The following is a list of reasons on why Apple should support the use of a mouse on the iPad.
1) I already do a lot of things with the iPad. Several other things I wish to be able to do them with the iPad but I cant because using touchpad for them is really a pain.
2) Its really complicated to select a cell on an Excel sheet. OK, not Excel but any other spreadsheet App. I don’t want to zoom in to be able to correctly select the cell I want.
3) Using an RDP (Remote Desktop) or TeamViewer session with the touch interface is not comfortable at all. In the end you are trying to control a remote computer designed to work with a mouse, without it.
4) Nowadays you can get a really nice keyboards like the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and it turns your tablet into almost a light notebook. If you have to type a lot, this keyboard is just great! But its missing something…the eternal partner…the mouse.
5) If I am using the iPad with my keyboard, I don’t want to touch my iPad screen making it dirty with my fingers. I am using my tablet as a “tabletbook” . If you allowed the use of a keyboard for it, why not allow the mouse?
6) I´ve been researching about connecting a Bluetooth mouse with an iPad. Its not possible unless you jail brake your device. It would be nice to see Apple providing a solution to what people is asking for, no, it wont replace a MacBook Air and less a MacBook Pro so don’t panic about the negative impact on sales. In fact, adding more functionality to the iPad will make buyers to really think twice on buying that netbook or cheap laptop.
7) I don’t know how the tablet market will evolve but I am watching a lot of similar devices like the iPad offering a more complete experience. A lot of users are satisfied with just a tablet to work or to have at home, so why not extending its functionality for the other part of the market that is willing to buy these type of devices?
8) Come on Apple, you are already “killing” the PC market, complete the solution with the mouse and we will be more happy with our iPad´s.
In the end, why does it hurt so much to be a little bit more flexible and allow the users that paid a lot of money for their iPad´s to do what the want?
Am I missing a point? Please share your comments below.
IMHO, the article forget the main argument: the ultimate UX convergence between IOS and Mac OS will the convergence of the UX input.
Especially now since Microsoft released a remote desktop app, this could be a boost for Ipad as a corporate tablet. But apparently Apple prefers to leave that space to Microsoft.
MS core cash flow market was always (and for a long time) the Enterprise Office Eco System.
If you want delight your customer just give them an great wow user experience eg. easy to understand, easy to learn, easy to use and easy to play.
IMHO MS abandon the BYOD market to the CYES (Cloud your Enterprise System) market.
Meanwhile it will be a long journey: just take a look in the MS App Store and also Azure Cloud Platform is not the industrial market leader.
My company provided me with all my (windows) office apps through citrix, and it works perfect on ipad 3 as well (no windows laptop required): apart from not having the possibility of connecting a mouse!!! I think it would be a smart step of apple if they want to prevent people buying a windows laptop or tablet, since I expect virtual computing to be the future.
It’s a jail break (escape). Not a jail brake (a stopping device).
Ok, I’ll see what I can do about that… 😉
I really like these discussions. And no, I’m not a fan boy. I am using their products by choice. And I too have some wishes here and there…
I understand your point of view but with that sense, why would they allow the connection of a bluetooth keyboard? They already offer a keyboard on the screen of the iPad.
Its a fact that the use of the iPad through the touch interface is great and in 90% of the cases its enough. I just want to have the chance to use a mouse too on certain circumstances so I have a more complete experience. I dont want to go for Windows or Android on tablets, I know they are not as good as iOS. I just want to be able to use a mouse the same way Apple allows me to connect a keyboard. This way I could have my portable device to replace a light laptop, with everything I need. 🙂
Isn’t that exactly what the others (Windows, Android) are doing? Letting you decide how to use it?
I like the way Apple decides for users what’s best for them, as I truly believe they know it better than most users (me included). But I also agree that there are some people who want to stay in control and that’s where I think Android has it’s place and probably Win8 and Linux too.
I really hope Apple doesn’t just do the same thing as the others and give the people what they shout for. Otherwise we would still be using a computer mouse in 5 years from now… 😉 and today we would still be using dumbphones…
I love IOS and I love the iPad I just wish it could allow me to use it as I wish and not as Apple wants me to
Simple solution: get an Android tablet or Win8.