Apple Will Release a Trackpad For the iPad Alongside New Pro Models, Report Claims (arstechnica.com) 13
According to a report from The Information, Apple plans to introduce a trackpad-equipped keyboard attachment for the iPad Pro alongside its new iPad Pro models sometime this year. Ars Technica reports: This would make Apple's iPad Pro compete more directly with Microsoft's Surface lineup, with 2-in-1 convertible laptops, and with various Chrome OS devices. Apple's iPad has sold well in the marketplace, but power users often complain that its interface is not always suitable for heavy duty work. According to The Information's source, the new keyboards would be made by Foxconn, a major manufacturing partner to Apple that operates primarily in China. The report did not provide much insight on how the spread of the coronavirus might affect this product's launch, though there have been other reports of supply-line problems with Foxconn and other Apple partners in China that may impact the launches of Apple products planned for 2020.
Numerous rumors previously suggested that the iPad Pro refresh was due in the next couple of months, but the coronavirus-related supply struggles have led to uncertainty about Apple's plans. The refreshed tablet is surely still coming, but the timeline is unclear. But if this report is true, it looks like this update could be about more than just nicer cameras and faster processors.
Numerous rumors previously suggested that the iPad Pro refresh was due in the next couple of months, but the coronavirus-related supply struggles have led to uncertainty about Apple's plans. The refreshed tablet is surely still coming, but the timeline is unclear. But if this report is true, it looks like this update could be about more than just nicer cameras and faster processors.
Dupe (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
They did put a real [Esc] key back and dumped the butterfly keyboard on the 16" MacBook Pro. But no luck on the rest of the touch bar and the oversized trackpad though.
The iPad needs macOS (Score:4, Interesting)
Give us macOS "Lite" operating system where we have a real filesystem to use and organize, and then you might have the portable light workstation that may get a few laptop users to switch to an iPad.
Funny thing is, take an iPad Pro, start buying the keyboard, pointing device, and dongles, and you're at the pricepoint for the cheapest Mac laptop that does all the things and even better so, right out of the box.
no finder, no non app store, no fbi backdoor, but (Score:2)
no finder, no non app store, no fbi backdoor, but what china wants chain gets.
Not to mention other improvements... (Score:3)
The keys will also have -4mm of travel! That's right, negative travel! It seems impossible, but Apple has accumulated several patents, and we feel strongly they are finally set to debut this cutting edge technology, which is as fashionable as it is functional...
Not a bad idea (Score:2)
In general it works well, I take it on my business trips next to my work laptop for my private use.
The ipad’s touch screen interface works well when using the on screen keyboard. However, it is not so ergonomic when using the external keyboard. Lifting your fingers to the screen slows usage down, a trackpad would be easier.
How much? (Score:3)
Laptop replacement? (Score:3)
Iâ(TM)m still baffled by this obsession with trying to shoe horn a professional workflow onto a tablet. âoeIf only it had then it would be the best device.â
What is the reluctance in using a laptop? Donâ(TM)t get me wrong, the iPad is a great feat of engineering, and it suits many niche use cases, but it just doesnâ(TM)t work for most people as their main computing device, where a laptop does.
Re: (Score:3)
I think this is great for people whose main professional task is reading and/or writing, which includes a lot of academics. My partner uses an app to organize all the papers she's reading and referencing, and the iPad Pro is a better device for reading and doing corrections than a laptop or desktop is. It's also considerably more portable and convenient.
As a side benefit, she can do a little bit of photo editing on the device, and take it to bed with her if she wants to read somewhere other than her desk ch
power users? (Score:3)
"...power users often complain that its interface is not always suitable for heavy duty work..."
who are these so-called 'power users' that do 'heavy duty' work on their ipads?
perhaps they should have gotten a laptop instead.
Think Remote Access... (Score:3)
This is less of a concern than it used to be, now that Bluetooth Mice are (finally-but-sorta) supported. But my 'power user' use case for an iPad with an actual pointing device is Remote Desktop. It would be a win to only need my iPad when traveling, either to a client site or on personal business. Up until mice were supported, the Remote Desktop experience on a laptop was much better than the virtual-pointer-via-touch experience on the iPad.
Now that mice are supported (and trackpads, so it would seem),
Interesting idea... (Score:2)