iFixit Provides Look Inside iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Trackpad

[Ghost31]

that's because you feel safe with a pointer and don't really know of a better way of being productive on the iPad. i have an idea that's pretty reasonable and far better than a keyboard/trackpad but will save it for a blog post or something. if you go back to the ipad introduction, steve mentioned that a device has to be better than a macbook and an iphone at some key tasks otherwise it has no reason to exist. ipad with a magic keyboard is not better than a macbook air in any way except maybe battery life (which over time, ARM MacBooks can probably take care of that)

Omg. Spare me all this “you just don’t know better!” Crap. I’ve used iPad since the beginning and have followed Apple as closely as anyone. I know about touch paradigms and I also know when a cursor makes sense. When I’m editing documents or docked to a keyboard like it’s a laptop, I don’t wanna be reaching up and tapping the screen for every single interaction. I love touching it when I’m just holding the tablet itself, but when it’s on a table farther away from me? Yeah. Remember Steve Jobs also talking about “gorilla arm?”

a lot of people have been waiting for a product like the magic keyboard to come out

 

[farewelwilliams]

If you are going to act the fool, let's disengage. I do what I'm talking about, tf included. You're simply making a complaint that's falling of deaf ears. In the sample size of this thread, hardly anyone agrees with your position. You may be feeling attacked. I can't help that. That's still no reason for your lashing out. Trying to compare your self described solo-dev'd app to MS and Office? C'mon man. If you don't want to do it, don't do it. Everybody's job has issues and stresses. App dev'ing is no more an endeavor than other job you can name.

I'm not touching the subscription model stuff. I have no idea why you brought it up out of left field when we're talking about trackpad support.

Stat 101: you're going to need a larger sample size (less than 20 participants? really, that's your sample size?) and maybe a more randomized sample that isn't exclusive to MR forums in order to yield conclusive results. Again, you don't know what tf you're talking about here.

You mentioned it's a little bit of work, but yet, haven't really addressed why it would take Microsoft 6 months to implement it. If a large company makes 10+ apps and it takes them 6 months to adopt a new feature, then that is not a small task.

One of my points is that this is a burden on developers which means the increased cost of development will be passed on to the customers. If you don't want to talk about that, then don't bother replying to my comment. What you're basically doing is saying: "I disagree with your statement but I don't want to talk about it". Okay? Great.

Anyways I'm going to end the discussion here (at least with you) as you simply have no idea what it takes to support new features which, in turn, largely affects the end user.

 

[GuruZac]

In Steve’s Apple world, you had fewer and forced choices - one sized iPhone, iPad, the ‘right’ way of holding something, closed iOS. Apple might have caved, but it made way for more consumer choice - multiple device sizes and categories, and user inputs for iPad. Remeber, this feature was under ’Accessibility’ before Apple made it as a viable alternative input for whenever it’s most appropriate to the user. Steve’s minimalistic Apple worked, but Tim’s is vastly different.

I was surprised at this route (comparisons to the Microsoft Surface are hard to miss), but Apple are now trying to make a product that appeals to everyone. Hopefully, they don’t fall into complacency and continue to strive for innovation.

I agree. I really think at this point, the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard experience will only be limited by iPadOS and apps. The hardware is there. I’m really looking forward to see what Apple does with iPadOS 14.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I’ve used iPad since the beginning and have followed Apple as closely as anyone. I know about touch paradigms and I also know when a cursor makes sense.

Great. I've been developing for iPhone before the iPad came out and have been developing for the iPad since day one. Not sure how this changes anything.

When I’m editing documents or docked to a keyboard like it’s a laptop, I don’t wanna be reaching up and tapping the screen for every single interaction.

Never said you should.

I love touching it when I’m just holding the tablet itself, but when it’s on a table farther away from me? Yeah. Remember Steve Jobs also talking about “gorilla arm?”

Of course. Search my post history and you'll see me MANY times making this statement whenever a MR forums user says "I want a touchscreen Mac". Of course touching a vertical screen sucks. It's just not ergonomically friendly. So I don't know why you're telling me this here.

a lot of people have been waiting for a product like the magic keyboard to come out

A lot of people are waiting for a touchscreen Mac too, doesn't mean it should be made.

 

[SlaunchaMan]

Pet peeve: when articles like these don’t include a link to the thing they’re talking about.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Loving pointer support on iOS, the biggest thing for me is simply how fluid the UI is. It never drops a frame and the 120hz scrolling makes even web browsing feel great. Apparently this guy thinks I shouldn't have it. Not a dev I would want to support.

You have no idea what could possibly be better than pointer support on iPadOS. But that's ok. You'll see.

 

[x3n0n1c]

You have no idea what could possibly be better than pointer support on iPadOS. But that's ok. You'll see.

Go on and enlighten me.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Go on and enlighten me.

Writing a white paper. Will put it on github or something and open source the idea.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I'm an app developer and I'm stuck having to support this feature that I believe users don't need. Maybe try your comment again.

In this case I’m sorry but you are a lazy developer.
And surely you don’t know how many users are going to use a trackpad among Apple’s customers (probably millions).

 

[Darth Tulhu]

The raging against the machine is amazing.

The iPad is awesome at many things. Text-entry/editing WASN'T one of them, until NOW.

Mouse/trackpad support effectively fixes this, turning the iPad into something more than it started as. It is now, officially, a (tablet-first) two-in-one. I welcome the addition.

And once again, the iPad and a MacBook are categorically different devices. One has an OS designed from the ground up to be for keyboard and mouse/trackpad input. The other has an OS designed from the ground up to be used by touch, which is one of the reasons why many, myself included, find the iPad to be better than a Surface or any touchscreen Windows machine.

Cars and trucks, fellas, cars AND trucks. I know you're scared, but it doesn't have to be either/or. And as far as we know, it won't be.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Except, it's more work for app developers who use custom UI controls to support trackpad. I don't believe my users should be using trackpad in my apps, but Apple wants developers to support it anyways.
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Ok?

Apple developer guidelines tell developers to support both multitouch and pointers. that's more work for the developer. Try telling any indie developer that doesn't make nearly as much $$$ as Apple to spend more time developing unnecessary features and see how they feel.
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or just carry the laptop?

the iPad can be better than the MacBook in certain ways (like Apple Pencil for drawing apps). trying to mimic the MacBook doesn't make sense as a user can just carry that instead.

Are you seriously whining about you poor developer forced to work more ???

it is your job, and it was your choice.

I really hope you are not really a developer...

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I don't really get it either, for the price of an iPad Pro plus this keyboard you'll have a MacBook.
Yes...yes, there are a few people this would be good for, but the majority does not need this.
(Just my opinion)

For the price of a BMW M3 you can get a Ford F-150 King Ranch!
OR
For the price of an iPad Pro plus this keyboard you'll have:

A MacBook that you can't detach the screen off of
A MacBook that you can't draw on
A MacBook that has an OS that's VERY different from the iPhone you already know and love
A MacBook that is heavier when on the go because you have to bring the keyboard AND the trackpad EVERY TIME
A MacBook that doesn't have the Apple Arcade touch-based games you want to play
A MacBook that has a ton of power or features you will NEVER put to use
A Macbook on which you cannot do any of this:

I think the reverse is true. The majority do not NEED a MacBook. Steve agreed, which is why the iPad exists.

Lately I found myself asking: What EXACTLY do I need a MacBook for that I cannot do on an iPad now?

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

an iPad trackpad only tries to be like the MacBook but will never be better than a MacBook. smaller area, apps aren't optimized for cursor, carrying extra weight around the device, etc... it just doesn't make sense. there's a better way to be productive on the iPad that's far better than the MacBook. a cursor isn't the answer.

almost like too many people complained and Apple caved. now we're stuck with this sub-par feature. this is a classic example of customers showing how they don't know what the hell they want.

Its apples fault because the text editing never worked well. That’s the only reason people were crying for a trackpad. Trackpad and touch display together is xxx because you always need to change between them - it annoys me

 

[kostthem]

As time goes by we'll realize that iPad's unique characteristic is versatility.

 

[Ghost31]

For the price of a BMW M3 you can get a Ford F-150 King Ranch!
OR
For the price of an iPad Pro plus this keyboard you'll have:

A MacBook that you can't detach the screen off of
A MacBook that you can't draw on
A MacBook that has an OS that's VERY different from the iPhone you already know and love
A MacBook that is heavier when on the go because you have to bring the keyboard AND the trackpad EVERY TIME
A MacBook that doesn't have the Apple Arcade touch-based games you want to play
A MacBook that has a ton of power or features you will NEVER put to use
A Macbook on which you cannot do any of this:

I think the reverse is true. The majority do not NEED a MacBook. Steve agreed, which is why the iPad exists.

Lately I found myself asking: What EXACTLY do I need a MacBook for that I cannot do on an iPad now?

I honestly wish I could like this comment more. Beautifully put

 

[AndiG]

Funny to see that finally Apple didn‘t turn macOS into iOS but iOS (ok iPadOS) into macOS. Will we finally see a mouse pointer and floating windows on iPadOS? Is iPad moving into the direction of a surface/windows 10 or windows x?

Will be interesting to see what Apple has to offer on WWDC.

 

[NickYanakiev]

Except, it's more work for app developers who use custom UI controls to support trackpad. I don't believe my users should be using trackpad in my apps, but Apple wants developers to support it anyways.
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Ok?

Apple developer guidelines tell developers to support both multitouch and pointers. that's more work for the developer. Try telling any indie developer that doesn't make nearly as much $$$ as Apple to spend more time developing unnecessary features and see how they feel.
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or just carry the laptop?

the iPad can be better than the MacBook in certain ways (like Apple Pencil for drawing apps). trying to mimic the MacBook doesn't make sense as a user can just carry that instead.

What if the user has a desktop PC, a work laptop and a 12.9" ipad pro with the MK?

The MK has been the reason why I am now using my ipad pro for work, rather than my work laptop!

 

[farewelwilliams]

What if the user has a desktop PC, a work laptop and a 12.9" ipad pro with the MK?

The MK has been the reason why I am now using my ipad pro for work, rather than my work laptop!

You haven’t specified what you do but I think your laptop can do mostly everything your iPad pro can do. So I suspect your life hasn’t improved all that much by carrying your iPad Pro instead of the laptop. If anything, it might have been harder since you might come across a thing you usually do fine on a laptop but can’t do on the iPad Pro.

 

[AnthonyHarris]

I'm an app developer and I'm stuck having to support this feature that I believe users don't need. Maybe try your comment again.

What kind of apps have you developed and which part of them, specifically, do you think won't benefit or can't possibly be improved by cursor/trackpad support?

Also. Because I don't develop apps and have no idea what the policy is, does Apple actually forcefully require you to redevelop your applications in order to support the trackpad/cursor, or do you get to decide? If its the former, I can see your issue.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

You haven’t specified what you do but I think your laptop can do mostly everything your iPad pro can do. So I suspect your life hasn’t improved all that much by carrying your iPad Pro instead of the laptop. If anything, it might have been harder since you might come across a thing you usually do fine on a laptop but can’t do on the iPad Pro.

I guess it's simply not possible for you to see that the opposite is ALSO true. But I'll try to help you see over the fence you're in:

I can venture to say EVERYONE that uses a computing device uses a post-pc device the most.

The single best selling one of those is the iPhone. People are familiar with its OS. The iPad runs a nearly identical OS. The appeal is instant.

Ultimately, these machines are tools to do a job. The question is: What job?

Not everyone needs a fully-equipped, automotive-shop-worth of tools to do their personal or professional work.

What EXACTLY can the average person or professional (not in the tech industry) TRULY need a MacBook for?

What do you think MOST people do with their computers?

Pretend you work in a job position that does not require a computer at all. Or like me, in a job where the computer used doesn't matter (they issue me a PC laptop, but all I do is SSH to remote machines and support them). NO ONE in my company (their customers are global telcos like Verizon, Sprint, etc) really needs a Mac to do their job. I could do it with an iPad, but the enterprise leases hardware as they see fit, for a myriad of reasons.

My daughter is a graphic artist. Guess what her primary device is. I used to be a military aircraft mechanic in charge of all technical manuals used for maintenance. Guess what device we were transitioning to from paper books. Guess what the pilots could use that was less unwieldy than a laptop. The list goes on.

As someone mentions in another post, the iPad is the single most versatile device Apple has made. Now with better text-editing capabilities, it's even more so.

 

[jonblatho]

Except, it's more work for app developers who use custom UI controls to support trackpad.

Which is just one reason why you should always avoid using custom UI controls unless you have absolutely no other option: When stuff like this happens, you get the work done for you for “free” through UIKit.

There are also accessibility and stability concerns with using custom controls. Seriously, avoid them like the plague.

 

[gnomeisland]

There's nothing about iPad's trackpad implementation that makes it better than a MacBook however.

iPad's Pencil support on the other hand makes the device far better than a MacBook in terms of drawing.

Respectfully, I disagree. I think the implementation is better than Mac, and it makes the iPad much better for excel or database use. Which I wasn't doing much of on my iPad but now I can. So it doesn't open up NEW areas (in general computing) but it does improve the iPad's weaknesses in certain key tasks.

 

[jonblatho]

Also. Because I don't develop apps and have no idea what the policy is, does Apple actually forcefully require you to redevelop your applications in order to support the trackpad/cursor, or do you get to decide? If its the former, I can see your issue.

No, or at least not yet. Most apps that use standard controls offered through UIKit already support pointer input out of the box with zero work from the developer. If an app uses custom controls or is, for example, a game, it’ll take more work for those specific elements.

They may, at some point, implement an App Store guideline dictating that apps must support both touch and pointer input where possible, though, with possible partial exclusions for things like games. Once that happens, if you don’t support it to Apple’s liking, they’ll reject your app/update until you do.

Of course, if users expect but don’t receive trackpad support for specific elements, you’re far more likely to get complaints in App Store reviews first if it’s not adopted promptly.

 

[alisalem]

I just love it when people speak on behalf of others, just because they can't see something working out for them. Trackpad/mouse support on the iPad is incredible, as indicated by most who tried it. I don't know how it's comfortable having to reach for the screen every time I want to do an action that can't be done using the keyboard. But again, that's just me.

An iPad + keyboard & trackpad can replace the MacBook Pro for a lot of tasks — especially around productivity. On top of that, it's a great versatile media consumption device.

I just don't get why someone would oppose adding an enhancement that doesn't change how they currently use their device?

 

[Superman730]

Pet peeve: when articles like these don’t include a link to the thing they’re talking about.

This has gotten under my skin a lot lately. Sites like CNET will have a review of an item and NO LINK to where to buy it/look into it further. It's all just CNET internal links. Infuriating.