When I was watching yesterday's livestream of Apple's keynote, I was anxiously awaiting the new pair of iPhones. I didn't have too much interest in anything else, and although I had been expecting the iPad Pro to make a debut of sorts, I didn't think I would be impressed by its presentation. However, as it turns out, the iPad segment of the event (which occurred before the iPhones were unveiled) ended up being the star of the show for me.
Compared to previous generations of the iPad, the iPad Pro brings a lot more to table. With added accessory support for Apple’s new stylus, the Apple Pencil, and the attachable Smart Keyboard (both sold separately), the new iPad serves as a good solution for people who want enhanced productivity from their iPads.
The keynote showed impressive demonstrations from companies like Adobe, 3D4Medical, and even Microsoft. These demonstrations show how their apps have been tailored specifically for the new iPad Pro to even further enhance the tablet experience.
Adobe showed us how to turn a blank canvas into an impressive page layout complete with artwork, Photoshopped images (which you can Photoshop straight from your iPad Pro, no problem), and text in just moments. Microsoft showed us how to use the new iPad using Apple Pencil and side-by-side viewing with the Office Suite in order to boost productivity. 3D4Medical showed us how easy it was for health professionals to break down health problems to patients with just a few taps (and personally gave me a clear understanding of what arthritis actually is in just a few moments’ time, which impressed me).
With presentations from well-known and respected companies, one could safely assume that developers are hard at work to make the most out of their apps and services for iPad Pro users.
Still, it's worth mentioning that while the iPad Pro is a great addition to the iPad line, it's likely a direct result of 2-in-1 laptops surging in popularity. Microsoft’s Surface line has recently experience a major interest boost after the release of the Surface Pro, and most recently the more affordable Surface 3. Both of these tablet/laptop hybrids run on Windows 10, so they really are full-fledged computers in tablet form. These hybrids also feature attachable keyboard covers and a stylus.
The iPad Pro, which may look very similar, is still very different. Microsoft decided to make their hybrids as close to being a full-fledged computer as possible by running Windows 10 on the Surface, but Apple decided to keep their “hybrid” closer to being a tablet, as the iPad Pro still runs on iOS.
It's Apple’s job to keep up with the demands of technology, and as “outdated” as physical keyboards and styluses might seem they definitely still have their place. It’s a shame that neither of the two accessories are included with the tablet itself (and not only that, but I strongly feel that the accessories are overpriced, which is expected from Apple but nonetheless disappointing), but I believe that the iPad Pro will still manage to compete strongly with the competition – and perhaps even surpass them. iOS 9 has plenty of new features in store for tablet usage specifically, and while it might not be a full-fledged computer, it does still have its strategic advantages.
