New iPad owner struggling

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 12:08

I got a new iPad through work yesterday. I also have a fairly old Acer Iconia Android tablet. Compared to the Iconia, the iPad is incredibly light, sleek, sexy, the screen looks great, all that jazz. I've missed some of my favourite Android apps like Aedict, and got over the fact that I won't be able to customise the homescreen.

But, I have been playing around with it on my day of leave this morning trying to get it set up in a way I can use productively, and am having some on-going frustrations:

Can I copy a few folders of pdf or Word files over for reading on the train? I can't see a way to do this without associating individual files with a specific app and doing it one by one. WHY?

Can I download a whole folder from Dropbox then, for reading and editing when I'm out of internet connection? (Seems not. No Folder download function or app that I can find.)

Can I drop a few DVD rips of TV episodes onto it to watch later? (Again, I can't see a way to do this.)

What about some lectures I downloaded, can I just copy those over? And can I do it without converting them and putting them with my music in iTunes (which would just be annoying).

How about connecting external storage from a flash drive? (No, this seems to be definitely impossible, which is a bit of a disappointment, tbh.)

Can I change the keyboard to one with good predictive text or swyping so I can type at a reasonable speed? No Swype, no Swiftkey, but any other options?

Overall, my impressions are that as nice a piece of kit as it is, it's just not a decent mobile computing platform. In all honesty, it feels like a toy - a very nice one, but a toy all the same. I'm feeling a definite pull back to my old, clunky Android tablet even its crappy battery life and finger-breaking weight.

But, not giving up yet. Can anyone give any pointers to turning the iPad into the kind of platform I want? Any other Android migrants who've struggled with this kind of issue?

Caged · 25 Jul 2013 at 13:41

Have a look at GoodReader, it will solve most of your document based problems. With regards to videos I tend to transcode them in Handbrake and then put them into iTunes.

spoffle · 25 Jul 2013 at 13:44

All the reasons you've listed are what usually push people away from iPads and iOS.

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 13:51

Caged said:
Have a look at GoodReader, it will solve most of your document based problems. With regards to videos I tend to transcode them in Handbrake and then put them into iTunes.

Yes, I found Goodreader just after posting, and it is a nice app to be fair. Still don't like the way you're forced to go through iTunes just to get pdfs and docs on the thing though. Why can't I do any file management myself?

Also found File Explorer, which is also a lovely app, and actually beats the Android apps I'd tried for streaming media from my PC. Credit where it's due - win for Apple there.

spoffle said:
All the reasons you've listed are what usually push people away from iPads and iOS.

Yeah, I guess so. On the plus side I got this for free so no loss, but kicking myself I didn't ask for a Galaxy Note instead. Just wanted to try the iPad given the chance.

If only I could manage files like I can on my Android tablet, most of these problems would be solvable. I really can't understand the restrictions on this.

And iTunes is horrible, let's face it. I thought Kies was a bit crap, but having to do *everything* through bloody iTunes is a right PITA.

spoffle · 25 Jul 2013 at 13:54

Your assement of them being toys is probably quite right really. To most people interested in tablets, they just want them as toys anyway, to view their favourite websites and play their favourite games.

You should bring it up with your work if you are struggling with productivity with it.

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 14:11

spoffle said:
Your assement of them being toys is probably quite right really. To most people interested in tablets, they just want them as toys anyway, to view their favourite websites and play their favourite games.

You should bring it up with your work if you are struggling with productivity with it.

Yeah, I do regret not getting a new Android tablet really. I'd kind of got my old tablet set up quite well for productivity, I was just getting very tired of the weight of it and the appalling battery life.

Work won't replace the iPad, though, since it was just a purchase from spare funds at the end of a project accounting period. Kind of a spur of the moment as the budget manager just asked me "hey, do you want an iPad"

Shouldn't complain at that, I guess.

Caged · 25 Jul 2013 at 18:48

I think you're approaching this wrong, you're almost trying to emulate what you did in Android and apply it to an iPad. Take a step back and think about what you want to achieve rather than getting hung up on the details.

For example, GoodReader has a Wi-Fi transfer mode which will allow you to load documents onto the device.

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 19:42

Caged said:
I think you're approaching this wrong, you're almost trying to emulate what you did in Android and apply it to an iPad. Take a step back and think about what you want to achieve rather than getting hung up on the details.

For example, GoodReader has a Wi-Fi transfer mode which will allow you to load documents onto the device.

Yes, I did reflect on this. I concede there may be some degree of that, and I am finding some little things I like about the iPad (Goodreader being one of them).

However, I do genuinely think it's more an issue of having come from being able to do so much with an Android tablet and finding the iPad limiting by comparison as much as it is trying to do things the same way.

I keep coming back to thinking about something as simple as dropping a DVD rip onto the device for watching on the move and finding it just... well impossible, as far as I can tell. Is it? Is there a way to do this?

Also filing systems and documents. It is possible with Goodreader and File Exlporer (and iBooks for that matter) to create file structures, but you have to do this manually after dropping files onto the device through iTunes. So I have to lose my carefully arranged existing filing structure and recreate it in an app on the device. I can't see that as trying to do things the wrong way, it's just damned inconvenient and ill-thought-out. I just don't see how the iPad can claim to be a mobile computing platform or productivity device without even quite basic file management capabilities.

But I didn't intend to make an "aren't Apple crap and annoying" thread, even though I am feeling a bit disappointed. I really want to find ways around these issues - finding a way to drop lectures, presentation videos, and DVD rips on to the device and play them back would be a major step towards rapprochement with me and my iPad. I really hope this is possible.

theheyes · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:07

I think the 'toy' assessment is perhaps a little harsh, it's more of a case of doing a few things well at the expense of broader features. I don't have any quick solutions to your issues unfortunately, as mentioned your issues are what make other platforms more suited. But you're not alone in finding them a complete pain in the ass for certain things.

Caged · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:08

iOS doesn't really have a 'file system' in the sense that it's something you browse. Any files on the device exist either in the app that they are to be used with, or they are in something like Dropbox or an email client and can be opened with an app which supports that particular file. The idea of a storage location that exists in the file system that all apps can access isn't something that is 'a thing'. This is the polar opposite to Android, and because of this stuff like drag and drop has to be handled through iTunes where the dropped file lives within a single application only.

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:13

theheyes said:
I think the 'toy' assessment is perhaps a little harsh, it's more of a case of doing a few things well at the expense of broader features. I don't have any quick solutions to your issues unfortunately, as mentioned your issues are what make other platforms more suited. But you're not alone in finding them a complete pain in the ass for certain things.

Yes, that may have been vented out of some frustration and perhaps a little over-egged

I know, of course, that many people use iPads as part of their creative jobs. It really does seem poorly suited to more standard office work support, though.

Caged said:
iOS doesn't really have a 'file system' in the sense that it's something you browse. Any files on the device exist either in the app that they are to be used with, or they are in something like Dropbox or an email client and can be opened with an app which supports that particular file. The idea of a storage location that exists in the file system that all apps can access isn't something that is 'a thing'. This is the polar opposite to Android, and because of this stuff like drag and drop has to be handled through iTunes where the dropped file lives within a single application only.

Yes, this is something I'm just starting to piece together. I guess this is what makes dropping DVD rips and the like impossible since I don't think there's an app they can live with. Or is there? Any apps that will accept these are file transfers in iTunes.

manic111 · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:18

Just use Dropbox for your docs. I'm not sure whether it would work with video as well? Although unless you want to be uploading and downloading the transfer time could be a hassle.

I migrated from Android too, and haven't really had a problem. I don't use mine for media really, apart from occassionally for Spotify, though. But for office stuff, it's excellent as long as you get Dropbox or Google Drive sorted.

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:32

I do use Dropbox. I'm a huge fan of it, actually. I don't have problems using Dropbox generally, but I only have a wi-fi iPad, meaning I'd have to tether my phone to use it out and about, and there are many parts of the country I travel through where there's no mobile data coverage so I rely on being able to use files on the device a lot of the time.

However, I have now found some tricks that make things seem a lot rosier! File Explorer and Goodreader both do actually allow folder downloading! Just what I wanted! Okay, it's not as convenient as the several methods of getting files across I had with my Android tablet, but acceptable and it ticks off one major issue. Also, Tonido looks like it might rock my world a little! Like ES File Explorer for Android, but with a built in media player and the ability to tell the pad to open downloads with other apps. Nice.

Would still really love to be able to chuck some of my existing media onto the device's storage for when I'm on the train, but perhaps I just have to live with not being able to (no way I could see downloading several hundred MB of media files a convenient solution).

manic111 · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:34

Oh really? I didn't know that, might have to have a look at File Explorer for myself

strumpusplunket · 25 Jul 2013 at 20:55

More discoveries....

File Explorer will accept most media files if you add them via itunes. It will also play them back with subtitle support for .srt (but not .idx/.sub or .txt). It will then let you choose which other apps you might want to open the file in - so possible support for other sub formats if I can find them.

So I can drop media on the iPad relatively easily after all! Odd that no-one I spoke to knew that, and I couldn't find anything about it through Googling. Just trial-and-error.

This really goes a long way to improving my sentiments about the iPad!

(File Explorer is the best app I've found I think, though also liking Goodreader and Tonido).

Okay, my mood is improving this evening. (Even if I do still rather hate iTunes...

)

Dangerous Dave · 27 Jul 2013 at 08:13

I use File Broswer which lets you copy files over wifi directly from any network share without the need of iTunes. You can then copy any media files directly to VLC or AVPlayer HD to play back any media type as far as I know both support all subtitle file types. If you want to stream media to the iPad Air Video is a good app for this which also works from anywhere with a net connection.

strumpusplunket · 27 Jul 2013 at 15:48

Well, I'm trying to avoid having to transfer large media files over wifi, because it takes so long.

I am quite pleased with the built-in media player in File Explorer, and it streams most formats quite nicely, even 1080p mkv encodes. I haven't yet found a player which supports .idx/.sub or /.txt subtitle files, but the search goes on.

I do now really like the built-in pdf/doc reader in the iPad version of Dropbox, something which is lacking from the Android version for some reason. It makes reading pdfs when I have a net connection a much nicer experience.

Right now the only issues I have are not being able to preserve existing folder structures when transferring files onto the device by adding them to apps, and not really liking the default keyboard and not being able to change it (such a poor comparison to Swype and Swiftkey). I can live with these, though, I think, but only time will tell if the lack of space and the lack of SD card slot or other external storage connection options will be ultimately too problematic.

Pug · 27 Jul 2013 at 18:58

Just grab AV player HD, and you can drop any format/file you want into it (either through the apps section of iTunes, or over wifi.

strumpusplunket · 27 Jul 2013 at 23:12

Pug said:
Just grab AV player HD, and you can drop any format/file you want into it (either through the apps section of iTunes, or over wifi.

Heard good things about it, but pretty sure it says it only supports .srt subtitle files (not .sub/.idx). It seems to have similar codec support to Oplayer, in fact, which is the one I ended up getting. Also looked at VLC and AVplayer, but Oplayer was reviewed the best of the three where I was looking. Finally managed to get Oplayer set up to see my shared network files through setting up Samba host on the iPad, so that's pretty good.

Ah looking again, I notice AVPlayerHD has AC3 support, which Oplayer lacks, so maybe that would have been a better bet. Still only a couple of quid so may end just grabbing AVP anyway.

Faustus · 28 Jul 2013 at 08:35

Dangerous Dave said:
I use File Broswer which lets you copy files over wifi directly from any network share without the need of iTunes. You can then copy any media files directly to VLC or AVPlayer HD to play back any media type as far as I know both support all subtitle file types. If you want to stream media to the iPad Air Video is a good app for this which also works from anywhere with a net connection.

I'll second Air Video, a great little app.