Apple apparently plans to release an iPad keyboard accessory that comes with a trackpad alongside their 2020 iPad Pro.
This move aims to provide and showcase users that the iPad is more than capable of being an alternative to a laptop, for users who are still not convinced by it. How else can Apple further prove that but by providing a trackpad accessory that brings it another step closer to that?
As surprising (or maybe not) as it is, Apple isn’t exactly the first to introduce a keyboard and trackpad accessory for the iPad Pro. Thanks to Apple’s update with the iPadOS, it includes a nifty little feature in Accessibilities that allows for mouse support, and opened doors for companies to produce products that would make use of it.
A couple of months ago, a company called Brydge announced an iPad accessory with both keyboard and an ‘oversized trackpad’, and dubbed it the Pro+ Keyboard. It’s only available to the 11″ and 12.9″ iPad Pro models and features 3 levels of backlighting and a 3-month-long battery. The product costs $199.99 (RM840.00) for the 11″ and $299.99 (RM1,260.00) for the 12.9″ model. The company is currently still accepting pre-orders for the product and will start shipping in April, according to its website.
Another product is a kickstarter called Libra which also provides the iPad Pro a keyboard and trackpad accessory, complete with backlighting and function key support.
But in the end, the release of their products may be for naught once Apple releases their version of it. They are, after all, the ones who invented the iPad and probably know what’s best for it. Although, it could be prove to be a good alternative if Apple, well, being Apple, puts up a price that will make heads turn.
Despite that, having a trackpad on an iPad may not prove the best idea. There are both pros and cons of providing a trackpad, but with the way the mouse Accessibility feature currently works on iPadOS, it may not really improve user experience. To put it simply, it works exactly like another finger. When it comes to tasks like editing texts or selecting smaller, UI buttons, it emulates what one would in those tasks with their finger. So, why not just use your own finger?
Until Apple updates their iPadOS to properly support the mouse Accessibility, I see no reason why anyone would rush to get this rumoured product, or even the Brydge or Libra ones. You’re much better of just using your own finger(s) for the time being.
