The iPad is a great device. So is the iPad Air and the iPad mini and the iPad Pro. Which, when you look at it like that, shows us that Apple might have too many iPad models. Does Apple really need four different models, which even includes two variants with different screen sizes for the Pros? It does if it really, really wants to keep avoiding multiuser support!
I don't know about you, but before I consider picking up a new device I usually go over the reasons why I need it. That starts with why I want it, of course, but before I'll pull the trigger on a purchase I at least need to tell myself I'll use it. And, depending on the device and just how expensive it is, that justification is a requirement. Because if I end up buying something and then not using it for a few days, or longer, I tend to return it or sell it off.
Over the last year and some change, what going to work looks like has changed quite a bit for a lot of people. What used to be a daily grind with traffic and public transport, or parking, or whatever else it might've been, now relies more on stable WiFi and kids not barging in on us during a Zoom call. But, what about our desks?
With the arrival of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music earlier this year, the expectation was that the feature would work with a variety of different Apple-branded devices right out of the box. And that's certainly the case (especially with Lossless audio quality). But it turns out Apple has had to revise the list of supported devices that support the upgraded listening experience from the built-in speakers.
It's a relatively quiet initiative these days, all things considered, but Apple hasn't given up on the education market. These days, it comes down to handing out a whole lot of devices to incoming students. That's what's happening with incoming learners at California State University this fall.
In 2021, Apple started to make the transition to mini-LED displays with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. There have been rumors swirling around for quite some time that Apple would make that change, with more than one device expected to boast the technology in the future. But, at the same time, there are expectations that Apple's true destination is more OLED panels in mobile devices.
The first OLED-based iPads should drop in 2022 beginning with the next iPad Air, with Apple following up with the first iPad Pro models equipped with OLED panels in 2023.
Apple put itself in a unique position before the start of this year's Worldwide Developers Conference. Not necessarily one it had to find a way out of, per se. However, a lot of people expected Apple to do just that.
The iPad lineup is a range of helpful tools. Whether it's the standard iPad, or all the way up to the iPad Pro, you can get quite a bit done with one of Apple's tablets. And finding the right tools to help with that is important.
iPadOS 15 is on the way. Apple showcased the new software at this year's WWDC. This year was all about cross-platform feature parity, but that's usually the case with iPadOS and iOS anyway. That's certainly the case this year.
Apple's ecosystem isn't just about one device. It's about finding the right way to work across all the different Apple-branded products on your desk. And with two new features coming soon to macOS 12 Monterey (and, technically, iPadOS 15), it's getting a bit easier.
There are some instances where the iPad is missing out on some Apple-specific apps. The Weather and Calculator apps, for instance. And for folks who believe the Translate app would be a good fit for the iPad, well, Apple apparently agrees.