Q: Mouse support for iPad pro

If you think that then tell Apple, here: Apple Feedback

You can be the first to tell them directly

I would think that after having released 12 different iPads through the course of 6 years without so much as a hint towards mouse support, that they have made it pretty clear they have no intention of adding mouse support to them. Nor does it appear, if sales numbers are anything to go by, that they have any really compelling reason to do so.   It's not like mouse supporting Windows and Android tablets tablets are flying off the shelves in any significant numbers are they?  But what do I know.

Or, we should petition companies like Microsoft to provide support for the Swiftpoint GT in their Office products.  That should raise some eyebrows in Cupertino to acknowledge there's a limitation that needs to be addressed.

Raise it with them. I'm sure they've never considered it.

Apple doesn't need to support its own trackpad because as of iOS 9 trackpad functionality is already built in the iOS system software.

So far, other than Bluetooth keyboards, Apple does not,  and appears, will not support external mice or trackpad input devices.

Apple, at any time, could have put this functionality into any iOS version to date. Apple has chosen not to do so.

iOS 10 STILL does not support external wireless Bluetooth mice or trackpads.

If you do not like this fact, you have other alernative tablet hardware and tablet OSes.

No one here is going to change the fact Apple does what it wants to do.

If Apple does not want users to use external mice or trackpads with their touchscreen mobile computing products, then that what Apple is going to do.

Accept this or move to another tablet device that will have this functionality.

I use my iPad Pro in a creative, but professional manner and I do not feel any need for ANY external input device at all.

Since day one the in 2010 when the iPad debuts, I have trained myself to use (and use very well) the iPad's iOS software keyboard and the new trackpad feature of iOS 9.

Many users are simply lazy and want familiar tools (crutches?) to use with a device that has been designed to negate using such bulky, cumbersome  external input tools.

Apple, it seems to date, is not budging on giving users the ability to use external mice or trackpads.

Apple is not going to change its policy on this matter.

Not as long as they are still manufacturing and selling laptops that have the functionality you are looking for.

iPads will get closer to being a laptop replacement, but as long as Apple is still producing and selling laptops, iPads will never fully reach this status.

That's great except that Macbooks don't have touchscreen and you can't draw using the Apple Pencil.  So, what you mean to say is you should be looking for two new Apple devices that are both well beyond the average American's budget.  No one in their right mind is going to go out and buy a macbook and an iPad Pro. But that's what it is. And its frustrating as **** because the thing is so expensive and more than powerful enough. But its been fixed/handicapped by Apple intentionally. And for what?  What is the practical reason?  They're not going to force people to go and buy two machines when they can barely afford one?  No, they'll probably just wind up buying a more affordable and more practical windows machine.  Good job Apple!  Keep the most capable devices from being utilized to their full potential.  No other tech company is so weird about placing limits on their customers.

Just wanted to note that I clicked on the helpful button because I was trying to find a way to say that this was NOT helpful.

Jonny RC wrote:

 

That's great except that Macbooks don't have touchscreen and you can't draw using the Apple Pencil.  So, what you mean to say is you should be looking for two new Apple devices that are both well beyond the average American's budget.  No one in their right mind is going to go out and buy a macbook and an iPad Pro. But that's what it is. And its frustrating as **** because the thing is so expensive and more than powerful enough. But its been fixed/handicapped by Apple intentionally. And for what?  What is the practical reason?  They're not going to force people to go and buy two machines when they can barely afford one?  No, they'll probably just wind up buying a more affordable and more practical windows machine.  Good job Apple!  Keep the most capable devices from being utilized to their full potential.  No other tech company is so weird about placing limits on their customers.

Then don't buy a device that does not do what you want, simple choice will get you through.

Jonny RC wrote:

 

Just wanted to note that I clicked on the helpful button because I was trying to find a way to say that this was NOT helpful.

Words are very useful for saying things. If you want to say you don't find a post helpful, just say so; don't look for buttons. Real communication doesn't work like Facebook.

No one here would know why Apple has made particular decisions (something that's been said more than once in this thread). If you want Apple to know what you think, use the Feedback link (something that's been said several times in this thread):

http://www.apple.com/feedback

Describing an unhelpful reply as helpful is not helpful

Acausally, I do have a MacBook Pro and an IPad Pro.  Actually 2 MBP's as I still have my late-2008 15" MBP as well as a new 15" retina MBP.  Along with my iPad Pro I also have an IPad Air2, and a Lenovo Yoga 900 Windows laptop.  I know a lot of people who own multiple tablets, smart phones and computing devices.

I'm just saying your blanket statements about who will or will not buy what, or who can or cannot afford what are opinions, not fact.  Many of us buy multiple devices because we accept that no one tool fits all tasks (or at least not equally well).

No way can an iPad be as powerful as a laptop. Not even an iPad Pro. Yes its powerful for a tablet. but no, it is not as capable as a laptop, and thinking like this is what has driven this discussion for as long as it has. An iPad is not a laptop replacement it has never been marketed as such,  and should not be thought of as such.  Its nowhere near as capable nor as powerful in terms of processing power as a full laptop this.

And there are laptops out there that have mouse support, and have touchscreens and you can draw on them, that are cheaper than an iPad Pro why aren't you buying one of those?

The real thing here, is an iPad is a companion to  a computer. It is not a replacement.

Apple has no obligation to fill your personal needs on computing devices. Regardless of what you may think.

Totally agree.  The MS Surface is taking this market ($1 Billion in revenue per quarter, look it up).  Samsung and Lenovo love Apple staying out of it too...more time for them to perfect their devices.  THIS IS A REAL MARKET APPLE!!!!  The Surface experience is sorely lacking from what an ipad pro with a mouse would be like.  I mean ios with a mouse allows for spreadsheeting and business uses that are best left to a real laptop...or an ech, ech, urp... Surface.  But that would change ever so quickly if Apple weren't stubborn.

murphdawg9734 wrote:

 

Totally agree.  The MS Surface is taking this market ($1 Billion in revenue per quarter, look it up).  Samsung and Lenovo love Apple staying out of it too...more time for them to perfect their devices.  THIS IS A REAL MARKET APPLE!!!!  The Surface experience is sorely lacking from what an ipad pro with a mouse would be like.  I mean ios with a mouse allows for spreadsheeting and business uses that are best left to a real laptop...or an ech, ech, urp... Surface.  But that would change ever so quickly if Apple weren't stubborn.

Nonsense

Dear Phil,

All that you say is well and good EXCEPT THAT iPad Pro is being marketed as a PC REPLACEMENT unlike other iPads!!!  So apply for a job in Apple's marketing department, they love what you're saying.  Unfortunately it won't help them.  My comments could actually help I think.

LOL.  So no argument as to Apple's success with ipad in general, but when they market this as a PRO model and AS NOT JUST A LAPTOP REPLACEMENT... BUT A whole freakin' PC REPLACEMENT!!!!, then you owe the consumer the option to simply use the pointing device of his choosing IMHO (and at first only power users or business users would need it).  It's not like admitting failure.  And if you allow it in iOS, it's not like admitting you cheated on your wife with her mother and her sister at the same time!!!  At this point in time it would be EASY to allow a mouse as an enhancement.  However, if Apple is content to allow Surface to kick it's PRO butt down the road, then so be it.  But it would be sad for pride to win the day when logic would indicate otherwise.  And the iPad Pro is SOOOO CLOSE!!!  I guess that's what makes it so frustrating.

Reminder:  iPad Pro is being marketed as a PC REPLACEMENT unlike other iPads.

So far the ipad pro has significantly less than 1% of the ipad installed base (think they're making money on it?).  People don't see the need yet.  The biggest model still in circulation is the iPad 2 with about 19% of the installed base!!!!  What I'm saying is that with minor tweaks (not a whole OS replacement), they could own this market and more importantly STOP THE PROGRESS OF SURFACE and other would-be rivals.  Imagine Apple keeping a foothold with business users!!! Wow!  As a business power user and technical person, I much prefer Apple products for build quality and for the most part they still JUST WORK.  The exception being lack of mouse or trackpad (my preference) on iPad Pro.

Reminder:  iPad Pro is being marketed as a PC REPLACEMENT unlike other iPads.

I realize that MS wasn't making money on Surface, but they seem to be turning the corner nicely as THEY HAVE ZERO COMPETITION from Apple.   And given a seven year head start they'll have something very nice and Apple will then eat crow and be a follower (seven years is the lead time Apple gave Microsoft to get networking built into the OS, and yeah Microsoft did ok with that product.  IT'S CALLED WINDOWS).

Reminder:  iPad Pro is being marketed as a PC REPLACEMENT unlike other iPads.

Pride goes before a fall. If no mouse on the ipad is Steve's legacy, then anybody can "implement" that strategy (or should I say not implement that non-strategy)...**** maybe Gil Amelio is still available to come back and help?  John Scully?  They were innovators.  Let's bring back the Newton.  No mouse needed with that thing, but it did have a stylus...er Apple Pencil, er stylus, uh Apple Pencil.   Reminds me of Chinatown:  my sister, my mother, my sister, my mother... a great tale of incest and stubbornness and what it can lead to, which was death.  LOL.

Reminder:  iPad Pro is being marketed as a PC REPLACEMENT unlike other iPads.