Mouse support for iPad pro

No, we didn't by the wrong device--there is no other device to buy. The iPad, as I've stated, is the closest device to what we feel is perfect for our employees. It just lacks mouse or track pad support which many want when they return from field based work to desktop based work.

A Surface does not work since it is doesn't have mobile connectivity, battery power is poor for field work, and it is clumsy in comparison to an iPad. Plus, it is not desired by anyone who prefers Apple's iOS.

An Apple laptop doesn't work since it's not the same convenient tablet form factor as an iPad for field work and doesn't have mobile connectivity and is incompatible with the Apple pencil (which is heavily used in the field).

AaronTheYoung wrote:

I completely understand the hardware. How did I misunderstand it? I'm only trying to use it in the way I find most productive.

Apple has deemed that it is only touch screen device. It is my opinion that it is limited with out good cause and it slows my productivity.

They made it a partially useable when it's in a desktop mode of operation. You can't argue that.

I can argue with that, sure. I use my 12.9" iPad Pro in it's logitech smart keyboard cover on a desk or table all the time. I have never once felt any need nor even any desire for a mouse - that would simply be one more encumbrance I'd have to carry around with me. For me, it is indeed completely 100% useable in that mode without a mouse.

The whole point of the iPad design was a wholly self-contained touch interface with no external pointing device needed. You may not like that design choice and are free to choose an alternate device. But it very clearly was Apple's intention all along to do away with separate pointing devices with their iOS devices.

And before anyone jumps in with "what about the Pencil", the Apple Pencil, and the specific screen technology of the iPad Pro, was not to provide an alternate pointing device, but to provide a free hand device with much higher resolution and refined line drawing capabilities than any human finger could achieve. It was intended to take advantage of the high resolution of the retina display for digital imaging, not merely to act like a mouse or alternate pointer.

BTW, of all the actual super computers I've ever used myself, used solely a command line interface - no mouse, just a cursor and a keyboard 😝

iMister wrote:

This is just typical of Apples arrogance. Its a basic feature and would increase the appeal of their product for little investment from them. The competition has moved on and there are better options out there now that work better with integrating with other systems.

Then you can keep 'arrogance' out of your life by buying one off them.

The iPad is certainly "useable" where ever you go, but I guarantee you there is software that is FAR MORE facile with a mouse than a touch screen. While the touch screen does "work" it is not always the best interface for every software.

I never intend to carry a mouse/track pad with me when I am mobile, it will be waiting at my desktop when I return from my field work along with my large screen display.

Sure....and every time they have to use two hands for the keyboard they have to put the pencil down and pick it up.

This is not working well. The mouse is a great tool. While there are "substitutes", there is no better device for what it does.

Are you aware, as of iOS 9 that with the iOS built-in software keyboard, 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.

The ipad pro is marketed as a "supercomputer". The inference is there that this can be used as a replacement for a computer. As such you wouild expect it to support the most basic of computer functions, support for a mouse. Not so super after all.

I'm talking about a real finance person. Not someone that dabbles.

A track pad requires that you move your hand from the keyboard to the track pad. Why are you using your Mac and a touch pad if your iPad does it better?

Tapping on a word and dragging handles, while it is a touch-screen solution, it is far from efficient. I can't imagine you do that all day. It would drive anyone crazy.

I'm not arguing that a person can adequately function with a touch screen. It just isn't the replacement you're trying to make it out to be. If it was, you'd get rid of your Mac and touch pad.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

The iPad is certainly "useable" where ever you go, but I guarantee you there is software that is FAR MORE facile with a mouse than a touch screen. While the touch screen does "work" it is not always the best interface for every software.

I never intend to carry a mouse/track pad with me when I am mobile, it will be waiting at my desktop when I return from my field work along with my large screen display.

If there is software in the app store not properly coded and configured for a touch interface, then that is a failing of the app designer and coder, not iOS or the iDevice touch interface. Anyone releasing software not fully optimized for touch control and the iOS interface needs to go back and work on their app.

Just because an app is coded and forced to be used with a touch interface doesn't make the software better and many will argue it hampers it. There is no way someone will argue and win that selecting, cutting and pasting text on an iPad with your finger is faster than a mouse. I don't care how much the app is "optimized"... it's not better.

It's a great effort by the coder for sure, but it's unfortunate that we can have a keyboard but no mouse. Apple makes the decision for us that it's okay to have a real keyboard connected to your iPad via BT or by physically connecting it, but deny us the option of a mouse.

hahaha.. Love the Apple misinformation marketing.

"SUPER. COMPUTER"

I think the ipad is a super computer by definition. It's definitely more powerful than the Cray Supercomputers of the 80's - but so is just about everything including a bottom end $20 Android phone. Super Computer in comparison to everything else? It does not even have Mouse support, and at least 60% of the people on this very thread complaining about the same thing.

Lets face it - Apple does not want to butcher or blur their product lines. An iPad Pro with mouse support WILL eat into their Macbook range. They, like every other commercial stock listed company wants nothing more than for you to buy more than 4 devices from them - an iPhone, an iPad, a Macbook and a Desktop Mac for home. That's just the nature of the game. If you start blurring the product lines too much, then the chances of you buying all four minimises. The Industry is Blurring the Tablet and the laptop together (eg. Surface and Samsung Tabs) and the Pro was released as pressure to follow this trend. But Apple is hesitant about making it too "computer" and hence if you want mouse, then go spend another $3k USD on a Macbook.

"That is

Super. Computer. Not, supercomputer.

It is nothing more than mere marketing speak, in "that computer is super"."

Something called False Advertising. Apple are GREAT at it with their marketing propaganda engine. Like having TV ads that show the iphone being soaked in water by actors when their warranty does not extend to water damage.

bchliu wrote:

Something called False Advertising. Apple are GREAT at it with their marketing propaganda engine. Like having TV ads that show the iphone being soaked in water by actors when their warranty does not extend to water damage.

I have never seen those, can you provide a link to one please.

How many more posts and how many more years are we going to put up hearing from the "iPads need mouse/trackpad" minority group??...

Hmmmm?…

It is going on 7, count 'um, SEVEN YEARS, to the mouse input for iOS minority!

Apple has NOT and, most likely, WILL NOT or EVER implement ,on its own or let third party developers implement, NATIVE iOS mouse/trackpad input support!

Nahgunnahawppun!

Period! Exclamtion point!

"NOT GOING TO HAPPEN (nawt go-eeng tu hâp-pen), peoples (pee-pulls)!

Either accept this fact, feature ommision or purchase another brand name tablet product!

Microsoft ( Windows), Samsung ,Toshiba, etc. (Android) devices!

Apple is going to do what APPLE IS GOING TO DO!

When Apple users went with single button mice with their Desktop model Macs for nearly 20 years, before Apple found a way to design, build and offer multifunction Mice and Trackpads for Mac computers!

Are we going to hear the mice/trackpad for iPads using minority for another 12-13 years or until Apple gives in ( if that ever happens)?

When is this complaining going to end, peoples!

While you continue arguing this point, there is a whole generation of children, CHILDREN, that can use these devices fine without the use of any other input device!

The next generation of children are probably learning on these devices without external keyboards OR external pointing devices other than, perhaps, a stylus.

Thats why ipad sales are at an all time high ............. psyc.

People are slowly waking up, and voting with their purchasing of alternative products.

The ipad is a well made product and the build quality is good, just a shame that something as simple

as mouse use is not supported. If it was supported the people that dont choose to use it can continue

to use the ipad using the touch interface, and thaose that do require mouse support would consider the

ipad when making their purchase