Should The iPad Pro Get A Keyboard & Trackpad Mode?
The iPad is as powerful as a computer. However, its operating system lags behind, making it necessary to buy Apple's MacBook or Mac for some types of work. This is true even of the latest iPad Pro, which is powered by the same M1 processor as several Mac computers. Among the most significant differences is that the iPad is centered around a touchscreen interface, allowing the user to directly tap or swipe for interaction. The keyboard accessory was an afterthought that came years later.
The first iPad to get an official keyboard was the original iPad Pro. This comparatively massive tablet, with its 12.9-inch screen, dwarfed the standard 9.7-inch model of that time. It had a much more powerful processor and was the first to come with native keyboard support, bringing it much closer to providing a laptop experience. Apple suggested that perhaps this was a computer just as much as it was a tablet. Yet, few users were able to completely replace their need for a laptop or desktop computer due to the limited printing capability and limited app library.
Related: Apple Execs Say No iPad & Mac Conflict, Both Just The Best
In Bloomberg’s latest PowerOn Newsletter, a case is made for the iPad Pro to get two new modes of operation, something that Steve Jobs strongly opposed. The idea described is to make an iPad Pro behave more like a Mac when a keyboard and trackpad or mouse are connected. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also suggested a new mode of operation when using the Apple Pencil. In each case, iPadOS would adjust the controls available to take advantage of the finer precision that's possible when using these accessories. The main benefit would be to allow freely resizable app windows and widgets instead of the somewhat rigid layout
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