Apple Announces New iPads and Apple Pencil Pro at Spring Event
Apple’s latest iPad event unveiled a new Apple Pencil Pro alongside upgrades to the iPad Air and iPad Pro lines. The Apple Pencil Pro takes center stage with innovative features designed to enhance the creative experience.
Apple Pencil Pro: A Feature-Packed Stylus
The Apple Pencil Pro boasts a new “squeeze the barrel” feature that brings up a customizable tool palette. This functionality allows app developers to integrate their own tools and shortcuts, potentially offering a level of personalization not seen before in styluses. The addition of a gyroscope opens doors for new artistic possibilities, particularly when combined with pressure sensitivity. Artists can leverage features like brush rotation and line variations for more nuanced creative expression.
Another intriguing feature is the haptic engine integrated into the Apple Pencil Pro’s base. Similar to the Surface Slim Pen 2, this technology aims to provide subtle haptic feedback while drawing on the screen. While it doesn’t necessarily enhance control, it can create a more natural feel, mimicking the sensation of drawing on a textured surface.
The Apple Pencil Pro starts at $130, maintaining the price point of its predecessor, the Apple Pencil Gen 2.
iPad Air Gets a Power Boost and Size Option
The new iPad Air receives a spec bump with the M2 chip replacing the M1. Additionally, Apple introduces a larger 13-inch iPad Air model. This larger version closely resembles the previous generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro in terms of size, but some key differences exist. Notably, the 13-inch iPad Air retains the first-generation Apple Pencil compatibility due to its camera placement, unlike the iPad Pro’s shift to a landscape orientation. The refresh rate and display technology (standard LED versus mini-LED) for the 13-inch Air remain unconfirmed at this point. Pricing starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch version.
iPad Pro Upgrades with OLED Display and M4 Chip
The iPad Pro takes a significant leap forward with the introduction of a “tandem OLED” display. This technology promises superior brightness, exceeding 1,000 nits and reaching peak HDR brightness of 1,600 nits. The iPad Pro also becomes thinner than ever before, raising concerns about durability.
The M4 chip makes its debut in the iPad Pro, suggesting a potential MacBook Pro update with the same processor might be coming soon. While the M4 offers a nice performance boost, most artists and illustrators likely won’t find the M2 chip in the previous model to be insufficient for their needs.
An exciting option for the iPad Pro is the nano-textured glass etching. This textured screen protector could significantly improve the Apple Pencil drawing experience by offering a more natural feel. However, pricing for this option remains unknown.
The price of the iPad Pro has increased slightly. The 11-inch model starts at $999, up from $799, and the 12.9-inch model starts at $1,300, a $300 increase.
Overall Impressions
The new Apple Pencil Pro appears to be a compelling option for artists and designers with its innovative features. The upgraded iPad Air offers a larger size option and a performance boost at a competitive price point. While the iPad Pro boasts a stunning OLED display and the latest M4 chip, the price hike might be a deterrent for some.
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