Time for a more advanced iPad UI

iPhone launched in 2007, and brought the concept of ‘apps’ along. As time went on, apps became more and more commonplace for everyday tasks. We got used to them, developed muscle memory.

When Apple stretched out the iPhone into the iPad, it expanded on the UI system put in place by the iPhone. The main thing that changed was the introduction of a ‘standardised’ sidebar.

As iPad matured, the compatible ‘inputs’ for its interface grew. It caters for fingers (all 10 of them), keyboard (shortcuts), trackpad (including gestures), and pencil.

The basis for all these inputs remained the ‘touch button’ style interface of the iPhone. Large buttons, with large recognisable icons. Little text, if any, especially if compared to Mac.

Apps matured more and more, and got a place in our lives. Up to the point that for most ‘regular’ use cases, most people would be perfectly served with an iPad (except maybe on price).

So now, Apple is dipping its toes into new territory; pro apps for iPad. It launched Final Cut and Logic last year, and new versions of it this year.

And to me the interesting question is how Apple will develop and grow its interface system, to accommodate pro users.

Traditionally on desktop computers, professionals have had access to huge nested menus, (programmable) keyboard shortcuts, and lots of tiny buttons, with a tiny explainer when you hover over them.

How will Apple develop the pro apps, on a limited screen size, compatible with touch and all other input modes? It’s an opportunity to reinvent the pro interface. To expand the current interface system, but introduce us to new paradigms (like command bar for quick tool switching).

I’m excited to see what’s next.