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Wednesday, October 31, 2018
No doubt about it: The new iPad Pro is a computer
www.fastcompany.com: To show off what the new models are capable of, Apple provided a peek at an upcoming full-blown iOS version of AutoCAD, plus demos of Adobe’s ambitious new Photoshop and a console-like rendition of NBA 2k.
9 comments:
Reesha A.
said...
When I think of a phone or a computer or a tablet, the first name that comes to my mind is "Apple". And rightly so, since, in almost every case, an individual contains one or more forms of an Apple product. The hype around Apple products is justified since they are always evolving in a way where they become really helpful for the person using it since their newer version is always better than the one before. And this especially applies to the computers that Apple creates. Mac's, of the different types that have been made, be it Air, Pro or Book, have proven to be especially useful to anyone who has used anyone of them because everyone an find something useful about a Mac since it is designed to serve any needs that might occur in someone's life the solution to which lies in technology. And this is exactly what the new version of Mac plans to do.
I have to start by saying that I am an avid Apple user and that I have a considerably high bias towards the company. I’ve used apple products my whole life and know very little about the computer world outside of it. Still, I have a little criticism towards the company and the way they sell their products. Clearly, Apple is high priced and requires the buyer to have the ability and resources to be able to afford it. I understand the component of luxury brands and making money, but the company is heavily focused on selling and promotes its sex appeal and status symbol instead of its longevity and quality. While we all know and expect that Apple has the standard quality that is expected from an $800 tablet, it still isn’t as long lasting as it should be. Every year Apple creates a new product slightly better than the last, selling it by convincing us that we must have the newest and greatest. I think that this is harmful to consumers who are convinced that they need to drop $800 on a new product because their old one is no longer good.
I’m quite impressed with the Ipad’s improvements. Personally the “old version” still seems quite new to me. There are some issues with this new version as well. Apple is fighting a losing battle when it advertises the Ipad as a computer. I would love to own one don't get me wrong but overall it will never be able to replace my computer, simply it just seems like a low quality computer with less features for a high quality price (even more once you add storage, the new pencil, wireless headphones and the keyboard all of which are essential to making the Ipad a functioning computer). Another fight Apple seem to pick all the time now is the battle against headphones. There is now zero way to privately listen to music on the new Ipad without wireless headphones (besides multiple expensive unincluded donges). Personally I have such a hard time with wireless headphones, needing to keep track of battery power and the extra charger. The war on normal headphones seems unnecessary. They are truly testing my brand loyalty when it comes to headphones (and I despise that despite all this they are still winning). One other aspect the article mentioned that cause my eye is the updated autocad program on IOS. It’s interesting to consider what's possible in that respect. For me once it stops trying to catch up to all of the functionalities of a computer and starts trying to surpass it, that's when I will consider it a computer.
I have, sitting somewhere on a shelf back home, an old iPad 2, from way back in 6th grade. That iPad has 32gb of storage, still uses the old 30-pin charger, can barely open the internet, and at this point is obsolete for anything other than the one drawing program that I keep it around for. It’s amazing how much technological progress has been made between now and then. New enormous amounts of storage, the expectation of using a keyboard, and the integration of their new USB-C connector, plus the touchscreen and pencil, make the new iPad seem like it’s trying to be a tablet so powerful it works as a cross between a laptop and tablet. Apple isn’t the only company trying to do this- there are many Microsoft “2-in-1” devices out there. But whereas those feel like laptops trying to be tablets, the iPad Pro is a tablet trying to be a laptop. It certainly won’t have all the functionality of a laptop- the iOS file storage system is kind of a joke and the multitasking power of a laptop being able to open multiple windows is hard to beat. But Apple already has a laptop that does those things- the iPad pro fills a different market, that they seem to be trying to market towards a more professional and/or artistic crowd rather than simply content consumption. If programs like AutoCAD manage to create full-power versions that work on a tablet, iPads could become a very powerful tool in our industry instead of a niche market.
I remember when the iPad first came out it was hyped by pretty much everyone, but ultimately it was really just a big iPod touch. I had the first generation of the iPad and I remember you could literally stretch out iPod games to make them fill the screen (though that would make them pretty pixelated). Although it's very cool to me that they're progressed way past this point now, I do agree with what Maggie said about this being a more low quality computer at a high quality price. Yes, it's very cool that the iPad is this powerful now, but the reality is that you have to pay a pretty hefty price tag to make it usable in the same way. This is one of the reasons why I don't think I'll ever be able to get back on the Mac bandwagon after having a PC, because my computer is both a laptop and tablet for a much lower price tag than a MacBook.
I suppose it depends on how you define the word computer. I have heard many people argue that our smartphones are computers. If I was a guessing man my assumption would be that as the technology continues to develop we will see both the table world and PC world overlap more and more.
One element of Apples new iPad Pro that I think is suffering is the OS. It has been prohibitive since the first generation making it very difficult for a user to use an iPad as their everyday computer. Personally, I would find it very difficult to warrant buying both an iPad and a computer given how small the gap is between the two. Don’t get me wrong I think the product is very cool and I can see why the product is powerful for some users, but for an everyday user like myself, I find a standard PC to be more useful.
This article talks about the new iPad as a computer in terms of “hardware.” Well technically, in terms of hardware, the iPad has always been a computer. The components in a phone or in a tablet are all the same as a laptop or desktop computer, but are generally just smaller. What differentiates the two in my mind are the software restrictions. The software on your phone or tablet are much more restrictive, because they have to be. Despite what Apple would probably like you to believe when it comes to your tablets, a mouse and keyboard are much more precise than a touch screen in terms of controls. This means that “computers” with touch screens have to have simplified software, in order to make them practically useable. So while the hardware on this new iPad may be more advanced than previous versions, that does not mean you should suddenly switch out your Dell for an iPad.
I completely agree that the new iPads should be considered computers. From connecting external screens to running complicated applications such as photoshop or AutoCAD this device creates a new definition of what a computer is. Not only this, but Apple has updated their latest version of iPad OS to support downloadable files from safari and other third party browsers. The one thing separating it from the computers we use today is the ability to download run-able applications from websites that don't have an app in the App Store.
Based on the way the industry is moving and the technical requirements modern shows are calling for, I don't believe that it is crazy to eventually see lighting consoles based off of iPads. The fact that the computing components are getting better every year, having a large touchscreen, and being extremely portable make this device very user friendly and potentially an industry standard.
In 2011, the first iPad was released by Apple. Back then it seemed very cool to have a fancy tablet but still unnecessary as it was an unusual mix that didn't fit between the smart phone and a laptop. Back then when Apple released the "new iPad" (or as it is now known the iPad 3rd generation), I wanted one so bad that I saved my money and purchased one. I used it for some time, mainly for video games, but it never really found its purpose with me. It was an expensive toy and not much of a tool. Now with the iPad Pro Apple announced, the whole game changed. The rectangle tablet got a nice new design while eliminating all bezels and installing a "Face ID sensor." This new iPad is also backed up with amazing specs, making it just as powerful as some laptops. Now with this iPad release, I have been tempted to once again save my money for it. I now have a laptop that serves me quite well and there are very few things the iPad can do that my laptop can't (mainly being able to draw on it with an Apple Pencil) so I am still trying to find how this expensive item will be worth it to me. However, I do know few people who enjoy it and use this device over a laptop at times. I am curious to see how this iPad Pro will evolve in the future as they improve their laptops as well.
9 comments:
When I think of a phone or a computer or a tablet, the first name that comes to my mind is "Apple". And rightly so, since, in almost every case, an individual contains one or more forms of an Apple product.
The hype around Apple products is justified since they are always evolving in a way where they become really helpful for the person using it since their newer version is always better than the one before.
And this especially applies to the computers that Apple creates. Mac's, of the different types that have been made, be it Air, Pro or Book, have proven to be especially useful to anyone who has used anyone of them because everyone an find something useful about a Mac since it is designed to serve any needs that might occur in someone's life the solution to which lies in technology. And this is exactly what the new version of Mac plans to do.
I have to start by saying that I am an avid Apple user and that I have a considerably high bias towards the company. I’ve used apple products my whole life and know very little about the computer world outside of it. Still, I have a little criticism towards the company and the way they sell their products. Clearly, Apple is high priced and requires the buyer to have the ability and resources to be able to afford it. I understand the component of luxury brands and making money, but the company is heavily focused on selling and promotes its sex appeal and status symbol instead of its longevity and quality. While we all know and expect that Apple has the standard quality that is expected from an $800 tablet, it still isn’t as long lasting as it should be. Every year Apple creates a new product slightly better than the last, selling it by convincing us that we must have the newest and greatest. I think that this is harmful to consumers who are convinced that they need to drop $800 on a new product because their old one is no longer good.
I’m quite impressed with the Ipad’s improvements. Personally the “old version” still seems quite new to me. There are some issues with this new version as well. Apple is fighting a losing battle when it advertises the Ipad as a computer. I would love to own one don't get me wrong but overall it will never be able to replace my computer, simply it just seems like a low quality computer with less features for a high quality price (even more once you add storage, the new pencil, wireless headphones and the keyboard all of which are essential to making the Ipad a functioning computer). Another fight Apple seem to pick all the time now is the battle against headphones. There is now zero way to privately listen to music on the new Ipad without wireless headphones (besides multiple expensive unincluded donges). Personally I have such a hard time with wireless headphones, needing to keep track of battery power and the extra charger. The war on normal headphones seems unnecessary. They are truly testing my brand loyalty when it comes to headphones (and I despise that despite all this they are still winning). One other aspect the article mentioned that cause my eye is the updated autocad program on IOS. It’s interesting to consider what's possible in that respect. For me once it stops trying to catch up to all of the functionalities of a computer and starts trying to surpass it, that's when I will consider it a computer.
I have, sitting somewhere on a shelf back home, an old iPad 2, from way back in 6th grade. That iPad has 32gb of storage, still uses the old 30-pin charger, can barely open the internet, and at this point is obsolete for anything other than the one drawing program that I keep it around for. It’s amazing how much technological progress has been made between now and then. New enormous amounts of storage, the expectation of using a keyboard, and the integration of their new USB-C connector, plus the touchscreen and pencil, make the new iPad seem like it’s trying to be a tablet so powerful it works as a cross between a laptop and tablet. Apple isn’t the only company trying to do this- there are many Microsoft “2-in-1” devices out there. But whereas those feel like laptops trying to be tablets, the iPad Pro is a tablet trying to be a laptop. It certainly won’t have all the functionality of a laptop- the iOS file storage system is kind of a joke and the multitasking power of a laptop being able to open multiple windows is hard to beat. But Apple already has a laptop that does those things- the iPad pro fills a different market, that they seem to be trying to market towards a more professional and/or artistic crowd rather than simply content consumption. If programs like AutoCAD manage to create full-power versions that work on a tablet, iPads could become a very powerful tool in our industry instead of a niche market.
I remember when the iPad first came out it was hyped by pretty much everyone, but ultimately it was really just a big iPod touch. I had the first generation of the iPad and I remember you could literally stretch out iPod games to make them fill the screen (though that would make them pretty pixelated). Although it's very cool to me that they're progressed way past this point now, I do agree with what Maggie said about this being a more low quality computer at a high quality price. Yes, it's very cool that the iPad is this powerful now, but the reality is that you have to pay a pretty hefty price tag to make it usable in the same way. This is one of the reasons why I don't think I'll ever be able to get back on the Mac bandwagon after having a PC, because my computer is both a laptop and tablet for a much lower price tag than a MacBook.
I suppose it depends on how you define the word computer. I have heard many people argue that our smartphones are computers. If I was a guessing man my assumption would be that as the technology continues to develop we will see both the table world and PC world overlap more and more.
One element of Apples new iPad Pro that I think is suffering is the OS. It has been prohibitive since the first generation making it very difficult for a user to use an iPad as their everyday computer. Personally, I would find it very difficult to warrant buying both an iPad and a computer given how small the gap is between the two. Don’t get me wrong I think the product is very cool and I can see why the product is powerful for some users, but for an everyday user like myself, I find a standard PC to be more useful.
This article talks about the new iPad as a computer in terms of “hardware.” Well technically, in terms of hardware, the iPad has always been a computer. The components in a phone or in a tablet are all the same as a laptop or desktop computer, but are generally just smaller. What differentiates the two in my mind are the software restrictions. The software on your phone or tablet are much more restrictive, because they have to be. Despite what Apple would probably like you to believe when it comes to your tablets, a mouse and keyboard are much more precise than a touch screen in terms of controls. This means that “computers” with touch screens have to have simplified software, in order to make them practically useable. So while the hardware on this new iPad may be more advanced than previous versions, that does not mean you should suddenly switch out your Dell for an iPad.
I completely agree that the new iPads should be considered computers. From connecting external screens to running complicated applications such as photoshop or AutoCAD this device creates a new definition of what a computer is. Not only this, but Apple has updated their latest version of iPad OS to support downloadable files from safari and other third party browsers. The one thing separating it from the computers we use today is the ability to download run-able applications from websites that don't have an app in the App Store.
Based on the way the industry is moving and the technical requirements modern shows are calling for, I don't believe that it is crazy to eventually see lighting consoles based off of iPads. The fact that the computing components are getting better every year, having a large touchscreen, and being extremely portable make this device very user friendly and potentially an industry standard.
In 2011, the first iPad was released by Apple. Back then it seemed very cool to have a fancy tablet but still unnecessary as it was an unusual mix that didn't fit between the smart phone and a laptop. Back then when Apple released the "new iPad" (or as it is now known the iPad 3rd generation), I wanted one so bad that I saved my money and purchased one. I used it for some time, mainly for video games, but it never really found its purpose with me. It was an expensive toy and not much of a tool. Now with the iPad Pro Apple announced, the whole game changed. The rectangle tablet got a nice new design while eliminating all bezels and installing a "Face ID sensor." This new iPad is also backed up with amazing specs, making it just as powerful as some laptops. Now with this iPad release, I have been tempted to once again save my money for it. I now have a laptop that serves me quite well and there are very few things the iPad can do that my laptop can't (mainly being able to draw on it with an Apple Pencil) so I am still trying to find how this expensive item will be worth it to me. However, I do know few people who enjoy it and use this device over a laptop at times. I am curious to see how this iPad Pro will evolve in the future as they improve their laptops as well.
-Pablo Anton
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