“Apple intends [on] introducing a 12.9-inch iPad model, and there’s some who may think doing so makes no sense at all,” Jonny Evans writes for Computerworld. “They’re wrong.”
“Claims that Apple plans an iPad Pro have been around for some time, but with iOS 8 and the new A8 processor to drive the device, such a release only now makes sense. iOS 8 introduces support for split screen multitasking. This has been a much-requested feature but Apple clearly didn’t think its tablets were inherently powerful enough to support this effectively,” Evans writes. “The next breed of iPads use the new A8-series processor. This is expected to be significantly faster and more power efficient than before. In combination with up to 2MB installed RAM and lots of storage, the 64-bit iOS 8 will be a high performance mobile OS — not quite a Mac, but getting closer.”
“Apple’s recent deal with IBM is also relevant. Apple knows a high performance mobile device capable of split screen multitasking and equipped with a larger display will attract education and enterprise customers,” Evans writes. “Apple will (allegedly) launch the device in early 2015. This should help it change iPad’s feast and famine sales pattern.”
Read more in the full article here.
Related articles:
Why Apple is creating a giant iPad – August 27, 2014
iOS 8’s secret split-screen leaked in developer video – June 12, 2014
iOS 8 code shows iPad split-screen multitasking, Maps public transit in the works, and more – June 9, 2014
I tried split-screen multitasking on an Apple iPad, and here’s what I discovered – May 16, 2014
Apple said to deliver split-screen iPad multitasking in iOS 8 – May 13, 2014
Sure it makes sense. It’s a “Pro” tool for the professional market. Just like the Mac Pro isn’t a consumer machine, it has a niche in high end content creation. The iPad Pro could be a powerful tool for professional music creators and live DJs, and other industries where a large touch screen computer, paired with professional software would be a game changer.
That’s sort of what I was thinking. A large iPad could make a good audio mixing console, it’d be a great, portable tool for graphic design (it’d be greater than Letter-sized) and photography, and don’t forget engineering. There are numerous AutoCad-related apps already available that could, conceivably, be perfect for the larger iPad.
Look, it’s one of those quintessentially Apple things that you didn’t know you needed it until you saw and used one.
Price, of course, will be consideration but you might look at it from the perspective of the iMac/MacPro relationship.
…”A large iPad could make a good audio mixing console…”
It already is; in addition to DAW software such as Logic, for which app exists that turns it into a mixer, there are actual hardware mixers (Mackie DL-1608, Behringer X-32 series) that don’t even have physical faders or knobs, but use an iPad app to display virtual sliders, buttons and knobs for mixing. They work exceptionally well.
…”it’d be greater than Letter-sized…”
If the diagonal is to be as rumored (12.9 inches), it will be smaller than the American letter-sized paper (and smaller yet than A4 format the rest of the world uses). Letter-sized paper has a diagonal of almost 14 inches. A4 is around 14.2 inches.
Dont forget graphic artists… But a pressures sensitive accurate stylus is a must !
I would love a 24″ iPad. I would put it at an angle on my desk and use it very differently than I use my laptop.
The insight that mouse/trackpad makes more sense for laptop/desktop work remains true. But there are a growing number of applications where touch is more direct. Large touch screens are going to happen, but not replace PCs/Macs.
Why stop at 24″? Why not your work desktop be replaced by a giant iPad? 😀
You are right, what was I thinking?
I believe the MS surface began its life as a table sized device. It seemed like an extremely interesting collaborative device.
Don’t forget, this technology is still new. Eventually displays will cover everything.
Whether it is by blending or replacement iPads will replace desktops and ultimately laptops! The touch screen will be larger and more intuitive but smaller lighter screens as well and voice can replace lots of keyboard input, but on screen keyboards will be part of the design and for those clinging to the past free standing keyboards also!
2MB of RAM?! Did he “way-back” to 1980?
Yeah, sheesh, he meant 240K RAM. More than you’ll ever need! 😉
“640k ought to be enough for anybody”
Easy, Jonny is from the UK and probably has a problem converting from metric.
Would love a larger iPad pro for home. It would give me the perfect size for displaying digital piano sheet music!
What I don’t understand is…if you need a PRO rated tablet, just buy an MacBook Pro.
Sure, if the keyboard was detachable and it was touch screen, ahem….. Laptops are becoming old school for so very many usages.
Maybe the larger iPad (+keyboard) will replace a similar size Macbook.
There’s no question that there will be larger iPads with time. I can easily see them stuck on movable arms in a variety of scenarios from hospitals to retail shops. It’s gonna happen. But when is the question. All we’re seeing so far is piles of the usual colonic analcyst waste rumors. Yawn.
LOL re RAM. I am certain the author would explain that better if he could log into the cms
I am very interested in the iPad pro but it will have 2 GB of RAM not 2 MB.
iDoublePad. Like a laptop, BUT it can use the bottom iPad (screen), for MANY things, INSTEAD OF just a keyboard.
Bottom part could CHANGE from a keyboard to an audio mixer, a color corrector for FCP, etc. That’s MUCH BETTER than just a side by side display !
Wow! An Apple iPad DS so you can run the Nintendo DS emulator and play those games in large screen. 😀
I loved the first iPad but once I got Zinio I thought it was a bit small for reading magazines. A larger one would be great.