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Apple sometimes releases a brand new model of its merchandise yearly, however 2023 was completely different. That was the primary yr Apple didn’t launch any new updates throughout your entire iPad lineup.
We’re now a few months into 2024, and it’s rumored that Apple could be dropping new iPad models this month — as early as this coming Monday or Tuesday. In any case, a brand new M3 MacBook Air simply got here out, so naturally, we must always count on new iPads after not having any replace final yr.
However new iPads simply don’t excite me anymore. In reality, it’s been years since I’ve cared in regards to the iPad. Right here’s why — and the way I hope Apple can change my thoughts.
iPadOS remains to be restricted
My greatest drawback with the iPad lineup is that it runs iPadOS. Even with the quite a few updates Apple has made through the years, it’s nonetheless only a model of iOS that’s been stretched throughout an even bigger show with some multitasking tips thrown in. Up to now, I’ve tried to make use of an iPad Professional as a substitute for a laptop computer and do all of my work on it. This was at all times a depressing expertise that I may by no means put up with.
Certain, Apple has improved iPadOS 17, such as the reworked version of Stage Manager. However for me, my workflow usually consists of having to avoid wasting photographs, rename and resize them, spotlight or amplify elements in photographs, add them to WordPress, and reference a number of browser home windows whereas writing in my textual content editor. That’s all cumbersome to do on an iPad, whatever the mannequin. All that is simpler for me to do on my 27-inch iMac.
I’ve given up on getting critical work completed with an iPad. The one motive I might doubtlessly use an iPad for work is to jot down a draft of an article as a result of it’s nonetheless the most effective for distraction-free writing. However on the subject of renaming and resizing recordsdata, changing them, and different duties, I’d somewhat simply try this on my pc. It’s simpler, sooner, and extra streamlined.
Some people can do all of their work with just an iPad, and that’s nice for them! However for my workflow, it makes extra sense for me to do all of it on a pc. And except Apple has a drastic overhaul deliberate for iPadOS 18, I don’t see that altering any time quickly.
Apple has been coasting for years
But it surely’s not simply the software program. It’s very clear that Apple has been coasting alongside on the success of the iPad, largely as a result of there simply aren’t that many nice Android alternatives. With just a few exceptions, most Android tablets aren’t price your time, which is why the iPad stays one of many best tablets that you would be able to purchase.
Whereas Android tablets do the job for many who purchase them, the issue is that Android has even worse pill optimizations, notably on the subject of third-party apps. There’s additionally the repeated challenge of sluggish efficiency, particularly with the numerous cheaper choices which can be out there.
This has been an issue for years, and Google has by no means totally resolved its points with tablets. With out a lot competitors, Apple has been capable of coast together with the iPad and iPadOS to the purpose the place it’s now not thrilling for me.
Not like the iPhone, which regularly has to catch as much as the competitors, the iPad and its software program simply really feel a bit stagnant. It’s that odd place between a smartphone and a pc that, a minimum of for me, feels more and more pointless in my day by day life.
The iPad has turn into too messy
When Steve Jobs introduced the primary iPad in 2010, issues have been easy—there was only one mannequin. Proper now, Apple is promoting six completely different iPad fashions in 5 completely different sizes: iPad mini, Ninth-generation iPad, Tenth-generation iPad, iPad Air, 11-inch iPad Professional, and 12.9-inch iPad Professional.
Not solely that, however the lineup makes use of 5 completely different processors, two completely different charging ports, and a mishmash of equipment with particular compatibility. Three variations of the Apple Pencil are actually being offered, too. In brief, it’s a mess.
Rumors have been suggesting that Apple will launch a bigger 12.9-inch iPad Air along with the usual 10.9-inch dimension that it at the moment has. The iPad Professional will reportedly have barely bigger shows, going to 13 inches and 11.1 inches.
This might have one thing to do with the potential of the iPad Professional fashions going with a full OLED show somewhat than LCD and mini-LED, whereas the Air nonetheless makes use of an LCD show. However nonetheless, do we actually want one other dimension added to the iPad Air? A brand new dimension for the mid-range iPad Air simply appears pointless and complicates an already messy lineup as is.
Moreover, with the restrictions of iPadOS itself, does one iPad actually do one thing higher than one other one, a minimum of for most individuals? There are exceptions, in fact, like graphically intensive apps and video games that might be greatest on an iPad Professional. However does it actually matter if you’re simply utilizing an iPad to eat content material, examine e mail, browse the online, and do different fundamental duties?
I’m curious to see what Apple does with its latest iPads, and I hope it could possibly change my thoughts. However given how the iPad household has been dealt with over the previous couple of years, I’m not holding my breath.
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