Mouse support for iPad pro

You may not see the need to use a mouse on the ipad, but for others it improves their productivity. Peoples requirements are all different. For people that produce content in many cases a mouse beneficial. For those that only consume content then a mouse would not offer much to them.

Mouse support is something that you would expect on a device at this pricepoint and not to have it is pretty poor, and is not identified in any advertising that I have seen.

Hello!

My answer is a confident no. Although I cannot speak for Apple, iOS was designed from the ground up to be optimal for touchscreens. The introduction of mouse support would open the floodgates for developers to make applications in which the user interface would be too similar to desktop user interfaces, becoming cumbersome and tedious to use for the majority: touchscreen-only users. The likelihood that Apple would do something like this is minimal to say the least, given their track-record with adding drastically different interaction methods to already established environments. One example: MFI controllers. When Apple added support for MFI-Certified gamepads for use with iOS, they specifically stated that developers are prohibited from creating applications that are made specifically for the controllers. In other words, any MFI-controller compatible software must also retain usability for the majority: touchscreen users.

I hope that my answer helped clarify any concerns. 😝

IOS was also never designed to be used with a pencil, but that is now available on pro models whilst not detracting from the touch user interface.

There is no reason that allowing use of a mouse could would detract from the touch user interface. Any other device that has a mouse and a touchscreen does not suffer from the interface suddenly becoming cumbersome and tedious by rendering the touchscreen inoperative. The user can choose to use whichever suits their requirements at any given time.

With Apple's track record, they stuck to single button mice for over 20 years.

Technically, even though the Apple Magic Mouse is a multitouch, multifunction mouse, this mouse still looks and feels like a single button mouse.

Apple can be stubborn and be its worst enemy.

Apple has had mobile touch devices with NO mouse support for 10 years, now.

If Apple history repeats itself, Apple allowing mouse supoort on their mobile phone and tablet devices may not come for, at least, another 10 years!

Everyone has a very long wait on their hands.

By that time, Apple will have devices that may use other more advanced devices that use, yet, another type of device input method that all of us will, yet again, have to adapt to.

The mouse will be a dinosaur input device of technology's history/past!

So, no one here really should be asking for mouse support on modern, lighter "on-the-go" devices, any longer!

The mouse's (and even the physical (VS software) trackpad, to some extent) days/years are numbered.

iMister wrote:

You may not see the need to use a mouse on the ipad, but for others it improves their productivity. Peoples requirements are all different. For people that produce content in many cases a mouse beneficial. For those that only consume content then a mouse would not offer much to them.

Mouse support is something that you would expect on a device at this pricepoint and not to have it is pretty poor, and is not identified in any advertising that I have seen.

Then (bearing in mind your likes and dislikes) don't buy an IPP, there are many other tablets that provide mouse support, buy one of them.

iMister wrote:

Mouse support is something that you would expect on a device at this pricepoint and not to have it is pretty poor, and is not identified in any advertising that I have seen.

That statement makes no sense to me. The price point has absolutely nothing at all to do with the topic under discussion. Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch line of products has always been a touch interface series. They have never been advertised as anything but touch interface devices, and Apple has never presented them, in ads or press releases or presentations as anything but touch interface devices. They were conceived, designed, introduced and presented as touch interface devices.

Why anyone would be surprised, if shopping for an iPad, that the device would not provide integrated mouse support is beyond me. And why would any company, for any product, spend any advertising discussing things that the device does NOT do or support, and never has. My Honda Accord cannot fly - should Honda be advertising that lack of function in their automobiles since they do also make jets after all?

The Apple Pencil is nothing more than a high sensitivity touch interface enhancement, which a mouse most certainly is not. It's also no coincidence that the Apple Pencil was introduced with the larger display iPad Pro and marketed at its release towards artists, sketchers and graphics enhancements.

You happen to feel that you don't need a mouse to use your iPad. You're not in agreement with Apple. Your lack of need for a mouse is just coincidental to their decision to separate their products features so they don't cannibalize each other. Both you and Apple must acknowledge that a MOUSE OR TRACK PAD IS useful for a certain part of the workforce.

Our field engineers and architects cannot easily bring a MacBook on site to do their job. No touch screen, no pencil. Doesn't fold into a single plane for easy onsite ergonomics. Since our people are in the field equal time as they are at their desk, why should they have to switch to ANOTHER whole Apple product to get mouse support?

Apple is not doing their best to support these types of workers and would rather make a profit instead of provide a useful feature on an iPad.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

Our field engineers and architects cannot easily bring a MacBook on site to do their job. No touch screen, no pencil. Doesn't fold into a single plane for easy onsite ergonomics.

While your field engineers are practising onsite ergonomics, what would they be using for a mousing surface while they stand holding the iPad in the other hand?

iMister wrote:

You may not see the need to use a mouse on the ipad, but for others it improves their productivity. Peoples requirements are all different. For people that produce content in many cases a mouse beneficial. For those that only consume content then a mouse would not offer much to them.

I produce content without a mouse. However, I don't presume to speak to anyone else's needs. I have repeatedly stated that. I've also suggested, repeatedly, that people buy the tool that best meets their needs. It's far more productive than buying a tool that doesn't and then complaining about it.

Mouse support is something that you would expect on a device at this pricepoint and not to have it is pretty poor, and is not identified in any advertising that I have seen.

No, it's not something I expected on this device. Mouse support isn't tied in any way to price point. I can buy a Windows laptop for less than the price of an iPad. It has mouse support.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

You happen to feel that you don't need a mouse to use your iPad. You're not in agreement with Apple. Your lack of need for a mouse is just coincidental to their decision to separate their products features so they don't cannibalize each other.

Of course we're in agreement. Apple doesn't feel a mouse is necessary on an iPad. Neither do I. How is that not agreement? And, neither your nor I can say what Apple's reasons are as neither of us work for Apple.

Our field engineers and architects cannot easily bring a MacBook on site to do their job. No touch screen, no pencil. Doesn't fold into a single plane for easy onsite ergonomics. Since our people are in the field equal time as they are at their desk, why should they have to switch to ANOTHER whole Apple product to get mouse support?

It sounds as if your engineers and architects need something that Apple doesn't offer. That's unfortunate for you but it's reality.

I always thought that the computers that some company (or companies) came out with some years back that were laptops that folded around to tablets were cool. They sold terribly. They were really too heavy to use comfortably as tablets. And, the operating system that was successful on a computer really didn't work as well on a touchscreen tablet.

I don't presume to know all the reasons for Apple's decisions. They are certainly under no obligation to support every demographic. However, I've seen them go from a company all but circling the drain to one of the most profitable companies in the world. That seems to indicate some level of competency in decision making. But it's not my worry. My responsibility is to buy the best tool for the tasks I need to accomplish.

It is not obvious from your post, at least not the way you put it.

You said your field engineers need mouse support to do their jobs. My question is why supply them with something that does not have mouse support.

Why aren't they supplied with the right tools.

iMister wrote:

Pretty much anything else will operate with a mouse. You do not have to go for a macbook just to get mouse support there are many other options that might suit your needs and your budget.

Correct. There are many things out there that support mice. But people seem bent on seeing a mouse on an iPad for some reason.

I suggested the MacBook, because its the closest thing to an iPad Pro, that supports a mouse and is still inside the Apple scope if that's what people are looking for. If the brand is not important, then yes there are literally tens of dozens of non Apple Tablets and 2 in 1s that do support Mice.

Yet people seem to think that no other option is worth their attention except the iPad Pro, and it must have a mouse.

I´ll say it again, if you need to go Offroad you don't go buy a Ferrari and then complain when it gets stuck in the mud.

Our field engineers spend at least 1/2 (and some times more) of their time in the field and the iPad Pro is an amazing tool for this portion of their job. Their is no better tool for this part of their job. The disappointing part is when they return to the office and want to work in a desktop mode with the very capable device they just used in the field, it becomes instantly stunted for those that are wishing they could use a mouse. They have the choice of jumping on a desktop if they absolutely need a mouse or using their iPad with their finger.

They cannot bring a laptop on site and use it as easily as an iPad Pro.

We have tested the Surface as a field device and 2 out of 40 field engineers prefer a Surface, but are often confounded by its poor battery life and the need to get on their phones hotspot for wireless connectivity. (needless to say Surface costs are significantly more than an iPad) the iPad has everything we need in the field.

Why aren't they supplied with the "right tools"??

There is no "right" tool for them. No one is making it yet. Apple needs to add a mouse or MS needs to solve their Surface issues.

Apple will lose tablet market share when the Surface has LTE built in and MS has solved its battery issues.

Phil0124 wrote:

I´ll say it again, if you need to go Offroad you don't go buy a Ferrari and then complain when it gets stuck in the mud.

That brings to mind a great Smart Car commercial:

https://youtu.be/Prvu4RifEQ0

😁 Exactly. Different tools for different environments.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Phil0124 wrote:

I´ll say it again, if you need to go Offroad you don't go buy a Ferrari and then complain when it gets stuck in the mud.

That brings to mind a great Smart Car commercial:

https://youtu.be/Prvu4RifEQ0