txsbaker75

The missing ability to fold the keyboard out of the way is really a negative for me on the new design. I use my iPad Pro/Smart Keyboard in that configuration a lot. Not just to stand it on a table, but also it makes a very nice handle when carrying it around to do site surveys. The camera is unobstructed in that mode, so I can take and insert pictures into my notes and then annotate directly on them. I don't like taking the keyboard off while I'm doing this because then I have to set it down while I work and keep track of where I put it. Right now, I can walk an entire facility with just my iPad Pro (w/Smart Keyboard) and Apple Pencil. I'd like to upgrade to the new model, but one thing that has me waiting is to see what the 3rd party vendors come up with in this regard.

Wondering when iOS Files will gain access to the USB port and mouse/trackpad support. If you add those and a hinged solid keyboard, and these iPads are the next generation MacBooks. My $0.02, as ever.

I'm fine with the switch to USB-C as long as Apple does it on the iPhone, too, and soon. But right now their port strategy is a bit of a mess. I realize that Apple wants us to go wireless on earphones, but I would really appreciate it if they would stop killing analog audio ports on devices. USB-C is great in concept, but think about this scenario: I can buy a MacBook Pro with a TRRS audio port, an iPad Pro with a USB-C port, and an iPhone with a Lightning port. In order to use any standard headphones with a TRRS connector, I now have to carry a USB-C adaptor and a Lightning adaptor. Yes, I can do this wirelessly with Apple's W1 equipped Bluetooth headsets. However, to switch between devices, I still have to perform multiple steps to make the switch each time. None of those steps are intuitive. Add to that, I have the Apple earphones that shipped with my iPhone X. There's no way to use them with the new iPad Pro or a MacBook. Since they're putting USB-C on the iPad Pro and enabling high-res display output, I'd really like to see a good way to use that connectivity to expand the productivity features a la Samsung Dex. Dex is a great concept with poor software/OS implementation. Apple has the hardware and the software to make it happen well, I think. The hardest part is really enabling the UI switch so that you can use a mouse/trackpad in docked mode without destroying the workflow/ease-of-use for standard (undocked) iOS. Switching the iPad into a large trackpad with room for some contextual buttons a la the Touch Bar may be the best way IMHO.

I'm an AppleTV fan. My kids and I use them every day. We have 2 gen4, 1 gen3, 1 gen2, and even a gen1. The Siri Remote is not my favorite, though. I've become used to it somewhat, but it's not as intuitive or stable as the aluminum remote from gen3. Siri does work pretty well, but the touch pad can be surprisingly erratic and sensitive. Even more odd is that the Apple trackpads are fantastic and I own/use several of them regularly. You'd think Apple would have the tech nailed for the remote. The phone/ipad as remote is also surprisingly poorly implemented IMHO. Though, I do like the option to use the iOS keyboard for text entry. Someone at Apple must have realized how painful it was to enter text with the remote. Personally, I'd like to see an iOS remote app (or even ship the AppleTV with an iPod touch with a custom ROM) that puts the icons and graphical buttons on the remote synced with the TV display. That way, I could launch Hulu on the AppleTV with a Hulu button on the remote. Wash, rinse, repeat for Netflix, Amazon, etc. It shouldn't really be that hard. In fact, they already have similar tech in the MBP Touch Bar. If they could make a remote based on that and then add in a way to view content information on the remote, that would be even cooler. Imagine seeing IMDB info and movie/show recommendations right on the remote while watching content on the TV. Tons of potential seemingly wasted. My $0.02, as ever.

I, for one, appreciate Apple's focus on family-friendly content. I have 3 kids and I like being able to watch shows with them. I'm also a big Isaac Asimov fan and I am really looking forward to the Foundation series.