Why The iPad Doesn't Have A Calculator

When the iPad was being created, a guy named Scott Forstall was leading its software development. He was responsible for the skeuomorphic interface featured early on in iOS, and the calculator app included with the iPad prototype was simply a scaled up version of the iPhone’s. The software team assumed the final product would ship with this calculator, but once Steve Jobs saw it one month before the iPad’s release, he met with Forstall right away. Saying, “where is the new design for the calculator? This looks awful" Forstall replied, "what new design? This is what we are shipping with.” Jobs said, "no, pull it. We can't ship that.” Although Forstall tried to convince Jobs to keep the calculator on iPad, he was given an ultimatum: Redesign the calculator’s user interface to make it look good on the iPad’s larger display, or it won’t be included. With the iPad’s release just weeks away, Forstall knew his team wouldn’t be able to create a new app from scratch, so the original iPad shipped without a calculator.

Music: Bensound - Piano Moment

[gabo]

A simple minimalistic calculator is better than no calculator at all. You can always update the app in the future...

[RRe_Oli]

When they finally launch it, they will call it "The most innovative calculator ever"

[psyenz]

Remember when your teacher let you hand in your homework 10 years late, because you wanted to make sure it was just right.

[Fireloop]

As the old saying goes “perfection is the enemy of progress”.

[rawnuhld]

Craig really wants a calculator to be mind blowing. The only thing that’s mind blowing is the fact that they still haven’t figured it out for 11 years.

[trapskilla]

Tim's anwer translated:

It hasn't been affecting sales so we have no reason to apply resources to completing it lol

[StereoMike]

I love how the employee pretty much told the boss via creating a interface for him. Do it yourself if your so damn picky.

[stefan_]

The real answer: They’re embarrassed that they haven’t had a calculator app for a decade and don’t want to suddenly include it if it’s just a basic app cos they’ll get made fun of

[CapitanHarlockisback]

When an executive says “honestly”, you know it’s a lie.

[Razumen]

Apple: releases calculator app
Also Apple: "We made math, better."

[NWOBHM]

Convincing an entire user base that your incompetence and lack of attention to small details is actually ultracompetence and attention to details.

[geckogra]

Honestly, a Calculator app doesn't have to be like "Wow!"

[rishimakhanlal]

I don't use a calculator because it's "WAAW, so good". I use it because I need it.

[dimdull]

2 years after this video… still waiting for a calculator app on iPad

[dano]

"Haven't gotten around to it yet"....what an answer..

[leowolastname]

the calculator team is just traumatized and everytime they try to work on a new calculator design they get haunted by Steve Job's ghost telling them it's not good enough

[roquestral]

his answer has heavy “damn forgot that existed” energy

[jameswalker]

iPads have the side stage thing for multitasking, make it open in that and just ship the iPhone version of the calculator. Not only do they have to do barely any redesign, it also acts as a tutorial for users in an "oh, I can do that" moment.

[orionuk]

"...messy, complex or counterintuitive"
It's a calculator for crying out loud!

[k_gold]

Imagine being a trillion dollar company and yet can't design a goddamn calculator