I’ve made the same post for iPhone, so I was wondering: what about iPads? So, look at your iPad right now, what do you think is missing that would be nice to have? I'll go first (and I think many will agree): a better file app
If you could choose: what would be one thing you would add to the iPad that is currently missing?
DiscussionIn other words, “direct access to the actual filing system”. What we have now is sort of a playpen.
I personally don’t care about accessing system files (I’m not against it though), but the biggest problem for me is just how hard it is to open multiple Files windows and navigate to certain files.
For opening multiple windows, a lot of that is just multi-tasking/Stage Manager issues.
Finder just feels more intuitive and faster than Files.
Basically any time they add desktop style features they make it way more complicated and over engineered than it needs to be.
From the very beginning, they tried to make the file system obsolete.
Turns out the file system is an incredibly powerful and effective metaphor for computing.
They failed to make it obsolete, but haven't admitted their mistake yet.
Hubris & pride, a human flaw as old as time.
Not just system files, I can’t copy mp3s onto the iPad and have a music app automatically pick them up. Containerisation is insane on iPadOS.
One thing you can do is make shortcuts to different folders and add those to your home screen
And saving to a cloud storage app is incredibly difficult. I use many for different purposes and the ability to select them as a source or destination would be great.
I actually wonder if it would better if the home screen could be able to have files and folders in it
WhatsApp official
I didn't even know that ipad didn't have the official WhatsApp app, until a colleague of mine tried to install it this week. Does anyone knows why there isn't one?
Meta doesn't want to make one. They haven't made an Instagram app for iPad either.
What's their reasoning? Don't tell me they say the user base on ipad is small…
probably not sufficient ROI for the time needed to develop and maintain it
I use whatsapp in Safari browser, works perfectly for me.
That's what we decided to do at work, too.
The way WhatsApp works at the moment, it's all based around phone numbers? I think that's the issue?
Whatsapp web exists though. Why don’t they just copy paste that into an ipad app?
Yeah true
My Galaxy Tab has an official WhatsApp app and doesn't require a SIM card. It just links to my phone.
the Android version (which has a tablet layout) uses the same system as whatsapp web, i.e. sign in with a qr code and then you can use it without the phone being online.
But there is a Windows app.
But what about the ipads that have SIM? And can't the ipads "import" the contacts from a nearby iphone on the fly?
Its been officially announced, 3 years ago…
don't use that facebook trash. all the other messengers have an ipad app
Multi-user support.
It’s possible, but only for iPads that are owned and managed by organisations. Personal users do not get that feature, because everyone must buy a separate iPad.
I’m sure Apple would say “each person should have their own iPad” lol
From a home perspective, I have two use cases where I’d love multi user support:
1) my toddler likes scrolling but he often messes stuff up on my iPad. I’m not spending $350 for another device to only scroll on though.
2) I bought my wife an iPad and she barely touches it. Would’ve been way smarter to give her a profile on mine for the very rare cases she wants to use it.
This - ^
Calculator
Check out Solves. While it is non native, it is a great calculator and I believe totally free with no ads. Somebody got sick of not having one and just made one themselves.
That’s a gigadev right there, he should setup a go fund me so we can pay him back is 100 dollars apple developer fee
not having one? lol now i have to go check. i can’t put the native calculator app on an ipad??
No and it’s insane when you realize it. With the split screen feature, I have used the calculator (Solves) on one side while adding up things on the other. Solves is almost more like Excel light, but if it only had one cell.
I write the formula in spotlight. No ads and it lets me modify it, add parentheses, square roots, etc.
Ios 18
Does anyone really care or is this just the joke? Because you can type in math just fine for those quick equations, I’ve never found myself reaching for the calculator app and missing something
Increase picture-in-picture size
You need PiP to be more than nearly 1/4 of the entire screen? Can’t you just use split screen at that point?
I want PiP to take up entire width in Portrait orientation. Can’t do splitscreen vertically in portrait😣. Besides PiP is way more convenient than splitscreen
I want PiP to take up entire width in Portrait orientation. Can’t do splitscreen vertically in portrait😣. Besides PiP is way more convenient than splitscreen
Is this something you could do in stage manger?
a cellular iPad should be able to make regular phone calls and sends regular texts.
Yes, I know there are workarounds, but I have never understood this weirdness.
Oh this, maybe I could ditch my phone AND laptop
or for a great option older people or people with disabilities
TBF, if your iPad can do that, what’s the point of a phone? The main idea, it’s a glorified accessory, able to consume media on a bigger platform, yet more portable than a laptop, while being less powerful. Y’know, checks and balances
that's the point, you wouldn't need a small phone, just one thing to be a laptop and phone replacement
TBF, if your iPad can do that, what’s the point of a phone? The main idea, it’s a glorified accessory, able to consume media on a bigger platform, yet more portable than a laptop, while being less powerful. Y’know, checks and balances
while being less powerful
not true anymore. the M4 is more powerful than the M3 in the latest Macbook Pro in both single core and multicore scores.
Virtual Machine App aka VM app.
Eg Parallels is the best such option these days since Apple Silicon at a sub price of iirc $80/annum.
M1-M4 chips could all run VM.
With VM, the iPad could then keep the high quality iPadOS for Tablet use and Life-style use eg "idiot-proof" which is in fact a major quality feature of the device for many people who want the complexity of a computer abstracted out of the way as it should be; but you'd then just run VM and voila!
- MacOS or Windows11 or Linux - DONE!
- MacOS Pro Apps - DONE!
- Other software - DONE!
- Work specialist software for professional use eg devs, office etc - DONE!
And all without any compromise on iPadOS or development by Apple needed.
"Sorry Quade, your whole life's just a dream."
This would be my vote.
Fortunately for the time-being the next best option is remote desktop solutions if you have a spare computer or cloud pc if you have spare cash.
Apple hardware with dualboot linux and ipadOS would be my dream machine, fuck me.
Fr , it would be great , the only thing similar rn is UTM , however performance is nerfed to the ground due to software restrictions
Ability to use 2 external displays while having your iPad in sleep mode in its case. To be honest even 1 screen would be nice.
websites still redirect to mobile sometimes no matter what you do and prevents me from doing things i need my mac for
User deleted comment
21d
buy a computer instead of a tablet.
what's a computer? /s
in all seriousness, the M4 13' iPad Pro with a magic keyboard has more processing power than the Macbook Pro with M3 Pro (multicore scores are higher too).
that argument doesn't hold.
pretty bad computer if you can't run whatever you want with all that power imo
that's apple's artificial limitation to make you buy both a mac and an iPad. the hardware is the most advanced computer in the world.
hardware doesn't make a computer.
a cpu is not a computer.
Then I ask you not in jest — what's a computer?
I can write apps for my iPad and run them on it.
Sure, Apple limits me with finicky OS stuff, but it very much still is "an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program" (a computer).
hardware doesn't make a computer.
I knew they were made of jelly! /s
so...apple's artificial limitation makes it a bad computer?
windows and linux open nature make them better computers even if they have horrible hardware?
As general purpose computers? Yes.
I’m pretty sure there is a setting in safari to always display desktop version of websites
Download apk
the ability to insert an sd card for more storage 😭
Multi user
Desktop Safari, not the bullshit blown up iOS browser.
And while we're on browsers...Real Chrome and Real Firefox.
Calculator
Support for multiple streams of video/audio would be incredible. I don’t watch two things often but it’s pretty infuriating trying to scroll through social media and have PIP pause constantly, same for music. You can sometimes get two videos to play at once through a glitch so the software and hardware are already fully capable of this ..
A native Remote Desktop solution (that works better than the current ones) would be awesome as well, although I’m sure it would be Mac exclusive
I’m going to go the other direction and ask for better battery. They didn’t need to make the new models thinner, add bigger batteries instead.
Ability to split display horizontally in portrait mode.
Just give me finder
I wish that Files felt as snappy and quick as Finder. I wouldn’t change its function, just the way it feels.
A button that makes all the ‘turn the iPad into a Mac’ ding dongs go away
Yup. The “I want MacOS on an iPad so that my iPad work just like a Mac” crowd just drive me insane with their nonsense.
The ability to play multiple video streams at the same time. It can be done with certain things via safari, but to be able to do it via native apps.
macOS
Why do you people want to add MacOS. You have macOS on macOS devices. Use them. I hate macOS and I don’t see why we should lose all of the benefits of current platform :/
Okay, then make MacOS support touch screens and the Apple Pencil, and while we’re at it make the laptop fold backwards like Lenovos Yogabooks.
The point isn’t just MacOS. The real point is a workstation that is capable of being an all in one device. The iPad is very close to being able to do that for me as a 3D artist. It can absolutely run the software, it’s just lacking support.
MacBooks could also be an all in one device, except the lack of support for the pencil and touch makes it useless for sculpting, on its own.
This is intentional though. Apple wants you to buy every device, so they segment features out. Even though it’s intentional, it’s annoying.
Samsung has the best solution with Dex. I don't know why apple doesn't implement something similar.
Use the iPad as normal touch screen device with iPadOS. If you plug a keyboard/touchpad or monitor it should ask you if you want to launch MacOS, which would be a proper desktop environment with mouse control.
Yeah, the fragmentation made sense when the iPad first came out: iPads were too weak to run macOS, but very light compared to Macs. But now iPads have everything they need to run macOS and there’s no real reason to forbid that except that Apple wants us to buy two devices.
For me it’s not even the money that bothers me it’s the weight. I walk or bike to work and the weight of the two devices with all the other stuff I bring is too much.
Agreed. I just want a device that is capable of handling my workload fully, even if it’s a bit slower, because then I don’t have to carry multiple devices if I go out somewhere or travel.
I’m ngl, I am really surprised that blender has not been ported to iPad. I think the 4gb file download size on the App Store is holding back desktop app makers from releasing full fledged versions.
I had few of these. They are amazing for 2 days and then you go back to using desktop for desktop. It just does not work. God forbid add macOS to iPads :D I don’t care what they do with the Mac. I have 4 and I don’t use them xD
It’s not about being a permanent workstation.
Carrying an iPad and doing 3D work at a coffee shop or a park for instance for a change of scenery, or while travelling, is miles easier than carrying a full fledged MacBook around.
Of course a full on desktop will be a better experience, but sometimes I want to do stuff on the go, and I currently can’t really do that because of the lack of support.
MacOS on iPad doesn’t have to be bad. Even just the ability to load MacOS apps would be fine. Dream a little. Software is flexible, rigid thinking only hinders progress.
In regards to the carrying comparison of a MacBook and iPad, what is different? They both end up as a slab when carrying
iPad is lighter and easier to pack in a bag than any MacBook. I don’t need to take the keyboard with me. It takes less space on a desk if I’m just sculpting for instance, as it’s just a flat tablet, there’s no keyboard involved there.
If the MacBook could fold backwards and supported the pencil that would probably also roughly achieve what I want but it’s still heavier and thicker.
Ah okay
It would as it would mean you take choice from people. You have OS choice now. If you make iPad work with Mac OS there would be no choice. That’s again “I prefer this so I’ll force everyone to use it”. That’s not the way. If you want touch Mac - I don’t mind. I don’t care about this platform so they can do whatever they want. Running Mac apps on the iPad - fine by me but you would quite quickly notice why 8gb ram Mac is a joke. Mac apps just use too much ram for current iPads to be reliable workstations.
Who says it needs to be a forced OS choice?
Saying macOS should run on an iPad does not mean macOS should be the only option. I don’t think anybody is saying they should completely kill and abandon iPadOS, they just need to improve it heavily or give more options to the software that can be run on the device.
Good luck convincing any company to support two systems for the same device. That’s developers mayhem.
Considering I’m a game developer with plenty of experience on trying to support multiple platforms (3D art is a hobby, software engineering is my job) I think I’m fine to say that while it might be mildly annoying it also probably isn’t that bad.
The hardware already supports the software. An m4 iPad runs on the same architecture as an m series MacBook, they can run the same software. (Which is in fact by design)
The limitation is entirely constructed by Apple, not by the software or hardware, other than the lack of touch / pen support in MacOS, which is minor and should be supported by MacOS anyways.
Finally, Apple is the like, the literal richest company in the world - they have the resources to make it happen even if it’s a pain in the ass. It wouldn’t even be a challenge for them.
That said, maybe I’m wrong, given the fact that they can’t even seem to release a native calculator app on the iPad.
I’m a backend developer. I would never allow this if I was responsible for os. These are completely different devices. Look how clumsy mouse support works for iPad os. Now you’d have to add touch to Mac OS. That would be “funny”. They tried that with windows 8. Great success. New windows controls. New way of moving them around the screen. New way of managing the Mission Control. New way of “hello this is eats ram like crazy”. You not seeing the problem but there is endless queue of them. Try moving AWS lambda to rest - simple thing. See how many problem you will encounter. Now multiply it by 10000 because you are working on OS.
I just need the ability to format and manage external drives but aside from that it’s just software support. The iPad is capable of running excel, photoshop and a real CAD program but it’s just not available.
And I assume people want it because the portability and form factor would make it a more ideal single product solution than a traditional laptop or a laptop and an iPad.
It’s really not a complex mystery.
So instead of adding software you want to change the system ? What’s the point of that. As of now you have a choice - you want Mac OS - use macOS device. You do not want Mac OS you use another device. Why do you suggest depriving me of the choice ?:/ I sincerely hate macOS and there are lots of people around who do not want that. That would be a huge step back for iPad. If you need specific functionality in the iPad - advocate for adding that. Would you also suggest putting Ferrari engines i trucks if you wanted to transport stuff and also race ? There is no such thing as “one device to do everything” and that’s a good thing. If you put too much crap in one box you have a multipurpose useless object.
It doesn’t have to be an either, or but it is. Sure, give me everything I want in iOS and I’ll take that, full software and hardware compatibility within the iOS structure.
I think people want the option to do what they want with their device. And as to why I’d deprive you, quite simply, for the same reason you’re good with depriving others, you don’t matter to me as much as I do. It’s not that complicated.
The difference is I’m not depriving you of anything. You have a choice of a device that suits your needs. Use that device and be happy about it. iPhone and iPad are built around totally different things. Why do you buy f1 racer if you need a family car ? All for everything devices are all crap.
This thread is about what individuals want. Some individuals want specific things that are different than you. I’m sorry that I don’t care how that makes you feel.
Ability to sideload Mac OS apps.
This would really be great
Ability to run mac apps
Steam support
Iphone level cameras
Hdmi or DP input via USB-C. The screen is awesome and would love to be able to use it with other devices, that alone is worth the price of entry on top of iPad things.
Have you seen this?
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hdmi-monitor-orion/id6459355072
Desktop ITunes and that’s about it. I like the iPad bc it’s an extension of the iPhone but closely adjacent to the Mac. I know the new pro is getting some flak about the M4 chip not powering MacOS apps, but it personally doesn’t bother me since i already use a MacBook Air (2020) for work and little personal browsing.
Scribble compatible to Google Docs.
Scribble recognizing letters, not just words. A name like Rin gets autocorrected to Ron.
A fully working version of Fusion360
Console access and root permissions
I’d like stage manager windows to have a macOS-type interface. more specifically, rather than the “…” on the top middle of an app window, I want the traditional full-screen, minimize, and close buttons.
A fully furnished OS that is capable of doing things other complete OS's can do.
Multiple User Profiles. Would be nice to share an iPad with my wife.
macOS for iPad Pro.
A desktop class browser. I think that will help me a lot.
Desktop Version of Adobe apps
Pixelmator Pro
I’m torn.
For me, a hardware home button would be a huge QoL improvement. Too often I end up making an unintended change when trying to leave Logic or other apps. So I’ve turned on the on-screen home button. It’s less annoying than the swipe-up gesture but still quite annoying.
But it’d also be a huge QoL improvement to have Touch ID on the models that currently only have Face ID. Touch ID never unlocked the iPad when I didn’t want it to and did unlock it 99.9% of the time that I wanted it to. Face ID is constantly unlocking the iPad when I don’t want it to and fails more often than Touch ID when I do want to unlock. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t include both and let us choose what works best for us.
MagSafe
I don't mind if it's the iPhone version or the Mac version.
A GOD DANG CALCULATOR!!!!!!!!!!
Able to run MacOS apps. Ipad is marketed for artists but is still missing a ton of apps. Id love to sculpt in zbrush for ipad and then bring it over to blender all on the same device for example.
at least one of those things is coming.
Better ways to manage finite file space. iOS is opaque and unintuitive.
And why is there never an owner’s manual!!!?
the owners manual you have to download from the books app.
Full version of Adobe CS (or just PS/LR). Like, ya know, what Adobe pretended it was going to be before pulling…an Adobe.
The ability to download torrent 😭😭 Im considering buying a really old macbook just so i can download torrent and put them on my ipad :(
The ability to have Mac compatible games and apps like Minecraft Java edition and Photoshop for Mac. What's the point of apple adding these powerful chips if they still have the same very limited apps.
for me its not really anything specific about the iPad itself or its OS. What i want can only come from very specific companies to port or rebuild their existing apps to the iPad.
I know it wont ever happen for various reasons, but i would love Blender on the iPad. And i wont say no to anything Autodesk would make if its equivalent to their desktop software. But neither of these are likely to ever happen soon. I am happy that that zbrush is coming soon though :). hope more follow. But in a nut shell we need a full pipeline of software for 3D authoring on the ipad. There are tons of 2D options and great painting apps.
A full IDE for ipad, i know apple has playgrounds and you can build a 100% pure swift app with it but there still needs to be a whole lot done before it can be considered a real IDE.
More real triple A games.
thats all i need.
Oh. and one thing only apple could do. Give me a much larger screen. like 20 inches, but only if i can have all the stuff from above.
I know this thread really is about MacOS, but i dont want MacOS. I dont give a shit about any of that, i dont use the OS to get work done and nothing is really stopping most of these companies from porting their software to iPadOS and i feel thats what we really want, is specific desktop software, not MacOS. Its just taking a lot longer than we want.
legitimate mouse support, and 2 thunderbolt ports
People that stop hating about it not having Mac OS. When it is an iPad.
Macos
Better books/reading app - with an option to zoom to width in landscape mode, cleaned up lookup feature (focus on translation/dictionary) and more focus on my own files/books on the start page (I.e. notably less advertising). Improved support for comics and graphi novels would also be nice.
I have 2 features: - Splitscreen in portrait top and bottom. - Textured glass meant for writing with the apple pencil (not the nanotexture for +$600 (storage 1tb plus $100))
macOS.
IMHO the iPad interface needs to be reconsidered from the ground up. Unlike a “real computer”, the iPad only gives you a “fingerpainting” interface where you can drag your fingertips across the surface of the screen.
On a real computer with a mouse and modifier keys you can reach INTO the screen to directly manipulate digital objects like icons and images.
Think about the power of right-click, or shift-drag on the computer.
Yes I know you can add a keyboard and mouse to an iPad. But then you’re left with something that’s still not as capable as Windows or MacOS.
I can’t believe the native iPadOS is as powerful in this regard as it could possibly be.
The ability to use my MacOS software on iPad like the way you can do iOS apps on MacOS…..sorta, if the Dev allows it, maybe
MacOS
Can I say the headphone jack?
A battery.
Might be too general, but more pro software? Procreate is cool, and as I understand it Logic Pro is getting there, but it’s still a tiny percentage of the things M iPads could handle. Also more game ports from PC/consoles. I don’t get it why we can’t get Baldurs gate 3 for example when it runs well on M1 Mac.
I would make Stage Manager function like Samsung Dex.
Face ID (Obviously the one’s that don’t have it yet.)
Multiband equalizer and other adjustable audio and MIDI features. The iPad has CoreAudio and CoreMIDI, just like any Mac.
For me it would be a better Magic Keyboard. The Magic Keyboard has no place to store the Apple Pencil. It seems that Apple thinks that people with pencils don’t use keyboards and people with keyboards don’t use pencils. In fact, there are plenty of people who use both.
MacOS
Clamshell mode.
An OS
Agree with file app - and would definitely love to see a modular architecture (ie pop the case off to replace the battery, upgrade memory, storage, etc)
All three rear cameras. Apple had to take away the ultrawide 🙄
3 missing replies
Same Finder as on a Mac.