Unless Apple makes dramatic improvements to iOS , this will be my last iPad

[dyn]

I have extensive experience with both iPads and Surfaces and there is a huge difference in user experiences between the two. The Surface makes a fine ultrabook, but a pretty poor/basic tablet.

Which is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the iPad. My Surface Pro 2 is a great Windows machine but using it as a tablet to play the occasional game, browse the web, read stuff is just too much. The iPhone does it better but the display is too small. The iPads display is just enough. I usually carry a notebook (the analog one, you know, paper and such 🙂) with me anyway. Current iPads are lighter than those notebooks and thinner. That also makes the current iPads easier to hold. I'm not sure how Windows 10 will work out on the Surface Pro 2 when in tablet mode. Windows 10 on a desktop/laptop is a really good system.

And another thing that also helps a lot and is going to help Windows in the future: iOS apps that are usable on both the iPhone and iPad. I have some of those and thus don't need to go looking for alternatives which I had to do for the Windows tablet (and failed because some are just not available; a good, clean and simple task manager sporting projects and such seems to be impossible).

For me the more simplistic approach Apple is taking with the iPad is more suited. My Surface Pro 2 (and any other Windows tablet for that matter) is going to be an ultrabook that you can hold and draw/write on.

 

[Badrottie]

Before Microsoft Word app for iPad came out, iPad did not do anything for me except to watch Netflix and playing games. Now Word app helped me better with email and iCloud support I can leave my rMBP in the self storage.

 

[skaertus]

I gave up the iPad. My sister uses it now. Never buying another one again.

My iPhone does everything the iPad does. It doesn't live up to its potential. Just a big phone. No wonder why the decreasing popularity. It could have been so much more after all these 5 years.

The Surface 3 sells for the same price and it does a lot more. A lot.

 

[XTheLancerX]

I love my iPad mini 2 and am interested in buying a new iPad sometime in the future, but iOS needs to be improved greatly for the iPad. It's not even lack of productivity issues for me, it's performance (I use my iPad 99% of the time for entertainment). iOS was made so sloppily for the iPad, and it stutters like hell on A7 iPads. Things are also much more quirky and feel less stable in general. In other words, you can easily screw things up by interacting with the UI in certain ways. And yes, the screen needs to be taken advantage of. It is quite annoying the way everything is just a blown up iPhone OS.

 

[Aluminum213]

Apple redeemed, just made the iPad Air 2 a powerhouse

 

[sracer]

Apple redeemed, just made the iPad Air 2 a powerhouse

A powerhouse? Not in my opinion. It certainly moves it a step forward. I've had those capabilities introduced with iOS 9 for a year with my Galaxy tablet. (and iOS 9 isn't actually out yet).

Limitations of iOS were only part of what has been holding the iPad back from being a "powerhouse". The other is hardware... which might be addressed later this year with new hardware but does nothing for the iPad Air 2.

 

[Technarchy]

Waiting on the next iPad reveal, but iOS 9 for iPad has my interest. I haven't had an iPad for about a year and half and I miss it.

 

[sracer]

Waiting on the next iPad reveal, but iOS 9 for iPad has my interest. I haven't had an iPad for about a year and half and I miss it.

Looking forward to the new iPad too. iOS 9 will provide a little more oomph, hoping that the new iPads this Fall (Air 3 or Pro) add the hardware end of things. (and maybe additional tweaks to iOS 9 specifically in support of any exclusive-to-the-new-iPad hardware additions)

 

[Aluminum213]

A powerhouse? Not in my opinion. It certainly moves it a step forward. I've had those capabilities introduced with iOS 9 for a year with my Galaxy tablet. (and iOS 9 isn't actually out yet).

Limitations of iOS were only part of what has been holding the iPad back from being a "powerhouse". The other is hardware... which might be addressed later this year with new hardware but does nothing for the iPad Air 2.

The problem is you have Galaxy tab, laughable app Eco system compared to the iPad. All the OS things I liked with the galaxy are now part of iOS, basically rendering android tablets pointless


And what hardware limitations are there for the Air 2? It's as powerful as a MacBook from a couple years ago, you trying to compare it to some iMac or Mac Pro?

 

[sracer]

The problem is you have Galaxy tab, laughable app Eco system compared to the iPad. All the OS things I liked with the galaxy are now part of iOS, basically rendering android tablets pointless

I also own multiple iPads and Windows tablets in addition to Android tabs. When you refer to Google Play store as a "laughable app eco system" you are revealing your bias towards iOS. That's fine, but it is what it is.

And what hardware limitations are there for the Air 2? It's as powerful as a MacBook from a couple years ago, you trying to compare it to some iMac or Mac Pro?

The Air 2 has serious hardware limitations before it can be considered a "powerhouse"... claiming that it is as much of a powerhouse as a macbook from a couple of years ago continues to reveal your bias towards Apple.

• No support for removable storage (sorry, the camera connection is NOT that)
• Limited support for USB input devices
• No support for pointing devices

are just three.

 

[pacorob]

I also own multiple iPads and Windows tablets in addition to Android tabs. When you refer to Google Play store as a "laughable app eco system" you are revealing your bias towards iOS. That's fine, but it is what it is.

We have used a Nexus 7 (now my parents use it) and my wife still uses a Asus Transformer TF300T tabet but devices seemed great devices when we bought them but over time they have become very slow no matter how few apps, cache cleaning you do and they run the latest official 4.x. versions (higher isn't possible i think).
The Google Play store also lacks (and still does i think) real true tablet apps.

Soon after the iPad mini3 launch i decided to buy an iPad mini2 32GB for 350 euros and i still love this device. There are many great iPad apps that i use daily. I love the speed (now runs 8.3) and reliability of the device.

 

[sracer]

We have used a Nexus 7 (now my parents use it) and my wife still uses a Asus Transformer TF300T tabet but devices seemed great devices when we bought them but over time they have become very slow no matter how few apps, cache cleaning you do and they run the latest official 4.x. versions (higher isn't possible i think).
The Google Play store also lacks (and still does i think) real true tablet apps.

That was true at one time (lack "true" tablet apps), but not anymore. There are some terrific apps available that sometimes even exceed the capabilities of their iOS counterparts. (inking in OneNote came to Android before iOS is one example)

As for your experiences with Android tablets, I certainly don't want to deny that you have experienced what you have experienced.

Soon after the iPad mini3 launch i decided to buy an iPad mini2 32GB for 350 euros and i still love this device. There are many great iPad apps that i use daily. I love the speed (now runs 8.3) and reliability of the device.

Yet another example where personal experiences differ. Neither my iPad 2 or iPad 4 run iOS 8.x smoothly or reliably. Every iOS update to those two devices resulted in a steady decrease in performance and stability. I'm hoping that iOS 9 will address that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there isn't this great disparity between platforms anymore and no "de facto" superior option. Yes there are differences, but depending upon one's needs, one will edge out the other.

 

[pacorob]

That was true at one time (lack "true" tablet apps), but not anymore. There are some terrific apps available that sometimes even exceed the capabilities of their iOS counterparts. (inking in OneNote came to Android before iOS is one example)

It's good to read that the Android tablet apps have been approving much when i read you post. Ever since i have my iPad mini2 i never use the tablet of my wife.

Yet another example where personal experiences differ. Neither my iPad 2 or iPad 4 run iOS 8.x smoothly or reliably. Every iOS update to those two devices resulted in a steady decrease in performance and stability. I'm hoping that iOS 9 will address that.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there isn't this great disparity between platforms anymore and no "de facto" superior option. Yes there are differences, but depending upon one's needs, one will edge out the other.

I've had a similar experience with my iPhone 3Gs ages ago when i upgraded it to iOS5 and especially iOS6.
After that i had a short experience with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus i9250 but soon went back to an iPhone 4s running iOS7.1.2 untill a few months ago (my mother is still using that device nowadays). I've learned that i won't update a device before i read forum/twitter reviews and/or tech reviews regarding speed. Therefore i didn't upgrade my 4s to iOS8 (and probably won't ask my mum to update to iOS9).

My latest (2nd hand) iPhone 5s and iPad mini2 both run very smooth on iOS8.3 but these are of course newer devices (RAM, processor).

I think that Apple should give people more the choice to update or not. I can't get the annoying '1' away on the iPhone 4s and now and again a popup comes up to update to iOS8. Devices such as iPad2 (that you own), iPhone 4s should never had gotten an update to iOS8 by looking at speed/stability in comparison to previous iOS versions on those devices. I hope that iOS9 will address the speed but i'm afraid it won't especially the iPad2.

 

[satchmo]

If I could get a decent amount for my iPad Air, I'd sell it.

A MacBook of any flavour is just so much more productive and useful.
Pair that with an iPhone 6 Plus and you're good to go.

Or just grab a cheap 7" Android tablet.

Frankly tablets have all become a commodity and they all work pretty much all the same nowadays.

 

[terryk]

iPad is always more powerful than iphone with cheaper price. I think it's a good start to experience the iOS system.
On the other hand, ipad use the similar apps as iphone, so we needn't change our ipad so often. It's more like a laptop, an ipad can meet my needs for at least 3-4 years.

 

[s2mikey]

I also own multiple iPads and Windows tablets in addition to Android tabs. When you refer to Google Play store as a "laughable app eco system" you are revealing your bias towards iOS. That's fine, but it is what it is.



The Air 2 has serious hardware limitations before it can be considered a "powerhouse"... claiming that it is as much of a powerhouse as a macbook from a couple of years ago continues to reveal your bias towards Apple.

• No support for removable storage (sorry, the camera connection is NOT that)
• Limited support for USB input devices
• No support for pointing devices

are just three.

You are correct. The Air 2 isn't the end all by any means as far as tablets go. It's got one more GB or RAM and a faster processor but in most day to day use cases people don't notice anyways. Yeah, yeah, if you have 10 tabs open in safari it works better than previous iPads. Terrific.

Oh yeah, the Air 2 still has that nasty chassis vibration problem sue to being too thin and flimsy. No thanks.

 

[Aluminum213]

You are correct. The Air 2 isn't the end all by any means as far as tablets go. It's got one more GB or RAM and a faster processor but in most day to day use cases people don't notice anyways. Yeah, yeah, if you have 10 tabs open in safari it works better than previous iPads. Terrific.

Oh yeah, the Air 2 still has that nasty chassis vibration problem sue to being too thin and flimsy. No thanks.

There is a big difference between an air 1 that can't have two apps open at once without refreshing and the air 2 that can have 4-5 apps running easily without refreshing

Most people use a laptop or tablet for safari, so have tabs open without refreshing is big

 

[tdale]

I use mine only as a consumption device, and literally only when outside having cold one, to while away a sunny afternoon, relaxing. I must try it as a streaming option, although I refer the 50 plasma and HT for viewing. Id like to upgrade, but no need, I have an iPad Air 1 128 cellular

 

[tdale]

Oh STOP, please! As soon as the 12" comes out, you'll have one, it's a CONSUMPTION Device, NOT a Laptop,admit it,love it, use it,and quit the trivial belly aching.
Laptops and iPad, are TWO different creatures,as it should be,look at the Surface,a good LAPTOP,****** tablet, there is no be all,do all unity device.
I can't wait to view College Basketball,Football,on the new 12", as a second TV screen,not to mention MOVIES, the rest I'll use my 2008 MBP.

Couldn't agree more. Although I gather the Surface Pro 3 is also a good tablet? Windows 10 all the better.

But a horse bred for one use is better than a horse bred for many uses

 

[DJTaurus]

There is a big difference between an air 1 that can't have two apps open at once without refreshing and the air 2 that can have 4-5 apps running easily without refreshing

Most people use a laptop or tablet for safari, so have tabs open without refreshing is big

Totally agree.... i ll give some simple examples why i gave up on iPad despite i wanted to make it my main device... mac was only used for downloading stuff and organizing libraries (music, tv shoes, movies etc to stream them on apple tv.). For example you cant pause a video on safari (not only on youtube) and check it back later... the page would definitely auto refresh while on sleep mode. Same thing will happen if you will leave a forum reply in the middle and you want to continue writing later. Safari on iPad Air was even refreshing with only one tab opened after sleep mode. Cut/Copy/Paste and selecting text in general is still pain in the ass... they must make it more accurate and work fluid. Its difficult to get the image url address of a photo in order to post it somewhere... i know there are workarounds and apps that do this but on mac with right click you get it immediately. You dont have an option on Notes App or Pages App to remove text format. You don't have an option on Safari to have by default desktop view on sites. I dont want when viewing videos on safari or in apps to open on full screen.....this is a general issue on iOS not only on iPad. Apple will never give a file system to any iOS device... why to make an exception to iPad Pro?

 

[SHNXX]

The notes app suggests a possibility of pen input on the iPad pro.
That will be really awesome if it happens, although it remains to be seen if they can replicate that pen experience better than say, all other devices such as note, surface etc which use the Wacom.

 

[tdale]

Totally agree.... i ll give some simple examples why i gave up on iPad despite i wanted to make it my main device... mac was only used for downloading stuff and organizing libraries (music, tv shoes, movies etc to stream them on apple tv.). For example you cant pause a video on safari (not only on youtube) and check it back later... the page would definitely auto refresh while on sleep mode. Same thing will happen if you will leave a forum reply in the middle and you want to continue writing later. Safari on iPad Air was even refreshing with only one tab opened after sleep mode. Cut/Copy/Paste and selecting text in general is still pain in the ass... they must make it more accurate and work fluid. Its difficult to get the image url address of a photo in order to post it somewhere... i know there are workarounds and apps that do this but on mac with right click you get it immediately. You dont have an option on Notes App or Pages App to remove text format. You don't have an option on Safari to have by default desktop view on sites. I dont want when viewing videos on safari or in apps to open on full screen.....this is a general issue on iOS not only on iPad. Apple will never give a file system to any iOS device... why to make an exception to iPad Pro?

You are wanting a desktop on a tablet. An iPad is a tablet, based on a consumption model. A stylus will help the url select and copy/paste issue. The iPad has a file system, its app based. Look at Goodreader, you can create and manage folders, thats fine, it needs to be like that in all apps. Elsewhere you want an iPad to act like s desktop, that will take more GB used for iOS, add say 8GB RAM, a mouse to make life easier still. I'd be looking at an MBA, or MB 12, or a Surface Pro 3. the iPad will stay as a consumption device, although its being made more flexible on each iOS iteration. But it will remain as a more capable consumption device, and grow to a useful means to replace the laptop temporarily

Some might say that Apple wont grow the iPad to being a true laptop replacement due to cannabalism. I can see that being correct, Apple would rather you owned a tablet and a laptop. If they made a true hybrid, say an MB12 with the screen being an iPad Pro, the cost would not much less than the two devices themselves. So why bother? They will grow the iPad somewhat, allow increased integration to iOS.

 

[nj-morris]

Apple redeemed, just made the iPad Air 2 a powerhouse

Glad to hear it.

 

[dyn]

• No support for removable storage (sorry, the camera connection is NOT that)
• Limited support for USB input devices
• No support for pointing devices

are just three.

The three worst arguments ever. The most crappiest netbook that takes 15 minutes to boot has those things. Nobody in his right mind would ever consider such a netbook as a powerhouse. Powerhouse says something about the performance of both hardware and software. It says nothing about expandability.

In an age where we do things wirelessly and/or via cloud computing something like removable storage can be done via various ways, not purely USB like we did back in the day 😉 One could also ask the question whether it is even needed, lots of people get by quite easily with 16GB (if all you do is internet...). The same can be said for supporting USB input devices. What's so great about a tablet is that you can simply hold it in your hands and use it. No hassle with connecting devices and other stuff like with a notebook.

Also a tablet with no support for a pointing device doesn't exist. The pointing device is a tablets primary input device. For some the pointy device would be your finger, for others it's also a pen (either capacitive thus mimicking a finger or via something else; iOS supports both incl. your finger).

If you take a look at the Surface tablets there are way better arguments to come up with than the above ones. It's as if you put 0 effort into it. Being able to use tablet stuff on something that is just like any other ultrabook is just awesome. But it isn't for everyone. The Surface tablets and the iPads are just different kinds of powerhouses. The same applies to Android tablets.

Totally agree.... i ll give some simple examples why i gave up on iPad despite i wanted to make it my main device...

8<

Cut/Copy/Paste and selecting text in general is still pain in the ass... they must make it more accurate and work fluid.

If you think it is any different on Android or Windows (when in tablet mode thus selecting things with your fingers) then you are really naive. It's the same PITA, maybe even more. If you want proper cut/copy/paste you need to use a normal computer. If that normal computer should be shaped like a tablet then get a Surface/Surface Pro (but don't use your fingers/trackpad, just use the mouse or the pen!).

The notes app suggests a possibility of pen input on the iPad pro.

iOS has a plethora of note taking/drawing apps for a couple of years now. You either use your finger, a capacitive pen or one of the newer shinier bluetooth 4 pens for drawing and/or writing (if you have an iPad Air 2 check the compatibility, there have been changes that cause some pens to misbehave). I think Notes is just expanding on that or merely following everybody else. Notes as it is now is just horrible. It really needs some proper features like drawing, proper sync (one that doesn't cause duplicates for one). All the other apps are heaps better, especially OneNote and Evernote.

 

[sracer]

The three worst arguments ever. The most crappiest netbook that takes 15 minutes to boot has those things. Nobody in his right mind would ever consider such a netbook as a powerhouse. Powerhouse says something about the performance of both hardware and software. It says nothing about expandability.

In an age where we do things wirelessly and/or via cloud computing something like removable storage can be done via various ways, not purely USB like we did back in the day 😉 One could also ask the question whether it is even needed, lots of people get by quite easily with 16GB (if all you do is internet...). The same can be said for supporting USB input devices. What's so great about a tablet is that you can simply hold it in your hands and use it. No hassle with connecting devices and other stuff like with a notebook.

Also a tablet with no support for a pointing device doesn't exist. The pointing device is a tablets primary input device. For some the pointy device would be your finger, for others it's also a pen (either capacitive thus mimicking a finger or via something else; iOS supports both incl. your finger).

If you take a look at the Surface tablets there are way better arguments to come up with than the above ones. It's as if you put 0 effort into it. Being able to use tablet stuff on something that is just like any other ultrabook is just awesome. But it isn't for everyone. The Surface tablets and the iPads are just different kinds of powerhouses. The same applies to Android tablets.

You clearly missed the larger point that I was making.