Mouse support for iPad pro

JonGott wrote:

Me too. I use the iPad to connect remotely to my Microsoft Windows workstation at my office. That's why I need a mouse.

And as mentioned already in this thread, if that is the sole reason you need to use a mouse with an iPad, then there is at least one vendor’s solution for that one particular application of a mouse.

If you think you need a mouse to manipulate a Windows machine remotely, you are using your remote desktop connection software incorrectly. I connect all the time, and never need a mouse. There are gestures and taps that allow you to click, drag, use contextual menus, etc. built into the apps that are used for remote desktop connections. Spend a few minutes to learn how to use your tools correctly. Even in your situation, using mouse to move around, and manipulate items is a very inefficient use of that tool when there are better solutions built in already.

Thanks, MLadd.

For confirming what I just found out in my research on using an iPad to remotely access a Windows PC. It appears the remote desktop[ software has everything built in already to allow control of the Windows PC without the use of a mouse.

MS Remote Desktop for iOS was designed from the get go to be a touch interface version of Remote Desktop. It had a number of issues initially but it’s been pretty stable and works well for awhile now.

I don‘t use it often as trying to use a Windows Desktop on a remote system set up for a 27” or 32” 2560x1440 display is a PITA even from a 12.9” iPad Pro’s display 😁

But everything you need for a fully functional windows remote session is available in the iOS optimized (and free) MS Remote Desktop app.

Mouse support would be fantastic. Apple gives BT keyboard support, why not BT mouse support as well? I've read all the comments here, and don't understand why folks are against the idea. If you don't want to use a mouse with your iPad, then don't. Many of us would love to have this ability. It's very awkward to reach out and touch the screen when using a keyboard...unnatural even. It disrupts creativity.

merry3 wrote:

Mouse support would be fantastic. Apple gives BT keyboard support, why not BT mouse support as well? I've read all the comments here, and don't understand why folks are against the idea. If you don't want to use a mouse with your iPad, then don't. Many of us would love to have this ability. It's very awkward to reach out and touch the screen when using a keyboard...unnatural even. It disrupts creativity.

It's not even an issue of folks being for or against the idea. iOS, from its inception and by design, has no mouse support built into it. It has nothing to do with what you or I think - the folks you'd need to convince to change it would be Apple.

This topic has been discussed for years and posters have reportedly been posting to Apple feedback all along as well, yet iOS still has not changed to incorporate general mouse support. it seems very unlikely that it ever will.

Whether it would or would not be fantastic, or whether any one wants/needs mouse support, or does not, is completely moot. iOS does not have it, and Apple, despite these threads and feedback posts, has not changes it to do so.

Agree 100%. i have just started accessing and using a Windows based business app on my ipad pro 12.9. Moving quickly and seemlessly between pages and a multitude of fields is a must for efficiency. Apple is misding the boat On this one. I cannot use the touchscreen to mive from field to field as quickly or efficienty without a mouse. There is a big htbrid market for business users who want the functionality of standard ios when not using the ipad for business but need it for urilizing business apps. We DO NOT WANT macbooks. We just need mouse support when necessary and touch when not in business mode.

Apple Pencil wouldn't work better for you use?

FYI,

No iDevice can use an external mouse or trackpad device.

No pointing cursor to move on screen.

That stated you can move around the text "I" beam insertion point cursor by bringing up the iPad's software keyboard, do a two finger single tap to turn the entire keyboard area gray colored and into a gigantic trackpad area where you can easily control the position of the text insertion point "I" beam cursor.

You can highlight text and lines of text by doing a two finger double tap on the iOS software keyboard.

Then, do a single two finger tap on the keyboard area to fine tune the text selection.

That is as close to a mouse or regular trackpad that iOS is, currently, going to get.

Good Luck!

iPad Pro is not designed for desk usage. I found it out the hard way... after spending tons on accessories.

Sure it can get keyboard support, but without mouse is like word perfect era, or Linux terminal-ish productivity.

Even if pencil is included, it is awkward to use with conjunction with the keyboard.

They even Retrict key repeats to a few keys, making programming, Remote Desktop & terminal access tidious.

But it no point crying over it, we have to find a work around.

The only recommendation i have is Swiftpoint / Citrix mouse, and Jumpdesktop or Splashtop business Remote desktop. Or go the “parallel acesss with gaming mode”, ironically made for gaming, but I found it works well with Windows programs that need mouse, ie excel or powerpoint.

Did you ever consider buying what you want rather than what is available, for instance, you say you need mouse support, why not buy something that has mouse support rather than something that doesn't.?

Qida wrote:

iPad Pro is not designed for desk usage. I found it out the hard way... after spending tons on accessories.

Sure it can get keyboard support, but without mouse is like word perfect era, or Linux terminal-ish productivity.

That is one of the most ironic statements I’ve seen here. There are a great many things that I can do in a Linux command line terminal that are tedious, awkward and much slower in a GUI with a mouse. For example, between common shell commands and tools, almost any simple excel spreadsheet manipulation can be accomplished with a single line of script (re-ordering columns, inverting discrete blocks of data, combing discrete parts of multiple csv files, etc). Whereas the actual excel user will need to go through a convoluted and cumbersome series of steps, often involving making additional files or sheets to hold temporary pastes and such, and will take far longer to finish.

If you take the time to actual learn Linux and some simple shell scripting, the command line environment remains one of the most efficient and productive ways of using any computer. One of the first things I do with any Windows Machine I have to use is install Cygwin so I don't have to waste my time for certain tasks with nothing but inefficient GUI tools.

The invention of the mouse was to simplify things for non-technical users, but requires software specifically tailored for mouse use (and in turn that inherently comes with design trade offs in utility and efficiency of the software). It does not necessarily make anything better or more productive or even easier.

Sorry if i confused you. Let me elaborate further, what i meant is we are provided tools that does not fit some apps. We are talking about iPads. We have no shell, we cannot run scripts, we have no power like a desktop OS. And i am definitely not against terminals or Linux shell.

imagine you use VIM to do excel.. or powerpoint (tons of shortcut commands, gorilla hand gestures). Some may like it, but others don't.

Productivity is subjective to each person's needs and technical knowhow.

If a person need keyboard and mouse to be productive in some apps, then let it be, arguing with them will only create anger on both sides. Best we can only provide solutions they need.

Apple is more then capable to add mouse support without affecting usability of touch.

Look at iOS controller support, once enabled controller, onscreen touch controls changes.

Or

Look at hardware keyboard attached. The onscreen software keyboard stop showing.

Providing more tools benefit more, open up more possibilities. Those that do not need it or fail to see the reason, just use as they like it.

Let me makes this very simple.

This whole posting is moot and pointless.

Mouse/trackpad support is NOT coming to iOS anytime soon or in the foreseeable future.

It has been nearly seven years, going on eight. No mouse support!

As Csound1 pointed out,

Quote.

"Did you ever consider buying what you want rather than what is available, for instance, you say you need mouse support, why not buy something that has mouse support rather than something that doesn't.?"

It's out there.

You chose an iPad, which has NO mouse/trackpad support, over a Windows Surface/Surface Pro Tablet that has all sorts of mouse/trackpad and peripherals support, as well as a full Windows computer OS!

Researching and purchasing the right tools you need for the job is a good thing.

Sell your iPad. Purchase a Windows Surface Tablet!

Life is too short to be using a device that doesn't meet your needs!

If you require Excel or Powerpoint on a regular basis, then get a device that runs it natively. If you need a spreadsheet and presentation software, use Numbers and Keynote. I use VNC regularly (VIM is text based editor, and is pretty useless with a mouse). Mostly for work, managing middleware servers, verifying Message queues are running correctly, looking though logs, shutting services down, coding bug fixes, and returning the system to a stable production state. All of that typically in a GUI interface. I also use it to help my friends and family with issues with their laptops and desktops, to allow me to drive their computers (Windows or Macs) and fix issues that they have going on.

NEVER in 7 years of using iPads have I EVER wanted to use a mouse or felt that a mouse would have made my job easier or more productive.

I said it before, and I will say it again: "If you feel you need a mouse to use a piece of software on an iPad, you are using that software incorrectly." Period.

And just to explain further, If you are at your desk, and using Windows natively, and running Excel, and you require a mouse to be productive in Excel, you are using THAT software incorrectly also. Besides scrolling and clicking in a cell a mouse is hardly required to be able to be a power user of Excel. Scroll and click is identical to touch and tap.

JonGott wrote:

Me too. I use the iPad to connect remotely to my Microsoft Windows workstation at my office. That's why I need a mouse.

No, you don't. You just need to learn how to use the software on your iPad.