Missing Features in the Apple Ecosystem: A Closer Look
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the Apple Ecosystem
The Apple ecosystem offers an enticing experience, characterized by the harmonious interaction of devices like the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch.
For instance, unlocking your Mac or iPhone with the Apple Watch is effortless, or using the iPad as a secondary display for your MacBook is a breeze. Additionally, controlling both the Mac and iPad with a single keyboard and mouse is a reality.
Despite these impressive capabilities, there are some surprising limitations and overlooked opportunities. I’m not referring to the absence of a built-in calculator app on the iPad; rather, I am highlighting some interaction features that are lacking across certain Apple devices. Join me as I explore three missing functionalities that I find particularly notable in my day-to-day use of the Apple ecosystem.
Section 1.1: Apple Watch Integration on iPad
The Apple Watch was designed as an accessory primarily for the iPhone, which is why its functionalities are most extensive when paired with the iPhone. However, since the launch of macOS 10.13, the Apple Watch has been able to unlock the Mac using Auto Unlock, and it can also confirm purchases or settings changes with a quick double-tap of the side button.
Yet, the iPad remains the only device within the ecosystem that does not support the Apple Watch at all. The closest interaction we get is through the Health app introduced with iPadOS 17, which allows users to view health data collected by the Apple Watch.
Here are a few reasons why Apple Watch support on the iPad would be advantageous:
Auto Unlock
Why can’t we use Auto Unlock on the iPad? While the Pro models come equipped with FaceID, I frequently position my iPad in ways that make FaceID unreliable. For example, when using my iPad in desktop mode mounted to a VESA mount, I often find myself contorting to get the right angle for FaceID. Auto Unlock would be particularly beneficial for iPads equipped with TouchID, saving me from the repeated taps often required to get a valid reading.
Playback Control
When working on my iPad, I always enjoy listening to music. A feature I sorely miss is the ability to control playback through the Now Playing app on my Apple Watch. While I can adjust volume and skip tracks using my AirPods, I cannot browse my music library or see what's currently playing. Although this might seem like a minor feature, it would greatly enhance the overall user experience.
Presentation Remote
It’s puzzling that Apple hasn’t implemented any remote functionality for PowerPoint or Keynote presentations on the iPad. While this feature exists on the Apple Watch, it is limited to the iPhone. Most people don’t present from their iPhones, so it would be beneficial to enable Apple Watch control for presentations on the iPad, or integrate it into a future version of the Apple Pencil.
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Section 1.2: Universal Control Between iPads
The iPad Pro has undergone significant evolution since the introduction of iPadOS 16, becoming a flexible and powerful mobile computing device. Many users rely solely on their iPads for their computing needs, and I myself spent nearly two years using the iPad Pro exclusively.
However, with various iPad models available, many, including myself, live a dual iPad lifestyle. I currently use the iPad mini 6 alongside my 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Often, while working on the iPad Pro, I require a second screen for research or reference materials. Although the Apple ecosystem allows me to utilize the iPad mini as a sort of secondary display, it lacks the complete functionality provided by Universal Control, which only operates between Mac and iPad.
It would be incredibly convenient to simply move my cursor from the iPad Pro to the iPad mini and use the same keyboard and trackpad for navigation. This enhancement would streamline my workflow considerably.
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Section 1.3: Vertical Orientation Support in Sidecar
Sidecar is a fantastic feature that allows any iPad to serve as a secondary monitor for a MacBook, yet it has a notable limitation—it only supports landscape orientation, irrespective of the iPad's actual position.
I often work in tight spaces, and having the iPad protrude into my line of sight can be cumbersome. Additionally, many documents, such as PDFs, are formatted vertically, making it impractical to use Sidecar without vertical orientation support.
The only alternative is to rely on Universal Control, which functions well but requires documents to be accessible on the iPad, necessitating cloud storage or file transfers.
Apple should enhance the usability of Sidecar by adding vertical screen orientation support for iPads!
Chapter 2: Conclusion
While the Apple ecosystem boasts impressive capabilities, it is not without its flaws. In this piece, I have highlighted three areas within the Apple ecosystem that I believe warrant attention for improvement: Apple Watch support on the iPad, Universal Control between two iPads, and vertical orientation with Sidecar. Addressing these issues could significantly boost user experience and elevate the Apple ecosystem even further.
What features do you feel are lacking in the Apple ecosystem? Or are you satisfied with the existing functionalities? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Thank you for reading!
Tobias