncountable meetings thumb twiddling, till someone shouted “Hey let’s snatch the open source code of Synergy, adapt it and call it Universal Control, but limit it to Apple devices…” ? ??. Then it took them a few more years to understand the existing code base to modify it in a way that they could publicly say “We invented something amazing gorgeous, the best feature ever…” ?
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I’m not really sure how I would make use of this with an iPad.
Is it possible between two Macs next to each other? That might be useful.
Is it possible between two Macs next to each other? That might be useful.
There's a kit ti criticize every tech company for. Even with out things like this, there's a lot to love with Apple products.
With that said - yeah, this is just awesome ? Universal Control is one of my most software favorite features in years.
And Synergy even more years ago, even open source…
For sure Apple snatched the idea an few code lines here and there.
Synergy - Share one mouse & keyboard across computers
Synergy is an app that shares one mouse and one keyboard across multiple computers and monitors. Instant download, easy to setup in minutes.symless.com
I used Synergy, it's a very different experience.
First of all - it doesn't work with iPads. That's a big one. iPad is such a great companion for a Mac, especially a MacBook, this is the one you want. Not many people have two computers on a desk (and yes, I know some do, I did).
Second - it was never as seamless. I had many issues with it. UC "just works".
As the case is often with Apple - it's not about being the first, it's about the execution.
How can this be the same thing if it doesn’t work between an iPad and a mac? You think you’re being clever - but you aren’t. We have all heard of barrier you know.
It does and you can and you don’t. I find when complaining, it’s handy to complain about issues that exist instead of making some up and then complaining about those. Even on the internet.
Yes, you can use it with two Macs.
As for iPad, it's surprisingly useful. iPad is a great place to have iMessage/chat apps, mail, etc. while working on your Mac, and it's actually better than using the iPad as a second monitor.
Also, there are some really great apps that are not on Mac (even Apple Silicon ones) - and this makes them feel suprisingly native, it's like they are, just on a different screen.
iPadOS has literally the same file system like macOS: APFS.
What you probably mean is the file browser - like the Finder. Files is not that different from Finder for a lot of things and, no, you don't have to rely on Cloud Storage. iPadOS now has local storage, just like any Mac. You can drag and drop files just as you would expect, and it works great with Finder on a Mac - and yes, store files locally on an iPad.
Universal control is really cool tech. I'm impressed with how well it works.
Same filesystem but a castrated file access that does not allow to run more advanced Software like ForkLift, Total Commander, use chown, chmod, etc...
Universal control seems great. You could also consider a KVM switch. I share a Keycrhon K10, Logitech mouse, USB Yeti and a Samsung 32" 4K monitor across 2 Mac and 2 windows laptops this way. However I do want to use UC to get to my iPad easier!
I'd only tried this once before today, but the first time it really did seam magical. MacBook 12" to iPad Air with Numbers seemed to flawlessly shift from the laptop to iPad. Before I posted about it, I thought I'd try it again on MacMini M1. Not so magical. Dual screens connected to the Mini got swapped and never really did get transitioned to the iPad as things froze up. Definitely in beta. Kind of doesn't matter to me. When I want two screens, I generally have two screens.
Sometimes my wife will use two laptops and her iPad (sometimes even her phone) all at the same time. The thing is, she's got email on one, a syllabus up on another, someones paper up on the third, etc. They don't necessarily need to be connected and probably wouldn't make her happy if they were.
Sometimes I travel just with an iPad and a laptop and can see this being useful once they sort it out.
Sometimes my wife will use two laptops and her iPad (sometimes even her phone) all at the same time. The thing is, she's got email on one, a syllabus up on another, someones paper up on the third, etc. They don't necessarily need to be connected and probably wouldn't make her happy if they were.
Sometimes I travel just with an iPad and a laptop and can see this being useful once they sort it out.
What is the use case for this functionality?
I'm struggling to find one.
Now if I was working on my 13PM and could swipe it off to my MBP or IPP11 or X280 or ....
That's the kind of functionality that would be very useful. Till then, Airdrop, Snapdrop, or a universal cloud.
And the best part is that there was not a lot to code, because Universal Control is just a blend of Remote Desktop (without video transfer) Bonjour, Airdrop and Handoff. It's all been there, all the time.
Probably because just like Handoff or airdrop it creates an adhoc wifi connection between the devices.
That's like saying how can an Xerox PARC mouse be the same thing as an Apple mouse if it doesn't work on a Mac?
The original poster said the integration was unique to Apple - it isn't. Logitech and others have had this integration between desktops, notebooks, and tablets for years. There's no cleverness required to state the obvious but the original poster apparently wasn't aware this feature predates Apple by a considerable period of time.
Yep, what he meant is, he wants to see the object clued to the cursor as thumbnail heh
Duel login on MacOS is a headache. There are apps that won't work if there are two accounts logged in at the same time.
I have my iPad on a holder next to my iMac. I have really liked universal control except for one feature. If the iPad is asleep, I have to wake it up to get it to work, I would prefer it to auto wake if I am on my mac (and the iPad is plugged into power.)
Other than that, it has been great so far.
Other than that, it has been great so far.