The news jumped yesterday: Information has announced that, according to sources close to the company, Apple was preparing Smart Folio for Trackpad. The introduction of Trackpad on the iPad can, as we see it, be great improvement or a foot back. Let's take a look
A few previous medals
What is a computer? How is it different from the iPad? Is the iPad a computer? When we get back to the simplest definition a computer is a tool that helps us perform calculations, tasks and make us more productive. Either it allows us to do tasks that we were unable to do or that allows us to do what we are already doing successfully. In this description it is suitable for standard computers, iPad and, depending on, iPhone.
Computer software presents the possibilities that software describes: this is how devices create capabilities.
We also know that a "tool" Composed by Hardware and software. Both combine to find out how we use the device, its aronomic, its strengths and weaknesses, etc. Just like software, display design, buttons, gestures are very important. Like Hardware, it's important for input devices, how we value information on the device, how we interact with it.
IPad Pro, the computer of the future
How often do we see articles of this nature? Many. We compare the iPad, other tablets, and computers because they are our bench. The iPad has been with us for only 10 years, nothing to do with computers.
When we say The iPad Pro looks like a computer And that's fine, what are we saying? That it has a very powerful processor, which I can use for photoshop on both computers, with a machine-made keyboard?
Does it make sense that the iPad looks like a Mac? Let's think for a second why Apple introduced the iPad. He created the product category, the tablets. Not the iPhone, and neither is the Mac. Undoubtedly, iPad functions as a Mac asset are useful, however When to stop If we end up with an iPad with macOS, mouse and trackpad we may have forgotten the concept of the iPad.
Being an iPad device with its category has brought many changes to the "informed" world. Mainly because how to communicate By device. We move from the computer we use with the mouse or trackpad to one where we use our finger. These changes have meant that the workflow, application architecture and applications have had to be aligned.
Do we want the iPad to look like a Mac?
If the answer is yes categorized, we can buy a Mac right? The MacBook Air, at the price point, comes with the same price as the iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard Folio and Apple Pencil.
And more? Surface is a computer. Can Apple find the same? You're right Mac with iPad design, thin, light, macOS, mouse, keyboard. But it wouldn't be an iPad, it could be a Mac.
Importance of software
When can I install my MacBook Pro with an iPad? For me, as an Architect, where apps like AutoCad can be used completely on the iPad. I rename this question: When will the iPad become a computer for me?
The value of the software is more than equal in the equation. We've seen the arrival of Photoshop on the iPad, an app that, though it still has to print some features, the least should be jealous to her desk sister.
Let's take a look at Microsoft Surface for a second, great product, everything has to be said. It's a tool with a desktop app. An operating system designed for use with a mouse or trackpad. Comparing it to the iPad is very soft, its bench with the comparison is on Mac
After a trackpad what would be the next step?
Apple surprised us when we heard that the iPad would support you to connect and use the mouse with them. When using the mouse and iPad we use it as a separate touch screen. The gestures remain the same, closing the app means pulling up from the ground. It can be a visual gesture to do by hand, but not by a mouse. The explanation is simple, the use of the mouse to communicate with the iPad is difficult to navigate, so we get the opportunity to use it within settings Availability.
If Apple adds a trackpad to the iPad, what would be the next? Toggle conversion be able to use it well with a trackpad. Add buttons, menus, etc. Turn it into a desktop app. Sell the iPad with macOS installed.
It seems very unpleasant that Apple they are not in these steps. Are we talking about a keyboard that at some point allowed us to use the connection in the same way that an IP software keyboard does already when we use two fingers? From this I see another idea.
Consolidation or division
At the development level, Apple has given us some clues. During the WWDC final Craig Federighi answered the question: Will you integrate MacOS with iOS? He "No."
In another scene, Phil Schiller was asked if we would see if touchscreens came on the Mac. The answer is clear: "We have tried, not comfortable".
We also have a Catalyst project, which engineers can adapt to, easily, applications on all operating systems. Not to mention that we have seen the advent of universal shopping: you buy the app and have it on all systems.
If we have to pay attention to Craig Federighi, iPadOS and macOS will, at least for a long time, be different. Paying attention to Phil Schiller, Mac touch isn't in the plans, is the iPad (touch) keyboard and mouse? Instead it looks like no. Finally with the Catalyst project I think Apple wants it let's not forget which system works We also use the app.
The concept of trackpad on iPad
Is the trackpad case reasonable? Not to me. Of course, it may be helpful to use other apps. As we've seen Photoshop and even Lite's version of AutoCad for iPad, apps can be more flexible. Desktop apps are slowly becoming compatible with affecting workflow. An exciting change if we don't lose jobs along the way.
Do I want to work at a desk? I have an app version, do I want to work with an iPad? I have an app version. Finally if all desktop applications had changed with the success of its communication and critical use, the mouse / trackpad conflict on the iPad will not be there.
When all systems synchronize touch usage it doesn't matter which device we use, Mac, iPad, and iPhone. We will use the app.
Adding a trackpad to the iPad reinforces Apple's efforts to build a local ecosystem that we can use on all devices. Developers would not need to adapt to the iPad. We would have it desktop apps and iPad / iPhone apps. And then the iPad will never be a computer no matter how much charge with the installed trackpad.
Table of Contents
