iPad Pro “Detachable”?

According to an IDC report posted at AppleWorld.Today, the newest iPad expected to be announced in September will be a detachable hybrid device. The good folks at AppleWorld.Today disagree and this Texan isn’t sure, but I did predict the possibility back in November of 2013. When you look at the technology that’s already in place in OS X and iOS and the processing power available from both Apple and Intel, it sure seems like Apple is getting ready to revolutionize another market. The next iPad may well be a “detachable” or “convertible” or whatever Apple decides to call it. Here’s why:

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The Hidden Treasure on Every Mac

Well, that may be a little melodramatic, but no Mac geek can call him/herself a “power user” without at least a basic understanding of Automator. Apple engineers have done miraculous things with OS X, making it the most intuitive, efficient and beautiful operating system possible. But there’s no way to code an OS to be “all things to all people” without it becoming a completely bloated hulk. Microsoft aptly proves my point. Windows tries to be a combination desktop and portable operating system full of features for both, resulting in an OS that’s not really good for either. Conversely, Apple has always maintained iOS/OS X separation despite lots of speculation to the contrary. Two distinctly different operating systems with two distinctly different design philosophies. On the desktop side of things, OS X is focused on providing features to make the user sitting in front of a large(r) (non-touch) screen as capable and productive as possible.

In both their hardware and software products Apple designs and includes features they deem most useful for 90% of their prospective customers. This design philosophy has obviously paid off. Mac sales continue to escalate even as overall PC sales are in decline. But what about the other 10%? Those who could use everything OS X provides plus a bit more. Apple has realized (quite wisely I might add) that providing every feature wanted by the final 10% would be as large an engineering effort as the one required for the first 90. What to do?

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AT&T WiFi Calling

I was a Verizon Wireless customer for over 15 years until 2007 when Apple released the first iPhone exclusively on AT&T’s network. In fact, when I originally signed up for cellular service in 1992, Verizon Wireless wasn’t even called Verizon Wireless. It was GTE Mobilnet and my first cell phone was the original Motorola Flip.

My home is built on a wooded, riverfront lot at the bottom of a small valley. It is on the fringe of AT&T service. There’s two or three bars of signal just a couple hundred yards up the hill, but the combination of trees and geography combine to reduce the signal in my home to almost nil. This illustrates what a complete Apple freak I am. I always had a good signal in my home when I was with Verizon, but I wanted an iPhone so badly I ditched them after being a customer for many years and never gave the act a second thought. Shame on Verizon for turning their nose up to the iPhone! It’s common knowledge Apple approached them first.

Early on, I had several “discussions” with AT&T representatives about the signal at my home. Their published map showed my house well within their 3G (there was no 4G back then) coverage area. As a result of my incessant “discussions”, AT&T provided me with a free micro cell device

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Road Warrior (On the Cheap)

Well, I’m on the road again. Heading out for a two-week vacation with the family and a couple of friends. This time, instead of a hotel or resort, we’re renting a 2000 sq. ft. vacation home in a residential neighborhood right in the middle of all the local attractions (tourist traps) in Sedona, Arizona. According to the property manager, the home has cable TV and Internet service, but the connection is wired only. No Wi-Fi. Like a hotel, the only sound system consists of a couple of clock radios. It’s a given I’ll be taking my MacBook Pro (I never travel without it), but I’m still left with a couple of challenges: 1) how to provide Wi-Fi so our three iPhones and one iPad don’t burn through our monthly (15 GB) AT&T data allotment and 2) how to take along a better sound system. This is a vacation. I’m certain some drinking and general partying is in the itinerary somewhere. Everybody knows the booze bone is connected to the music bone. So, my standard travel bag needs a few extra things…

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