Thoughts on new iPad Pro (for music and other creators)

difuzer

So, some new iPad's huh? Smaller bezel, no home button (or headphone jack) AND….dun dun dun USB-C! While I welcome any advancements in iPad performance, it seems quite a few people are up in arms over this update.

I understand the worry over a switch to a new connection medium (USB-C); however, I don't understand the genuine anger over such a decision. The original iPad was released 2010 with a 30 pin connector. At the time loved by many as it was Apple's main connection for iPod/iPhone. 2012 came and we saw the switch to Lightning. Pitchforks blazing people took to the streets to express their outrage only to later quietly adopt the newer, better, connection medium.

Here we are in 2018, 6 years into lightning and what are we seeing but another switch to a different connection type. Yes yes, I like many of you have multitudes of lightning cables and accessories laying around that I use for various tasks. Will I have to buy a few new adapters? Yes. Will I get more versatility out of USB-C adapters that I can use on other devices that would have previously been stonewalled into iOS only adapters? Yes. Will I miss lightning? No.

Apple has already begun the move to USB-C by introducing it in their laptop, and desktop line. Why anyone is surprised to see this come to the iPad? Not sure. Bottom line, many companies, not just Apple are adopting USB-C as a newer and faster connection method. Don't fear change simply because you're angry you have to buy a few new connectors. If you don't like it, stick with your current iPad and run it into the ground. Go pick up an Android tablet for music production. (Ehh, on second thought maybe not.) Oh, wait, Android is also going USB-C. Hmm.

Ok, now to the elephant in the room and one that I am genuinely a little miffed at. No headphone jack. Again, not something I am totally shocked at considering its departure on mobile around the iPhone 7 era. Dongle be damned if I need to have an adapter to use my "normal" headphones. True Bluetooth audio latency is still a big factor and not a viable option for "live" audio reference. Yes, there will be a USB-C to headphone jack adapter just as there was and still is for lightning. Am I happy over the change? Not entirely, but does it sour me to the bone to the point of expressing hatred for Apple and all it's decisions because I feel slighted at such a decision that feels fundamental to my mobile workflow?! Also no. If you're using an iPad for true mobile music production, you're most likely running the iPad into a dock or some other device that is ultimately giving you audio out via lightning and not the headphone jack. The digital audio you're getting out of the lightning/USB-C port is going to be better than your traditional 3.5 inch. Yes it's a pain for the time being, but we will adapt.

In regards to the home button, I won't miss that at all. I can understand those who feel indifferent. Yet after making a switch from a iPhone 7 to an X I can say I don't miss the button at all in favor of more screen real estate and a faster unlock procedure.

So while I've heard a lot of varying opinions on the new devices (seemingly mostly negative from most iPad/iPhone mobile producers) I for one welcome the change. While I won't be upgrading my current 10.5 iPad Pro to the new generation (simply because it's still a powerhouse device that does what I need) I'll upgrade to whatever the newest version is in a few years when I feel I can't push the current device any further. (or until iOS 15 which will just upload our sentience into iCloud to produce tracks automagically like Wotja)

Thoughts? Comments? I'd love to hear from people and have a more in-depth conversation on the future of iOS devices.