What USB-C Means for the New iPad
How an iPad with USB-C Will Change the Way We Interact with Technology
Apple’s new line of iPads is expected to get announced on Tuesday and are rumored to be the first iOS products to include USB-C rather than the traditional Lightning connector customers have come to expect.
And while the new iPads are also expected to incorporate a substantial redesign that more closely resembles the iPhone X, the gravity of Apple’s decision to include USB-C cannot be overstated.
Why is this a big deal? Because of the countless possibilities it opens up for iPads from this point forward.
Why is Apple Doing this Now?
Apple is historically a methodical, detail-oriented company.
Time and again, that’s been showcased in the number of small touches they make throughout their hardware and software ecosystems to create a single cohesive experience.
But sometimes being so detail oriented means playing the long con, and that’s just what Apple’s done here.
While many hardware manufacturers like Samsung and Google have included USB-C in their mobile products for years, giving customers more ways to use their phones and tablets, Apple has maintained the Lightning standard they debuted in 2012.
The likeliest culprit for this decision stems from Apple’s desire to set the stage for a robust new feature set. Because USB-C isn’t just a new way to charge an iPad. It’s the most versatile connection standard available today, and with all the possibilities the port opens up, it’s no surprise that Apple would take their time to figure out the best way to implement it.
At its heart, the iPad as it exists today is a singularly mobile experience. It doesn’t support a mouse, it has extremely limited multitasking, and its file management is shaky at best. But thanks to competition from Microsoft’s Surface tablets, which offer a complete desktop-class experience, Apple has systematically added more capability to their product to maintain appeal.
Microsoft and Google have both spent a great deal of time working to make their tablet and convertible offerings full-featured computing experiences of the sort that customers simply can’t find on an iPad. And it’s worked.
It’s largely assumed that Apple’s decision to add both their Smart Keyboard and stylus options to the iPad came as a direct answer to the increased functionality of the Surface. This move was especially significant because it ran counter to Steve Jobs’s claim that adding a stylus to a tablet lessened the user experience.
In that same vein, Apple likely sees the growing trend toward desktop-class mobile computing which allows customers to work however they want on their tablet and doesn’t want to get left in the dust.
What’s the Competition Doing?
Right now, you can use a Microsoft Surface or Chromebook as a full-featured desktop replacement, giving you an ideal way to get work done right out of the box and without the constraints found in iOS.
On top of that, most mainstream hardware manufacturers like HP, Dell, and Lenovo have begun selling their own tablets and convertibles that offer similar functionality, creating more competition for Apple every day.
And while the iPad Pro can keep up to most of these options in terms of specs, it falls apart when it comes to getting real work done. Without peripheral support, a full file system, or better window management, iOS doesn’t hold a candle to Windows or ChromeOS on a tablet.
How Will USB-C Change Everything?
USB-C is effectively a single hardware addition that opens up the door for countless possibilities. Unlike the Lightning standard that preceded it, USB-C is essentially a catch-all connection type that allows users to do anything from charging their devices to outputting audio to transferring data. They can even use it to connect their device to one or more external displays.
It’s that last option that carries with it the biggest clue as to where Apple is taking the iPad. Because the tablet lacks any real interface options beyond a touch screen and (if the rumors of the new model losing the home button are true) three physical buttons, how could users expect to take advantage of a second screen beyond mirroring their iPad?
iOS on Multiple Screens
The truth is that Apple has likely been extensively planning out every scenario USB-C enables when it comes to the new iPad, and that includes figuring out how to extend screen real estate in a meaningful way. Considering the lack of touch screen displays on the market currently, that more than likely involves giving the new version of the iPad mouse support.
Additionally, until the release of iOS 9, iPad users were limited to only using one app at a time. But even with split view, the option to connect to an external display wouldn’t make sense without major improvements to the way iOS handles multitasking. The inclusion of USB-C signals that Apple is also ready to make enhanced window management and navigation key components of the new iPad.
Full-Featured File Management
USB-C also offers users a way to connect to almost any external storage option they want. But that isn’t very useful without a dedicated file management system.
Last year, Apple made the first step toward this goal with their Files app in iOS 11. And while the app offers convenient navigation between internal storage multiple cloud storage services, it lacks the tighter integration with external storage devices that can be found in the Surface and Chromebooks.
With USB-C and a Files app that emphasizes more options for storage, users will finally have a way to connect to and manage files on external drives with just their iPad. To give this any substantial appeal, Apple would also need to offer either tab support or the option to use multiple windows in the Files app.
If Apple does choose to bring this functionality to the iPad, it would open up an entirely new set of possibilities, giving the device a broader appeal to creatives who depend on accessing large assets while they work and inching it that much closer to one day being on the same level as the MacBook.
A Peak at the Future
So what does working on an iPad look like if Apple does include USB-C? Depending on your workflow, it will be much different than what you’re used to today.
While current iPads are only capable of limited multitasking on a single screen, future models may well give you the options to:
- Connect to one or more 4K display
- Launch the apps you want to use in either windowed or full-screen mode
- Connect a mouse and keyboard to navigate between windows
Considering these options, it’s not hard to imagine throwing a reference picture up on a monitor while using your iPad and Apple Pencil to draw what’s on the screen. All while Bojack Horseman plays in a separate window.
The Implication of It All
Of course, this is all speculation, and Apple has a tendency to disappoint when it comes to rumors of innovation (I’m looking at you, Apple Car, Apple Television Set, and Apple AR glasses).
Make no mistake, there’s a real possibility the 2018 iPad will include the same Lightning connector that its predecessor possessed. And the fact that the recently released iPhone Xs, XR, and Xs Max all have the Lightning port isn’t exactly inspiring much confidence.
But if Apple chooses to finally adopt USB-C in this iteration of the iPad, they would effectively add an entire feature set to the product while lowering the threshold of entry to people who want to make their next tablet the main destination for work.
Right now, Apple’s entry-level MacBook has limited processing power, minimal design, and a single port. Adding USB-C to the iPad would effectively elevate it to the same playing field as this MacBook, presenting customers with two equally capable options for getting things done.
It may sound counterproductive to have two competing entry-level products, but now is the best time for Apple to do this. With the Surface and Chromebooks taking full advantage of the potential a tablet can deliver, there’s no better time for Apple to make their move toward giving customers a fully developed tablet experience.
