With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
The difference here is that Microsoft had to sell a keyboard with their product to make it even close to usable. This is because of the form factor of Windows (typically landscape orientation) coupled with the aspect ratio of the screen. The keyboard would take up 2/3 of the screen. That and traditional Windows programs still require a mouse. Sure you could touch the screen, but using a keyboard and mouse would make the tablet a computer, which Windows was designed for.
The iPad can be easily used in any orientation including portrait. The difference is that the apps are made to be portrait. The whole OS seems to work better in that orientation. So no, you don't need a keyboard unless you're, you know, doing a lot of typing.
I think if Apple came out with a keyboard, it would be them admitting defeat of some sort. The iPad ought to stand on it's on (no pun intended) as the only thing you need to use it.
The other issue with a keyboard cover is that it completely changes the form factor of the device. Now you have to use it on a table or some sort of flat surface. The iPad was originally designed to break that mindset and even Steve Jobs demoed it while sitting on a couch on-stage. That's the whole point. The Surface isn't a true tablet in the sense that you need a flat surface to use it effectively, whereas the iPad can be used in a standing position, sitting on a couch, etc. There in lies it's transformative power.
A keyboard cover would probably sell very well, but I think it would damage Apple's image and vision for the iPad more than it would be worth.
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
It occurs to me that it should be possible to make an iPad keyboard cover that can take *three* positions, instead of just two. The picture of two docked iPads gave me the idea.
These are the positions I mean - the third could be quite special I think.
1: in use as keyboard, screen standing straight. As in the picture
2: covering the front when iPad not in use.
3: folded against the back, so you basically hold your iPad as if there is no keyboard. The trick would be that the part that holds the screen up when in use, is attached to the screen exactly in the middle. The benefit would be that you can keep the cover attached while still holding it like an iPad without a cover.
A quick glance on the web makes it seem that this has not been done anywhere yet. Most notably, Microsoft's Surface can not do this. As far as I can see, with a Surface you have to lay down the keyboard somewhere in order to use it as a bare tablet computer, which would make it unnecessarily cumbersome to use like a tablet as well as like a laptop.
Am I right? Could this be a neat, patentable little invention making the iPad a lot more useable for everyday work situations than a Surface?
Could this be what "We still have a lot to cover" means?
Actually, the third thing that you mention would be special is already implemented in the Surface cover (at least if I am understanding you correctly). The Surface touch cover folds around the back so you can use the Surface in "tablet" mode -- and when folded around the back in this way the keyboard is disabled so no keys are pressed, etc. Because it is so thin, it works really nicely without adding a lot of bulk (still feels like a tablet - unlike a lot of other solutions out there).
Actually, the Surface touch cover does all three of the things you mention in combination with the kickstand that's built in.
Again, I would love to see this for the iPad - and maybe Apple has something up their sleeves that takes it a step further and even improves the really great design of what Microsoft has done with the touch cover.
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
The difference here is that Microsoft had to sell a keyboard with their product to make it even close to usable.
Not entirely true. Considering the Surface is essentially a full PC with a full desktop OS, it is expected to handle the full range of desktop applications and uses. For many of these, a physical keyboard is a necessity. The iPad is inherently limited in it's capabilities (when compared to a desktop/notebook system) and so doesn't need a keyboard.
I'm not saying one is right and the other wrong, they're simply two different devices. Apple has reduced complexity to the point where a physical keyboard isn't needed, but they've done so by limiting capabilities - ease of use through limited functionality. Microsoft created essentially a desktop computer in tablet form factor. And while I'm no fan of Metro, it handles iPad level tasks with approximately the same ease of use (klunkiness and limited app selection aside). So without a keyboard, the Surface will function about as well as an iPad, with a keyboard, it functions about as well as a full notebook computer. Compromises were made, to be sure, but for many, those are compromises worth making if you need more functionality than is offered by iOS.
Actually, the third thing that you mention would be special is already implemented in the Surface cover (at least if I am understanding you correctly). The Surface touch cover folds around the back so you can use the Surface in "tablet" mode -- and when folded around the back in this way the keyboard is disabled so no keys are pressed, etc. Because it is so thin, it works really nicely without adding a lot of bulk (still feels like a tablet - unlike a lot of other solutions out there).
Actually, the Surface touch cover does all three of the things you mention in combination with the kickstand that's built in.
Again, I would love to see this for the iPad - and maybe Apple has something up their sleeves that takes it a step further and even improves the really great design of what Microsoft has done with the touch cover.
Yes I think you understand me correctly. A closer look makes me understand how it probably works, but heck they could have communicated that a lot more clearly and attractively! (ok I'm not willing to dive that deep into MS products either)
Agree with your last part. Everything seems to point that way, doesn't it? It better be better than Surface, for Apple's reputation's sake :-)
The difference here is that Microsoft had to sell a keyboard with their product to make it even close to usable. This is because of the form factor of Windows (typically landscape orientation) coupled with the aspect ratio of the screen. The keyboard would take up 2/3 of the screen. That and traditional Windows programs still require a mouse. Sure you could touch the screen, but using a keyboard and mouse would make the tablet a computer, which Windows was designed for.
The iPad can be easily used in any orientation including portrait. The difference is that the apps are made to be portrait. The whole OS seems to work better in that orientation. So no, you don't need a keyboard unless you're, you know, doing a lot of typing.
I think if Apple came out with a keyboard, it would be them admitting defeat of some sort. The iPad ought to stand on it's on (no pun intended) as the only thing you need to use it.
The other issue with a keyboard cover is that it completely changes the form factor of the device. Now you have to use it on a table or some sort of flat surface. The iPad was originally designed to break that mindset and even Steve Jobs demoed it while sitting on a couch on-stage. That's the whole point. The Surface isn't a true tablet in the sense that you need a flat surface to use it effectively, whereas the iPad can be used in a standing position, sitting on a couch, etc. There in lies it's transformative power.
A keyboard cover would probably sell very well, but I think it would damage Apple's image and vision for the iPad more than it would be worth.
I've got an Asus Vivo Tab RT that doesn't have a keyboard and I wouldn't say it's any less usable than my iPad. In some regards Win 8 is even more usable using just your thumbs than an iPad is because everything in in reach of a thumb so you don't even need to move your hands a lot of the time. A keyboard is completely optional for people that want to do a lot of typing or want to keep the screen space when typing.
I do agree though that Apple shouldn't release there own touch cover. It would change the perception of what an iPad is to much from really simple consumption / games device to something a lot more complex.
Apple iPad has a pretty big presence in the business space. Apple tends to respond when professional users ask for something, one way or another. I could see businesses pressuring Apple to come up with something like Microsoft's keyboard for the iPad. Do I think it will happen? I have no idea, but if this DOES happen (and that's a big but ), it will be because businesses asked for it. Not consumers. I really don't think consumers are clamoring for this.
Would they put a lightning connector on the long side of the iPad? Doubt you'd fit much of a battery or bluetooth connector in a thin keyboard cover, so they'd have to, right? Would they move the connector, or would they have two, one on the bottom and one on the side?
The following is total absurdity that physics won't allow, but wouldn't it be fun if two connectors meant you could charge it twice as fast with two cables?
Comments
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
The difference here is that Microsoft had to sell a keyboard with their product to make it even close to usable. This is because of the form factor of Windows (typically landscape orientation) coupled with the aspect ratio of the screen. The keyboard would take up 2/3 of the screen. That and traditional Windows programs still require a mouse. Sure you could touch the screen, but using a keyboard and mouse would make the tablet a computer, which Windows was designed for.
The iPad can be easily used in any orientation including portrait. The difference is that the apps are made to be portrait. The whole OS seems to work better in that orientation. So no, you don't need a keyboard unless you're, you know, doing a lot of typing.
I think if Apple came out with a keyboard, it would be them admitting defeat of some sort. The iPad ought to stand on it's on (no pun intended) as the only thing you need to use it.
The other issue with a keyboard cover is that it completely changes the form factor of the device. Now you have to use it on a table or some sort of flat surface. The iPad was originally designed to break that mindset and even Steve Jobs demoed it while sitting on a couch on-stage. That's the whole point. The Surface isn't a true tablet in the sense that you need a flat surface to use it effectively, whereas the iPad can be used in a standing position, sitting on a couch, etc. There in lies it's transformative power.
A keyboard cover would probably sell very well, but I think it would damage Apple's image and vision for the iPad more than it would be worth.
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
It occurs to me that it should be possible to make an iPad keyboard cover that can take *three* positions, instead of just two. The picture of two docked iPads gave me the idea.
These are the positions I mean - the third could be quite special I think.
1: in use as keyboard, screen standing straight. As in the picture
2: covering the front when iPad not in use.
3: folded against the back, so you basically hold your iPad as if there is no keyboard. The trick would be that the part that holds the screen up when in use, is attached to the screen exactly in the middle. The benefit would be that you can keep the cover attached while still holding it like an iPad without a cover.
A quick glance on the web makes it seem that this has not been done anywhere yet. Most notably, Microsoft's Surface can not do this. As far as I can see, with a Surface you have to lay down the keyboard somewhere in order to use it as a bare tablet computer, which would make it unnecessarily cumbersome to use like a tablet as well as like a laptop.
Am I right? Could this be a neat, patentable little invention making the iPad a lot more useable for everyday work situations than a Surface?
Could this be what "We still have a lot to cover" means?
Actually, the third thing that you mention would be special is already implemented in the Surface cover (at least if I am understanding you correctly). The Surface touch cover folds around the back so you can use the Surface in "tablet" mode -- and when folded around the back in this way the keyboard is disabled so no keys are pressed, etc. Because it is so thin, it works really nicely without adding a lot of bulk (still feels like a tablet - unlike a lot of other solutions out there).
Actually, the Surface touch cover does all three of the things you mention in combination with the kickstand that's built in.
Again, I would love to see this for the iPad - and maybe Apple has something up their sleeves that takes it a step further and even improves the really great design of what Microsoft has done with the touch cover.
With the surface if you are moving from a table to couch all you do is turn the keyboard around click it back on and fold it behind the tablet. The form factor does not change at all. But go ahead and keep bashing something you have yet to even use.
We all know you have to 'click' it.
No surprise really.
Indeed, Apple branched out into theater productions last year.
Coming from the guy who saw this :
and still said that the phone was going to be called iPhone 6
that's funny
learn
http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/21/4852132/history-of-apple-event-invitations-and-hints
and still said that the phone was going to be called iPhone 6
that's funny
Maybe try again, huh? You’ll want to go back and find where I claimed that before stating it.
Pro tip: You can’t find it. I didn’t. Months before that I had gotten off the 6 kick. Come off it.
Oh and it's actually this :
little = iPad Mini
Uhm no you didn't. You came out of it when that picture came out, not months. I'm 100% sure of that, that's something I can't forget.
It's not like it's a big deal now.
little = iPad Mini
Yes. That was the point I was making. ????
The difference here is that Microsoft had to sell a keyboard with their product to make it even close to usable.
Not entirely true. Considering the Surface is essentially a full PC with a full desktop OS, it is expected to handle the full range of desktop applications and uses. For many of these, a physical keyboard is a necessity. The iPad is inherently limited in it's capabilities (when compared to a desktop/notebook system) and so doesn't need a keyboard.
I'm not saying one is right and the other wrong, they're simply two different devices. Apple has reduced complexity to the point where a physical keyboard isn't needed, but they've done so by limiting capabilities - ease of use through limited functionality. Microsoft created essentially a desktop computer in tablet form factor. And while I'm no fan of Metro, it handles iPad level tasks with approximately the same ease of use (klunkiness and limited app selection aside). So without a keyboard, the Surface will function about as well as an iPad, with a keyboard, it functions about as well as a full notebook computer. Compromises were made, to be sure, but for many, those are compromises worth making if you need more functionality than is offered by iOS.
Then it's that !
They probably mean that they have a lot more to cover. It was just in front of our eyes!
Actually, the third thing that you mention would be special is already implemented in the Surface cover (at least if I am understanding you correctly). The Surface touch cover folds around the back so you can use the Surface in "tablet" mode -- and when folded around the back in this way the keyboard is disabled so no keys are pressed, etc. Because it is so thin, it works really nicely without adding a lot of bulk (still feels like a tablet - unlike a lot of other solutions out there).
Actually, the Surface touch cover does all three of the things you mention in combination with the kickstand that's built in.
Again, I would love to see this for the iPad - and maybe Apple has something up their sleeves that takes it a step further and even improves the really great design of what Microsoft has done with the touch cover.
Yes I think you understand me correctly. A closer look makes me understand how it probably works, but heck they could have communicated that a lot more clearly and attractively! (ok I'm not willing to dive that deep into MS products either)
Agree with your last part. Everything seems to point that way, doesn't it? It better be better than Surface, for Apple's reputation's sake :-)
The difference here is that Microsoft had to sell a keyboard with their product to make it even close to usable. This is because of the form factor of Windows (typically landscape orientation) coupled with the aspect ratio of the screen. The keyboard would take up 2/3 of the screen. That and traditional Windows programs still require a mouse. Sure you could touch the screen, but using a keyboard and mouse would make the tablet a computer, which Windows was designed for.
The iPad can be easily used in any orientation including portrait. The difference is that the apps are made to be portrait. The whole OS seems to work better in that orientation. So no, you don't need a keyboard unless you're, you know, doing a lot of typing.
I think if Apple came out with a keyboard, it would be them admitting defeat of some sort. The iPad ought to stand on it's on (no pun intended) as the only thing you need to use it.
The other issue with a keyboard cover is that it completely changes the form factor of the device. Now you have to use it on a table or some sort of flat surface. The iPad was originally designed to break that mindset and even Steve Jobs demoed it while sitting on a couch on-stage. That's the whole point. The Surface isn't a true tablet in the sense that you need a flat surface to use it effectively, whereas the iPad can be used in a standing position, sitting on a couch, etc. There in lies it's transformative power.
A keyboard cover would probably sell very well, but I think it would damage Apple's image and vision for the iPad more than it would be worth.
I've got an Asus Vivo Tab RT that doesn't have a keyboard and I wouldn't say it's any less usable than my iPad. In some regards Win 8 is even more usable using just your thumbs than an iPad is because everything in in reach of a thumb so you don't even need to move your hands a lot of the time. A keyboard is completely optional for people that want to do a lot of typing or want to keep the screen space when typing.
I do agree though that Apple shouldn't release there own touch cover. It would change the perception of what an iPad is to much from really simple consumption / games device to something a lot more complex.
Apple iPad has a pretty big presence in the business space. Apple tends to respond when professional users ask for something, one way or another. I could see businesses pressuring Apple to come up with something like Microsoft's keyboard for the iPad. Do I think it will happen? I have no idea, but if this DOES happen (and that's a big but
), it will be because businesses asked for it. Not consumers. I really don't think consumers are clamoring for this.
But why?
Originally Posted by Crowley
Would they put a lightning connector on the long side of the iPad? Doubt you'd fit much of a battery or bluetooth connector in a thin keyboard cover, so they'd have to, right? Would they move the connector, or would they have two, one on the bottom and one on the side?
The following is total absurdity that physics won't allow, but wouldn't it be fun if two connectors meant you could charge it twice as fast with two cables?
Heh heh.
Fun.