[Rinzler89]

Why does it need to be either one or the other?

There's absolutely no reason the iPad can't have both, as in a simple kiosk mode for old people to call someone, and then a "Power-user" toggle in the setting for those who want to enable the more complex features.

[VyseofArcadia]

Why do old people need an iPhone or iPad just to call someone?

My mother in law insists on having the newest iPhone every year. It spends 95% of its time in the bottom of her purse, turned off. 1% of time is phone calls. The other 4% of its time is my MIL complaining about how complex it is while she laboriously dials a number. Realistically, she should just buy a dumb phone[0].

A complex tool like a smart phone or a computer has a duty to provide its user with the capabilities they need, even if providing such capabilities requires a complex UI. You can only make something as user friendly as possible. After a certain point, making something easier to use requires you to remove features.

This is why professional software, like CAD software or DAWs or programming languages, has a leaning curve. It is a tool that you are expected to have to learn to use. If your tool is too complex for your needs, return it and buy a simpler tool. Buying an iPad or iPhone just to make phone calls is like buying a stand mixer with all of the attachments when all you needed was a wooden spoon.

[0] Except that the iPhone is a status symbol now

[Rinzler89]

>Why do old people need an iPhone or iPad just to call someone?

Nobody said they do need it, it's just the HN trope that Apple devices are "so easy to use" that they'd somehow be better for the elderly, because devices form Windows and Android tend to nag you with more pop-ups and complex questions.

[nickpp]

Because app developers will never fully support two interaction modes. They will focus on one while the other will be an after-thought.

[Rinzler89]

Why would app developers need to support that? Just let the iPad run MacOS apps. It has the same CPU after all.

[nickpp]

Because touch-based and mouse/trackpad based UIs are different enough to need separate support. An app optimized for one will look&feel much worse on the other. Remember Windows 8?

[Rinzler89]

Does the iPad not support a keyboard and mouse to be used like a laptop?

[nickpp]

By default it comes with neither and most iPad users probably don’t add them.

[Rinzler89]

That's wasn't the point.

And what if I want to add them? Most likely other users would to if the SW support was there and you could run Mac apps on the iPad once you connected the keyboard and mouse.

[ukuina]

They tried that with Stage Manager and it's a mess.

[Rinzler89]

Just because they tried something one time and it failed, does that mean there's no room to try to do better?

[sneak]

Stage Manager doesn’t really address any of the issues raised by the article.

[kcplate]

On the iPad I think the screen size makes stage manager unusable…but I have found stage manager hugely useful on my Mac with an ultra wide monitor along side Rectangle windows manager