Mouse support for iPad pro

mangorancher wrote:

Now how do I remove my thread as I am done debating my position and tired of being "made wrong" by those who chose to "BE RIGHT".

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Okay. I'll back away from the word guarantee. But, I don't think it's a reach to say:

• that finance people are never going to be doing spreadsheets with their fingers on a touch screen.
• that people doing word processing are going to do speedy and accurate selecting of text with their finger.

That's just TWO major apps that are hampered by usage on an iPad.

almost any app that involves fine control of object or data selection is slowed down by an iPad.

It is possible that some people can become more facile with a touch screen than a mouse...sure. But, where I work we miss having one and find it a significant missing part of our environment. Do we work without it. Sure.

Doesn't mean we wouldn't use a mouse or track if they were available.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

Okay. I'll back away from the word guarantee. But, I don't think it's a reach to say:

• that finance people are never going to be doing spreadsheets with their fingers on a touch screen.
• that people doing word processing are going to do speedy and accurate selecting of text with their finger.

Really? I am a "finance person" and I do most of my spreadsheets with my fingers on an iPad. I find it much friendlier than a mouse. I haven't actually used a mouse for anything in at least 5 years - when not using the iPad I use the touchpad on my Mac. The bg benefit of the touchpad and a touch screen is that I don't have to lift my hands far from the keyboard like you do with a mouse. I've hated using a mouse since they first came out because they require much more hand and arm movement than any other pointing device - even a trackball is better. Indeed, I suspect the fact that repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome have become so common can be directly attributed to the invention of the mouse.

For word processing I much prefer tapping on a word, then dragging the "handles" to select the text around it; again, much less hand movement than a mouse would require, and it requires much less coordination than selecting text with a mouse does.

almost any app that involves fine control of object or data selection is slowed down by an iPad.

The opposite of my experience. Fine control is much easier with a touch screen than it is with a mouse. I "burned my mouse" the first time I used a touchpad, and I find the iPad is even easier to use than a computer with a touchpad.

Why? I've already stated that an iPad was the closest thing we were able to find that fit our needs.

• Light portable device for field work
• Superior battery life
• LTE networking
• Apple pencil for drawing/mark ups in the field.
• Bluetooth keyboard
• Has majority of Apple version apps we need/use
• Able to control a Windows environment when engineers need to use an app only available there.

There is no other product that does all this. It works every where and gives our staff very fluid mobility/business workflow independent of location.

Only thing missing is a track pad/mouse.

You missed it.

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I also bought an I ipad pro, it is the first ipad that I have had. I am disappointed that it does not have support for a mouse, I use a hardware keyboard to type, and with the apps that I use navigation with a mouse is better.

Apple markets this as a "SuperComputer" it is hardly super when it cannot even support a mouse, android has supported this for years. Also IOS does not support to access my NAS. I will have to run other apps for this. A cheap windows 10 tablet can even do this. This ability should be built into IOS. The ipad Pro is hardly a "SuperComputer"

iMister wrote:

Apple markets this as a "SuperComputer"

Where does Apple market an iPad Pro as a "SuperComputer"?

Why are you disappointed? Did you not do any research before purchasing such an expensive device?

Sell it, then buy a Microsoft Surface Pro, then.

Simple.

MIcrosoft Surface Pro models have LOTS of custom options and features that you can purchase for a Surface Pro.

They even use finger, mouse, stylus, keyboard, and the new Microsoft Dial!

Good Luck to you!

Well, I'd agree that it is both super and a computer. But, unlike the poster to whom I responded, I don't equate that to "Super computer". A Cray it ain't.

I wonder if they also expect M&Ms candies to talk? 😉

Now don't go bringing logic or common sense into this... it's purely an emotional discussion.

"I'll give you my mouse when you can take it from my cold dead hands"

(I'm paraphrasing of course...)

The Surface doesn't run the operating system that many Apple users prefer--it's not an option for many. It is ironic, for decades, that a mouse has been a standard part of any Apple computer that assumes a desktop role and since the iPad OFTEN assumes this role it should have the same features. It is interesting how Apple doesn't force you to use the "on screen" keyboard, and actually OFFERS a keyboard for use with the iPad, but when it comes to mouse interactions they decide what is right for you.

Apple's refusal to even make this an invisible option (enabled only when you pair a mouse) inside iOS alienates their customers. When so many things "just work" on Apple's products, seeing a mouse or touch pad NOT WORK is quite disappointing.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

Apple's refusal to even make this an invisible option (enabled only when you pair a mouse) inside iOS alienates their customers.

I think you misspoke. You imply that all of Apple's customer find this a problem. In fact, it alienates only a small number of people. The iPad Pro continues to sell, even to people who knew, in advance, that it has not mouse support.

Like many people, I haven't used a mouse in years. It was no great adjustment to go from a trackpad to using the touch screen on an iPad.

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.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

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

Yes, actually I can argue with that. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "desktop mode" but I haven't ever found my iPad Pro to be "partially useable". It does everything I expected it to do and more.

What you don't seem to understand is that not everyone, probably not even most people, have the same need you have for mouse support. And, if mouse support is a make or break factor for you, the iPad will never meet your needs. It's rather like the fact that cars with automatic transmissions do not meet my personal needs. That doesn't mean there's anything particularly wrong with those cars. Apple does provide devices with mouse support for those people who need them.

It's not only me. I'm sure there is a large population/market for this feature.

The iPad meets many of our needs at our firm and we love using them for all the things that it does well. It does so many things well, we bought them with no hesitation.

However.

It is disappointing when it does everything else so well and then in a mode where we expect it to perform a standard feature that has been around for years, we are denied it.

All because Apple forces it upon us. The consumer cannot/shouldn't be expected to buy TWO devices just because one can't use a mouse.

AaronTheYoung wrote:

It's not only me. I'm sure there is a large population/market for this feature.

I'm not at all sure that's the case. Comparatively few people complain about it here.

It is disappointing when it does everything else so well and then in a mode where we expect it to perform a standard feature that has been around for years, we are denied it.

Did you do your research before buying these very expensive tools? If so, you should certainly not be surprised. And, yes, you will be denied things you want in life. You'll need to find a way to deal with it. Complaining here is rather pointless. Submit your feedback to Apple. Buy a device that better meets your needs. Learn to use the iPad without a mouse. But, whatever you decide, it's time to face the world as it is and move on.

Best of luck.