When Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPad in 2010, he had a crystal-clear Steve Jobs iPad vision – a simple “third category” device that would sit perfectly between smartphones and laptops. Fast forward to 2025, and Apple has completely abandoned that original concept. The question is: was this transformation inevitable, or did Apple lose sight of what made the iPad special in the first place?
The Original Steve Jobs iPad Vision Was Beautifully Simple
Jobs didn’t just create another computer when he launched the iPad. He carefully positioned it as something entirely different. During that famous 2010 presentation, he sat in a comfortable chair – not at a desk – demonstrating how the iPad was meant for relaxed, intimate computing.
The Steve Jobs iPad vision focused on seven core activities:
- Web browsing with touch-friendly interfaces
- Email management without keyboard complications
- Video watching in a comfortable, handheld format
- Music listening with intuitive controls
- Gaming designed for touch input
- E-book reading that felt natural
- Photo viewing and sharing
This wasn’t about cramming desktop features into a tablet. Jobs explicitly wanted to avoid the complexity that plagued traditional computers. One app at a time, minimal friction, maximum focus.
When Apple Started Abandoning the Vision
The shift didn’t happen overnight. Apple began moving away from the original concept when iPad sales started flatlening around 2013-2014. Users were demanding more functionality, and Apple faced a difficult choice: stick to the simple vision or evolve the platform.
The iPad Pro launch in 2015 marked the first major departure. Suddenly, Apple was selling a tablet that cost as much as a MacBook but still ran a mobile operating system. The addition of the Apple Pencil – yes, a stylus from the company that once mocked styluses – signaled that complexity was creeping in.
Each year brought new features that pushed the iPad further from its roots:
- Smart Keyboard attachment (2016)
- Mouse and trackpad support (2020)
- M1 chip integration (2021)
- Stage Manager windowing system (2022)
- Final transformation with iPadOS 26 (2025)
iPadOS 26: The Complete Transformation
With iPadOS 26, Apple has essentially created touchscreen Macs. The latest update includes overlapping windows, robust multitasking, desktop-style menus, and improved cursor behavior. Modern iPads now handle multiple apps simultaneously, support complex workflows, and integrate seamlessly with external displays.
This represents the complete opposite of what Jobs originally envisioned. Instead of one app demanding your full attention, you can now juggle dozens of windows like a traditional computer.
Why This Change Makes Sense (Even If Jobs Wouldn’t Approve)
Here’s the reality: the original Steve Jobs iPad vision was limiting the device’s potential. Users quickly outgrew simple content consumption and demanded productivity features. Apple had two choices – evolve or watch the iPad become irrelevant.
The transformation brings several advantages:
- Increased versatility: One device can handle both casual use and serious work
- Better value proposition: Justifies the premium pricing with laptop-level functionality
- Professional workflows: Actually useful for business and creative work
- Future-proofing: Positions iPad as a true computer replacement
Interestingly, Apple has hidden a full-screen, single-app mode deep in the settings. This allows users who prefer the original experience to essentially resurrect the classic iPad behavior.
What We Lost in the Transformation
While the changes bring benefits, something important was sacrificed. The iPad is no longer the focused, distraction-free device Jobs envisioned. The simplicity that made it accessible to everyone – from toddlers to grandparents – has been replaced with complexity that requires learning.
The transformation also creates confusion about the iPad’s identity. Is it a tablet? A laptop replacement? A drawing device? The answer is “all of the above,” which might be practically useful but philosophically muddy.
FAQs About Apple’s Departure from Steve Jobs iPad Vision
Did Steve Jobs ever want the iPad to become a computer replacement?
No, Jobs was explicit that the iPad should remain a “third category” device. He believed it should excel at specific tasks rather than trying to replace laptops entirely.
Can modern iPads still work like the original iPad?
Yes, but you have to dig into settings to enable single-app, full-screen mode. Apple has essentially buried the original experience rather than removing it entirely.
When did Apple first start moving away from the original iPad concept?
The major shift began with the iPad Pro in 2015, though smaller changes started appearing around 2013 when Apple added features like multitasking gestures.
Would Steve Jobs have approved of the current iPad design?
Based on his stated philosophy about simplicity and focus, probably not. Jobs was against feature creep and preferred devices that did fewer things exceptionally well.
Is the transformation of iPad good or bad for users?
It depends on your needs. Power users benefit from increased functionality, while casual users may find the complexity overwhelming. Apple tried to address this with hidden simplicity modes.
How does the current iPad compare to the original vision in terms of usability?
Current iPads are far more capable but also more complex. The original iPad could be used intuitively by anyone, while modern iPads require learning various gestures and interface conventions.
Will Apple ever return to the simple iPad concept?
Unlikely as the primary approach, but Apple maintains simplified modes for users who prefer the original experience. Market demand clearly favors the more capable versions.
Conclusion
Apple’s departure from the Steve Jobs iPad vision represents both progress and loss. While modern iPads are incredibly capable devices that can handle serious work, they’ve sacrificed the focused simplicity that made the original so special. The transformation was probably inevitable – users demanded more functionality, and Apple delivered. Whether this represents an improvement or a compromise depends entirely on what you valued about the iPad in the first place. One thing is certain: the device Steve Jobs introduced in that comfortable chair fifteen years ago would be almost unrecognizable to him today.