May 10, 2010 30 Comments

Grrr Apple Grrr Part Deux

Okay, so I wrote about some issues with Apple last night. But overnight, I downloaded the stupid iWork Trial. I purchased the iWork license. I jumped through every stupid hoop. I then converted all my Keynote files to the new version so that I could port them over to my iPad.

Guess what?

Now, the iPad says, “I really don’t know what these Themes are that you’re using. I can’t do anything with that. Guess you’ll have to go on the Internet and get some support.”

Huh? They’re the fricken BUILT IN themes that come with Keynote. They’re nothing special. They’re the BASICS.

This is the opposite of easy. I just want to highlight how this is “supposed” to work, according to the way Apple has this set up.

Presenting using Keynote on the Apple iPad

  1. Buy new versions of Keynote for your Macbook and your iPad ($90 or so US)
  2. Translate all your Keynote files to the new version on your Macbook.
  3. Open iTunes to port your keynote files to your iPad (because that’s intuitive).
  4. Sync your iPad
  5. Open Keynote on your iPad
  6. Import your files onto the iPad, because transferring them just means they’re in the ether.
  7. Go online and get the BASIC THEME FILES that somehow the iPad doesn’t realize are native to Keynote.
  8. And then, it’ll tell you, “XYZ font is missing” but not say, “and here’s how you get it.”
  9. Scream. Scream like Captain Kirk in Star Trek 2: KHANNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!
  10. Go back to using your Macbook for presentations, because hey…

Some day, this will be really useful.

I still like the iPad. I’m just really frustrated with how stupid this set of transactions has been.

Related posts:

  1. Grrr Apple Grrr
  2. First iPad Annoyance-File Sharing
  3. Blogger Problems Part Deux
  4. Live from the Apple Store
  5. iPad – First Take

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  • http://lateralaction.com Mark McGuinness

    Ouch. I was really hoping the iPad would be an easy alternative to carting around the MB Pro for presentations. :-(

  • http://www.esrati.com David Esrati

    Apple's version of Keynote on the iPad is not the same as Keynote on the Mac- it shouldn't even be called keynote on the iPad-but KeynoteLite.
    There needed to be an update to keynote with iPad ready themes- but they didn't do it.
    It's a huge #FAIL as you point out-
    I, and others wrote as much in the iPad Keynote reviews.
    Hopefully updates to both will come soon.
    In the meantime- pretend the two are from different companies- and don't really mix.

  • http://www.shawnchristenson.com Shawn Christenson

    It's why I find it tough to be a early adopter and opted to NOT be with the iPad. I applaud the early adopters for being willing to muscle through the hassles. Sometimes, I'm not into being one of them.

  • http://www.timwindsor.com timwindsor

    The whole iWork/iPad mess is sadly in need of a .1 version upgrade. Too much flash, not enough function. And interoperability, as you note, should have been a bigger priority.

  • Peter Shelly

    Problem being, it's still better than PowerPoint. So until they fix it or somebody comes along and trumps Apple (don't hold your breath), sounds like you're stuck. :(

  • http://twitter.com/hornbeck hornbeck

    Apple wrote a nice best practices guide for keynote on the ipad http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4114

  • anafxfz

    I solved the problem of incompatibility between the two Keynote versions (Mac vs. iPad) by exporting my presentations as videos. They look great as videos in the iPad, but this is for “dynamic” presentations, such as the first three examples I have here: http://bit.ly/cfGeUg. If you're trying to do it with “static” decks (slides with lots of text that you need to present slowly), you better rebuild them directly in the iPad, which could be a pain.

  • http://susanbeebe.com susanbeebe

    WOW, that is simply AWFUL. Seems so basic too. Very surprised Apple would release such a product without thorough testing of this exact use case… odd. Your reaction is completely the same I would have had – thank you for saving me the frustration!

    Hopefully Apple will remedy this asap, otherwise they will have an enormous customer service issue.

  • dnicole071

    We were seriously considering an iPad primarily for Keynote [instead of lugging a Macbook around]

    Thanks for the heads up! Think it's best to wait awhile longer

  • Felicemente

    Lemme guess…all was followed by typical Apple support: >crickets<

    And Apple won't support Flash on the iPad because it's buggy?! Hello pot, meet kettle.

    You'd think that if a company made both the hardware AND the software the transition would be a little less violence inducing…well, at least it's pretty looking.

  • Facebook User

    Regarding thew whole “unintuitive iTunes sync”,i haven't even bothered with it. You don't need to jump through that hoop if you use Dropbox, just open it directly via that.

    Seriously, anyone who wants to use an iPad to open files created elsewhere should use Dropbox. Invaluable.

  • mattsito

    The constant reliance on iTunes is indeed counter-intuitive at best and counter-productive at worst. If Dropbox works as the facebook user below suggests, that's something at least.

    On the other hand, it is always fun to yell KHAAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!

  • Brett

    The difference is that Apple can (and most likely soon will) fix the incompatibility between iWorks on the Mac and on the iPad, but hasn't the power to insure when or even if Adobe will release a decently performing version of Flash for their devices.

    Adobe's version of Flash for Mac sucks. Why would anyone expect Flash for iPhones (which have even less processing power than a Mac) to perform acceptably.

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  • mikekirkeberg

    Thanks for being one of “the ones” to point out the bugs. I kinda thought waiting a while might be a good idea!

  • http://www.simonyoung.co.nz/ Simon Young

    KHAAAAN … love it.

  • kel

    The question is why flash works decently on any other platform than Apple, when Apple hardware is mostly better…

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  • http://www.dogwalkblog.com/ Rufus Dogg

    11. Make sure you have a DisplayPort to VGA adaptor for the conference/hotel staff who will will say, “Oh, you're a Mac Guy” and dismiss your cable needs as if they have all been given immunity.

  • http://www.accidentalseeker.com/ Karen Talavera

    Ah, the angst of being an early adopter. Goes with the territory!

  • http://www.honeybeeconsulting.com startabuzz

    <snort>

    I don't mean to (OK, maybe I do), but I'm laughing my behind off right now. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this frustration, but I'm secretly pleased that Apple has its head so far up its … uhhh … flash drive. :)

    And, like others before me have said, it's never a total loss if you've had the opportunity to scream, “KHANNNNNNNN!!!”

    Extricating myself, so that I might continue LOLing. ;)

  • http://www.rondegiusti.com/ Ron De Giusti

    This reminds me of the first few months with my iPhone. As much as I loved it too death for its simplicity, the stupid device would just mess up every now and then when synching my Microsoft Outlook Calendar.

    And then it hits you … Apple is not God … they are a software company … a very good software company, but just a software company … and you take them off that immense pedestal you had them on.

    And then you put them back up on that pedestal, but it is a smaller pedestal than you previously had them on … because they still are simpler than the alternative.

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    I still like the iPad. I’m just really frustrated with how stupid this set of transactions has been.

  • http://www.crazymikesapps.com crazymikesapps

    Chris,

    here is an alternative app for what you are trying to do, it is called GoodReader for iPad http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goodreader-for-i… . This app will let you upload and view just about any document to include keynote and pp's. This is probably one of the most useful apps you will find for document viewing.

    To your GRRRRRRR point. The Apple iPad cover in action prevents the iPad from fitting correctly on the Apple iPad desk charger, duh, but I love my iPad will have to say.

    thanks

    Mike

  • http://www.yuregininsesi.com yuregininsesi

    The difference is that Apple can (and most likely soon will) fix the incompatibility between iWorks on the Mac and on the iPad, but hasn't the power to insure when or even if Adobe will release a decently performing version of Flash for their devices.

  • http://www.brianhamlett.com Brian Hamlett

    I’m sorry, I don’t have much of a comment on this one Chris. But I DO want to thank you for the numerous moments of laughter as I read your list for this “was supposed to work.”

    And the reference to William Shatner as James T. Kirk… hilarious… I could hear the voice in my head!

    Put the iPad down… walk away… have some verindian pettle juice and come back later.

  • http://www.brianhamlett.com Brian Hamlett

    I’m sorry, I don’t have much of a comment on this one Chris. But I DO want to thank you for the numerous moments of laughter as I read your list for this “was supposed to work.”

    And the reference to William Shatner as James T. Kirk… hilarious… I could hear the voice in my head!

    Put the iPad down… walk away… have some verindian pettle juice and come back later.