Rumors recently surfaced again that Apple could be
planning to introduce a larger iPad, perhaps up to 12.9-inches in size and as early as the first quarter of 2015. This could well go a long way to making the iPad an excellent Office-style productivity tool, with particular appeal to enterprise. Even though the iPad has been a resounding success since its introduction in late 2010 with over 224 million sold, third quarter sales figures for 2014 saw a 9 percent decline, which
Apple CEO Tim Cook downplayed as a 'speed bump.' We recently looked at the question of iPad productivity now that Microsoft Office is available for the platform when coupled. Even when combined with a nicely designed product like the Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad Air, the current 9.7-inch model when used in that way is not ideal.
When Apple introduced the iPad in late 2010, it pitched the device as fitting a niche somewhere between the functionality of a smartphone and the full functionality of a notebook. It did not necessarily intend, at least at the outset, that the iPad would be a notebook replacement. Yet, as many people and organizations have discovered, the iPad can replace a notebook in many instances, facilitating all kinds of productivity and creativity. Apple's recent
series of ads highlighting asking "What will your verse be?" illustrates this perfectly. However, as Microsoft has been pointing out lately with its ads for the new Surface Pro 3, its tablet/notebook hybrid does a better (if not perfect) job of replacing a both a notebook and tablet with one device; which shouldn't be surprising as that is its raison d'etre.
Despite its design edge in delivering Office-style productivity in a tablet form factor (and despite its traditional dominance in enterprise), Microsoft's Surface has thus far failed to make anywhere near the kinds of inroads that Apple has made in enterprise with the iPad. As Apple recently noted, about
98 percent of Fortune 500 companies have adopted the iPad. This, coupled with its
landmark deal with IBM to develop tailored software solutions for businesses based around the iPad augers well for the iPad's continued success. Yet, while there are plenty of legitimate and beneficial uses for a light-weight, compact and portable device such as the iPad as a productivity device in many workplace contexts, at 9.7-inches the iPad may not be the optimal size.
The Incase Origami workstation makes use of Apple's full-size wireless keyboard
As I pointed out in our piece on the
iPad productivity equation, the problem with keyboard folios designed for Office-style productivity on the iPad that they feature 'full size keys;' this is not to be confused with a 'full size keyboard.' This is nicely illustrated by the combination of
Incase Origami workstation for the Apple Wireless Keyboard and any 9.7-inch iPad as you can see pictured. Even though the Origami case has been around nearly as long as the iPad has been on the market, it works very well as it utilizes Apple's full size keyboard. This makes it much more comfortable when using the iPad as a productivity tool. It might not be as nicely integrated as the
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio, but it makes typing large amounts of text on the iPad much more comfortable.
Logitech Keyboard Folio for iPad - beautifully integrated, but keyboard is cramped
The Microsoft
Surface Pro 3 has been the best received of Microsoft's Surface devices to date, despite the fact that is slightly less compact than in the past. Its display jumped from 10.6-inches (16:9 aspect ratio) to a 12-inch (3:2 aspect ratio) making its overall dimensions more in line with an ultrabook, noticeably lighter at 1.76 pounds (800g). While Apple may not bring full Mac OS X compatibility to a larger iPad, it makes a lot of sense to create a larger iPad for which third-party vendors could create integrated full-size keyboard solutions. In fact, it could also prompt Apple to release its own integrated keyboard folio solution as well; it seems reluctant to do so at this point in time as these types of solutions are not particularly comfortable when hooked up to a 9.7-inch iPad.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 multitasking
Of course the weight of a larger 12.9-inch iPad will be important if it is going to be a success. Microsoft has managed to increase the size of its Surface Pro 3, while at the same time managing to make it lighter than Surface Pro. There is no reason to think that Apple can't continue to make its iPad range lighter in time. Apple is thought to have
invested in carbon fiber to help reduce the overall weight of its iPads and other MacBooks. Yet, even without pursuing this path, it was still able to substantially reduce the weight of the iPad Air over preceding generations. Importantly, such an iPad will still be lighter than most ultrabooks, and therefore offer tremendous appeal to users who routinely carry both a MacBook and an iPad with them. If this cannibalizes MacBook sales, it is better that it is Apple doing the cannibalizing instead of potentially losing sales to a rival.
Larger Surface Pro 3 display makes more room for keyboard and touchpad
While people can make all sorts of arguments for why the Microsoft Surface product line has so far failed to set sales charts on fire, there could well be strong demand for a larger iPad that can be better integrated with a full size keyboard when Office-style productivity is required. A larger iPad could be just what Apple needs to help regain sustainable momentum in iPad sales above and beyond any bump that will inevitably come with the launch of new 7.9-inch and 9.7-inch iPads in the next couple of months. A larger iPad could also appeal to families as well as enterprise users, as there are plenty of apps out there that Apple has promoted as socially oriented 'huddle' apps for families and friends to congregate around. Those who have made a habit of toting both a MacBook and iPad might also find that a larger iPad makes a lot of sense, even if it doesn't completely bridge the divide between a tablet and a notebook.
Evidence has also emerged that Apple is prepping
split screen multitasking in iOS 8. While the 9.7-inch iPad is large enough to support this functionality, it would make even more sense on a larger iPad. Samsung has already introduced this capability on its tablet and smartphone line, while the Microsoft's Surface has also come into its own in this regard since the update to Windows 8.1. There is little doubt that enterprise users would love this type of functionality in an iPad as well. Further, as developers have proven with the original iPad, if Apple gives them the additional screen real-estate to work with, they will find new and innovative ways to use the canvas. It is quite likely that the introduction of a larger iPad could spur the next wave of creativity in software innovation for the iOS platform.
Against this backdrop, a larger iPad makes a lot of sense, even if it will primarily address the enterprise market. Would you like to see Apple introduce a larger iPad?
By Sanjiv Sathiah