can i use a bluetooth mouse with ipad

Yep... I didn't read how long ago you posted. Anyway I'm on an ipad mini now, citrix receiver back to the office and trust me it would be better with a mouse (for me and many others I know of regardless of how anyone wants to interpret "user requirement"). I guess we'll agree to differ on this particular subject.

My post was deleted awhile ago... so I'll try to post again within approved guidlines.

IOS can support a mouse, it can be done today. There really is no point in arguing this.

I love my ipad, but will not upgrade to a new version without mouse support.

I don't understand the argument that an iPad is not a laptop, and therefore does not need a mouse. It's a low cost (performance,hardware,coding) upgrade that can dramatically improve the functionality of the device.

A fairly relevant example of this was pre-July 2009 IOS did not have copy/paste functionality. I remember reading similar arguments... This low cost enhancement also dramatically improved the functionality of the device.

I really feel like both items (mouse support and copy/paste) are simple low cost obvious enhancements. I'm not going to dump apple because they don't support a mouse, but I won't buy a new iPad without it.

It is because adding mouse support is so basic that if Apple chooses not to do so, they have a very deep-set philosophical reason not to.

It can be along the lines of why the first Mac keyboard did not have a number pad and why the first Mac mouse had only one button. Apple often has specific behaviors that they want to ingrain in their user base and they will use their hardware and software design to reinforce it.

In the case of the iPad they probably do not want users and developers to lean on the mouse as a crutch. They want users and developers to understand what it means to go full touch. This is how they have always been with their design philosophy, since the first Mac.

I believe the Apple design team has been quoted repeating the concept that a design is not defined by what you put in, but what you leave out, and they wield this philosophy frequently.

Using reasons about how easy it is to add support, or other personal reasons, may not change Apple's mind at all if Apple specifically does not want you to be using a mouse, period.

It's a shame as I've upgraded my iPad to a mini and it mostly sits doing media interface now via airplay to my HiFi; facetime is great too; and some browsing etc but no longer have a need to caarry it around with me. Any work based connection is now covered by my Pro and that means I carry it around all the time instead. Mouse support not a 'nice to have' as some folk have said... for connecting back to another system it is far more important as far as I'm concerned. I still love the pad for what it does; but I can do it all on my iphone and I doubt I could justify replacing it if it broke; not with an ipad and the lack of mouse support.

I can't see how this can possibly help Apple gain corporate sales. I know folk will say they are, and YES they are to an extent BUT the ones I see are on the outside looking in. They are running secure apps, secure email apps, on the other side of the corporate firewall. The WRONG side, and they can't integrate enough.

I use my iPad to connect to work, it almost works as a dumb terminal but without a mouse it's nearly pointless

I too would like to use my Iphone\Ipad to connect to my Vmware Horizon View Virtual Desktop at work. Like Bikertom said, I would use it like a "dumb Terminal" or Thin client as the VDI world calls it. With a bluetooth keyboard and porting the video out to a 22 in monitor through a lightning cable, I would get the exact same experience as if I were in were in the office. But because of the missing mouse, I don't use an apple product to accomplish this. VDI is growing in popularity and being implemented all over the world. If Apple continues to ignore this need, I have a feeling they'll not only lose my buisness but the buisness of all VDI users.

I really like the look of the iPad Air, but without wireless mouse support I can't justify buying it. I think 2014 will be time for a new table, my iPad 2 has served me well, and I would prefer an apple table, but without mouse support is is ill suited for business use.

I am interested in the iPad pro, and I really hope that apple adds support for a Bluetooth mouse driver as well as an API for applications to use the mouse driver. At this moment full OS integration may be too difficult a task, but application level integration should be no problem.

For example the CISCO receiver application, that I use to connect to work allows the use of my iPhone as a touchpad, which is a start but when I am remotely connecting it usually means I am away from my desk/house and I also need to use my iPhone as phone... also it's a bit clunky (probably due to the screen protection sticker).

With the expansion of PCoIP enterprise class cloud services like AWS' workspace, and the ability to use the less expensive Kindle Fire as a thin client, and the inclusion of cellular modems tables are poised to make huge in roads into the enterprise thin client market.

If I was designing an iPad Pro, and was serious about making a business capable tablet, I would include the following:

The ability to connect to a lightning port hub and simultaneously connect to

Multiple External Monitors

LAN

USB Keyboard/Mouse

Audio Device (Mic/Speakers)

Webcamera

All of a sudden with VDI infra the iPad Pro would become a viable thin client product that could be taken with you and used as a desktop. I don't think this sounds crazy or far reaching, in fact I think that 2014 will should the largest ever surge of companies dumping local workstations for a cloud based solution, and I think that there will be a strong demand for more advanced thin client solutions that are portable and can be disabled via cell phone connection. The companies that can make this work will likely dominate the tablet market. Will it be apple? I have my doubts, but remain hopeful.

This is a clunky work around but I use my iPad mini for remote work. I downloaded the Citrix iOS app from the app store. I use it to RDP to my Windows systems (servers and desktop). The touch screen works pretty well but when a mouse is required, Citrix has a virtual mouse that you can activate. The mouse appears on the screen. You just use your finger to move it and to click on the buttons. It works but I wouldn't use it for full time work. I'd really like a real mouse but I understand why Apple doesn't support it.

It would be nice if Apple would at least add native virtual mouse support like Citrix has done.

Only keyboard. Apple is still trying to distinguish there iPads from MacBooks. They can't just put all the hardware into the iPad because they'll loose on sales dues to there own devices. Then it's less profit. And that the battery won't be that great.

George.iD wrote:

Only keyboard. Apple is still trying to distinguish there iPads from MacBooks. They can't just put all the hardware into the iPad because they'll loose on sales dues to there own devices. Then it's less profit. And that the battery won't be that great.

Apple has not said why they have not made this feature available. Speculation on the reason is not permitted by the Terms of Use of these forums.

Ok as you can see I am level 1. But It's just from what I have read up from Appleinsider and other sites.

Repeating what is read on rumor sites like AppleInsider is rarely useful. If you check back, you'll find that most of the rumors turn out to not be true.

Also, you can't easily say that Apple is afraid of "losing sales due to their own devices." Apple has made it clear over and over that they do not fear cannibalization as long as it is them doing it, because that is much better than another company doing it to them. There are many historical examples of this. And Android tablets can use mice, but they are still not beating the iPad.

George.iD wrote:

Ok as you can see I am level 1.

Yes, that's why I'm explaining it to you, so that next time you'll know.

We come round to the same silly responses every time. NOBODY is asking, or caring, that an Android device beats an iPad. I use both but not that much to be fair (a few hours a week on each)... the kids use the ipad a lot, and its easier to synch music so that suits me a lot.

We all agree the 'mouse' like offering of citrix is great, Yes we do! But somehow asking for a real mouse is bad???? How can a virtual mouse be great and a real mouse bad? I dont get it but then again I'm not looking through the rose tinted specs others seem to get with their idevice.

Its great but I'm forced to use a tiny virtual mouse or a real mouse..... the real mouse wins. So my need of an Android remains for that in itself (the slots, supported media also help).

Then tell Apple:

http://www.apple.com/feedback