Q: Mouse support for iPad pro

So basically you are saying you wanted to have a conversation with someone who agrees with you and anyone who doesn't is just spouting rhetoric.

Actually large parts of El Capitan is sandboxed now and Apps from the Mac App Store must be sandboxed. Apple also has other security measures that are built in to OS X for security (from the ground up) that Windows machines do not have. I only have one PC for a contract I'm currently working and it has multiple spyware/antivirus software applications I must use. This computer will be gone when I'm done with this contract.

The target area for malware/spyware/breaches in the future will be on phones/tablets, not personal desktop computers. Currently Android has 99% of the malware/spyware so I don't currently use any of those devices. Unlike OS X which is based on a Unix platform, Apple was able to design iPhoneOS/iOS from the ground up so they were able to design in security from the start, not include it as an add-on. I doubt this will change in the future and with the FBI incident will probably be tightened in the future.

Not at all. I actually appreciated most of my conversation with you. But some of the posts have been rhetoric, yes.

spotsby wrote:

 

I understand that if you come here only to get or give technical help, that this conversation might be annoying. But people aren't robots. Our technology has a big impact on what we do and how we think. We're bound to chase a rabbit trail or two to non-technical conversation. Sorry that it bothers you.

An "Apple person" in this context, is somebody I can't have a civil discussion with because they won't stop with the Apple rhetoric. See everettwolf's reply for a good example of the kind of conversation I was hoping to have.

My mistake, I did not realize you were looking for mindless agreement with your point of view.  Apparently disagreeing equates to rhetoric in your view, so I will leave now so as to not derail your agenda.

True but you can't deny that a sandboxed approach can be limiting at times. I'm not saying it doesn't work a lot of the time, but can be limiting. Again, you have to remember that iPad's are now being touted officially as laptop replacements. If there are important things you can't do because of that approach, it's not going to be a laptop replacement for many many people.

For instance, I have a website I upload media to all the time for my job. The mobile app doesn't support that functionality. I can neither acquire the media nor upload the media on an iPad.

Yes, but locking my car and unlocking it can also be limiting. Going through metal detectors at airports can be limiting. Having your bags x-rayed can be limiting, etc.

I've yet to see anything that really touts the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement. I did see Mr. Cook make the statement that it could be a laptop replacement for some people. You apparently are not one of them due to your need to upload/download and a mouse. If this is the case then you buy the appropriate tool for your needs and no model iPad fits that bill at this time. Sounds to me what you really need is a Surface Pro.

For instance, I have a website I upload media to all the time for my job. The mobile app doesn't support that functionality. I can neither acquire the media nor upload the media on an iPad.

You can upload many things with iCab.

My guess is that apple is avoiding the mouse to force developers to design for touch.  We a mouse you would end up with apps designed for a mouse that aren't the best for touch.  A mouse would pollute the machine.

R

Macs are Sandboxed, I have no idea whether this applies to WInboxes  as well, so you are at least 50% correct.

@Michael black, don't leave quite yet. I know you probably don't have the time to post a video performing some advanced Excel functions, but maybe you could still give a little advice.  I really scoured YouTube for videos of people switching quickly between applications to copy data into excel, resize cells, select ranges, maybe quickly create pivots, do a little VBA work, move blocks of data around etc, which it sounds like you do, but here are my specs: I'm 6'7", 280lbs, with hands to match: would it be just as easy for someone like me?

Also, I pretty much exclusively work on a MacBook, and can work with Excel on the trackpad really, really quickly, but there are still times when I switch to a mouse, when I have to move a lot of data around, and resize; is this easier on the Pro with whatever they've built in to make it easier with touch & gestures?

What would you rate ease of use on the Pro vs. on a laptop or imac?

And do you notice slowness if you're doing advanced VBA stuff (if you do advanced VBA stuff)?

Also, can you create a remote connection to a database to sync with, say, an Oracle data source, or does iOS restrict that?

thx!

Exactly my problem , IF I could use a bluetooth mouse I could use iPad Pro for 99.99% of all my needs - because of having to use a remote desktop server for one business program ( accounting/ inventory and order entry ) a mouse would be perfect. The pencil just does not suit my workflow for this.

The RDP is only used at  a desk for couple hours and otherwise all IOS functions are used normally.

Come on Apple - help me dump the laptop(s)  !

The fact that you need a mouse or trackpad is why laptops exist.

Why does everyone wants or buys a tablet device want to turn these tablets into a laptop?

If you truly need a laptop more than a tablet, buy a laptop. If you can get by with a tablet for most other things that a laptop can do without the laptop experience or added weight, then purchase a tablet.

Also, if you really need to hybrid laptop/tablet environment, Microsoft provides this solution with their Surface Pro lineup of tablets that run a full OS with keyboard and stylus.

Also, Apple has a better solution than an iPad and full blown MacBook Pro, too!

It's called the MacBook Air in 11 or 13 inch screens or the brand new 12 inch screen MacBooks.

Priced in a similar range to the iPad Pro range of tablets.

Both laptop models have screen sizes the same or close to that of the larger iPad Pro and a larger screen than the standard 9.7 inch iPad models.

There are remote desktop apps that support a mouse on the ipad.

Read Multiform post. You can use a mouse with remote Windows and vnc desktop apps on the ipad.  You need the right app store app.

Read his article here:

It's on page 2 of this discussion about half way down.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7319286?start=24&tstart=0

The citrix mouse.

https://www.citrix.com/products/mouse/overview.html

http://store.citrix.com/store/citrix/en_US/pd/productID.317779200/ThemeID.377130 00

ios app:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/citrix-receiver/id363501921?mt=8

Citrix server app:

Demo of Swiftpoint GT travel mouse with Windows remote session. Stop & start to see the details.

https://vimeo.com/113962546

"Connect to any computer in the world Jump Desktop is a secure and reliable remote desktop (RDP & VNC) app for iOS, Mac, Android and PCs which lets you connect to any computer, anywhere in the world." Supports Swiftpoint mouse.

https://jumpdesktop.com/

Thank you RCCharles

Jumpdesk is perfect, and will be better once Swiftpoint mouse gets here - exactly what I needed .

I see my macbook & macbook pro  both being retired - mobile life getting lighter !

I did not need mouse for IOS apps just this remote desktop issue - using the pencil is too awkward and has resulted in some problems so I am waiting for the mouse expectantly.

So far I find the full size iPad pro easiest , the 9.7 may be too small for my eyes ( age ) but program works well on both.

Thank you for the helpful input.

Give us the lowdown once you get your mouse.  Maybe the flatlanders will take notice.

R

If you use your iPad for work or anything you cannot afford to loose, then I would strongly suggest keeping a Mac around and making regular backups in iTunes and then backing up those backups with time machine. Yes, you can use iCloud but that then limits your backups to a single source which is not infallible. Using an iPad for most things still requires a sound redundant backup strategy, just as any computing device with data you cannot afford to loose does.

I use my iPad Pro daily for work, as well as personal things, and I do backup nightly to iCloud.  But I also make an encrypted backup in iTunes every few days too so my passwords and secure information is backed up as well. Those iTunes backup are then redundantly backed up with my MacBook Pro's backups using TM and CCC clones.