No real buzz or excitement on new Apple Launches?

[Strk]

MKBHD impression video for the iPad Pro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HALtebWHpNA

The screen is absolutely gorgeous and its bezel is proportionally smaller thanks to the size of the screen. Not sure about $800 starting price.

Yeah, but he also says he really doesn't know the point of it either. I believe I read that ipad sales were down. I'm not sure what making a bigger one would do, especially when it doesn't add any real functionality.

 

[Red Storm]

*Shrug*. The only reason why I would ever have a lot of tabs open on Safari or Chrome is if I forgot to swipe/close them.

By "a lot" I'm really only talking about a handful. It doesn't take much with only 1GB of RAM.

 

[Commodus]

Yeah, but he also says he really doesn't know the point of it either. I believe I read that ipad sales were down. I'm not sure what making a bigger one would do, especially when it doesn't add any real functionality.

They are down, although that's reflecting a broader industry trend. Bigger smartphones are reducing the need for tablets.

It's untrue that the iPad Pro "doesn't add" functionality, though. If you're just talking about the larger screen, it's big enough that you can run two apps side-by-side at the same size as they'd be on the regular iPad. That's big for functionality. And then you add the much faster processor, more RAM (according to Adobe, anyway), pen input, the new connector... it adds up. Not sure if this is the right way for Apple to move the needle on tablet sales, but it's not just more glass.

 

[sweenish]

Yeah, it's almost a SP3 now.

We're going to see the A9X go up against the Haswell Core i series, because the comparison is more relevant now than ever.

I've not seen anything higher than a collective "meh" on the iPad Pro so far, including many professionals. I did see at least one say they might consider it for on-the-go sketching, as it could potentially replace an entire bag of tools and supplies for them, but it was still a wait and see possibility.

Another said they might like that they would be able to rotate the iPad on a table like they could with a sketchbook, but that at the end of day it still doesn't have what they need for their actual work.

 

[s44]

Yeah, but he also says he really doesn't know the point of it either. I believe I read that ipad sales were down. I'm not sure what making a bigger one would do, especially when it doesn't add any real functionality.

It just seems way too fiddly to succeed with the Apple demo.

 

[lothar]

Also... 23 bands. Up from 16 last year and 11 the previous year?

I really hope the next Android phones are truly global capable. That's you Nexus. Come on.

You speak as if Nexus has had problems in the past being global capable with it's bands.

 

[lothar]

So I guess samsung pays them a fee? The Note series does not rely on battery.

Samsung owns 5% of Wacom.
They paid their fee which was $58.9 million for that stake.

 

[podspi]

Samsung owns 5% of Wacom.
They paid their fee which was $58.9 million for that stake.

They still pay them a fee. That's not how it works. Otherwise I'd be getting free iPhones all the time, since I own like .00000000000000...01% of Apple

 

[Commodus]

Yeah, it's almost a SP3 now.

We're going to see the A9X go up against the Haswell Core i series, because the comparison is more relevant now than ever.

I've not seen anything higher than a collective "meh" on the iPad Pro so far, including many professionals. I did see at least one say they might consider it for on-the-go sketching, as it could potentially replace an entire bag of tools and supplies for them, but it was still a wait and see possibility.

Another said they might like that they would be able to rotate the iPad on a table like they could with a sketchbook, but that at the end of day it still doesn't have what they need for their actual work.

The mild reaction partly stems from the nature of the iPad Pro. It's targeted at a particular audience (creatives and others who could really use a big-screened tablet) where iPads have always been targeted at broad audiences before now. Think of the response to the Mac Pro: it's a pretty clever design, but there's only so many people looking to buy a dual-Xeon workstation. I don't think Apple expects the iPad Pro to sell in huge numbers -- just to fill a hole in its lineup.

And on the Surface Pro similarity, there's an important distinction: the iPad Pro is a tablet with PC tendencies, while the Surface Pro is a PC with tablet tendencies. While that certainly leads to some overlap, these products aren't necessarily competing for the same customers.

 

[Eug]

The people thinking the iPad Pro is just a great big iPad are looking at this wrong. This is a device aimed at business types looking at corporate workflows (and Apple has partnered with both Cisco and IBM), as well as artists who will consider this equipment relatively inexpensive when compared against competing products. Apple isn't really going after Surface, since that's a different market IMO, but instead is going after Wacom Cintiq.

Yes, they will sell plenty of units people not in this group, but those sales will not be anywhere near the sales of the iPad mini and iPad Air 2, which are more mainstream products.

And yes, the iPad Pro has 4 GB RAM. Adobe, and now an iOS developer, have now confirmed this.

BTW, I've been running Split View on my Air 2 for months now, with the iOS 9 beta. While technically it could be implemented on any recent iPad, Apple is restricting it to those iPads with 2 GB or more. Interestingly, the mini 4 is getting Split View too, which is indirect evidence that it too has 2 GB RAM. I skipped the iPad Air update because it was hobbled by 1 GB RAM, and I am very glad I did. Apple specifically leaves out RAM specs to fool unsuspecting consumers, but people on boards such as AnandTech should know better, which is why I was a little bit surprised that techheads at AT immediately jumped on the iPad Air.

As for the new iPhones, IMO the 6s and the 6s+ are going to sell like mad, particularly the rose gold.

And as I've said before, this iPhone 6s/6s+ release is a lot more interesting to me than last year's 6/6+ release in many ways. I specifically skipped that update too because it too was hobbled by 1 GB RAM. I was a little less surprised that so many jumped on the 6/6+ here at AT, because of the bigger screens, but still wondered why so many here didn't wait. Unless they update their phones really frequently, they're going to feel those RAM limitations going forward.

In contrast, I just ordered the rose gold 64 GB 6s yesterday for the wife, because it has Live Photos, 3D Touch, and most importantly because it has 2 GB RAM. 1 GB is lame for a new iDevice in 2015 (and even in 2014). I'm sticking with my 1 GB 5s for the time being though, since I didn't feel like shelling out for two CAD$1000+ iPhones. I'll play with her 6s for a while. If I absolutely must buy it, I will, but otherwise I'll wait for the iPhone 7. I do say most importantly 2 GB RAM, but for my wife though, it's probably Live Photos. She literally cried when she saw that demo. Parents are going to love this feature.

BTW, the new Apple TV also gets 2 GB RAM, so that means all the new iDevices released last week likely have at least 2 GB RAM.

iPhone 6: 2 GB RAM confirmed
iPhone 6+: 2 GB RAM confirmed
iPad Pro: 4 GB RAM confirmed
iPad Air 2: 2 GB RAM confirmed last year
iPad mini 4: 2 GB RAM likely (since it supports Split View)
Apple TV: 2 GB RAM confirmed

1 GB RAM is now legacy.

 

[Strk]

The people thinking the iPad Pro is just a great big iPad are looking at this wrong. This is a device aimed at business types looking at corporate workflows (and Apple has partnered with both Cisco and IBM), as well as artists who will consider this equipment relatively inexpensive when compared against competing products. Apple isn't really going after Surface, since that's a different market IMO, but instead is going after Wacom Cintiq.

Maybe, but it is pretty debatable. I do see people breaking their Apple Pen quite a bit though. Their preferred charging method is asinine with that thing.

 

[lothar]

They still pay them a fee. That's not how it works. Otherwise I'd be getting free iPhones all the time, since I own like .00000000000000...01% of Apple

Yes, and since they own 5% of Wacom, that's essentially a 5% discount on paper for them.

I think the same way about stocks and so does Warren.
If you own stock in a company, you own a certain slice of a company whatever fraction or percent.

 

[Obsy]

The people thinking the iPad Pro is just a great big iPad are looking at this wrong. This is a device aimed at business types looking at corporate workflows (and Apple has partnered with both Cisco and IBM), as well as artists who will consider this equipment relatively inexpensive when compared against competing products. Apple isn't really going after Surface, since that's a different market IMO, but instead is going after Wacom Cintiq.

The iPad Pro doesn't have the software library to compete with a Cintiq; it's more of a sketchbook like the Galaxy Note line. My GF is a semi-pro artist and the iPad runs 0% of the software that she uses on her Cintiq.

 

[Eug]

The iPad Pro doesn't have the software library to compete with a Cintiq yet; it's more of a sketchbook like the Galaxy Note line. My GF is a semi-pro artist and the iPad runs 0% of the software that she uses on her Cintiq.

Fixed.

Note that the iPad Pro isn't even available yet.

 

[kpkp]

Fixed.

Note that the iPad Pro isn't even available yet.

Does the iPad have a platform to support the business model those pro apps need and is the iPad pro a standalone workstation without a accessible file system? It's possible to do a "live" editing with different apps like on the Adobe desktop suite?
It's also hard choosing between similar apps based on description alone when they cost way more than $5.

 

[dontl00katme]

The people thinking the iPad Pro is just a great big iPad are looking at this wrong. This is a device aimed at business types looking at corporate workflows (and Apple has partnered with both Cisco and IBM), as well as artists who will consider this equipment relatively inexpensive when compared against competing products. Apple isn't really going after Surface, since that's a different market IMO, but instead is going after Wacom Cintiq.

But the thing is that it really is a bigger iPad. It has a bigger screen and beefier hardware but at the end of the day it won't matter because you are stucked with iOS and its gimped apps. I don't see anything there which couldn't be included in an iPad Air to be honest.

 

[holden j caufield]

I do hope these things take off as I'm an Apple stock holder. But out in my work day and around friends I see less people with Iphone 6 or 6+. I see a ton of 5s phones still around and older ipads.

 

[Commodus]

Does the iPad have a platform to support the business model those pro apps need and is the iPad pro a standalone workstation without a accessible file system? It's possible to do a "live" editing with different apps like on the Adobe desktop suite?
It's also hard choosing between similar apps based on description alone when they cost way more than $5.

Yes, it does, and yes, it is... insofar as a tablet can be a standalone workstation. There are serious creative apps on the iPad right now (like AutoCAD 360), and the iPad Pro may open avenues to companies that hadn't considered iPad apps before. You can edit multiple 4K streams -- you know that movie producers are salivating at the thought of producing rough on-set cuts with a tablet. I know DJs and other musicians who like the idea of a big iPad for performances, too.

Consider this: at last check, there are fewer modern Windows apps (that is, optimized for the modern UI and touch) than there are iPad apps, and the revenue definitely swings in favor of the iPad. Some of those Windows apps undoubtedly go deeper, but this still means that the iPad is the more profitable platform for touch-capable software. If you're a developer planning to make your living from tablet apps, which platform would you support if given a choice?

 

[sweenish]

Fixed.

Note that the iPad Pro isn't even available yet.

And the articles I've seen simply state it won't be fast enough, period. Your counter was considered in my post, as professionals were the people saying they wouldn't get one. Or they would for piddling around on, but never for serious work.

And it very much will be compared to the SP3. The price tag and short list of features guarantees the comparison.

 

[ControlD]

Consider this: at last check, there are fewer modern Windows apps (that is, optimized for the modern UI and touch) than there are iPad apps, and the revenue definitely swings in favor of the iPad. Some of those Windows apps undoubtedly go deeper, but this still means that the iPad is the more profitable platform for touch-capable software. If you're a developer planning to make your living from tablet apps, which platform would you support if given a choice?

Of course, but that isn't really the question. The question is: will it be profitable for developers to create iPad Pro specific apps? There are a bajillion iPads in consumer's hands right now, so obviously developing for the iPad makes sense. There are almost no iPad Pros in consumer hands right now.

Going back to your comparison, how many iPad Pro specific apps are there on the App Store compared to Windows apps? That is a good part of what it is going to take to convince people to drop $1,000+ on a big new tablet.

 

[Eug]

This person is arguably biased, because she used to work for Apple.

I recently left my job at Apple where I worked on the Prototyping Team, exploring new user interaction concepts for future hardware and technology. Before that, I worked on Apple's Video Apps Team and helped design the latest versions of Final Cut Pro and iMovie.

But still:

Apple Pencil vs. Wacom Cintiq

Lots of great things to say about yesterday's Apple Keynote, I'm here to talk about one specific point of contention I keep seeing pop up. Currently the Wacom Cintiq is regarded as the pinnacle of professional drawing stylus/surface design. A lot of hesitation (or dismissal) of the Apple Pencil seems to stem from people's belief that Cintiq is superior in performance and design at a similar price. �� *sigh*

Quite plainly, the Cintiq sucks in comparison. And I've been using them for years for industrial design sketching, UI, and art.

 

[Eug]

I doubt that it will outsell the iPhone 6, considering that there aren't a ton of new features to convince people to upgrade. People who are still using iPhone 5's and 5S's that are due for an upgrade will probably buy it, though.

Apple: We are on pace to beat last year's iPhone first-weekend record

"Customer response to iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus has been extremely positive and preorders this weekend were very strong around the world," the company said in a statement. "We are on pace to beat last year's 10 million unit first-weekend record when the new iPhones go on sale Sept. 25."

And this is despite the claim by Ming-Chi Kuo that iPhone 6s Plus supply is limited by production issues with the backlight module.

We believe Minebea’s (JP) backlight module production issues in supplying iPhone 6S Plus (6S Plus) is one of the main factors in the model’s supply shortage. To tackle this issue, we believe Apple (US) has been increasingly transferring high-ASP 6S Plus backlight module orders to Radiant (6176 TT, NT$106.5, OP), boosting its sales momentum.

 

[Commodus]

Of course, but that isn't really the question. The question is: will it be profitable for developers to create iPad Pro specific apps? There are a bajillion iPads in consumer's hands right now, so obviously developing for the iPad makes sense. There are almost no iPad Pros in consumer hands right now.

Going back to your comparison, how many iPad Pro specific apps are there on the App Store compared to Windows apps? That is a good part of what it is going to take to convince people to drop $1,000+ on a big new tablet.

iPad Pro-specific? It'll probably be hard, outside of vertical markets where you're likely to get both the tablet and the software as part of a special package. However, I don't think these apps will have to be Pro-only to take advantage of the new hardware, or that it'll be a big stretch to offer a separate Pro version.

My guess is that Apple sees this more as a long-term investment than anything, an attempt to improve the iPad's reputation at work instead of a money grab. It wants to make money from the Pro, of course, but it's not expecting the Pro to carry water the way the Air or mini does.

 

[Strk]

Apple: We are on pace to beat last year's iPhone first-weekend record

"Customer response to iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus has been extremely positive and preorders this weekend were very strong around the world," the company said in a statement. "We are on pace to beat last year's 10 million unit first-weekend record when the new iPhones go on sale Sept. 25."

And this is despite the claim by Ming-Chi Kuo that iPhone 6s Plus supply is limited by production issues with the backlight module.

We believe Minebea’s (JP) backlight module production issues in supplying iPhone 6S Plus (6S Plus) is one of the main factors in the model’s supply shortage. To tackle this issue, we believe Apple (US) has been increasingly transferring high-ASP 6S Plus backlight module orders to Radiant (6176 TT, NT$106.5, OP), boosting its sales momentum.

That wouldn't really surprise me. Even though they've done away with contracts, a lot of those new 'pay nothing down' plans are still on an 18-24 month cycle.

 

[sweenish]

Since we're all posting links now: http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/10/apple-ipad-pro-pencil-designer-reaction/

Niche is niche. The Apple on the back guarantees some sales to be sure, I hope no one was insinuating otherwise.

Wacom is generally preferred over N-trig from what I hear. N-trig allows the screen to appear closer to the user, though.

At least no one trying to claim this isn't a reactive product.

As some have said, I'm sure apps will appear. I still doubt very much that an iOS version of Adobe's suite will equal their regular PC suite.