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Is it an iPad Pro, or is it just a big iPad?

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iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard

So recently, Apple released the iPad Pro, and promised that this device would be a computer alternative, so  have decided to do as many have done and try to use the iPad as a main computer. In many wyas, the iPad Pro has things that are better than an iMac or Macbook, and in some ways the iPad Pro is not. In this article we will explore how it is better and how it is not.

Why the iPad is a computer Aleternative

The iPad Pro comes with a beautiful 12.9 inch Retina display that looks amazing for web design and other professional and creative ventures. The on screen keyboard is no longer the basic iOS keyboard we have come to know, but is now a full featured keyboard with a number row and the punctuation in the correct places. You can even press the shift key and find the question mark or number row characters as you would on the computer. The current version of iOS also contains more keyboard shortcuts like Command Tab to switch between apps.

Safari on the iPad Pro also behaves more like Safari on the computer. I am actually writing this article on my iPad Pro, and have full access to the Squarespace tools as if I was on my Macbook. The only thing I did not see is how to drag and drop items into the correct places.

The Sound quality on the new iPad Pro is amazing, in fact it really rivals the sound quality on many desktop computers.

The battery life on the iPad Pro is amazing as well. I unplugged the iPad around 8 this morning and have played games and surfed the web on it all day and the iPad is still at 82% battery life. This does outlast the Macbook or Macbook Pro’s battery life.

Photos look great on the iPad Pro. You can get a good look at your high resolution photos that you have taken on your iPhone 6s or 6s Plus and they will look amazing on the iPad Pro.

Another advantage of the iPad Pro is that it will eventually get USB 3.0 support. The iPad Pro does not currently have any usb 3 accessories but iFixit has determined that there is USB 3.0 support built into the iPad mainboard.

How the iPad Pro is not like a computer

While the iPad Pro has many features that make it comperable to a computer, it still has its limitations.

The iPad Pro does not have XCode or the professional Mac apps for creatives. While the iPad software can support it, Apple will not add these programs to their iOS devices at this point.

Podcasting is still difficult on the iPad Pro because of sound and audio input limitations. I do not know if you can hook up a USB Mic to it yet. That will be tried shortly. This is still where the MacBook has an advantage.

Many also do not like the fact that the iPad still does not have multi user support. I think this may be coming in iOS 10.

The last major issue with the iPad Pro is the lack of a filesystem browser. Apple has added iCloud Drive support, but I believe that you will always need Internet Access for this to work.

Conclusion

The iPad Pro is really Apple’s best creative device. If you need a device with a filesystem and full podcasting support, then use a Mac. If you do not need these features and want a touch centric device, then the iPad Pro is best for you. If you want a good device to watch movies and TV Shows then the iPad Pro is amazing. I even use it as my home speaker system if I just want to fill a room with audio. The iPad Pro’s 4 speakers really are amazing to hear, and no writing can express how well these things sound.

The big thing is that you will not be able to write code for apps or create the most professional movies with this device, but you can start a project on it and do the heavy lifting on a Mac.

Please let us know what you think about the iPad Pro and write how you use it or not use it as a computer.

Quick Tip: How to pair Magic Keyboard with iOS Devices

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Magic Keyboard

The Magic Keyboard is the newest keyboard from Apple and it offers a new sleek and slim design. The nicest feature of the keyboard is its multiple uses with devices. This keyboard can be a wireless keyboard for iOS and Mac, or a wired Mac or PC keyboard.

To pair the Magic Keyboard with an iOS device follow the below instructions.

  1. Make sure your keyboard is on. The keyboard now has an on/off switch instead of a button to make this easier.
  2. Open the settings app
  3. find the Bluetooth section
  4. Look for Magic Keyboard and select it

You may also like to un-pair your keyboard or disconnect it for use with other devices. Here is how you do this.

  1. Open the settings app
  2. Find Bluetooth
  3. Find your Magic Keyboard in the list
  4. Find the More info or details button to the right of your keyboard and select it.
  5. Find the disconnect for forget device option to un-pair your keyboard.

There will be more Magic Keyboard tips added here soon so keep checking back.

#iACast 6 – Saving Power on Mars

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Picture of Mars

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 On episode 7 of iA Cast we discuss how to save power on your new iPhone 6s and much more.
  1. iAccessibility.net has been given an update for better looks and performance
  2. To save power on your iPhone 6s;
    1. Turn off background app refresh for apps you don’t want refreshing
    2. Disable always use location services for selected apps and system services
    3. Turn on Screen Curtain while using VoiceOver
    4. Use Airplane Mode with Wi-FI and Bluetooth on to use your device without cellular signal
    5. Use Airplane Mode to charge your device faster
  3. Discussion of the movie the Martian compared to the book
  4. Discussion of latest season of Doctor Who
  5. Cap Mac Users Group meets Tuesday October 13 instead of Tuesday October 6th as stated last week
  6. iAccessibility will be at NFB Texas convention to discuss our developer program and to sign people up to create their apps. Come and show your support for iAccessibility at the exhibit hall
  7. Brief discussion of how to get an app developed through iAccessibility

Do you like the podcast? Please leave us a comment here or on any podcast episode page and let us know how we are doing.

Quick Tip: Enable the iCloud Drive App in iOS 9

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iCloud Drive logo

One of the best features that has been added to iOS 9 is the ability to access your saved files and folders in iCloud Drive, and you can even enable an app that lets you simply view and open your files. Here is how to enable this app. Once enabled, you will be able to go to your home screen, and access the iCloud Drive app.

  1. Open the settings app
  2. Find and select iCloud
  3. Find iCloud Drive and double tap. 
  4. Make sure iCloud Drive is on
  5. Enable Show on Home Screen

That’s it. Once you do this then you can press the home button, and the iCloud Drive app will be on your home screen.

#iACast 2 – Accessibility Update

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iAccessibility Logo

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Episode Notes

Apple News

  1. Apple is holding an event next week to announce its new Phones. It is expected that the new iPhone will be announced.
  2. WatchOS 2.0 should come out next week along with iOS 9

Apple Watch Accessibility

  1. Apple Watch apps still could be more accessible.
  2. Watch apps will be more accessible after WatchOS 2.0 is released and developers have time to work with the code.

Windows 10 Accessibility

  1. Windows 10 is ready for screen readers, but is not fully supported by any screen reader.
  2. Narrator works with Windows 10, but is not for everyone.
  3. Cortona is a great tool for Windows 10 users, and will be more useful when screen readers work better with the OS.
  4. Edge browser not accessible with screen readers at this point.

Accessibility in Gaming

  1. Games have come a long way in recent years to support accessibility
  2. Destiny has color blind mode, and constant sounds to help low vision players find items to pick up or activate.
  3. Mortal Kombat X and Injustice made more accessible with audible cues thanks to blind gamer.
  4. Mobile game accessibility becoming more popular with the Blindfold games and games like Trivia Crack and Dice World.
  5. Trivia Crack needs to fix several buttons as they are no longer labeled.

Other Resources

Check out these resources online to further your technology knowledge.

  1. BlindBargains http://www.blindbargains.com
  2. Lynda.com http://www.lynda.com
  3. TWiT http://www.twit.tv
  4. iMore http://www.imore.com
+ More
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