Why Mac app support could be headed to iPadOS 15 (or why it should)

[Redaktion]

The reviews for the new M1-powered iPad Pro models are in and most, if not all, agree that the capabiliities of the hardware outstrip the power of iPadOS. There are signs, however, that Apple could be bringing Mac app support to the iPad and if it isn't planning on adding this capability in iPadOS, it should certainly consider it.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Why-Mac-app-support-could-be-headed-to-iPadOS-15-or-why-it-should.540500.0.html

[Mane]

They'll do it in 5 years when sales start to decline and they need an ace up their sleeves.

[Sportbike Mike]

"Apple has always held the view that it is better that it releases devices that might cannibalize its own sales rather than the competition stealing all the thunder."

I'm really hoping they use this logic.  I have no need for a giant iPhone.  I do however have much use for a Touchscreen Macbook.  If one existed in 2017, I wouldn't have bough either of my most recent Windows additions.  With the available keyboards, an iPad running Mac apps is close enough.

[WinSock]

Bottom-line: iOS should never have been a thing; it's a crippled OS which was never intended to be a replacement for a full desktop OS. Except that it not only IS a thing, it's become a BIG thing. That's Apple's problem:

Apple puts macos on iPad, it becomes an instant success, Apple can instantly compete with Windows touch screen tablets and everyone wins. EXCEPT, of course, iOS developers because who wants a half-baked OS when they can have the real thing? iOS will go away and all of that development money, time & effort on iOS apps & the OS? Gone. Wasted.

Timmy Cook doesn't want that grief, Apple doesn't want that grief; that's why MacOS will never run on an iPad and, consequently, why MacOS will never have a touch interface.

But can't MacOS be taught to speak iOS? That's what they're in the process of doing BUT the problem is the iOS interface. It's integral to the iOS apps, of course, and it's completely incompatible with the MacOS gui  We've seen what that looks like, and it ain't pretty. So, no.

It is an absurd, crazy bed that Apple has made but now they have no choice but to lie in it.

[_MT_]

Bottom-line: iOS should never have been a thing; it's a crippled OS which was never intended to be a replacement for a full desktop OS. Except that it not only IS a thing, it's become a BIG thing. That's Apple's problem:

iOS came to be for very basic reasons. One being energy efficiency. Back in the day, a very serious problem for mobile devices was poorly written software that needlessly drained energy. Of which you had very limited supply. They put some serious restrictions on applications to ensure that people had reasonable user experience. Touchscreen devices have existed long before iPhone and weren't appealing to broad public. They were fairly specialist devices for "business types" and geeks. Another thing was that Apple decided to focus on using fingers to control a device instead of a stylus. A big deal. UI of Mac OS wasn't designed to be handled by fingers. If you're failing to realize such things, then I think you're failing to realize why iPhone succeeded and why everyone emulated much of what Apple did. Although no one has such a tight grip on applications as Apple. It's like saying Android should have never happened.

[S.Yu]

>Apple has always held the view that it is better that it releases devices that might cannibalize its own sales rather than the competition stealing all the thunder

What makes you think that?

[Daniel Ridenhour]

I don't think apple needs to go 'all the way' to mac app support in iPadOS... in a way thats even a step backward for security.    The need to make their own 'pro level' apps (Final Cut Pro, XCode, etc) available on iPadOS and they need to update iPad OS external screen support to extend displays and make full use of that additional space.  They might also think about extending universal apps to be both mac and iPadOS compatible so any mac app can be deployed to the iOS app store.

[Mike S]

Umm... thermals??

[Sanjiv Sathiah]

Umm... thermals??

The MacBook Air runs an M1 without a fan, so it shouldn't be an issue. Think of the iPad Pro being on par with the Air in terms of sustained performance under load. You want more sustained performance, then go the for MacBook Pro 13-inch which includes an active fan.

[Sanjiv Sathiah]

>Apple has always held the view that it is better that it releases devices that might cannibalize its own sales rather than the competition stealing all the thunder

What makes you think that?

"If you don't cannibalize yourself, someone else will" - Steve Jobs

[Ben D]

I can't understand for the life of me why people keep whining about wanting the Mac on iPad!!! The iPad is not a Mac. This article is a little bit different talking about Mac APPs, rather than macOS; but it's still the same basic thing. Why would you want macOS or full fledged macOS apps on an iPad? Imagine trying to hit tiny menu buttons, and precision icons with your finger! But the usual response to that is: "I'll use a trackpad and keyboard". Hmmm... a trackpad and keyboard on a device using macOS....hey we already have that! It's a MacBook!!! What is it with computer geeks wanting the Mac on the iPad? Just get a Mac and you'll get a bigger screen and a cooling fan and multiple ports. I agree it would be nice for Pro apps to be on the iPad, like Final Cut, but that's PRO APPs, not MAC APPs. There's a difference. The iPad is not just another type of Mac, it's a different type of device altogether. I'm an iOS and macOS developer with a decade of experience and I would NEVER want macOS on an iPad. I can barely stand using macOS on a 13.3" MacBook let alone a 12.9" iPad. And what would be the point anyway? The iPad needs to stay the iPad and the Mac needs to stay the Mac. And even though computer geeks and technical people like us may have geeky dreams about things like that...nerds are a small portion of the market. Your average Joe consumer, and I would say even professionals like photographers or other industry professionals like the ones my company serves worldwide, don't want Mac on the iPad, they just want better iPad apps that can do more. I love the Mac, and I love my iPad Pro. I love them in different ways and like doing different things on them because each has strengths in different areas. That's not a bad thing. Because what we really need is professional APPs evolving and getting better and better on the iPad - not trying to turn the iPad into just another Mac.

[Sanjiv Sathiah]

I can't understand for the life of me why people keep whining about wanting the Mac on iPad!!! The iPad is not a Mac. This article is a little bit different talking about Mac APPs, rather than macOS; but it's still the same basic thing...

If the iPad is not a Mac, then I presume the Mac is not an iPad. If that is the case, why has Apple added iOS and iPadOS app support to the Mac?

Why do people want macOS/Mac app support on the iPad? Because carrying both a MacBook and iPad starts to get really heavy and inconvenient. Further, I seriously doubt that we will ever see a iPadOS app that takes full advantage of an M1 iPad with 16 GB of RAM - not in the immediate future, that's for sure. How many do you know of that even properly take advantage of A12Z iPad with 6 GB of RAM? The best way to take advantage of this horsepower is to see Mac apps as an option for those who want to install them.

[S.Yu]

I can't understand for the life of me...

I can't understand for the life of me why somebody for the life of them......!!
It's supposed to be a hybrid! Why is there a back camera stuck onto smartphones? Just because you can't use it while making calls means it can't find any use? Or because it doesn't have buttons and dials like traditional cameras? "Imagine poking around menus without tactile feedback!"...or whatever excuse!
Ugh!

[S.Yu]

>Apple has always held the view that it is better that it releases devices that might cannibalize its own sales rather than the competition stealing all the thunder

What makes you think that?

"If you don't cannibalize yourself, someone else will" - Steve Jobs

Interesting quote, though it's debatable how Apple would be today if Steve were still around.

[_MT_]

Further, I seriously doubt that we will ever see a iPadOS app that takes full advantage of an M1 iPad with 16 GB of RAM - not in the immediate future, that's for sure. How many do you know of that even properly take advantage of A12Z iPad with 6 GB of RAM?

One use for extra RAM is allowing more layers in drawing software. Or bigger canvas. RAM is all about "problem" size. More RAM allows you to tackle bigger problems/ projects. How many people actually need 16 GB outside of something like Chrome, that's a different question.