Apple Spartan / The Mac Hybrid

Apple Spartan 

I have been reading about the sudden demise of the iPad.   While I think it is far from dead, the fact is that the iPad market is not growing, and adding a new device to Apple’s line-up could help offset the iPad’s diminishing revenue.

I would call the new device the "Apple Spartan".  The Spartan Apple is actually a hybrid fruit that is a mix of the McIntosh and the Newton "Pippin'", which seems like a perfect place to derive the name of this Apple hybrid device.

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iPad’s Problems

The main issue with the iPad is that anything you can do with it, you can also do with an iPhone and/or a laptop.  Also, the other issue is that most of the current iOS features still work with the second generation iPad.  Yes, the iPad gets better and better with every release, but if you have limited funds, it makes sense to update your iPhone or laptop before updating the iPad.  I have an iPad Air 2 and it is close to tablet perfection.  The only things I would like to see added are multitasking (coming with iOS9) and Wacom Cintiq (Photoshop/Illustrator pen editing) type of functionality that would take it to new levels.   However, I am not sure what else they could add to make it worth updating?

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post.

The Microsoft Surface

Microsoft has been working on an operating system that works across all of their platforms.  The Surface is similar to a tablet that runs the full Windows 8 and later operating systems.  I still think it is a bit awkward to use as a main laptop because the cover/keyboard is not up to the same quality as a typical keyboard.  Also, it is a bit more awkward to use in the lap.  I am also not a big fan of the way that it jumps from the newish tiled “metro” interface into the old-school desktop, either.  However, it is giving people an ultra portable laptop that doubles as a decent, if not perfect, tablet.  For many, this is all they need.

The Apple Hybrid

Let me say that I believe Apple should continue to sell a true iPad tablet.  First of all, a true tablet will be cheaper and be an option for people that have to use Windows for work (as one example) and just want a fantastic device for reading magazines, comics, surfing the web, videos, etc.  However, I think they need a new hybrid device that runs (at least) two separate operating systems.  While OS X and iOS share many features, the fact is that some things still can’t be done with just an iPad or they are harder to do with an iPad.  I remember my 3rd Generation iPad having an issue when installing iOS7.  No matter what I did, I could not get it to boot after the update.  As a result, I got on the web and read that I had to plug it into a computer and launch iTunes.  It definitely didn’t feel like a stand alone device.  While Apple has continued to open up iOS to apps like IFTT and Workflow that give it more automation, it still feels limited compared to OSX

Mac Touchscreen

First off, the hybrid device would need to have a 10-13 inch (my preference would be for a 12 inch display similar to the MacBook) touchscreen with similar capabilities to the iPad's screen.  Obviously, using it in tablet mode would require a touchscreen, but it might come in handy for drawing or taking notes right into OS X apps like Pages or Notes.  For some reason, Apple has resisted putting a touchscreen on OS X because it isn’t built around touch.  However, they could still make it available in OS X without changing much of the interface.  Just give it the same access that they give Wacom devices now when you use pen input.  They could have it off in OS X by default and when you open the system properties to turn it on, give you the same type of access as Wacom’s tablets*.

* For those unaware of Wacom, it is a device that typically hooks up to your computer via USB.  It is a flat tablet that enables pen input into programs like Photoshop and Illustrator.   

BlueStacks for iOS

I don’t know if you have heard of BlueStacks, but it will enable you to run Android OS in OS X via and Android emulator.  If I can run Android on the Mac, then I should also be able to just toggle iOS and OS X modes through a “gesture”.  For example, a four finger swipe down on the screen could take you from iOS to OS X and back.  

The Keyboard 

I am not a fan of the keyboard that the Surface uses, but Apple could use a detachable keyboard similar to the MacBook’s keyboard.  It might be slightly heavier, but it would be much more usable, which to me is more important than a few ounces.

To Wrap it up

In short, I really want a hybrid Mac that also runs iOS.  With the dwindling sells of the iPad, maybe it is time for a hybrid device that does it all?  I can run Windows and Android on my Mac, why shouldn’t I be able to also run iOS?