Really simple improvements we'd love to see in the next iPad
by Jason Perlow | February 9, 2012 11:52am PST | Image 1 of 7
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Induction Charging
This is no pie-in-the-sky wishlist: Just a few improvements I'd like Apple to put into the iPad 3.
We're not sure why after five successive iPhone and two iPad releases that Apple hasn't been able to figure out how to integrate wireless induction charging into their devices.
After all, this is something that even Palm was able to do with their Touchstone technology in the original Palm Pre, and HP was able to do with the TouchPad.
Pulling that awful proprietary 30-pin connector in and out of the slim and slanted iPad case is utterly nerve-wracking and has so much potential for damaging the device. Why not just lay the iPad/iPhone on an induction charging mat or a stand after using it?
Just In
No I will rather get 3 Kindle Fires ...
@AdnanPirota, an outdated version of android OS, Crappy e-reading capability that amounts to scanned image files, no built in Exchange support, no wonder it is dirt cheap.
@Snooki_smoosh_smoosh my salary is 250 euro (I live in south-eastern Europe) so no way I will give 2 salaries to browse internet on max resolution possible
@Snooki_smoosh_smoosh
Um, it's actually a fork of Android, so it's not really outdated.
People buying a Kindle Fire are not the type of people NEEDING exchange support. Why increase the cost for all those people to please a minority.
If it's not for you, fine. But don't be arrogant about it. If you believe it's worth paying three times the amount for exchange support, then go right ahead. Your other comments are purely subjective.
Enjoy your email.
Um, it's actually a fork of Android, so it's not really outdated.
People buying a Kindle Fire are not the type of people NEEDING exchange support. Why increase the cost for all those people to please a minority.
If it's not for you, fine. But don't be arrogant about it. If you believe it's worth paying three times the amount for exchange support, then go right ahead. Your other comments are purely subjective.
Enjoy your email.
@Snooki_smoosh_smoosh Let's see: Ford Focus or Audi TT? I have money left over to travel and room to carry stuff around with the former... and prestige and fear of theft with the iPad. It's always nice to have perspective, right?
@AdnanPirota I'd rather wait for the WOA tablets coming out soon. Windows 8 and Office 15 running as fast as any iPad and completely compatible with my PC without iTunes to sync everything for me. Yay!
The "iTunes" talking point is so last year. You were supposed to have switched to the "screen full of static icons" talking point on January 1st. Didn't you get the memo?
@Robert Hahn LoL, +1
gives them more versatility than the 4 pins on USB, the argument is irrelevant anyway.
Get a case for the slippery problem, like an otter-box.
Get a case for the slippery problem, like an otter-box.
@Snooki_smoosh_smoosh With iCloud the connector is a vestigial organ because it's no longer required. All they need the MicroUSB for would be for charging using 2-watt standard that everyone else uses.
@jperlow What's the point? It's not like one has to get a 30 pin cord, it's already included and has an A/C adapter. But if one needs an additional cord for charging there are plenty available on eBay that are cheap and will charge the device. And I'd much rather deal with the 30 pin cord than the "standard microUSB" that is so much more of a pain in the a$$ to connect to the device compared to the 30 pin cord.
@Pete "athynz" Athens The problem is, you do have to buy one or two of these cables...
See, when I was using the iPad or iPhone, I didn't want to haul the cable with me and risk leaving it at work or losing it... So, I needed one for my Car and one for my Office!
Of course, with the Phone it was a much bigger issue as the battery is weak at best, under any real load, and you can't replace it!
See, when I was using the iPad or iPhone, I didn't want to haul the cable with me and risk leaving it at work or losing it... So, I needed one for my Car and one for my Office!
Of course, with the Phone it was a much bigger issue as the battery is weak at best, under any real load, and you can't replace it!
@jperlow
You are quite simply misinformed. Vestigal? How, pray tell are you going to connect an SD card adaptor? You're going to use iCloud for that? Oh, USB you say? But then how do you get audio and video out to external devices? Oh, another USB port? Maybe a Mini HDMI? How many USB buses do you suggest (not to mention actual ports)? So now we have a device that is only a few inches across, which has holes in the case for at least two USB ports, an mini HDMI port, an SD card slot, and how many other holes? So now the device is that much more prone to water and dust damage, and much weaker against flexing, and external cases become that much more flimsy, to accommodate the ports. None of this even addresses the fact that USB has inherent latencies that make it ill-suited to be carrying this much data. And it does not even take into account the HUGE third part accessories market, that DWARFS the USB accessory market. But wait, there are many more USB peripherals than iPhone accessories. Yeah, try getting them to work on your phone without the drivers in your OS of choice.
So yeah, you're right, no longer required.
The only thing you have left is cost and accessibility. This is where Peter Perry's, as per his usual, misinformed trolling comes in to play. First, since you are given a cable with the phone, you already have one. If you need another (you really don't, but if you do) they are just as cheap as USB cables. Funny how people compare cheap monoprice USB cables to the $20 Apple cable, but don't bother to look for after market 30-pin cables, that can also be had for a couple bucks.
But, but, but... if I don't have a cable, you can always find a USB cable lying around. Leaving aside for a moment the complete lack of veracity of this statement, considering the widespread use of iPhones, iPods, and iPads, I suspect that finding someone with a spare 30-pin cable is just as easy as finding a spare USB cable, especially since the USB port is actually split into two separate connector types.
Which brings up another point you are misinformed on:
EVERYONE ELSE DOES NOT USE microUSB. As just mentioned, the market is split between miniUSB and microUSB. In fact, the port most OEMs currently use is not microUSB, it is miniUSB. So good luck with your phone standardized on microUSB. Chances are you will be hard pressed to find someone with a spare power adaptor that will work with your phone. My guess is that the number of people who could lend you a 30-pin charging cable or adaptor is an order of magnitude greater than the number that could loan you a microUSB cable.
Besides which, there are VERY cheap ($1.50) 30-pin to miniUSB adaptors available that give you just what you want, that are barely bigger than the port they plug in to, so that whole argument is moot, anyway.
You are quite simply misinformed. Vestigal? How, pray tell are you going to connect an SD card adaptor? You're going to use iCloud for that? Oh, USB you say? But then how do you get audio and video out to external devices? Oh, another USB port? Maybe a Mini HDMI? How many USB buses do you suggest (not to mention actual ports)? So now we have a device that is only a few inches across, which has holes in the case for at least two USB ports, an mini HDMI port, an SD card slot, and how many other holes? So now the device is that much more prone to water and dust damage, and much weaker against flexing, and external cases become that much more flimsy, to accommodate the ports. None of this even addresses the fact that USB has inherent latencies that make it ill-suited to be carrying this much data. And it does not even take into account the HUGE third part accessories market, that DWARFS the USB accessory market. But wait, there are many more USB peripherals than iPhone accessories. Yeah, try getting them to work on your phone without the drivers in your OS of choice.
So yeah, you're right, no longer required.
The only thing you have left is cost and accessibility. This is where Peter Perry's, as per his usual, misinformed trolling comes in to play. First, since you are given a cable with the phone, you already have one. If you need another (you really don't, but if you do) they are just as cheap as USB cables. Funny how people compare cheap monoprice USB cables to the $20 Apple cable, but don't bother to look for after market 30-pin cables, that can also be had for a couple bucks.
But, but, but... if I don't have a cable, you can always find a USB cable lying around. Leaving aside for a moment the complete lack of veracity of this statement, considering the widespread use of iPhones, iPods, and iPads, I suspect that finding someone with a spare 30-pin cable is just as easy as finding a spare USB cable, especially since the USB port is actually split into two separate connector types.
Which brings up another point you are misinformed on:
EVERYONE ELSE DOES NOT USE microUSB. As just mentioned, the market is split between miniUSB and microUSB. In fact, the port most OEMs currently use is not microUSB, it is miniUSB. So good luck with your phone standardized on microUSB. Chances are you will be hard pressed to find someone with a spare power adaptor that will work with your phone. My guess is that the number of people who could lend you a 30-pin charging cable or adaptor is an order of magnitude greater than the number that could loan you a microUSB cable.
Besides which, there are VERY cheap ($1.50) 30-pin to miniUSB adaptors available that give you just what you want, that are barely bigger than the port they plug in to, so that whole argument is moot, anyway.
@Snooki_smoosh_smoosh How About HML if they really need a connector at all? The HML connector is Micro USB Compatible and has all the capabilities of Apple's connector.
@Snooki_smoosh_smoosh Since the 30 pin connector for my iPod plugs into the USB connector of my laptop, its versatility is limited by the versatility of USB. The main advantage to Apple for their connector, is the licence fees they charge manufacturer to use it.
if your eyes are tired, turn on accessibility, and you can then double-tap with three fingers to turn on zooming and zoom the display as much as you want.
So you basically want Galaxy Tab
@pupkin_z
LOL...That's what I was thinking too when I saw his wish list
LOL...That's what I was thinking too when I saw his wish list
@pupkin_z Actually, most of this better describes the HTC Tablets.
@pupkin_z
Sure sounds like it.
Sure sounds like it.
2011 called, they want their wish list back.
For one thing Jobs said No the stylus. They were too old school, cumbersome and took the simplicity out of the device. If you want one, go buy your own. Standard USB. NEVER, Apple things they are king and will not follow other companies or they will lose their clan... I mean fan base. The big clunky charger stays. Other Sharing applications? NEVER that violates Apples development code. Don't you know that EVERYTHING MUST GO THROUGH iCRAP, I mean iTunes? Go out and Get and Android. It does more and you'll save more, that's a guarantee.
For one thing Jobs said No the stylus. They were too old school, cumbersome and took the simplicity out of the device. If you want one, go buy your own. Standard USB. NEVER, Apple things they are king and will not follow other companies or they will lose their clan... I mean fan base. The big clunky charger stays. Other Sharing applications? NEVER that violates Apples development code. Don't you know that EVERYTHING MUST GO THROUGH iCRAP, I mean iTunes? Go out and Get and Android. It does more and you'll save more, that's a guarantee.
@Maarek
You got twitchy fingers or what. Isn't one post enough for you?
You got twitchy fingers or what. Isn't one post enough for you?
@ScorpioBlue
Not ichy at all ,more like he hit go nothing happened,then hit again,so double post.
Not ichy at all ,more like he hit go nothing happened,then hit again,so double post.
@morrig
More like he need to get himself a decent browser and hold his finger in place.
More like he need to get himself a decent browser and hold his finger in place.
* Induction Charging --- buy the freaking add-on. Wireless charging is a "nice but not needed feature" ... that will force people to carry around a device just to charge (instead of a small cord).
*Micro-USB ..... so downgrade the capabilities of the devices just to please a clueless person? There is a reason why the iPod connector won so many awards.
* Higher-resolution ---- There may be some valid points on resolution, but on a 10" display, there is a limit about how "small" something can get. Anything beyond 720p is over kill. People keep forgetting that tablets AREN'T DESKTOPS.
* Stylus ---- you can get it right now. Having a socket for it does not mean people aren't going to lose it. Remember the Palm Pilots? People used to buy extra stylus by the package ... because they lost it all the time.
* Contoured rear casing --- So you can't get any of the hundred of 3rd party casings available today?
* Improved Accessibility --- Anything can be improved ... even after improvements.
* Data Sharing and Storage API --- Sure .... and in the process iOS should drop all security just to let you talk between tweeter and facebook.
*Micro-USB ..... so downgrade the capabilities of the devices just to please a clueless person? There is a reason why the iPod connector won so many awards.
* Higher-resolution ---- There may be some valid points on resolution, but on a 10" display, there is a limit about how "small" something can get. Anything beyond 720p is over kill. People keep forgetting that tablets AREN'T DESKTOPS.
* Stylus ---- you can get it right now. Having a socket for it does not mean people aren't going to lose it. Remember the Palm Pilots? People used to buy extra stylus by the package ... because they lost it all the time.
* Contoured rear casing --- So you can't get any of the hundred of 3rd party casings available today?
* Improved Accessibility --- Anything can be improved ... even after improvements.
* Data Sharing and Storage API --- Sure .... and in the process iOS should drop all security just to let you talk between tweeter and facebook.
if he wants to send data from one app to another.
@baggins_z Why should you have to copy and paste to send an address to MapQuest? Really??? Why is this acceptable to you?
How about before Siri? You had to open Dragon Dictate, speak your text, accept the fact that it was lacking grammar tools, and then copy and paste it into your real application! Why was that acceptable?
You know, a lady at work upgraded her iPhone 3Gs to an AT&T Android Device (prior to the 4s Release) and when I showed her the Dictation built into Android, and how it had greater than 99% accuracy, she was like, "NO WAY!"... Now imagine if that only worked in one app and she had to Copy and Paste it to another application... It would have been a serious blow to her impression of the phone.
Bottom Line, just because these are acceptable to you, doesn't mean that everyone believes they should have to do that and, most do not believe that at all!
How about before Siri? You had to open Dragon Dictate, speak your text, accept the fact that it was lacking grammar tools, and then copy and paste it into your real application! Why was that acceptable?
You know, a lady at work upgraded her iPhone 3Gs to an AT&T Android Device (prior to the 4s Release) and when I showed her the Dictation built into Android, and how it had greater than 99% accuracy, she was like, "NO WAY!"... Now imagine if that only worked in one app and she had to Copy and Paste it to another application... It would have been a serious blow to her impression of the phone.
Bottom Line, just because these are acceptable to you, doesn't mean that everyone believes they should have to do that and, most do not believe that at all!
@wackoae
8. Less fanboyism...damn...that one is a no already.
8. Less fanboyism...damn...that one is a no already.
@wackoae
My previous smartphone (HTC Pure) came with a stylus, which I very rarely used. It also came with an extra stylus (which disappeared from my desk). I used my fingernail most often with the resistive screen. I feel no need for a stylus on the iPhone 4S, but if I did art, I would want one.
Induction charging would be nice, but being able to plug into any computer with just a small cord, and/or hook it up in my car, can be very much more useful. I would like to see some IOS changes to allow data transfer between apps. Having to have two .pdf files in memory so I can use the same data on two apps is really a waste.
My previous smartphone (HTC Pure) came with a stylus, which I very rarely used. It also came with an extra stylus (which disappeared from my desk). I used my fingernail most often with the resistive screen. I feel no need for a stylus on the iPhone 4S, but if I did art, I would want one.
Induction charging would be nice, but being able to plug into any computer with just a small cord, and/or hook it up in my car, can be very much more useful. I would like to see some IOS changes to allow data transfer between apps. Having to have two .pdf files in memory so I can use the same data on two apps is really a waste.
@wackoae
"* Induction Charging --- buy the freaking add-on. Wireless charging is a "nice but not needed feature" ... that will force people to carry around a device just to charge (instead of a small cord)."
How about an HML Adapter, it is standard and Micro-USB compatible so you don't have to carry a cable anywhere!
"*Micro-USB ..... so downgrade the capabilities of the devices just to please a clueless person? There is a reason why the iPod connector won so many awards."
See my answer above regarding an HML adapter and think about never needing a proprietary cable again!
"* Higher-resolution ---- There may be some valid points on resolution, but on a 10" display, there is a limit about how "small" something can get. Anything beyond 720p is over kill. People keep forgetting that tablets AREN'T DESKTOPS."
Even if they aren't desktops, it doesn't mean you don't want the 240 PPI resolution that is minimally acceptable sharpness for the human eye. Right now, most tablets use Contrast bumps to fool the eye into thinking the sharpness is there but passing that 240 PPI mark will make for a truly beautiful viewing experience.
"* Stylus ---- you can get it right now. Having a socket for it does not mean people aren't going to lose it. Remember the Palm Pilots? People used to buy extra stylus by the package ... because they lost it all the time."
I know people who bought the HTC Flyer just for this purpose and those people are artists that loved the pressure sensitivity and the different types of artistic tools it would emulate. Apple has a reputation of being all about the artist and this would go a long way with them, even if you don't want one.
"* Contoured rear casing --- So you can't get any of the hundred of 3rd party casings available today?"
iPad to iPad 2 required new casings as well because the fundamental shape changed.
"* Improved Accessibility --- Anything can be improved ... even after improvements."
Outside of better access to content from 3rd parties, I would say that I don't use the services built in for those with impairments so I cannot comment on their quality or usefulness.
"* Data Sharing and Storage API --- Sure .... and in the process iOS should drop all security just to let you talk between tweeter and facebook."
Why do you assume that this is a security issue? I mean, they let most of their Software Developers raid your contact list and you think allowing apps to talk would be worse than that?
Honestly, they need to allow better application communication and integration because I'm telling you right now, it will be their undoing as Windows 8 hits tablets and Android users, who tried the iOS devices, start to realize the gravity of their decisions (some will and others just didn't use Android to its fullest potential so they won't notice the difference).
"* Induction Charging --- buy the freaking add-on. Wireless charging is a "nice but not needed feature" ... that will force people to carry around a device just to charge (instead of a small cord)."
How about an HML Adapter, it is standard and Micro-USB compatible so you don't have to carry a cable anywhere!
"*Micro-USB ..... so downgrade the capabilities of the devices just to please a clueless person? There is a reason why the iPod connector won so many awards."
See my answer above regarding an HML adapter and think about never needing a proprietary cable again!
"* Higher-resolution ---- There may be some valid points on resolution, but on a 10" display, there is a limit about how "small" something can get. Anything beyond 720p is over kill. People keep forgetting that tablets AREN'T DESKTOPS."
Even if they aren't desktops, it doesn't mean you don't want the 240 PPI resolution that is minimally acceptable sharpness for the human eye. Right now, most tablets use Contrast bumps to fool the eye into thinking the sharpness is there but passing that 240 PPI mark will make for a truly beautiful viewing experience.
"* Stylus ---- you can get it right now. Having a socket for it does not mean people aren't going to lose it. Remember the Palm Pilots? People used to buy extra stylus by the package ... because they lost it all the time."
I know people who bought the HTC Flyer just for this purpose and those people are artists that loved the pressure sensitivity and the different types of artistic tools it would emulate. Apple has a reputation of being all about the artist and this would go a long way with them, even if you don't want one.
"* Contoured rear casing --- So you can't get any of the hundred of 3rd party casings available today?"
iPad to iPad 2 required new casings as well because the fundamental shape changed.
"* Improved Accessibility --- Anything can be improved ... even after improvements."
Outside of better access to content from 3rd parties, I would say that I don't use the services built in for those with impairments so I cannot comment on their quality or usefulness.
"* Data Sharing and Storage API --- Sure .... and in the process iOS should drop all security just to let you talk between tweeter and facebook."
Why do you assume that this is a security issue? I mean, they let most of their Software Developers raid your contact list and you think allowing apps to talk would be worse than that?
Honestly, they need to allow better application communication and integration because I'm telling you right now, it will be their undoing as Windows 8 hits tablets and Android users, who tried the iOS devices, start to realize the gravity of their decisions (some will and others just didn't use Android to its fullest potential so they won't notice the difference).
Agree with much that's on this list:
Inductive charging: that would be awesome! I hate plugging my tablet and smartphone in every night, and am really looking forward to the day I can just lay my gadgets on a charging pad.
Pressure senstive fine point pen: a separate pen enabled digitizing layer isn't structy necessary, but as the owner of an HTC Flyer, I can attest that it's nice to have on occasion, whether for doodling or for jotting down notes.
MicroUSB charging port: even if that's all the port is there for, it's nice to be able to charge all my devices from the same single car charger I've got in my vehicle. HTC (and Barnes & Noble) has got the right idea with a proprietary port that will also accept a standard micro USB cable for charging.
And allow me to add: micrSD card slot. I know this will *never* happen wit the iPad. But you know: if I'm going on a trip and want to load ten one gigabyte movie files onto my tablet, why should I have to have the machine tied up for an hour while the files copy? Why shouldn't I be able to simply eject my microSD card and copy the movies directly onto it? The lack of a microSD card slot is just asinine.
Inductive charging: that would be awesome! I hate plugging my tablet and smartphone in every night, and am really looking forward to the day I can just lay my gadgets on a charging pad.
Pressure senstive fine point pen: a separate pen enabled digitizing layer isn't structy necessary, but as the owner of an HTC Flyer, I can attest that it's nice to have on occasion, whether for doodling or for jotting down notes.
MicroUSB charging port: even if that's all the port is there for, it's nice to be able to charge all my devices from the same single car charger I've got in my vehicle. HTC (and Barnes & Noble) has got the right idea with a proprietary port that will also accept a standard micro USB cable for charging.
And allow me to add: micrSD card slot. I know this will *never* happen wit the iPad. But you know: if I'm going on a trip and want to load ten one gigabyte movie files onto my tablet, why should I have to have the machine tied up for an hour while the files copy? Why shouldn't I be able to simply eject my microSD card and copy the movies directly onto it? The lack of a microSD card slot is just asinine.
Larger fonts, high contrast theme and zoom in are available right now.
Settings: Accessibility...
Settings: Accessibility...
I know it is not going to happen, but I would like SD Flash Memory Card support & a removable battery.
We've seen the future - its Kinnect and Siri. Styluses are a dead technology.
It wasn't the commercial that was laughable. It was the idea that a stylus matters. It doesn't.
It wasn't the commercial that was laughable. It was the idea that a stylus matters. It doesn't.
The ultimate improvement - knock the price down by 200 smackeroos, then it would be selling for what its actually worth.
@riccol1966 With the release of the iPad 3 you'll likely see iPad 2s drop at least $100. Refurbished iPad 2 could hit that $200 less threshold.
Since I secretly control the pricing on iPads, I'll do the math and see what I think of your idea. Let's see, we sold fifteen million iPads last quarter. If we had reduced the price by $200 each, we would have gotten your business but lost $3 billion in revenue.
Sorry. You're not worth it. Buy an Android if you don't like the price.
Sorry. You're not worth it. Buy an Android if you don't like the price.
@Robert Hahn or sold 45 million and gained $10 billion. (Of course that's just a guess, and assumes a current price of $700.)
And the ultimate improvement - reduce the price by 35%, then it may be worth my while considering.
I have an Ipad first generation.... and I use it constantly, and enjoy it immensly, but I have a huge problem with the locked down nature of the OS. With not having access to the file system, with having to operate through Itunes, with being forced to buy apps ONLY through Apple. I do NOT like being under Apple's thumb. The Ipad belongs to ME, not Apple Computer. Looking at things like the Transformer Prime..... wondering if Windows 8 Mobile will be a decent OS (not much hope there.... I've been fighting MSCRAP since the very beginning of DOS. I was deeply disappointed when HP bailed... I had hopes for WebOs. With Apple, I feel like just another cash cow!
@**owly** but haven't noticed that it's "iPad"? Something tells me you not being completely honest.
WOW! You just Described the HTC Flyer! =D
I doubt you will see any of these features. They are not there by design. It seems that you should buy an android tablet instead.
I can't express how bad those ideas are and it makes me wonder if "We" really means "You".
I expect some type of data-sharing API between apps to come with iOS 6.0.
I expect some type of data-sharing API between apps to come with iOS 6.0.
What people will want is a Windows 8 tablet, rather than a stupid toy. Watch as Windows 8 tablet sales bury the ipad in 3 months. Just ask the Windows Fanboys.
@matthew_maurice lol. I was waiting for the usual fanboys to chime in.
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