sagan_student

I am the an example of someone who will never own another laptop. I was in the market for one nearly 2 years ago (as well as looking to upgrade my iPad 2) but when apple announced the Pro I thought it was better to spend my money on the 12.9 iPad Pro then to by the air 2 and a MacBook Pro. Having now spent 15 months wrestling with the challenges of changing my workflow to suit that of an iPad, I can say that I will never own a laptop again. Are there things that are still easier to do on a laptop or a desktop, and I still get frustrated from time to time trying to do something on my iPad that is easier to do on a laptop, but I fight with it and I come up with unique solutions that sometimes just get the job done despite it being a pain in the ass or in other cases I find a solution that is much more novel and intuitive than how I have previously done it. However, these frustrations are becoming fewer and fewer as this new arena is finally being explored in more detail and mature as more companies are starting to reinvent what computers mean to them and how they can best use them. They are no longer static devices.

Google has really tried to bring an aspect of what the future of computing would look like with their Chrome Books but I think they are failing for a few main reasons; they were too early to make the push to get everyone there and people haven't been properly trained to comprehend this new type of paradigm, one in which programs don't exist and all you need is one window/portal into the internet (this is where apple shines, they nudge people into the direction they want them to go, where as Google expects that people will just figure it out for themselves); and the infrastructure isn't quite there yet. Though I do think they got the idea of one portal to rule them all right, it's just not going to be in the form factor of an archaeic device as a standard laptop. And so it's failed to push that particular future into the mainstream. 

I also can't see Apple releasing anything like the surface, or even a keyboard with a trackpad... why would I need a precision pointing device on an OS that is designed for a completely different purpose. The pencil is a fantastic complementary tool for the iPad and the purpose of it's use is apparent from those who speak about it's limitations and to those who have really started to embrace it. 

I have little doubt that the limitations of both the pencil and the iPad that people speak of are by design because Apple has a different vision for what computing and for that matter what computers should be. Those that want to merge the two are not seeing the long term picture. If we were to compare the iPad 2 to the Pro, they are completely different beasts. Not only has the computing power increased to rival laptops but apps themselves have finally begun to catch up to fill the niche that was made by these devices. We are finally just starting to see the fruits of Apple's labour as they push the mainstream into this new era.

Just my 2 cents, take it for what it's worth... a random person commenting on a fan site.  

frantisek said:

But I think one direction where Apple is heading is combination of phone independent watch and wireless headphones. It will be enough for number of people to stop using regular phone. We are missing only LTE watch and reliable Siri that would be essential for this combination to by satisfactory.

One of the more intriguing thoughts I've read. Thanks.

sog35 said:

eliangonzal said:

sog35 said:

This is also why its so silly that Tim Cook is so strongly pushing privacy. NO ONE CARES. NO ONE. 
...
Because Apple users have spoken loud and clear they DONT CARE ABOUT PRIVACY.

Until they do. And therein is the rub.

90-95% of iOS users use either Facebook, Google Services, or both.

iOS users have spoken loud and clear: WE DONT CARE ABOUT PRIVACY

In order for you logic to work, you have to assume that everyone has an educated opinion on privacy and how they personally want to handle it. If this is in fact the case then, by your logic, people would be choosing to abandon iOS and go with Android. But that's not what is happening. Many people don't know any better which is why they are still buying Apple products. In other words if iOS users have really 'spoken loud and clear: WE DONT CARE ABOUT PRIVACY' then they would be jumping ship and aligning their digital lives with a company that reflects their views and that is simply not happening, at least yet.

I personally am one of those that are with Apple for not only their high standards but their also their stance on Privacy and in no way want Apple to relax their stance on it.

I just don't understand Microsoft's angle here. Especially since the Office app for iPad is surprisingly good. I'm a teacher and make use of Word a lot and have found it do the job I need done quite well.

I am also confused as to why an object requires a trackpad and ports to be classified as a computer. I just feel like Microsoft is floundering trying to find its place in this new world of Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon.