With the introduction of the original iPad in 2010, I was immediately hooked into its reality distortion field. I couldn’t wait to have one and explore its novel ways of using a computer. Today, after 10 years of using iPads here’s what I think.
With Steve Jobs’ often–quoted comparison of the computer to a bicycle for our minds, I imagine he thought of the Macintosh as that computer.[1] The most remarkable tool humans have ever come up with. One that takes us far beyond our inherent abilities. Now, I don’t say this lightly, but using an iPad in 2020 still feels more like riding a children’s tricycle.
Learning to ride a bike can be challenging at first for most humans. From 30 years of observations and experience, especially being at the forefront of home computers, I can say the same for humans learning to use computers. Computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, icons, windows, applications, files, etc. is a lot to take in and mostly overwhelming to any newcomer.
Compare this to picking up an iPad where especially children and seniors learn to use it fearlessly and with ease. It’s more like sitting down on a tricycle. Simply go, no worries about balance, dropping chain, menus, files, file system, etc.
But simplicity and approachability often come at a price — flexibility and expandability. You see, humans have gotten quite good at using traditional computers. Just as with riding bikes. Once you master one or the other, it allows you to go pretty much anywhere.
Once you get going on a tricycle – next you want a bike.
The story is much different for a tricycle, though. It’s mostly okay on a level street, but you wouldn’t want to pedal up a hill, nor go downhill without getting your feet severed by the pedals. I feel the same for iPad. Sure, lots of computer tasks can be accomplished, but compared to my Mac they feel like tricycling uphill most of the time.
I bought a 10.5” iPad Pro in 2018 with the intent to use it for all my work–related communication while on my commute. I wasn’t very successful. While a keyboard helps with typing, the interaction with the touch screen is cumbersome. Although mouse support in iOS 13.4 helps in this regard, yet it requires me to carry more accessories along. The main show stopper remains, switching between apps to juggle information back and forth. It leaves so much to be desired.
Just last week, I had a video meeting, where I had to review a PDF and a movie, observe a channel in Rocket.Chat and participate in the video conference. I was more apologetic for using an iPad than actually speak to the participants about the work.
iPad as a post–PC device has been plagued by its convenience to consume media and for a long time, it had the reputation of not being a productivity device. I wholeheartedly disagree, the many great apps on the iPad clearly dismiss this. What the iPad lacks is the flexibility of integrating the whole creative process. How it all comes together. On iPadOS, things are inherently isolated, and while the system has evolved to accommodate the necessary data exchange, it still feels cumbersome. And no, Shortcuts are not a solution to this workflow issue. If I was mean, I’d say they’re even more hostile to the creative process. It simply isn’t Go with the Flow, but rather a thoughtfully planned process of creating shortcuts. As with past WWDCs, I’m looking forward to dramatic improvements to iPadOS. Be sure to follow up on my thoughts after WWDC.
Apple’s recent commercials tout iPad not as a computer, and they are right—it’s a tricycle.