Why is the Amazingly Powerful iPad Pro still so Surprisingly Limited?
The iPad Pro's hardware gets sleeker and more capable each year, but its software often holds it back. Apple can do better.
In the six years since Apple introduced the iPad Pro, the company's famous tablet has grown from a humble consumption device to a serious computer alternative. There are a growing number of people who would agree. Especially those who consider themselves creators. When it first launched, there were many competing tablets. There are now only a few, with the iPad Pro dominating the tablet market, but no one close to its equal.
Yet as the hardware gets sleeker and more capable, its limited software often holds it back from its full potential. Apple has no one to blame but itself if this is by design.
Apple is committing torture when they brag about the power and capabilities of the iPad's hardware. But insist on limiting the software and apps developed on the iPad.
A few years ago, Apple renamed the version of iOS developed for the iPad iPadOS. The renaming immediately made many people salivate as Apple promised iPadOS would be more focused on the specific needs of the iPad. In some ways, they have done as much as that:
They have somewhat improved multitasking.
Apple finally made Safari desktop quality (as long as you are not accessing a site that forces you to open its app--looking at you, Medium).
A better keyboard cover combo with an actual mousepad.
The introduction of widgets and the ability to have different screens default based on your Focus settings.
This has proven more of a marketing move than a development one. We still don't have any pro-level apps. One of Apple's most significant bragging points is that battery handling has worsened.
Almost a Year with the M1 iPad Pro
It has been a year since I decided to buy the iPad Pro 11" M1 iPad. After playing around with it for several weeks, I was so impressed with the iPad Pro's power that I decided to sell my MacBook Pro. Also, I started a new job that would send me a MacBook Pro to use for work. I realized I didn't need two MacBooks.
I hoped the iPad would fulfill my personal needs and not crossover into the MacBook.
The best part of the iPad is how it forces you to focus on one thing at a time. This is also one of its worse features.
I spent a long time with the iPad Pro, not realizing this flaw until I was in a scenario where I needed to be able to see items many times.
Failed Blogging Workflow
For example, I use Grammarly and Hemingway App to help me self-edit my material when creating blogging content.
On top of that, I need to be able to share everything with all my social networks. The few times I attempted to do this, I gave up a little while after a few hours of frustration.
Part of this is the flaw of the iPadOS system, and part of this is the limitations of the iPad apps I used.
Notion & Airtable
I have been switching my usage between Notion & Airtable to determine how best to organize my work (and ). On top of both needing the Internet to work (which I write about here), they offer to limit experiences via their iPad apps.
Suppose I switch to using Notion or Airtable to the Safari web browser. In that case, I'm still not getting the same experience I would get via a desktop-level web browser.
Copy/Paste
Copy and paste are vital to my blogging workflow versus my professional work. It's also essential when switching to my professional Project Management workflow. And even today, this Apple feature in the world of iPadOS leaves so much more to be desired.
Fix the Camera Position
If Apple wants professionals to use its pro machine, they should consider moving the placement of the camera. Although using the Center Stage software option to “follow” one face is impressive, it still doesn’t solve the need for the camera to be on the long end instead of the short end since most professionals will be using their iPad Pros in landscape mode.
Mousing with the iPad
Apple made some minor improvements to the iPad's mouse features. I understand the iPad touchscreen first. They are trying to find a happy medium between using a mouse with the iPad versus the touch-base interface they have perfected for a decade now.
Apple can do better.
I've used the mouse feature and have struggled from time to time. From gliding the mouse across the screen and somehow having the notification center cover my screen to opening apps, the audacity of attempting to copy/paste anything. (Yes, I'm going over this twice.)
Rumors
According to 9to5Mac's predictions, the upcoming iPadOS 16 will have "a new multitasking interface and revamped look for notifications."
One of my biggest current complaints about my iPad experience is how it handles multitasking. I look forward to Apple's potential multitasking solution at its upcoming WWDC Conference in June.
I doubt that whatever they present, it will be something I will fall in love with. Or that it will be what I was hoping to see, but these days, it is impossible for Apple to please everybody, including me.
Their days of wowing us the way they did when they first introduced the iPhone have long passed.
On top of the pandemic-related supply challenges Apple and everyone has experienced in the past few years. I'm sure that hasn't helped with some of their development plans.
I love the iPad. But I'm still not convinced it has become capable of being one's only computer. For now, the iPad is a compliment to my laptop. It's convenient when I need something more portable than a laptop. But, if I want to be productive at the end of the day, I always fall back on my MacBook.