Best Buy Introduces First Discounts on M4 iPad Pro for Members

Best Buy has the first discounts we've tracked on the brand new M4 iPad Pro, available exclusive to My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. If you are a member, you'll find $50 off nearly every model of these new tablets at Best Buy. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. With this discount, the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch iPad Pro is available for $949.00 , down from $999.00. The 256GB Wi-Fi 13-inch iPad Pro is available for $1,249.00 , down from $1,299.00. You'll also find the same $50 discounts on higher storage models with the Nano-texture glass option. Note: You need a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership to see these deals. $50 OFF M4 iPad Pro at Best Buy Shoppers should note that these are pre-order prices at Best Buy, and the M4 iPad Pro is set to launch next Wednesday. If you're looking for more details about the M4 iPad Pro, be sure to check out our recap article of this week's Apple event. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories. Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, Best Buy Introduces First Discounts on M4 iPad Pro for Members first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

The 5 best AirTag alternatives for 2024

Need a tracking device for your car keys, wallet, or bag of precious gems? Apple AirTags are cool, but heres five great alternatives.

Best pencil or stylus for iPad, iPad Air, Pro, and mini

Macworld The iPad is a capable device for both art and productivity, but it becomes a stronger proposition in both areas if you have a good stylus to hand. Whether youre sketching a new building design, taking notes during a work meeting or designing graphics, a stylus is a game-changer. But with so many to choose from in just about every shape and size, which is the best for your needs? Everyone has heard of the Apple Pencil, but there are plenty of great alternatives that cost a fraction of the price. Here are the best iPad styluses available right now. Updated May 8, 2024 to add Apple Pencil Pro . Apple Pencil Pro Best Overall Price When Reviewed: $129 Best Prices Today: $129 at Apple The new Apple Pencil Pro is essentially a replacement for the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, made to work only with the new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro introduced in 2024 (or later iPad Air/Pro models). It works just like the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, with the same overall shape and size and magnetic pairing and charging. The difference is that Apple added four very welcome new features: A gyroscope that lets you roll the pencil to change the orientation of shaped brushes and tools. A taptic engine for haptic feedback. Find My support. Squeeze sensitivity, to open palettes or change tool options like weights or colors. Those new features are going to make them much more appealing to digital artists, but you cant buy an Apple Pencil Pro and use it with any iPad made before May 2024. Apple Pencil (2nd generation) For older iPads only Price When Reviewed: $129 Best Prices Today: $17.99 at Best Buy $129 at Apple $129.99 at Adorama The Apple Pencil is anobvious choice, what isnt quite so obvious is which Apple Pencil you should choose. There are four Apple Pencils! The Apple Pencil 1st generation is still on sale despite launching in 2015 and there is an Apple Pencil 2nd generation, which launched in 2018, along with Apple Pencil USB-C from 2023. The first generation Apple Pencil, which features later in this round-up, works with the current 9th and 10th generation iPads as well as a number of older iPad models. The second generation Apple Pencil, works with the 12.9in iPad Pro (3rd gen up), 11in iPad Pro (1st gen up), iPad Air (4th gen up) and iPad mini (6th gen). Apple Pencil Pro works only with M2 iPad Air or M4 iPad Pro from 2024. When we reviewed the Apple Pencil 2nd gen back in 2018 we gave it 5 stars. Its shorter than the original and Apple has given the 2nd gen Pencil a flat edge you can tap to trigger app-specific functions. This actually makes Apples stylus easier to hold and it stops it rolling off your desk. The 2nd gen Pencil is also magnetically attachable to the iPad, which also helps with the rolling. Another major change is that the 2018 Pencil has no Lightning connector for charging, instead, it charges wirelessly when connected to the iPad, which is much neater. The 2nd gen Pencil is matt white rather than the glossy white of the original (which could be a bit dazzling). You can also tell the two apart because the original had a metallic ring next to the charging cap. Both the 1st and 2nd generation Apple Pencils are equally responsive and pressure-sensitive. You can tilt the stylus to create different textures, making it a great tool for handwriting, sketching, note-taking and illustration. Read our full Apple Pencil (2nd generation) review Zagg Pro Stylus 2 Price When Reviewed: $79.99 Best Prices Today: $49.60 at Amazon $56.99 at B&H $60.99 at Best Buy We loved the original Zagg Pro Stylus so we were happy to hear that there was a new model. The Pro Stylus 2 is a good alternative to the Apple Pencil with many of the same features including wireless charging, a replaceable tip and attaching magnetically to the iPad Air and iPad Pro. One advantage is that unlike the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil the Zag Pro Stylus 2 can be used with any iPad since 2018. The Zagg Pro Stylus 2 is comfortable to hold, has a matt coating, and comes in a selection of colors. There are two tips: a replaceable stylus tip and a capacitive rubber tip which can be used for scrolling and also functions as the power button. To save power, the Pro Stylus 2 switches off automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity. The battery should last for around 6.5 hours. We tested with a number of creative apps and found the experience akin to the Apple Pencil 2, however, it didnt work well with Adobe Photoshop due to significant delays. If you are using Photoshop then stick with the Pencil 2. Read our full Zagg Pro Stylus 2 review Adonit Note+ 2 Price When Reviewed: $69.99 Best Prices Today: $69.99 at Adonit The Adonit Note+ 2 is a slimline stylus that features an impressive amount of versatility. Housed in an aluminum body that weighs only 14g, its comfortable to hold and use for longer writing or sketching sessions. On the body there are two buttons, one is for the standard power and pairing features, but once connected to Bluetooth they can both be programmed in a variety of supported apps to execute commands. So, you might set one for Undo and the other for Redo which enables you to quickly fix mistakes in your note or illustration without having to access menus. In the box youll find three different replacement tips soft, medium and hard allowing users to tailor the physical experience to their personal preferences. The Note+ 2 supports palm rejection and pressure sensitivity, so long as the app youre using does too (the list of compatible apps covers pretty much all the big hitters for notes and art). Adonit has also built-in an angle detection technology which means you can have thicker or thinner pen-strokes by simply tilting the stylus. Writing and drawing with the Note+ 2 is smooth and reliable, with the slim profile nestling into the hand. Theres a flat side opposite the buttons which provides a steady grip and is also home to magnets that mean you can attach the stylus to the edge of your iPad when youre taking a break. Battery life tops out at eight hours, which takes one hour of charging through the USB-C port to achieve. But, if you run out of juice while in the midst of a creative frenzy, five minutes of charging will keep you going for another hour. Apple Pencil (1st generation) For iPad with Lightning ports Price When Reviewed: $99 Best Prices Today: $17.99 at Best Buy $99 at Adorama $99 at Apple The second generation Apple Pencil features earlier this round-up, but we still recommend the first generation Apple Pencil , which is still on sale. The older Apple Pencil works with the current 9th and 10th generation iPads as well as a number of older iPad models including the 6th generation iPad and later, the iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini (5th gen) and the original iPad Pro (1st and 2nd gen). If those are the iPads you have that this is the Apple Pencil for you. Unsure: check which iPads work with which Apple Pencil . We compare the two generations of Apple Pencil in Apple Pencil (2018) vs Apple Pencil (2015) . One benefit of the older Apple Pencil, assuming it works with your iPad, is that it is cheaper than the second-generation version at $99/109 rather than $129/139. The original Apple Pencil is almost entirely white, with just a metallic band at the non-writing end by the charging cap. This cap conceals a Lightning port for charging and syncing. When you want to charge the Pencil you can just plug it into the iPads Lightning port or use an adapter if your iPad has a USB-C port (as is the case with the iPad 10th gen). There is a downside to charging this way: you cant use the Pencil while it is charging and it looks pretty ridiculous. Heres how to check the Apple Pencils battery percentage . The Pencil feels pretty good in the hand, with a nice weight to it. The Apple Pencil and compatible iPads have sensors that can detect the pressure youre using and the angle youre holding the stylus at, making it effortless to create lines of different thicknesses. In the Pencils tip there are two tilt sensors which the iPads display will keep track of to work out the exact orientation and angle of your hands as you draw. For example, you can use the side of the Pencils tip for realistic shading like you would with a real pencil lead. The Apple Pencil knows to ignore the wrist and palm You get a spare tip in the box, but its identical to the one that comes attached to the Pencil. Read our full Apple Pencil (1st generation) review Apple Pencil (USB-C) Price When Reviewed: $79 Best Prices Today: $66.95 at B&H $69 at Amazon $69.99 at Adorama The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is a slightly confusing entry to Apples range of Pencils. It isnt as good as the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil from 2018 and doesnt even have all of the same features of the 1st-gen Apple Pencil from 2016. It includes some of the same features as the prior models (including low latency and tilt sensitivity) but is also missing pressure sensitivity and wireless charging in fact, it is the only model with a port for charging. It attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad for storage, like the 2nd-gen model. It is also shorter than both the 1st-gen and 2nd-gen models (6.10 inches vs 6.92 inches and 6.53 inches). You cant engrave it. It isnt compatible with the entry-level iPad. But, at $20/20 less than the 1st-gen Pencil and $50 less than the 2nd-gen model, its cheaper than both. Adonit Star Price When Reviewed: $49.99 Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Adonit $49.99 at Amazon If you want something that feels more like a real pen, a fountain pen at that, then the Adonit Star will be a breath of fresh air. The classic design is reminiscent of a Mont Blanc, but without some of the bulk and most of the price. Popping off the cap reveals a fountain-pen style nib, replete with the ink feed on the back, but on closer inspection, youll see that the metal cuts off early, with a black rubber 1mm fine tip being what will actually touch the screen. As you might expect, the Star is very much intended for those who want to make notes and generally just write on their iPad. It doesnt have pressure sensitivity, so you cant have thicker or thinner strokes depending on how hard you press, which would rule it out for most artists. Thats fine though, theres the Apple Pencil for that. Instead, you get a balanced and very comfortable writing experience, aided in no small measure by Adonits excellent palm cancellation feature. Pairing is simply a matter of pressing the small button on the Star, then when the blue light comes on you should be good to go. If it starts flashing red, this means it is time for a recharge, so unscrew the bottom of the pen and theres a USB-C port. The Star takes around an hour to charge and will then work happily for around 10 hours or so. Adonit has come up with something genuinely unique in the Star. Classy looking, nice to write with, and it will definitely get some looks when you pull it out in a meeting to make notes. If theres such a thing as a Stylus connoisseur, then you can bet that the Adonit Star would be a prizes part of their collection. Logitech Crayon Price When Reviewed: $69.99 Best Prices Today: $69.95 at Apple $69.99 at Adorama $69.99 at Best Buy While the Logitech Crayon was originally framed as an education tool, the cheap Apple Pencil alternative is now available to anybody that wants it. In many ways, the Crayon functions in the same way as the Apple Pencil, complete with easy pairing, reliable palm rejection and tilt support, but theres one big omission: theres no pressure sensitivity available here. Thats likely to be a dealbreaker for graphic designers, but if youre only looking to use a stylus for note-taking, youre unlikely to notice a difference in performance. Youve also got a seven-hour battery life on offer, which should be more than enough for the majority of consumers, and its charged up via a hidden Lightning port. Thats not quite as premium as the wireless charging from the second-gen Apple Pencil, but its certainly better than the original Apple Pencil. Its compatible with the iPad (6-10th gen), iPad mini (5-6th gen), 11in iPad Pro (1-4th gen), 12.9in iPad Pro (3-6th Gen), iPad Air (3-5th gen). Bargains Depot B&D 2-in-1 Stylus Price When Reviewed: $6.99 Best Prices Today: $6.99 at Amazon The B&D Stylus is a bargain at under a tenner. Its made fully of aluminum and comes with twenty extra rubber tips in two different sizes so you can adjust the accuracy of lines. Its dual tipped too, so you can use a different size on either end. There is no need for Bluetooth or charging with this stylus. The B&D Stylus is compatible with all iPads, iPhones, and other touchscreen devices. Meko Capacitive Stylus Pen Price When Reviewed: $13.95 Best Prices Today: $12.95 at Amazon The Meko stylus can be used for note-taking, drawing, writing, and basic selection and navigation and like the B&D option, it is also made of aluminum without any plastic parts. It uses a disc tip like a few other options in this list. For an affordable price, you get two Meko styli, two fibre tips, and four replacement disc tips. For more advice about accessories for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks . Accessories, Tablet Accessories

Forget the Apple Pencil Pro, the Apple Pencil 2 is down to $79 right now

Macworld Apple has released yet another Apple Pencil during its Let Loose event, but its only compatible with the new iPad Pros and Airs. So if you have an older iPad, youll need one of the older Pencils. And today, you can one for cheaper than ever: Amazon is selling the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil for $79 , a savings of $50 and the lowest price weve ever seen. The 2nd-gen Apple Pencil magnetically attaches to the side of an older iPad Air or Pro to charge and can be used for navigation, writing, and drawing with little-to-no lag, pixel-perfect precision, and tilt and pressure sensitivity. Here are the iPad models the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil is compatible with: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6thgeneration) iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4thgeneration) iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) iPad mini (6th generation) Apple says the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil delivers pixel-perfect precision and industry-leading low latency and is as easy and natural to use as a pencil. Like the new Apple Pencil Pro, it has tilt and pressure sensitivity so you can write and draw naturally with a full range of strokes, shading, and artistic effects. If you have an M2 iPad Pro, you can use the ApplePencil hover feature to preview marks before you make them and use a double-tap function to quickly switch between brushes and tools. The Apple Pencil is an indispensable tool for iPad users. And at this price is a great bargain too. iPad

2024 iPad Pro: Best New Features

Apple finally refreshed the iPad Pro , and the new feature set was worth the wait. From new OLED display technology to the M4 chip, the 2024 iPad Pro is undeniably impressive. We've rounded up some of the most notable changes worth considering when deciding rather to upgrade. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. OLED display - Both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models have an Ultra Retina XDR display that uses tandem OLED technology, which is basically two displays stacked on top of one another. You can expect brighter highlights, deeper true blacks, and better detail in shadows and low light content, plus there's an option for matte nano-texture to cut down on glare. M4 chip - The M4 is built using a second-generation 3-nm process with three or four performance cores and six efficiency cores. CPU performance is up 1.5x compared to the M2 , and the GPU has hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. The M4 also has the most powerful Neural Engine ever that's capable of 38 trillion operations per second. Thin design - Measuring in at 5.1mm, the 13-inch iPad Pro is the thinnest device that Apple has made to date, thinner even than the iPod nano. The 11-inch model isn't much thicker at 5.3mm, and both have slim bezels for maximum screen space. The 11-inch model weighs under a pound, and the 13-inch model is just over. Camera - Apple moved the front camera to the landscape side of the iPad Pro, so it's in the right position for FaceTiming and video calls when it's attached to a keyboard. Accessories - There's a new Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil Pro that go along with the iPad Pro. The keyboard has a larger trackpad with haptic feedback, an aluminum palm rest, and a function row for brightness and volume control. The Apple Pencil Pro has a squeeze gesture for selecting tools, haptic feedback, and a gyroscope that adds support for rolling the Apple Pencil for more precise control. Removed features - Apple did drop some options from the latest iPad Pro models. There's no more mmWave 5G chip and it's limited to sub-6GHz, plus there's no SIM slot so it's eSIM only for cellular models. Apple also removed the Ultra Wide camera, so there's just a single-lens 12-megapixel camera and LiDAR sensor in the new models. Sticker fans are out of luck too, because Apple isn't including them in the box. If you have an M2 iPad Pro, the M4 probably isn't worth the update, but for anything older, it's a major upgrade that adds a slew of new features. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, 2024 iPad Pro: Best New Features first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple made an outrageous change to its new iPads

Apple's new iPads are here, but these new devices are breaking a longstanding tradition.

Apple Releases iTunes for Windows 12.13.2 With Support for New iPads

Apple today released an iTunes 12.13.2 update for Windows users, with the software introducing support for the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. iTunes for Windows is typically updated every few months, and this update follows a December release that added security fixes . iTunes has been phased out on the Mac for several years now and it has been replaced with Finder and the TV app, but Apple has continued to keep the Windows version available. iTunes for Windows can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or from Apple's website . Tag: iTunes Related Forum: Mac Apps This article, Apple Releases iTunes for Windows 12.13.2 With Support for New iPads first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

New iPads Don't Come With Apple Stickers in the Box

The new iPad Pro and iPad Air models unveiled this week do not include Apple stickers in the box, as a result of Apple's commitment to removing all plastic from its product packaging, according to an Apple Store memo obtained by 9to5Mac . If you really want a sticker, the report said you can still ask an employee for one while purchasing a new iPad Pro or iPad Air at an Apple Store. Apple also does not include stickers with the Vision Pro headset, but the new MacBook Air models released in March do come with them, so it appears that Apple is still in the process of gradually phasing out Apple stickers in the box for its latest products. Apple previously announced that it aimed to achieve plastic-free packaging by 2025 . Related Roundup: iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, New iPads Don't Come With Apple Stickers in the Box first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Second Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the a second release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 10.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a day after Apple seeded the first RC. To install the watchOS 10.5 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under General in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required. Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.5 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger. According to Apple's release notes, the update includes support for the new Pride watch face. watchOS 10.5 includes new features, improvements and bug fixes, including a new Pride Radiance watch face to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222 The final version of watchOS 10.5 is likely to see a release next week. Related Roundup: watchOS 10 Related Forum: Apple Watch This article, Apple Seeds Second Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.5 to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

The best Google Pixel 8a screen protectors in 2024

The Google Pixel 8a has been announced, and it could be your next midrange phone. Keep it safe from damage with the best Google Pixel 8a screen protectors.

Apple Watch Activity badges: Do the World Meditation Day challenge on May 21

Macworld Achievement badges are a funny thing. You know theyre just a simple little bit of visual flair, they dont even do anything, and yet for some reason you just have to collect them. Achievements are great motivators, and the achievement badges for the activity tracking on the Apple Watch have inspired many users to get more exercise. If you want to maximize your badge count, youre going to want to chase down as many activity achievements as you can. Most are available year-round, but there are also some time-limited special events to grab, too. Heres a list of all the activity achievements for the Apple Watch and how to unlock them. Updated 05/08/23: New this year is a challenge for World Meditation Day on May 21. Standard achievements Most of the achievements can be earned year-round. If you open the Activity app on your iPhone, then head over to the Achievements tab, youll see some of them listed even before you earn them (in which case they will be represented by a grey outline). However, there are some achievements that are not shown until you earn them. Past and future monthly challenges, for example, wont show up, nor do all the various individual exercise workouts. Here is a list of all the standard badges you can get. First [exercise] Workout The first time you perform a new exercise for at least 5 minutes, youll get a achievement badge. Every workout type that does not fall under the Other category is eligible for this badge: from walking to yoga to HIIT to hiking and more. Activities with both indoor and outdoor variants, like Cycling and Walking, are bundled together; you can do either activity to get the badge, and can only get it once. [exercise] Workout Record Every time you beat your previous best record for calories burned in any of the exercises listed above, you get this badge. There is one caveat: You must complete five workouts of that type first. If you want to game the system, make sure your first four workouts of each type are short and easy, so it wont take much effort to beat them. You get a badge the first time you do each major exercise type, and when you break a record. You get a badge the first time you do each major exercise type, and when you break a record. You get a badge the first time you do each major exercise type, and when you break a record. 7-Workout Week Simply complete any workout of at least 15 minutes every day of the week. Note that the week is Monday-Sunday, and you have to do a workout on each of those days (you cant simply do any seven days in a row). If you start a walking workout whenever you walk outside, you can achieve this easily. New Move Record Any day that your Move ring goes further than ever before (meaning you burned more calories in a day), youll earn this award. Theres one catch: you have to use your Apple Watch for 10 days before you can complete this. New Exercise Record This is just like the Move Record achievement, only for the green ring. This one is based on minutes of exercise, not calories burned, so its really easy to get. Just like the Move Record achievement, you have to use your Apple Watch for 10 days first. Move Goal 200%, 300%, 400% You earn this when you exceed your calorie target (the red Move ring) by 2x, 3x, or 4x, respectively. In other words, its given for making the red activity ring go around two, three, or four times in a day. Its easy to get if you just set your Move goal very low. Double, triple, and quadruple your Move ring goal. Reduce your goal if youre having trouble. Double, triple, and quadruple your Move ring goal. Reduce your goal if youre having trouble. Double, triple, and quadruple your Move ring goal. Reduce your goal if youre having trouble. New Move Goal Every time you change your daily Move goal, and then exceed that new goal, you get this achievement. You can change your Move goal by opening the Activity app on your Apple Watch and force-pressing the screen. Longest Move Streak When you hit your Move goal (close the red ring) several days in a row, thats a streak. You get this award when your streak finally ends, if its longer than your previous best streak. Perfect Week This is given out for four categories: Move, Exercise, Stand, and All Activity. For the first three, simply close the rings (red, green, or blue) every day of the week. To get the Perfect Week (All Activity) badge, close all three rings every day for an entire week. You can earn this multiple times, though it only shows one badge. Remember, one week in the Activity app is from Monday-Sunday! Close those rings every day from Monday to Sunday to earn a handful of badges. Close those rings every day from Monday to Sunday to earn a handful of badges. Close those rings every day from Monday to Sunday to earn a handful of badges. Perfect Month Unlike Perfect Week, there are not multiple different Perfect Month badges for the different color rings. The lone Perfect Month achievement is for closing the red Move ring every day of the month. Theres a separate Perfect Month badge for every month and every year, though. So you can earn this in February and again in March, and again in February in the next year. Monthly Challenge Each month has its own unique fitness challenge. If you have notifications set for the Activity app on our Apple Watch, youll see the goal presented at the beginning of the month, but youll also see the current months challenge in the Achievements tab of the Activity app on your iPhone. It will be a grey outline before its completed, but you can tap on it to see what the challenge entails. The monthly challenge may task you with burning a specific number of calories, working out a number of times, or traveling a certain distance. Theres no telling what each new month will bring, you just have to look! Theres a different challenge every month, so check your Activity app. Theres a different challenge every month, so check your Activity app. Theres a different challenge every month, so check your Activity app. 100, 365, 500, 1,000 Move Goals When you hit your daily Move goal (close the red ring) 100 times, you get an achievement badge. You get another for hitting it 365 times, 500 times, and 1,000 times. These do not need to be in a row; its just the total number of times youve ever hit the goal. Close the Move ring often to unlock a series of badges. Set the Move goal low if you want to make it easier. Close the Move ring often to unlock a series of badges. Set the Move goal low if you want to make it easier. Close the Move ring often to unlock a series of badges. Set the Move goal low if you want to make it easier. Limited Achievements Apple offers multiple one-off challenges per year that are only available for a limited time. Often, theyre only around for one day or one weekend. Some are limited to the U.S. because theyre based on U.S. holidays. Youll get a notification on your Apple Watch when one of them is coming up (make sure you have notifications enabled for the Activity app, using the Watch app on your iPhone). Apple makes a number of special time-limited badges available throughout the year. Apple makes a number of special time-limited badges available throughout the year. Apple makes a number of special time-limited badges available throughout the year. World Meditation Day (May 21) Apple Apple Apple To complete this new challenge, youll need to record five or more mindful minutes using the Mindfulness app or any app that adds mindful minutes to Health app on May 21, 2024. Earth Day (April 22) Foundry Foundry Foundry Lets get moving for the planet. On April 22, do any workout for 30 minutes or more to earn this award. Record it with the Workout app or any app that adds to Health. Heart Month (February 14) Apple Apple Apple This Valentines day, its all about heart. Close your Exercise ring on February 14 to get this award. Veterans Day (November 11) Foundry Foundry Foundry Earn this special award on November 11 by doing any workout for 11 minutes or more. Record your time with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health. National Parks challenge (August 26) Foundry Foundry Foundry In the U.S., the National Parks Service was founded on August 25, 1916. Apple has a National Parks challenge around that time each year to celebrate National Parks all over the world. To get this badge, just record a workout of 20 minutes or more on August 26 with any app that adds workouts to the Health app. iOS, Wearables

Apple Created These Five Different Designs for Apple Pencil Pro's Box

In addition to new features like a squeeze gesture, gyroscope, and Find My support, it turns out that the Apple Pencil Pro has a fun packaging twist. As noted by Arun Maini and Nikias Molina , Apple has created five different box designs for the Apple Pencil Pro, each with the word Pro in a unique style. When you buy an Apple Pencil Pro, you will receive one of the five boxes at random. Thought this was pretty fun The Apple Pencil Pro has 5 different types of box and you have no idea which you'll get when you order it Also each one has the word Pro on it in some shape or form pic.twitter.com/1QQO5akZWW Arun Maini (@Mrwhosetheboss) May 8, 2024 Key new features of the Apple Pencil Pro include the ability to squeeze the accessory to bring up a tool palette, a gyroscope that allows users to roll the Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of shaped pen and brush tools, haptic feedback for certain actions, and the ability to find the Apple Pencil in the Find My app if it is misplaced. Priced at $129, the Apple Pencil Pro is only compatible with the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models announced this week. The first-generation Apple Pencil, second-generation Apple Pencil, and lower-cost Apple Pencil with a USB-C port all remain available, making the Apple Pencil lineup more complex than ever for the time being. You can order the Apple Pencil Pro now, and it launches May 15. Tag: Apple Pencil Related Forum: iPad Accessories This article, Apple Created These Five Different Designs for Apple Pencil Pro's Box first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is a great new smartwatch (with a catch)

The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro takes the brilliant TicWatch Pro 5 and gives it a very light makeover. It's as good as you'd expect, but it makes me quite sad.

Sorry Apple faithful, there wont be any stickers in the new iPad boxes

Macworld For as long as we can remember, Apple has included a little gift when you buy a new iPhone, Mac, or iPad that makes users feel like they are valued members of a community: A small sheet with two Apple logo stickers. However, if you buy one of the new iPad Pros or iPad Airs, you wont receive any. According to 9to5Mac , Apple has distributed a memo to its store employees explaining the change, which is due to the environmental push to remove all plastic from its packaging. Stickers are included in products as recent as the new M3 MacBook Airs that were released in March, though notably the Vision Pro does not come with any. 9to5Mac reports that stores will have stickers on hand and will hand them out on request when someone buys one of the new iPads. However, if you dont buy your new iPad from the Apple Store, its unclear whether youll be able to get them. The site says Apple wont ship stickers to third-party retailers but you may be able to get one by bringing proof of purchase to an Apple Store and asking nicely. At any rate, we doubt many people are going to actually ask for their stickers or even notice. And so begins the beginning of the end of another benefit thats just going to go away, like EarPods, a cleaning cloth, and a power adapter.As for us, well be cherishing our Space Black stickers a little more now. iPad

Disney+ Launching Exclusive Marvel Immersive Story for Apple Vision Pro

An hour-long interactive and immersive Disney+ story is coming to the Apple Vision Pro in the near future, according to an announcement from Marvel Studios . The Disney+ original is connected to the What If? animated series and it will be released as a new app for the Vision Pro. What If? reimagines events from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in unexpected ways, and with the Vision Pro experience, fans are able to step into the leading of an immersive story that transforms the space around them as they journey across realities. There are multiversal variants of key Marvel characters, chances to learn mystic arts, and an opportunity to harness the power of the Infinity Stones. Marvel says that users will cross between augmented and virtual reality while going through the narrative adventure, interacting with the world using their hands and eyes. The experience includes breathtaking environments of new and iconic MCU locations, with stunning visuals and support for spatial audio. There is no specific release date for What If? An Immersive Story, but Marvel says that more information will be coming soon. Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro Tags: Marvel , Disney Plus Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro This article, Disney+ Launching Exclusive Marvel Immersive Story for Apple Vision Pro first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

TikTok Sues U.S. Government Over Bill Requiring Sale

TikTok parent company ByteDance today filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government in an effort to put a stop to the bill requiring TikTok to be sold off to a non-Chinese company in a matter of months, or face a U.S. ban. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act that passed in April requires ByteDance to divest its TikTok ownership within nine months, with the possibility of a three-month extension if a deal is in progress. If TikTok is not sold off, the bill will prevent app stores and companies in the U.S. from providing the TikTok app to users. As of now, TikTok will be forced to shut down on January 19, 2025. ByteDance calls the act obviously unconstitutional, and says that there is no path for TikTok to continue operating in the United States. The 270-day timeline is ot possible, and even if it were, the company claims that the act is still an extraordinary and unconstitutional assertion of power. If upheld, it would allow the government to decide that a company may no longer own and publish the innovative and unique speech platform it created. If Congress can do this, it can circumvent the First Amendment by invoking national security and ordering the publisher of any individual newspaper or website to sell to avoid being shut down. And for TikTok, any such divestiture would disconnect Americans from the rest of the global community on a platform devoted to shared content -- an outcome fundamentally at odds with the Constitution's commitment to both free speech and individual liberty. The lawsuit argues that the act violates the First Amendment, and it claims that speculative and analytically flawed concern over security and content manipulation is an insufficient reason for limiting the free speech of TikTok's 170 million U.S. users. ByteDance says that a U.S. TikTok platform would not be commercially viable because it would limit the pool of content, undermining he value and viability of the U.S. TikTok business. ByteDance also claims that it would be technologically impossible to give the TikTok source code to a new owner because it would take years for new engineers to become familiar enough with the code to perform routine maintenance, plus the code would need to be rearchitected not to use ByteDance's software tools, which cannot be done in 270 days. The Chinese government has said that it will firmly oppose any effort to sell TikTok to a U.S. company, and China would need to approve a sale. China has no intention of allowing the TikTok recommendation engine to be divested. ByteDance has already moved U.S. data to servers owned by Oracle, but U.S. lawmakers do not feel that is enough to protect users. There are few U.S. companies that could afford to purchase TikTok, and the tech giants that could buy it would likely be restricted from doing so due to antitrust concerns. ByteDance is asking the court to issue a declaratory judgment that the act violates the U.S. Constitution, preventing the U.S. Attorney General from enforcing it. Tag: TikTok This article, TikTok Sues U.S. Government Over Bill Requiring Sale first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iPod Nano Makes Rare Appearance in Apple Ad for Thinner iPad Pro

The new iPad Pro has dethroned the iPod nano as Apple's thinnest device ever, and the company has promoted this feat in a nostalgic ad. In a video shared on TikTok and other social media platforms, Apple highlights the new 13-inch iPad Pro measuring only 5.1mm thick, compared to 5.4mm for the iPod nano. The model shown is a seventh-generation iPod nano, which was released in 2012. This new Apple ad is pic.twitter.com/WVpxaDSpiz Aaron (@aaronp613) May 7, 2024 Apple discontinued the iPod nano in 2017, and this is the first time we have seen the device appear in an ad in quite some time. Even the 11-inch iPad Pro is now thinner than the iPod nano, as Apple explains: The new iPad Pro the thinnest Apple product ever features a stunningly thin and light design, taking portability to a whole new level. The 11-inch model is just 5.3 mm thin, and the 13-inch model is even thinner at a striking 5.1 mm, while both models are just as strong as the previous design. The 11-inch model weighs less than a pound, and the 13-inch model is nearly a quarter pound lighter than its predecessor allowing pro users to extend their workflows in new ways and in more places. The new iPad Pro models are available to order now and launch May 15. Tag: Apple Ads This article, iPod Nano Makes Rare Appearance in Apple Ad for Thinner iPad Pro first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Here's How to Check Your iPhone's Battery Health

Earlier this year, Apple retested the batteries of its iPhone 15 models and updated its battery life claims for the entire series, suggesting that they offer better longevity than previously thought. Curious about the battery health of your iPhone 15? Here's how to check it. Apple in February 2024 updated the technical specifications for the batteries in the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. According to its latest tests, Apple says that the devices' batteries are designed to retain 80% of their original capacity at 1,000 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions. It's a significant improvement over the 500 charge cycles that the company advertises for all older iPhone models over the same cycle count. iPhone 15 models also include a Battery Charging Optimization feature, so if you regularly charge your iPhone up at night while you're asleep, the device can limit its charging to 80%, and then wait for an hour or so before you wake up to charge the remaining 20%. This keeps the iPhone at an optimal capacity for battery health by reducing the amount of time that it's sat on your charger at 100% charged, which can reduce its life over time. If you have an iPhone 15 with iOS 17.4 or later installed, you can get more specific information on the battery health of your device in the following way: Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Battery . Check the readout next to Battery Health. For more details including your device's battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use date, simply tap the readout. (In earlier versions of iOS 17, this information was hidden in the General About section of the Settings app). Apple says that the battery lifespan of any iPhone model ultimately depends on how the device is regularly used and charged. While the Maximum Capacity readout will give you a good indication of your iPhone's battery health, it's worth tapping on the blue text that says About Battery & Warranty, which will give you more information on the likely battery lifespan of your device based on how it's used. Battery life depends on a number of variables, but if you think you have an issue, it's worth remembering that the standard one-year AppleCare+ warranty on an iPhone includes service for defective batteries. Depending on where you are, local consumer laws might even give you cover beyond the standard 12 months, so don't be shy to ask at an Apple Store if you think there's a problem. This article, Here's How to Check Your iPhone's Battery Health first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Does the Google Pixel 8a have wireless charging?

The all-new Google Pixel 8a has a lot of great features for a budget phone. But does it support wireless charging like its predecessor? Lets find out.

Samsung Introduces Discounts on Monitors and TVs, Including $600 Off ViewFinity S9 5K

Samsung has a new monitor sale this week, which includes discounts on 4K and 5K Samsung monitors . The popular ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor and Smart Monitor M8 are both discounted during this sale, but you'll also find sales on storage, audio, TVs, smartphones, and home appliances. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. As with previous sales, the highlight of the new event is the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $999.99 , down from $1,599.99. At $600 off this is a solid second-best price on the 2023 display, which has a matte display, modular 4K SlimFit camera, and support for Thunderbolt 4. $600 OFF 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor for $999.99 Samsung's 27-inch Smart Monitor M8 is also being discounted during this sale, available for $399.99 in Warm White, down from $699.99. This is a 4K smart monitor with a design that looks similar to the iMac line, and this is a solid second-best price. $300 OFF 27-inch Smart Monitor M8 for $399.99 Additionally, Samsung has quite a few more monitor and TV deals, which we've rounded up below. Monitors 27-inch Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor - $249.99, down from $299.99 34-inch ViewFinity HDR10 Curved Monitor - $549.99, down from $699.99 49-inch Odyssey G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $799.99, down from $1,299.99 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,199.99, down from $1,799.99 TVs 70-inch QLED 4K QE1C TV - $879.99, down from $1,799.99 55-inch Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $1,099.99, down from $1,499.99 55-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K TV - $1,299.99, down from $1,999.99 65-inch OLED S90C TV - $1,599.99, down from $2,599.99 85-inch Samsung Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $2,399.99, down from $4,799.99 Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories. Related Roundup: Apple Deals This article, Samsung Introduces Discounts on Monitors and TVs, Including $600 Off ViewFinity S9 5K first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Samsung Galaxy A55 | A35 5G - Don't Just Take Photos, Make Photos!

Theres something Apple isnt telling you about the new iPad Pro

One of the biggest new features for the 2024 iPad Pro is its new M4 chip. It's an impressive specification, but not all is as it seems.

Matter 1.3 Specification Adds Energy Reporting, Electric Vehicle Charging, Water Management Support and More

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) today announced the debut of a new Matter 1.3 specification that's available for device makers and platforms. Matter is a smart home protocol that allows smart devices to work across multiple platforms, including HomeKit . Matter 1.3 adds support for a range of new device types and features, including water management devices, electric vehicle chargers, kitchen and laundry appliances, and TVs. For smart plugs and other devices, the update includes energy management reporting, allowing users to see actual and estimated measurements of power, voltage, and current, both in-real time and over time. EV Charging manufacturers are able to include Matter-based features such as manually starting and stopping charging, adjusting charging rate, and optimizing charging times. Water management devices like leak and freeze detectors, rain sensors, and controllable water valves are supported in Matter 1.3, as are several new appliance types including microwave ovens, ovens, cooktops, extractor hoods, and dryers. For TVs, Matter 1.3 improves casting initialization and search, plus it adds support for push messages and dialog for ambient experiences, expanded interactivity for TV apps, and better interaction with other home devices. Scenes are supported with the new specification, allowing product makers and platforms to set, read, and activate scenes on devices. Scenes for Matter work like HomeKit scenes, letting users set a desired state for rooms and devices with one command. Matter controllers are also now able to batch multiple commands into a single message when communicating with Matter devices for less delay between command execution. Matter 1.3 devices and improvements will likely be available on the market later this year, with more information available on the CSA website . Tag: Matter This article, Matter 1.3 Specification Adds Energy Reporting, Electric Vehicle Charging, Water Management Support and More first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Moto X50 Ultra Renders, Specifications Leaked Online via Alleged TENAA Listing

Moto X50 Ultra with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC is confirmed to release in China soon. Most recently, China's TENAA website has allegedly listed the phone with some specifications and photos. The listing indicates a curved display with a hole punch cutout on the Moto X50 Ultra. TheMoto X50 Ultra is expected to be the Chinese variant of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra that de...

The 4 best Whoop alternatives in 2024

Whoop is one of the best fitness tracker brands in the business. Theyre also pretty expensive, which is why weve created this list of four Whoop alternatives.

Your iPad can do so much more

Macworld Why your iPad is failing to meet its potential After a lengthy quiet period Apple has announced a raft of new iPads, and demand is sure to be hot among the companys loyal fans. Boasting insanely fast processors and all-new screen tech and sizes, the 2024 iPads are sumptuously designed and specced. Combining the work and entertainment capabilities of a laptop with the portability and convenience of a smartphone, the iPad has the potential to be the most versatile Apple device of all. Which makes it all the more disappointing that so many iPads end up as sofa computers with a very limited brief. If you feel that youre not getting the most out of your high-end tablet, or youve been holding off on upgrading because it doesnt seem worth it for something you use to check your emails while watching Netflix, were here to tell you that the iPad can be far more. The key to harnessing its capabilities is to select the right accessories. How to choose a great iPad accessory What you need to consider is how much an accessory can expand your iPads scope as a convenient computing tool, and whether that upgrade is worth the cost. We should be examining value for money and return on investment. The iPad, for example, has one obvious weakness as a work tool, and that is its lack of a hardware keyboard; onscreen keyboards are versatile but they arent suitable for fast, accurate typing. Similarly, its vulnerability to drop and scratch damage makes it less useful for use on the go. And no matter how nice the screen is, its not much fun watching a two-hour movie on an iPad that you have to hold. Accessories that cost a fraction of the price of the iPad can solve all of these problems. Its just a question of finding the right accessories. Luckily, were here to help you choose. Introducing ESRs accessories for the new iPad range If youre looking for accessories that will upgrade your tablet from sofa gadget to powerful all-round computing tool, youd be wise to check out ESR, a popular and well-established brand which has just unveiled its accessories for the new iPad range . Heres what weve picked out: Shift Magnetic Case: However you want to use your iPad, this clever and award-winning case/stand is here to help. It offers an astonishing nine different angles, six for viewing and a further three for working and writing, and its easy to switch between the various modes thanks to the innovative magnetic design. It even works in both portrait and landscape orientations. Available from Amazon. Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case 360: If you want to get work done on your iPad, this is a great choice. The backlit keyboardwith a choice of seven colours and three brightness levels so you can adapt to any working conditionsalso features a trackpad with support for Multi-Touch gestures. The cantilever stand is versatile and helps you position the iPad at your viewing angle of choice. Available for just $119.99 from Amazon. Premium screen protectors: What sort of protection are you looking for? One option is ESRs Paper-Feel Magnetic Screen Protector : it makes using your iPad feel like working on a physical page. The companys Armorite Screen Protector , meanwhile, is the toughest tempered-glass option out there, exceeding military-grade protection. Digital Pencil Pro: A premium iPad stylus that delivers smooth, precise input. It supports charging via both USB-C and wireless connection. Available for just $28.99 from Amazon. You can save money, too! Macworld readers can save money on their ESR purchases. Simply use the code 559HVZJZ for a 10% discount. This code will be live until June 30 2024. Tablet Accessories

The Google Pixel 8a is the Pixel phone Ive been waiting for

The Google Pixel 8a, on paper, could be dismissed as a boring or tepid smartphone release. But I couldn't be more excited about it.

The 6 best Lenovo tablets in 2024

Lenovo makes several tablets, with options for all shoppers. From premium tablets to affordable rigs for students, here's a look at the best Lenovo tablets.

Best iPad 2024: Compete and updated guide to which iPad to buy

Macworld Which iPad should you buy? There are a lot of choices and it can be confusing. There are four different varieties of iPad, listed below, and each is available with or without cellular (including 5G on certain models), which costs extra. Thats before we get into storage capacity, colors, and second-hand alternatives. Our in-depth buying guide assesses the whole range of iPads sold by Apple and explores all the factors that should influence your iPad buying decision such as value for money, how much storage you need, and whether or not to buy a cellular version. We also reveal whether an updated version of each device is likely to be launched soonanswering the question of whether now is a good time to buy an iPad. If youre thinking of buying an iPad for college or university you might also like to read our guide to the best iPad for students . You may also like to read our best iPad for kids guide. Update May 7: Added new iPad Air and iPad Pro models and new 10th-gen iPad pricing. The iPad mini price has also dropped outside the U.S. Apple iPad comparison chart The table below summarizes the main features of the iPads in Apples current lineup and highlights the price for each. We have more information about the individual iPads and buying advice below. Click the links in the table of contents to go to the section most relevant to you. Model (launch date) Key features + specs Storage + cellular options Price + buy link iPad 10.9-inch 10th generation (October 2022) Medium 10.9-inch screen Touch ID on the Power button A14 Bionic processor 12MP/12MP cameras Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil 1 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm 481g 64GB 256GB 64GB (5G) 256GB (5G) $349 / 349 $499 / 499 $499 / 499 $649 / 649 iPad mini 6th generation (September 2021) Small 8.3-inch screen Touch ID on the Power button A15 processor 12MP/12MP cameras Supports Apple Pencil 2 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm 293g 64GB 256GB 64GB (4G) 256GB (4G) $499 / 499 $649 / 649 $649 / 649 $799 / 799 iPad Air 11-inch 6th generation (May 2024) Medium 11-inch screen Touch ID on the Power button M2 processor 12MP/12MP cameras Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm 462g 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB 128GB (5G) 256GB (5G) 512GB (5G) 1TB (5G) $599 / 599 $699 / 699 $899 / 899 $1,099 / 1,099 $749 / 749 $849 / 849 $1,049 / 1,049 $1,249 / 1,249 iPad Air 13-inch (May 2024) Largest 13-inch screen Touch ID on the Power button M2 processor 12MP/12MP cameras Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm 618g 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB 128GB (5G) 256GB (5G) 512GB (5G) 1TB (5G) $799 / 799 $899 / 899 $1,099 / 1,099 $1,299 / 1,299 $949 / 949 $1,049 / 1,049 $1,249 / 1,249 $1,449 / 1,449 iPad Pro 11-inch 5th generation (May 2024) Medium 11-inch screen Face ID M4 processor 12MP/12MP cameras Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm 446g 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB 256GB (5G) 512GB (5G) 1TB (5G) 2TG (5G) $999 / 999 $1,199 / 1,199 $1,599 / 1,599 $1,999 / 1,999 $1,199 / 1,199 $1,399 / 1,399 $1,799 / 1,799 $2,199 / 2,199 iPad Pro 13-inch 7th generation (May 2024) Largest 13-inch screen Face ID M4 processor 12MP/12MP cameras Supports Apple Pencil (USB) and Apple Pencil Pro 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 65.1mm 582g 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB 256GB (5G) 512GB (5G) 1TB (5G) 2TB (5G) $1,299 / 1,299 $1,499 / 1,499 $1,899 / 1,849 $2,299 / 2,299 $1,499 / 1,499 $1,699 / 1,699 $2,099 / 2,099 $2,499 / 2,499 Every iPad Apple sells Apples iPad lineup is perhaps one of the most expansive product lineups presented by the company. Below we offer information about each model, but we also answer questions further down the article such as which iPad is the best value for money, which size is best, how much storage you need, and whether to get cellular (you can jump to these sections from the table of contents above). The iPad that is best for you will depend on what you need from an iPad. If you just want an iPad for reading books, watching movies and TV shows, email, and web browsing, then you dont need all the bells and whistles. An iPad or iPad mini might be best here. If you are looking for an iPad that will do everything that a laptop can, then you might want to consider a model that is more powerful and supports additional components, including one of Apples newer keyboards or the Apple Pencil, the iPad Air might suit you. And if you will be using your iPad for gaming, video editing, photo editing, or anything high-powered and graphic intensive, then you will probably be looking at an iPad Pro. Below we will run through every iPad you can buy so you can find the one thats best for your needs. Apple iPad (2022, 10th gen) Best value Price When Reviewed: Now: $349 (64GB) | $499 (256GB) [Was $449 (64GB) | $599 (256GB)] Best Prices Today: $349 at Apple $349 at B&H $349.99 at Amazon 64GB: $349 / 349 256GB: $499 / 499 64GB (cellular): $499 / 499 256GB (cellular): $649 / 649 The 2022 iPad (10th generation) is the cheapest iPadit was reduced by $100 in May 2024 from $449 ro $349. It offers a lot of features for the price and its available in an assortment of fun colors. It has a 10.9-inch screen, a USB-C connector, and supports the Apple Pencil 1 or the Apple Pencil (USB). Its also capable of 5G (if you were looking at the cellular model you wouldnt want the 4G-capable 9th gen). Pros: A14 chip will be powerful enough for a good few years. No more Home Button but there is Touch ID (on the Power button). Cons: Still feels cheap due to the unlaminated screen (will Apple ever update this?). Not as thin and light as the iPad Air. Best for: Anyone who needs a big screen (not a huge screen; theyll want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro) but is on a budget, and can cope without the latest in processing. Its a good option for anyone who likes the look of the iPad Air, but not the price. Is now a good time to buy? While the iPad is about two years old, Apple reduced its price in May 2024 and its a fantastic bargain. See : Best iPad (9th/10th gen) deal Read our full 10th-gen 10.9-inch iPad (2022) review Apple iPad mini (6th gen, 2021) Best for kids and travelers Price When Reviewed: $499 (64GB) | $649 (256GB) Best Prices Today: $399.99 at Amazon $399.99 at Target $469 at Walmart 64GB: $499 / 499 256GB: $649 / 649 64GB (cellular): $649 / 649 256GB (cellular): $799 / 799 This generation of iPad mini launched in September 2021. The iPad mini is available in four colors: silver, gold, Space Gray and purple. The iPad mini is Apples smallest iPad with an 8.3-inch display. The biggest draw of the iPad mini is probably its diminutive stature. This is the smallest and lightest iPad and as such is perfect for carrying around in a bag or handing to children when they need entertaining. Whichever version you go for, youll get an A15 Bionic processor chip, a Liquid Retina screen, and 12MP/12MP rear/front cameras. It might be small, but it is actually more powerful than the standard iPad thanks to its A15 processor, which is a generation newer than the A14 in the 10th gen iPad. Pros: Very portable and respectably powerful. The cheapest version has a decent amount of storage (64GB). Supports second-gen Apple Pencil. Cons: Small screen, which may not be great for those who get eyestrain or who like immersive films and games. Best for: The portability-conscious. Gamers on the go. Tablet photographers. Ebook readers. Kids. Is now a good time to buy ? Apple did not update the iPad mini during its spring 2024 event, but it did reduce the price outside the U.S. Its possible Apple could update it later in the year, but it probably wont be a major upgrade. Keep up with the latest speculation with our iPad mini 7 guide . See : Best iPad mini deals Read our full Apple iPad mini (6th gen, A15, 2021) review Apple iPad Air 11-inch (6th gen, 2024) Best for power in an affordable package Price When Reviewed: $599 (128GB, Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $599 at Apple 128GB: $599 / 599 256GB: $699 / 699 128GB (cellular): $749 / 749 256GB (cellular): $849 / 849 The 11-inch iPad Air has an M2 processor that is powerful and energy-efficient (you may remember it from its widely praised performance in the Mac). The M2 pushes the iPad Air far ahead of the iPad mini and standard iPads with their A-series chips. The M2 also makes the Air an appealing alternative to the more expensive Pro models, with their faster M4 processors. Like all recent iPads, the Air features an all-screen design with no Home button. As with the 10th-gen iPad and the iPad mini, biometric security is handled by a fingerprint sensor in the power button rather than Face ID, which is reserved for the Pros. It has superb cameras (the front-facing 12MP camera and Center Stage), supports a wide range of Pro accessories, and now features 5G. Pros: Beautiful design. Superb processing and graphics power. Cheaper than the iPad Pro. Cons: Screen doesnt feature ProMotion. Ideal for: Tablet gamers and anyone who wants to be able to run the most demanding apps now and in the future. Pro users (business, creative, design) who cant afford an iPad Pro. Is now a good time to buy? Absolutely. It was updated in May of 2024 and will be around for a while. See : Best iPad Air deals 11-inch iPad Pro (5th gen, 2024) Best for power in a small package Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $999 at Apple 256GB: $999 / 999 / 128GB (cellular): $1,199 / 1,199 512GB: $1,199 / 1,199 / 256GB (cellular): $1,399 / 1,399 1TB: $1,599 / 1,599 / 1TB (cellular): $1,799 / 1,799 2TB: $1,999 / 1,999 / 2TB (cellular): $2,199 / 2,199 The current generation of iPad Pro models went on sale in May 2024. The iPad Pro comes in two sizes and a variety of capacities all the way up to a massive 2TB. The 2024 Pros feature M4 chips and are incredibly powerfulsome might say more powerful than it has any right to be. The 11-inch iPad Pro features a display it calls Ultra Retina XDR, which is an implementation of OLED technology that offers deeper blacks, better details in shadows and low light, and better response to motion. Apple uses two OLED panels in an implementation it calls Tandem OLED to address the brightness concerns of a single OLED panel. The Tandem OLED generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. The front-facing camera is now on the longer side of the iPad Pro for use in landscape mode and the rear 10MP ultra-wide camera is gone. The 12MP main camera now has an adaptive True Tone flash that works while scanning documents, which uses AI to sense shadows when scanning and uses the flash to fill in the spot, and multiple photos are taken and stitched together to create the best scan. Pros: Slim and light; dual cameras; Face ID; devastatingly quick and power-efficient processor. Cons: Very expensive. Its power could be overkill for many. Ideal for: Creative types who dont need the absolutely largest screen. Its great for watching films and TV shows (and offers quad-speaker audio to match), but there are other screens in the range that are a similar size and a lot more affordable. Is now a good time to buy? The 11-inch M4 iPad Pro was released in May 2024, so its a good time to buy. Apple likely wont update it for a good amount of time. See: Best iPad Pro deals 13-inch iPad Pro (7th gen, 2024) The ultimate iPad power package for creative pros Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $1299 at Apple 256GB: $1,299 / 1,299 / 256GB (cellular): $1,499 / 1,499 512GB: $1,499 / 1,499 / 512GB (cellular): $1,499 / 1,699 1TB: $1,899 / 1,899 / 1TB (cellular): $2,099 / 2,099 2TB: $2,299 / 2,299 / 2TB (cellular): $2,499 / 2,499 The iPad Pro 12.9-inch, updated in May 2024, offers the biggest screen ever on an Apple tablet, squeezed into a relatively small and very thin chassis. In other respects its largely the same as the 11-inch Pro (above): super-fast processor (the M4) with lots of RAM, excellent cameras, and a user experience that looks more than capable of replacing a laptop. The 13-inch iPad Pro, like the 11-inch version, has an Ultra Retina XDR. This is based on OLED technology, but Apple uses two OLED panelsit calls Tandem OLED and it generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. This is all thoroughly impressive. But on the downside, the 12.9-inch Pro is far less portable than the mid-size iPads (it remains admirably slim, but the sheer screen area makes it a handful) and ruinously expensive, particularly at those upper storage tiers. Pros: Largest screen (13-inch); extremely fast processor with lots of RAM; landscape camera with Face ID; four speakers; Ultra Retina display. Cons: Least portable iPad currently available (although it is very slim); very expensive; processor speed will be overkill for many prospective buyers. Ideal for: Creative types most of all, but anyone who needs a big screen will be interested. Gamers and those who enjoy consuming media on the go will like the combination of a sumptuous screen and a quad-speaker audio system. Is now a good time to buy? The current Pros came out in May 2024. Apple probably wont update it again for at least a year, maybe longer. See : Best iPad Pro deals iPad Buying Guide: What to look for when buying an iPad As you can see from the above there are a lot of iPads sold by Applethat doesnt even include the many previous-generation iPads that are still on sale at various resellers and at Apples Refurbished Store . When confronted by so much choice what should you consider when deciding which iPad to buy? For many the choice will be based on price and value for money. Some may be influenced by the screen size, others by the weight. The ability to get more than 256GB storage may be important, as may the inclusion of Face ID or Touch ID. Finally, the decision of whether to get a cellular version, which invites the assessment of the minefield of network contracts, will no doubt be a factor for some. We will look at each of those factors below. Which iPad is the best value for money? One persons value for money is another persons extravagance. You might be looking for the cheapest iPad. That would be the 10th generation iPad , launched in 2022. In May 2024, Apple reduced the price from its original $449 price to $349 (price drops were matched around the world). It has a 10.9-inch screen, a 12MP rear-facing camera, an A14 Bionic processor, and 5G as an option. If you are happy to buy an older iPad model then there are plenty of discounts available while they are still in stock. There are also some great savings to be had on refurbished models. We recommend you check the following deals roundups, where you can see the best prices right now on various iPads : Best iPad Pro deals Best iPad (9th/10th gen) deals Best iPad Air deals Best iPad mini deals If you have more to spend, what can you get for your money? The iPad mini more than justifies its slightly higher price tag of $499/499 (especially now that the price has dropped from the staggering 569 in the U.K.) with its faster A15 processor, True Tone flash, and a fully laminated, better quality, display, among other things.But its biggest draw will probably be its size for those who want a small iPad. The iPad mini is not much bigger than a hard-backed book making it the perfect size to carry around in a bag and a great size for kids. The 2022 iPad The 2022 iPad Apple The 2022 iPad Apple Apple Next up is the iPad Air , which starts at $599/599 for the 11-inch model. It might be worth every extra penny if you want a faster M2 processor. The iPad Air display is still superior to that of the iPad, fully laminated and with an antireflective coating (like the iPad mini). The iPad Pro , updated in May 2024 is the ultimate in this category. Starting at $999/999, the Pro has a lot to offer, with an incredible display and an M4 chip for starters. But we think these features are probably more than the average person needs. Those are the prices that Apple sells its iPads for, but you dont have to pay that much. Take a look at our regularly updated iPad deals page for the lowest prices and best discounts on iPads new and old. iPad screen size: Which size iPad to choose Size is a question of taste rather than simply going for the biggest iPad you can get your hands on. Bigger isnt necessarily better if what you need is small and light. The most obvious aspect of this decision comes down to screen size. All screens are measured diagonally from corner to corner, or from the place where the corners would be. Youve got four options: 8.3-inch iPad mini 10.9-inch iPad (10th gen) 11-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro But how big a screen do you really need? You can think of the tablets in terms of print publications: the mini is roughly the height and width of a paperback book; the mid-size iPads are closer to a hardback (albeit much slimmer); and the 13-inch iPad Pro is like a magazine. The larger screen is obviously better for immersive entertainment. Whether watching films or playing games, its a more enjoyable, richer experience. But really this is a question of priorities. Are you more set on getting maximum screen space, or are you willing to compromise on that front in order to get a lower price tag and improved portability? iPad Pro 13-inch (2024): 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 65.1mm; 579g/582g (Wi-Fi/cellular) iPad Pro 11-inch (2024): 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm; 444g/446g iPad Air 13-inch (2024): 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm 617g/618g iPad Air 11-inch (2024): 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm; 462g/462g iPad 10.9-inch (2022): 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm; 477g/481g iPad mini 8.3-inch (2021): 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm; 300.5g/308.2g Also read: Every iPad display compared . Want the lightest iPad? As youd expect, the iPad mini is a lot lighter than the other iPads. Theres a big gap between that device and even the mid-size iPads. As well as its markedly lower weight the mini also has a smaller body, which slips easily into a rucksack or jacket pocket. If you plan to mainly use your iPad out and about, on vacation, or commuting, or perhaps youre buying an iPad for a child , the mini is your best bet. The iPad, 11-inch iPad Air, and 11-inch Pro are pleasingly portable, but they still cant match the mini for portability. The iPad has a similar length and width to the Air, but is thicker and heavier; the Pros are slimmer still. The 13-inch Pro and Air are considerably less portable than their smaller cousins, but we think Apple has done well to keep the weight down, especially with the Pro: it remains a slender, relatively lightweight, and portable alternative to a laptop. How much storage do you need? The five iPads offer anywhere from 64GB to 2TB of storage, but if you are looking at an old, refurbished, or preowned iPad you could be confronted with as little as 32GB storage, which isnt enough. But what storage capacity do you really need for an iPad? Well, first of all, remember that you cant upgrade the storage of an iPad at a later date: this is your limit from now until you buy another iPad, so aim high and buy as much storage as you can afford. Its better to spend an extra few pounds now than to buy an entire new iPad in six months time. Storage capacity is mainly used up by three things: music, photos, and videos, in increasing order of storage drain. If you want to keep lots of films or TV showsor even a few, to be honestthen you need high storage: probably 128GB or higher for video fans. (If youre buying an iPad with the kids in mind, remember that youll want storage space for multiple episodes of their favorite show on a long car journey.) The same applies to large photo or music libraries, to a lesser extent, although iCloud Photos and iTunes Match make it possible to keep your stuff in the cloud and access it remotely (if you pay the fees for iCloud storage). The other thing that will fill up your storage is apps, especially games which will use up a lot of space. For that reason gamers should aim high on storage: The iPad Ait starts with 128GB and the Pro has 256GB, while the mini and 10th-gen iPad both start at 64GB. We recommend getting what you can afford See: How much storage do you need on an iPhone or iPad? for more advice. Should you get the most powerful iPad? The iPad Pro models are, as you would expect, faster than their smaller and cheaper equivalents, next up is the Air, then the iPad mini and finally the iPad. You can get an idea of relative speed by looking at a few relevant specs: iPad Pro 13-inch (2024): M4; 8GB/16GB RAM iPad Pro 11-inch (2024): M4; 8GB/16GB RAM 13-inch iPad Air (2024): M2; 8GB RAM 11-inch iPad Air (2024): M2; 8GB RAM iPad mini (2021): A15 Bionic; 4GB RAM iPad 10.9-inch (2022): A14 Bionic; 4GB RAM The M-series chips have won widespread acclaim in the Mac range and produce outstanding performance in the iPads. But that doesnt mean the A chips are sub-standard or incapable of running modern apps; keep in mind that much of the software on the App Store was designed with A chips in mind, and even now most developers will want to make their software accessible for as many iPad owners as possible. There is a good reason to choose the M-series chips over the A-series though. Some of the best iPadOS 16 features will only work with the M-series iPads . These include features like Stage Manager , which is a new feature for organizing your windows. There are also rumors that one day Apple may make a cutback version of macOS available on the iPad but this will be probably be restricted to the M-series chip, if indeed it ever happens.. But speculation aside, how powerful you need your iPad to be will be based on your your requirements (and how long you intend to use your iPad for). The most demanding graphic-design, video-editing, and audio apps will see better performance on the M4 and even M2 processor, so if youre looking at high-level workloads multiple years down the line the M4 and M2 would be a better option. But for most users, the A15 will be comfortably fast enough for the mid- and quite long-term, and even the A14 (from 2020) performs perfectly well on todays apps. Another important factor to consider is memory. The iPad mini and iPad 10.9-inch have 4GB. The Air gets a jump up to 8GB, while the Pros have either 8GB or a whopping 16GB of RAM, depending on your storage tier: the 1TB and 2TB versions get the higher RAM allocation. Overall, we would advise those who want to use highly demanding apps, such as video and image editors and graphically advanced games, to choose an iPad Pro or Air. If youre going to be using your tablet for the odd bit of email and web surfing, youll find an iPad or iPad mini perfectly decent. With these general observations out of the way, its time to look at each device in more depth. For each iPad we record the essential information, its pros and cons, which buyer should pick it, and whether now is a good time to buy. Should you get a Cellular iPad? For most people cellular connectivity is a luxury, even if its a nice one to have. For an extra $100 or so, youll be able to access the web and email, and use connected apps, away from a Wi-Fi network. You need to factor in the cost of a data plan and find a network provider. Consider carefully how often youre going to do that: with an iPad mini theres likely to be more on-the-go use than with a full-size iPad, but its still a lot to pay for something you may only use from time to time. Have you got a regular (overground) commute where youd enjoy catching up on news headlines or e-mail? Then it could be worth the extra. We think the best option, if you want to be able to get data on your iPad when you are out and about, is to create a hotspot and share it from your iPhone. Then you can use your iPad as if it is on the cellular network. Read about how to create an iPhone hotspot to share your mobile web connection to your iPad. Just bear in mind that the cellular option also brings with it a GPS radio, meaning youll be able to input accurate location data when using your device on the go. The other concern when buying a cellular iPad is whether to buy your iPad on a contract. Network providers will allow you to pay for your iPad and the data contract over a number of months but after that term is up, and certainly not before, you may not be able to switch to a different data provider. Buying on contract may also mean that the iPad is locked to the original contract provider which can also be a problem if you want to sell it in the future. Heres how to unlock an iPad from its network , once youve fulfilled your contractual obligations. Should you buy a refurbished iPad? You can buy a refurbished iPad from Apple You can buy a refurbished iPad from Apple Apple You can buy a refurbished iPad from Apple Apple Apple Well mention this only briefly because its covered in detail here: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you , but one option you should absolutely consider is Apples Refurbished Store . Its a sort of halfway house between new and second-hand: the devices are generally ones that have been returned within the 28-day period in which you are legally allowed to change your mind about a purchase, or they have been returned due to a fault that has been rectified, or they were ex-display or ex-demo units from Apples stores or marketing. You can rest assured that Apple has checked all the refurbished iPads that it sells thoroughly, replaced any problematic components, and rated them as good as new (and you get a full one-year warranty to prove it). Apples not the only place to buy a refurbished iPad, so beware that all refurbished iPads are not the same, so do check the small print before you buy. Look for refurbished models that have been fully checked out by Apple-certified engineers, especially those that come with a guarantee. Our best advice is to only consider the current or previous generation iPads when looking at refurbished models, then you are less likely to be caught out by a sub-par tablet. Buying a refurbished iPad from a reputable company is definitely preferable to buying a used iPad from someone on eBay. Its too often the case that secondhand iPads sold that way end up as useless bricks because the person selling it didnt properly log out of their account. Another way to save money is to buy from a reseller who is selling discontinued stock at a discount. We often see resellers significantly dropping the price on older iPad models that are usually just one generation out of datejust beware, they sell out quick! Should you buy the newest iPad generation? Speaking of older iPads, even if functioning perfectly right now, older models will reach the end of their useful life sooner than the newest models and that is a good reason to avoid buying an iPad that is more than one or two generations old. But keep in mind that iPads tend to start slowing down at around two to three years of age; at the four- or five-year mark you should expect noticable loss of performance and you wont be able to get all the latest software updates. The current iPad range was mostly updated in 2024 and included the iPad Pro and the iPad Air. The 10th-gen iPad was released in October 2022 but had its price reduced in May 2024. The iPad mini came out in September 2021. Another reason to buy a recent iPad is the operating system it runs. Apple only supports the most recent three versions of iPadOS with security updates, so that means that only iPadOS 15, 16. and 17 are currently supported. See How long does Apple support iPads? for more information. The following iPads can run iPadOS 17 : iPad Pro 12.9 and 13 (6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd gen) iPad Pro 11 (4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st gen) iPad Pro 10.5 iPad (10th, 9th, 8th, 7th and 6th gen) iPad mini (5th and 6th gen) iPad Air (6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd gen) The iPads that have been removed from support include: 2016 iPad Pro 9.7-inch with an A9X chip 2015 iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation) with an A9X chip 2017 iPad (5th generation) with an A9 chip So, while you dont have to buy the newest generation, we would recommend that you buy one that was launched relatively recently to be sure that Apple will support it for as long as you intend to own it. On that basis, any of the iPads listed above should be a safe bet because they support the iPadOS that Apple will support for the next three years, and for many the support will stretch on for more years. Buying advice: Which iPad should you buy? The iPad 10.9-inch is a good option for newcomers and those who will mostly use their iPad as a media consumption device with some light work. For most people, however, our recommendation is the iPad Air (2024) . The update in May 2024 brought it an M2 processor, which is more than enough for an iPad right now. Mind you, its still expensive compared to the standard iPad and the iPad mini, and to most rival tablets out there. The iPad mini is mainly recommended for those who see portability as their main priority. Its an excellent little device, although the smaller screen makes it less immersive for games and entertainment options. The remaining iPads will be too expensive for the average buyer. The 11-inch and 13-inch Pro models are amazingly powerful and well-made, and the arrival of the M4 is excellent news but probably more power than anyone really needs right now. But if youre a creative professional, the Pro is the iPad to get. Finally, before taking the plunge, have you considered if a laptop might suit your needs better? See iPad vs MacBook for more advice on that front. iPad

Apples iPad event: 5 unexpected details you may have missed

Macworld If youve been paying attention to the rumors leading up to Apples Let Loose iPad event, you knew what to expect: iPad Air and iPad Pro in 11- and 13-inch sizes with new processors, a new Apple Pencil, and an updated Magic Keyboard. Still, there were a few details during the announcement that hadnt been predicted, and which caught us a little bit by surprise. None of these are earth-shaking revelations, but they can be enough to slightly color our views of some of these products. Here are some of the things we hadnt expected going into the event. Prices that didnt go up The iPad Pro is $200 more expensive no matter which size you picka price you might justify with that fancy new OLED display and twice the storage, perhaps. But the 11-inch iPad Air did not get more expensive, which is a relief. This is the first year a 13-inch iPad Air is available, so we have nothing to compare it against, but $799 feels right. Also not more expensive? The new Apple Pencil Pro , which comes in at the same $129 price as the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, despite having several new capabilities. And the new Magic Keyboard , which has an aluminum deck, larger trackpad with haptic feedback, is slimmer, and has a function row, costs the same as the older Magic Keyboard ($299 for 11-inch iPads; $349 for 13-inch iPads). Its still too expensive, but its nice to see feature inflation without price inflation. The biggest surprise of all? The 10th-gen iPad actually got a $100 price cut , down to $349, which makes it just $20 more than the 9th-gen iPad that is no longer available. We always thought this should have been Apples move from the start: dont keep the 9th-gen model around, just replace it with the 10th-gen model with a very modest price increase (if any). The iPad Pros new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil dont cost any more than the previous generation. The iPad Pros new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil dont cost any more than the previous generation. Petter Ahrnstedt The iPad Pros new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil dont cost any more than the previous generation. Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt Back to a single camera Where did the 10MP ultra wide camera on the iPad Pro disappear to? Its just gone! We dont know how often it was used, but for the first time since 2020, all thats left is a 12MP Wide camera. Apple could have at least upgraded it to the 48MP wide camera on the new iPhones, to give us that 2x optical crop zoom option. Also missing is mmWave 5G in the cellular modelsbut most people probably wont even know its gone. M4 missing a core If you buy an iPad Pro with less than 1TB of storage, you get 8GB of RAM. If you buy the 1TB or 2TB option, you get 16GB of RAM. Thats the same as it was with the M2 iPad Pro from 2022. But what isnt the same is that you get a lesser M4 processor too. Thats right, while both models have six efficiency cores, the < 1TB models have only three performance cores. If you want the full M4 processor, you have to spend a minimum of $1,599 for the 11-inch 1TB model or $1,899 for the 13-inch 1TB model. Yikes. More storage for the same price Given the price increase and 18-month timeframe since the M2 iPad Pro was announced, its a good thing the 128GB model is simply gone from the lineup and the iPad Pro now starts with 256GB of storage. It takes a little bit of the sting out of the $200 price hike, but not much. No tablet at this price should dream of giving you only 128GB of storage. The iPad Air loses its 128GB model as well and gains a new 2TB option on the high end, leaving the 10th-gen iPad as the only model with 64GB of storage. If you want more storage, rest assured that Apple still charges a ridiculous price for additional storage. Some things never change. The new iPad Air is thin and lightbut not as thin and light as the iPad Pro. The new iPad Air is thin and lightbut not as thin and light as the iPad Pro. Petter Ahrnstedt The new iPad Air is thin and lightbut not as thin and light as the iPad Pro. Petter Ahrnstedt Petter Ahrnstedt Lighter than Air The 11-inch iPad Pro used to be slightly heavier than the 10.9-inch iPad Airjust 5 grams but enough to justify the Air moniker. The new 11-inch iPad Pro is now 18 grams lighter . The difference is even greater with the 13-inch models. The 13-inch iPad Air is about 10 percent lighter than the old 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but the new 13-inch iPad Pro is a few percent lighter still. At 579 grams, its a whopping 103 grams lighter than the M2 model and 38 grams lighter than the 13-inch iPad Air. The iPad Pro is also about a millimeter thinner than the Air. Maybe Apple needs to rename the iPad Air? Accessories, iPad

Does the Google Pixel 8a have a headphone jack?

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Get a lifetime of useful AI-powered content functions for $149.99

Macworld With social media posts, videos, blogs, marketing materials and more all expected to be part of any companys identity or any individuals personal brand, its easy to feel overwhelmed with the requirements of constantly feeding the digital beast. Thankfully, AI is here to help. With a lifetime subscription to a Unifire.ai Scale Plan on sale for $149.99, you can start leaning on the power of artificial intelligence to start pumping out all of that necessary content . The Unifire.ai approach is a unique one, employing a distinctive method for content generation by focusing on enhancing and transforming existing materials rather than starting over from the beginning like platforms like ChatGPT or Bard. Whether its articles, blog posts, or other written materials, this tactic applies advanced algorithms and natural language processing techniques to improve their quality, relevance, and effectiveness. You can shift content to help turn a webinar into a lead magnet, create text articles from a podcast recording, generate LinkedIn and other social media posts, turn a video into a newsletter or an e-book, and beyond. With a Unifire.ai Scale Plan , you can create up to 60 content assets from your source material per month. Regularly nearly $2,500, a lifetime subscription is now available for just $149.99 while this deal lasts. Unifire.ai Scale Plan: Lifetime Subscription (60 Generations/Month) $149.99 Curate content for $149.99 StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

Maximize your Macs abilities with MacPilot, only $30 for life

Macworld The power, capacity, and look of Macs and MacBooks are impressive, but certain features are left to be desired. Want a more powerful and customized Mac experience? MacPilot is a platform offering 1,200 features to optimize your user experience . Now, lifetime access is only $29.97 (reg. $99). With MacPilot, users can unlock these features to enhance their computing. Customize your dock by adding spacers and sleek smart stacks and menus, repair your Macs system by running maintenance scripts like launch services, display hidden files in Finder, and more. You can even adjust your Mac so you can view all contents of the graphics card and RAM bus speeds , as well as full lists of network ports, error codes, and even key combinations. From UI settings to total system optimization, MacPilot is a standalone tool that can effectively help you craft a more personalized Mac experience. Customize your Mac to your liking and unlock its potential with lifetime access to MacPilot, now just $29.97 for a limited time. MacPilot Lifetime License Only $29.97 at Macworld StackSocial prices subject to change. Accessories

How to use Apple Music Sing

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I dont think Apple wants me to buy the new iPad Pro

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Everything Announced at Today's Apple Event

Apple today held the first event of 2024, debuting new iPad Air and iPad Pro models and accompanying accessories. While the event was faster than normal and took 40 minutes, we've condensed it down even further for those who want a quick overview of everything that was announced. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've also got a full recap of all of the coverage that we did today for those who want a deeper dive into what's new. iPad Pro Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M4 Chip, OLED Display, and More Apple Debuts Next-Generation M4 Chip iPad Pro's $100 Nano-Texture Glass Option Only Available With 1TB and 2TB Models iPad Pro With 1TB+ Storage Has 16GB RAM, Other Models Have 8GB New iPad Pro With All Options Costs Over $3,000 Apple's New iPad Pro Models Weigh Less Than iPad Air Models New iPad Pro Lacks mmWave 5G and Ultra-Wide Camera Hands-On With iPad Pro in Space Black: Apple's Thinnest Product Ever New iPad Pro Supports Lower Refresh Rate, But Still Lacks Always-On Display iPad Pro 2022 vs. iPad Pro 2024 Buyer's Guide: 25 Differences Compared iPad Air Apple Announces New M2 iPad Air Models in 11-Inch and 13-Inch Sizes From $599 New 2024 iPads Still Have 10 Hours of Battery Life iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Air 2024 Buyer's Guide: 19 Differences Compared Magic Keyboard Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for New iPad Pro Starting at $299 Apple Pencil Apple Pencil Pro Unveiled With New Squeeze Gesture, Haptic Feedback, Find My, and More Here's the Apple Pencil Lineup With New Pro Model Other Announcements Apple Event Live Blog: New iPad Pro, iPad Air, and More Here's Apple's Full iPad Lineup With New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only iPad 9 Discontinued, iPad 10 Now Starts at $349 Apple Introduces Logic Pro 2 With New AI Features Apple Debuts New Final Cut Pro for iPad and Final Cut Camera App Apple Launches New Smart Folio Cases for M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air The iPad Air and iPad Pro models are can be ordered as of today, with deliveries set to begin on Wednesday, May 15. Pricing on the iPad Air starts at $599 and pricing on the iPad Pro starts at $999. Tag: May 2024 Apple Event This article, Everything Announced at Today's Apple Event first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

New iPad Pros Support Lower Refresh Rate, But Lack Always-On Display

The new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models are equipped with OLED displays that support a refresh rate as low as 10Hz, but the devices still lack an always-on display option like the iPhone and Apple Watch have, according to Apple's tech specs . While the iPad Pro has supported ProMotion since 2017, the device only supported refresh rates between 24Hz and 120Hz until now. The new iPad Pro models use low-power LTPO technology, according to display industry expert Ross Young , allowing the display to ramp down to 10Hz for static content. This change will contribute to lower power consumption, but advertised battery life is unchanged overall compared to the previous iPad Pro generation. The same situation happened a few years ago with the iPhone 13 Pro models, which also support ProMotion down to 10Hz, but lack an always-on display option. The feature finally arrived on the iPhone with the iPhone 14 Pro models, which can ramp down to 1Hz, and Apple Watch models with an always-on display also reach 1Hz. All in all, the iPad Pro is unlikely to get an always-on display option until if and when it too supports a 1Hz refresh rate. Apple says the iPad Pro now features state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology that uses two OLED panels and combines the light from both to provide phenomenal full-screen brightness. The new iPad Pro models can achieve up to 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR content, compared to 600 nits for the previous-generation models. The new iPad Pro models are available to order starting today and launch on Wednesday, May 15. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Tag: ProMotion Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, New iPad Pros Support Lower Refresh Rate, But Lack Always-On Display first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Pencil Buyer's Guide: Which Model Should You Choose?

Apple now offers four different Apple Pencil models at $79, $99, and $129 price points, each with different feature sets and compatibility. Our guide helps you decide which Apple Pencil is best for you. Which Apple Pencil you should buy is firstly determined by which iPad model you have. Some iPad models are only compatible with one kind of Apple Pencil, while others are compatible with two. If your iPad model only supports one kind of Apple Pencil, your buying decision is straightforward. Use the table below to find out which Apple Pencil models your iPad supports: Apple Pencil (first-generation, 2015) Apple Pencil (second-generation, 2018) Apple Pencil (USB-C, 2023) Apple Pencil Pro (2024) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (first- and second-generation) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, and seventh- generation) iPad Pro 13-inch (seventh-generation) iPad Pro 9.7-inch and 10.5-inch iPad Pro 11-inch (first-, second-, third-, and fourth-generation) iPad Pro 11-inch (first-, second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation) iPad Pro 11-inch (fifth-generation) iPad Air (third-generation) iPad Air (fourth- and fifth-generation) iPad Air (fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation) iPad Air (sixth-generation) iPad mini (fifth-generation) iPad mini (sixth-generation) iPad mini (sixth-generation) iPad (sixth-, seventh-, eighth-, ninth-, and tenth-generation) iPad (tenth-generation) Simply put, if your iPad features a Lightning connector, it is only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil, providing it has Apple Pencil support at all. It will not work with the second-generation Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil with USB-C. If your iPad features a USB-C port, it is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil with USB-C, except the tenth-generation iPad, which supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil with USB-C, and the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro, which support the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C. It is worth noting that the first-generation Apple Pencil is only compatible with the tenth-generation iPad using a USB-C cable and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter. It is not possible to use the first-generation Apple Pencil this way with any other iPad model that has a USB-C port. All four Apple Pencil models feature pixel-perfect precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity, but feature different designs, pairing and charging methods, pressure sensitivity capabilities, and more. The below table lists all hardware and feature differences between the different Apple Pencil models. Apple Pencil (first-generation, 2015) Apple Pencil (second-generation, 2018) Apple Pencil (USB-C, 2023) Apple Pencil Pro (2024) Glossy finish Matte finish Matte finish Matte finish Weighted to prevent rolling Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad Flat edge to prevent rolling and snap to the side of an iPad Attaches magnetically for storage, pairing, and charging Attaches magnetically for storage Attaches magnetically for storage, pairing, and charging 6.92-inch length 6.53-inch length 6.1-inch length [Currently unknown] Removable cap Non-removable sliding cap Lightning connector USB-C port Pair and charge via Lightning port or USB-C cable and USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter Pair and charge wirelessly Pair and charge via USB-C cable Pair and charge wirelessly Pressure sensitivity Pressure sensitivity Pressure sensitivity Barrel roll Supports Apple Pencil hover Supports Apple Pencil hover Supports Apple Pencil hover Double-tap to change tools Double-tap to change tools Squeeze control Haptic feedback Find My support Free engraving option Free engraving option $99 $129 $79 $129 First-Generation Apple Pencil vs. Apple Pencil With USB-C Most users should choose the Apple Pencil with USB-C. For a price of just $79, the Apple Pencil with USB-C provides a good balance of features with a more modern design. It also has the added advantage of being compatible with a wide range of models and will likely work with all new iPad models for many years to come. It is only worth opting for the first-generation Apple Pencil if you specifically want pressure-sensitivity for activities like illustration, since the Apple Pencil with USB-C does not have this feature. Buyers should be aware that this model comes at a $20 premium, requires a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter with the tenth-generation iPad, and will not be compatible with any future iPad models. It also cannot be magnetically attached to an iPad for storage, features a larger and older design, and has a removable cap over the Lightning connector that's easy to lose. Second-Generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro vs. Apple Pencil With USB-C If choosing between the second-generation Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil with USB-C, the second-generation and Pro models are a better choice on account of their superior feature set, but this requires spending an additional $50. Double-tap to change tools and pressure-sensitivity may be particularly useful additions for illustrators, while the easy pairing and charging on the side of an iPad provides a much better experience than a wired connection with a USB-C cable. If you have only basic needs for activities like handwriting notes and marking up documents, the Apple Pencil with USB-C is still a great option at a much more affordable price point. It even supports Apple Pencil hover on the newer iPad Air and iPad Pro models. Tag: Apple Pencil Related Forum: iPad Accessories This article, Apple Pencil Buyer's Guide: Which Model Should You Choose? first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Debuts New Final Cut Pro for iPad and Final Cut Camera App

Apple today introduced a new version of the Final Cut Pro software that's designed to run on the iPad , introducing capabilities designed specifically for the M4 iPad Pro . A new Live Multicam feature allows users to capture up to four different angles of a single scene using connected iPhones and iPads. To make this feature work, Apple has created a Final Cut Camera app that captures video from each of the devices and feeds it into Final Cut Pro. Users can get a director's view of each camera in real time, and the settings can be adjusted from the Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 app. There are options for tweaking exposure, focus, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, and zoom to get the perfect shots. Preview clips are passed through to Final Cut Pro and then replaced with full-resolution files so users can quickly move from production to editing. Final Cut Camera is available as a standalone app and in addition to feeding footage to Final Cut Pro, it can be used as a video capture app for recording video with precise manual controls. The updated Final Cut Pro for iPad app supports external projects, so users can create or open projects on an external device and import media without taking up iPad storage space. Apple added additional customization options to Final Cut Pro, including 12 color-grading presets, eight basic text titles, 20 soundtracks, and new dynamic backgrounds. With the M4 chip, final rendering with Final Cut Pro is up to 2x faster, and it supports up to 4x more streams of ProRes RAW than the M1 chip. Final Cut for iPad works with the Apple Pencil Pro, adding support for barrel roll and squeeze, improving access to and control over tools. Apple has also updated Final Cut Pro for the Mac, adding Enhance Light and Color, an AI feature that improves color, color balance, contrast, and brightness in one step. Smooth Slo-Mo, another new feature, blends frames of video intelligently to provide higher-quality movement. Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 will be available this spring as a free update for existing users, with new users able to purchase it for $4.99 per month or $49 per year. Final Cut Camera will come later in the spring as well, and Final Cut Pro for Mac 10.8 will be available as a free update for existing users. This article, Apple Debuts New Final Cut Pro for iPad and Final Cut Camera App first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

This $65 iPhone 15 Plus leather wallet folio case is unbelievably just $5 today

Macworld A new iPhone case doesnt just bring protection, it can bring style, class, and functionality too. Todays deal brings all that at an insanely low price: Amazons Woot is selling the Case-Mate Leather Wallet Folio for the iPhone 15 Plus for just $5 , a ridiculous $60 off the MSRP and the lowest price youll ever find for a case this good. This case doesnt just look good with soft genuine pebbled black leather, it also adds space for 3 credit cards, an ID card, and cash that doubles as a stand for watching movies. It also has built-in RFID shielding to protect your card information from identity theft with innovative blocking material. Its also MagSafe compatible so you wont lose easy charging. On the protection side, it has 12-ft drop protection with soft cushion corners to safeguard your iPhone 15 Plus against drops, bumps, dirt, or scratches. It also has raised bezels around the corners to keep your screen safe after a drop. This case comes with a 90-day Woot warranty and includes free shipping for Amazon Prime members. We havent tested it ourselves, but it has 4.5 stars with more than 400 ratings on Amazon , where it still sells for $65. iPhone

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iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Air 2024 Buyer's Guide: 19 Differences Compared

Apple's new iPad Airs arrive almost a year and a half after the previous models, offering almost 20 changes and upgrades. The 2022 iPad Air was a minor upgrade that added features such as the M1 chip and a 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera with Center Stage. The 2024 refresh is more substantial, headlining with a larger size option for the first time, bringing it in line with devices like the iPad Pro , MacBook Air , and MacBook Pro, which are available in two sizes. The 2022 iPad Air models have now been discontinued by Apple, but they may still be found refurbished and with third-party resellers for lower prices. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to buy the 2022 iPad Air or the new 2024 models. The iPad Airs from 2022 and 2024 share most of their key features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the older model to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to clearly see all the differences that the new iPad Air brings to the table. iPad Air (2022) iPad Air (2024) 10.9-inch display 11- or 13-inch display M1 chip (5nm, N5) M2 chip (5nm enhanced, N5P) 3.2GHz CPU clock speed 3.49GHz CPU clock speed 8-core GPU 10-core GPU 68.25GB/s memory bandwidth 100GB/s memory bandwidth Neural Engine 40% faster Neural Engine Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC Media engine for hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW Video decode engine Higher-bandwidth video decode engine ProRes encode and decode engine Image signal processor (ISP) New image signal processor (ISP) Smart HDR 3 Smart HDR 4 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera Wi-Fi 6 connectivity Wi-Fi 6E connectivity Physical SIM card slot eSIM only Apple Pencil hover Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Pencil Pro Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad and Smart Keyboard Folio Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad 64GB or 256GB storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, Purple, and Blue Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue The most important part of the new iPad Air is the larger display size option, which provides a way for customers who don't need features like ProMotion and a LiDAR scanner to obtain a bigger screen that's better for productivity and content consumption at a lower price point. Beyond this larger new model, the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover and Apple Pencil Pro support, and landscape front-facing camera are valuable improvements. That being said, it is certainly not essential to upgrade from the previous model to the new iPad Air. Unless you have an entry-level iPad or an iPad Air from before 2020, or explicitly want a 13-inch model, it is likely not worth upgrading. Related Roundup: iPad Air Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, iPad Air 2022 vs. iPad Air 2024 Buyer's Guide: 19 Differences Compared first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Plans Apple Watch Activity Challenge for World Meditation Day on May 21

Apple's next Apple Watch activity challenge will launch on Tuesday, May 21 to celebrate World Meditation Day. This marks the first time that Apple has hosted an activity challenge for the occasion. To complete the challenge, Apple Watch owners will need to record five or more mindful minutes using the Mindfulness app or any app that adds mindful minutes to Health app. Apple Watch owners who earn the Meditation Day award will unlock a dedicated badge in the Fitness app, plus they will get a series of animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps. The Meditation Day challenge follows the April Earth Day and Dance Day challenges . Tag: Activity Challenge This article, Apple Plans Apple Watch Activity Challenge for World Meditation Day on May 21 first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Poor Reception on Your iPhone or Android? Here's What You Can Do - CNET

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New Beats Pill Spotted in iOS 17.5 Beta

Images of a new version of the Beats Pill speaker are in the iOS 17.5 beta, giving us our first clear look at the device that's been spotted with a number of sports stars. We don't know much about the new speaker, but it has the same pill-shaped design as other Pill speakers, and it has a lanyard that we have not seen on prior models. iOS 17.5 adds support for an upcoming Beats Pill! pic.twitter.com/cm8s2ClLe6 Aaron (@aaronp613) May 7, 2024 Beats has not yet announced the Beats Pill, and a release date remains unknown. NBA superstar LeBron James and F1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo have both been seen carrying the speaker. This article, New Beats Pill Spotted in iOS 17.5 Beta first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Hands-On With iPad Pro in Space Black: Apple's Thinnest Product Ever

There are two notable design changes for the new iPad Pro models introduced today: they are the thinnest Apple products ever released, and they are available in a new Space Black finish that debuted on the MacBook Pro last year. Apple gave the media some hands-on time with the new iPad Pro models, and we have rounded up real-world photos and videos of the devices below. The new 11-inch iPad Pro is just 5.3mm thick, and the 13-inch model is even thinner at 5.1mm. There is also a new Magic Keyboard for the new iPad Pro models that features an aluminum palm rest and a larger trackpad. The keyboard is available in Black and White color options, which have Space Black and Silver palm rests, respectively. Last, the new Apple Pencil Pro looks very similar to the second-generation Apple Pencil. First Look at the New M4 iPad Pro! It's so freakin THIN! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/oIBpWSoaox Brian Tong (@briantong) May 7, 2024 FIRST LOOK at the NEW M4 iPad Pro OLeD Display with Nano Texture and the NEW Magic Keyboard #AppleEvent #iPadPro pic.twitter.com/oNtkRQIc2R Brian Tong (@briantong) May 7, 2024 Hard to overstate how thin and pretty these iPad Pros are. Feel like a movie prop. #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/79o7isPkaP Avi Greengart (@greengart) May 7, 2024 Hands-on with the new iPad Pro: yeah, its really thin https://t.co/HS51dsZ6Rd The Verge (@verge) May 7, 2024 iPad Pro M4 hands-on: Absurdly thin and light, but the screen steals the show https://t.co/1QfwuzbUJm Engadget (@engadget) May 7, 2024 Related Roundup: iPad Pro Tag: May 2024 Apple Event Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, Hands-On With iPad Pro in Space Black: Apple's Thinnest Product Ever first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 Release Candidates to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth betas . Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the Beta Updates option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta. Apple has also released an RC version of iOS 16.7.8 for devices that are unable to run iOS 17. Most of the features that Apple promised would be coming in iOS 17 have now been released, but iOS 17.5 adds additional app ecosystem changes in the European Union. App developers can offer apps for download on the iPhone directly from their websites , in addition to through app marketplaces. There are also code changes that hint at new Apple Pencils and a Battery Health feature for the iPad , with more information on what's new available in our iOS 17.5 beta features post . Related Roundups: iOS 17 , iPadOS 17 Related Forums: iOS 17 , iPadOS 17 This article, Apple Seeds iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 Release Candidates to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds visionOS 1.2 Beta 5 to Developers

Apple today released the release candidate version of an upcoming visionOS 1.2 update to developers, allowing them to test new features ahead of the software seeing a public launch. The fifth visionOS 1.2 beta comes one week after the release the fourth beta . The visionOS beta can be downloaded by going to the Settings app on the device and toggling on developer betas. A registered developer account is required, and Apple recommends making a backup before installing new software. Apple may make further improvements to Personas, EyeSight, and other features with visionOS 1.2, but no major new additions were found in the first four betas. Related Roundup: visionOS Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro This article, Apple Seeds visionOS 1.2 Beta 5 to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iPad Pro 2022 vs. iPad Pro 2024 Buyer's Guide: 25 Differences Compared

Apple's new iPad Pro models come almost a year and a half after their predecessors, offering 25 significant changes and upgrades. The 2022 iPad Pro was a minor upgrade that added the M2 chip and Apple Pencil hover, as well as support for Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and Smart HDR 4. The 2024 refresh is much more substantial, with more than two dozen changes and generation-over-generation improvements. The 2022 iPad Pro models have now been discontinued by Apple, but they may still be found refurbished and with third-party resellers for lower prices. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to buy the 2022 iPad Pro or the new 2024 models. The iPad Pros from 2022 and 2024 share many of their key features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the older model to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to clearly see all the differences that the new iPad Pro brings to the table. iPad Pro (2022) iPad Pro (2024) 11- or 12.9-inch display 11- or 13-inch display Liquid Retina or Liquid Retina XDR display LED or mini-LED backlit display with IPS Ultra Retina XDR display Tandem OLED SDR brightness: 600 nits max SDR brightness: 1000 nits max Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models M2 chip (5nm, N5P) M4 chip ( 3nm enhanced, N3E) 8-core CPU 9- or 10-core CPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW Hardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW ProRes encode and decode engine ProRes encode and decode engine AV1 decode 100GB/s memory bandwidth 120GB/s memory bandwidth Improved thermal design with graphite sheets and copper 10MP /2.4 Ultra Wide camera 2x optical zoom out and digital zoom up to 5x Digital zoom up to 5x ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording True Tone flash Adaptive True Tone flash Rear ambient light sensor 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G support Sub-6GHz 5G support only Physical SIM card slot eSIM only Depth : 5.9mm or 6.4mm Depth : 5.3mm or 5.1mm Weight : 1.03 pounds (466 grams) or 1.5 pounds (682 grams) Weight : 0.98 pounds (444 grams) or 1.28 pounds (579 grams) Supports Apple Pencil (USBC) and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) Supports Apple Pencil (USBC) and Apple Pencil Pro Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad and Smart Keyboard Folio Supports Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) Available with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage Available with 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage Available in Silver and Space Gray Available in Silver and Space Black Overall, the new iPad Pro is an unusually significant upgrade over the previous generation, offering a large number of improvements that meaningfully improve the hardware experience with the device. The move to a high-end OLED display, thinner and lighter design, Adaptive True Tone flash, and landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front-facing camera are noticeable improvements that almost all users will benefit from. Features like the M4 chip, nano-texture display option, and Apple Pencil Pro support have the potential to enhance specific tasks and processes with the device, which could be particularly important to the likes of content creators and digital artists. However, it is important to note that the new iPad Pro does not have any software advantages over previous versions of the device. Upgrading to the latest model is unlikely to dramatically change workflows, but it should offer a better overall experience. Users with an older iPad Pro, such as a 2018 model or older, have considerably more to gain by upgrading. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, iPad Pro 2022 vs. iPad Pro 2024 Buyer's Guide: 25 Differences Compared first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.5 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming watchOS 10.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the fourth beta . To install the watchOS 10.5 update, developers need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under General in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required. Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.5 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger. According to Apple's release notes, the update includes support for the new Pride watch face. watchOS 10.5 includes new features, improvements and bug fixes, including a new Pride Radiance watch face to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222 The final version of watchOS 10.5 is likely to see a release next week. Related Roundup: watchOS 10 Related Forum: Apple Watch This article, Apple Seeds Release Candidate Version of watchOS 10.5 to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds tvOS 17.5 Release Candidate to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming tvOS 17.5 to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the fourth beta . Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 17.5 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV . A registered developer account is required. tvOS software updates are often minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on smaller improvements rather than outward-facing changes. We don't yet know what's included in tvOS 17.5. Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document , which is updated after each tvOS launch, but Apple does not provide notes during beta testing. Though we don't always know what's new in tvOS betas, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release. Related Roundup: Apple TV Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution) Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater This article, Apple Seeds tvOS 17.5 Release Candidate to Developers first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

New sleeker, aluminum Magic Keyboard makes iPad Pro even more Mac-like

Macworld One of Apples best accessories is its keyboard case for iPad Air and Pro, called Magic Keyboard . To go along with the newly-designed, thinner iPad Pro, Apple introduced a new sleeker Magic Keyboard. Its got almost everything we loved about the old Magic Keyboard like pass-through USB-C charging and quality backlit keys (sadly the high price tag comes with it), but makes the following improvements: Its thinner. Theres a half-height function row to control quick settings like brightness, volume, and media controls. The trackpad is larger and has haptic feedback. The keyboard deck is aluminum. Apple Apple Apple Between the aluminum keyboard deck, larger trackpad with haptic feedback, function row, and all-around thinner package (together with a thinner iPad Pro), the whole thing feels more like a MacBook than ever before. Of course, the price is still sky-high: The new 13-inch iPad Air starts at $1,299 and the Magic Keyboard at $349. So youre up to $1,650 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage before you even begin looking at Apple Pencil Pro or other accessories. Thats a lot more than a 13-inch MacBook Air and even a little higher than a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The new Magic Keyboard supports only the new M4 iPad Pro; the slimmer design is made to fit the new slimmer iPad Pro specifically. If you have the new M2 iPad Air, youll have to use the older Magic Keyboard. Accessories, iPad

Apple reveals new AI-enhanced versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro

Macworld Along with new iPad hardware at its Let Loose event, Apple announced new versions of its professional media creation apps, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The iPad versions are updated to version 2, while the Mac versions get AI enhancements. Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 now has a new Live Multicam feature that allows users to connect and preview up to four cameras at once. Apple also announced Final Cut Camera, a new iPhone and iPad app that works with Live Multicam and provides adjustable settings such as white balance, manual focus, ISO, shutter speed, and zebra monitors and audio meters. Final Cut for iPad 2 can now work on projects saved to an external drive, and those projects can be brought into Final Cut Pro on the Mac. Other features include 12 new color-grading presets, eight basic text titles, 20 new soundtracks, and the ability to add additional dynamic backgrounds to create effect overlays and title sequences. The new Final Cut Pro 10.8 for Mac has new AI-based features. The new Enhance Light and Color feature offers one-step color improvement on SDR, HDR, RAW, and Log-encoded media. The new Smooth Slo-Mo feature blends frames together to create high-quality slow-motion effects. Other features include custom naming of color corrections and video effects, the ability to search clips with missing media or effects in the timeline, and text-based timeline search with information on reels, scenes, and camera angles. Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 is free to current users of the app. Its free for a month to new users and then $4.99 per month. Its also available for a $49 annual fee. Final Cut Camera will be available for free later this spring. The 10.8 update for Final Cut Pro for Mac is free to current users; new users can get a 90-day free trial, after which the app is $299.99 (one-time fee). Both the iPad and Mac apps will be available later this spring. Logic Pro for iPad and Mac Logic Pro for iPad 2 and Logic Pro for Mac 11 boasts new AI features to assist in the music-making process. The announced new features are in both the iPad and Mac versions. The new Session Players feature uses AI to create a backing band that responds directly to feedback, according to Apple. It implements the current Drummer and adds a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player. Stem Splitter allows the producer to take any audio file and separate it into four parts: Bass, Drums, Vocals, and Other Instruments. Then the producer can edit and apply effects to each track. ChromaGlow uses AI to adjust the tone with five different saturation styles to add ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch to any track. Logic Pro for iPad 2 is a free update to current users, while new users get a free trial for a month and then pay $4.99 monthly or $49 annually. Logic Pro for Mac 11 is free for current users, while new users get a free 90-day trial. After that, its a one-time purchase of $199.99. Both new versions of Logic Pro will be available on May 13. L earn more about the products announced at Apples May 7 Let Loose event . iPad, Mac, Professional Software

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New iPad Pro Lacks mmWave 5G and Ultra-Wide Camera

While the iPad Pro was updated with the M4 chip and more today, the latest 11-inch and 13-inch models lack two features that are available on some previous models, including mmWave 5G support and an Ultra Wide camera. Apple's comparison page confirms that cellular configurations of the new iPad Pro models are limited to sub-6GHz bands for 5G. mmWave 5G was supported on the previous two iPad Pro generations, but in the U.S. only and never elsewhere. Apple has yet to explain why it removed mmWave support from the iPad Pro. mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that can provide very fast speeds at short distances, which is ideal for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. The 10-megapixel Ultra Wide rear camera on the last three iPad Pro generations is also absent on the latest models, which only have a 12-megapixel Wide rear camera. As we previously noted, cellular configurations of the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models also lack a physical SIM card slot , making them eSIM-only devices. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Tag: May 2024 Apple Event Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, New iPad Pro Lacks mmWave 5G and Ultra-Wide Camera first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Everything Apple announced during the Let Loose event

Macworld Apples Let Loose event has concluded and weve got everything you missed right here, including video from the event, coverage of all of the announcements, and a chronological live blog. Let Loose event: Everything Apple announced M4 processor with advanced Neural Engine and 50 percent speed boost over the M2 iPad Pro with M4 chip and OLED display iPad Air with M2 CHIP and new 13-inch model Apple Pencil Pro with squeeze gesture New Magic Keyboard with function row Let Loose event: How to watch You can re-watch the Apple event at a variety of places online , but the easiest is right here. Let Loose event: Live updates When the keynote begins, we will update this story with the new products as they are announced. Were expecting Apple to announce updates to the iPad Pro and iPad Air , as well as a new Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. 9:55am ET: The stream is live on Apple.com with artistic graphics that clearly mimic painting and drawing on an iPad. 10am: The event has begun with an animated Apple Park intro and now Tim Cook. 10:01am: This is the biggest day for iPads since its introduction. 10:02am: MacBook Air is the worlds best-selling 13-inch and 15-inch laptop. 10:04am: Today we have some huge updates across the iPad lineup! 10:05am: John Ternus talking about iPad Air on a train for some reason. 10:06am: New iPad Air: 2 sizes, redesigned 11-inch, all-new 13-inch. Apple Apple Apple 10:07am: Larger iPad Air is inspired by iPad Pro where more than half of users choose the larger model. 10:08am: 13-inch model has double the bass 10:09am: New colors: Blue, purple, starlight, space gray 10:10am: Landscape front camera! Starting at 128GB, with new 512GB and 1TB options. 11-inch starts at $599. 13-inch starts at $799. preorder today, available next week. 10:11am: iPad Pro! 10:12am: Ternus: Today were going to crush the limits of what you can do on the iPad Pro. Apple Apple Apple 10:13am: All new impossibly thin, incredibly powerful iPad Pro. 11-inch and 13-inch model. Thinnest Apple product ever. 11-inch is less than a pound. Silver and space black. 10:15am: OLED displays, combines the light from two panels to deliver phenomenal brightness. Ultra Retina XDR 1,000 nits SDR, 1,600 nits peak HDR , deeper blacks, more detail, more responsive to content nano-texture glass option with less glare 10:17am: M4 chip! Huge leap in performance. 10:18am: Tim Millet: 2nd-gen 3nm tech. New display engine. CPU: 4 perf cores, 6 eff cores. 10-core GPU, dynamic caching, M4 delivers the same performance as M2 at half the power. 10:20am: Most powerful Neural engine, 38 trillion operations per second, outrageously powerful chip for AI, more powerful than any NPU in any computer 10:22am: Ternus: The new iPad Pro wouldnt be possible without M4. Up to 4 times faster than M2 model. Apple Apple Apple 10:23am: Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro 2! 10:24am: Final Cut camera lets you use iPhones for multi-angle shooting 10:26am: Logic Pro Sessions uses AI to generate instruments; Stem splitter takes any recording and separates it into 4 tracks 10:28am: iPad Pro uses AI to automatically recognize files and update lighting. 10:29am: Lanscape camera! New charging and pairing system for Apple Pencil. 10:30am: New Magic Keyboard. Thinner and lighter, matching colors. Function row, aluminum palm rest and larger trackpad. Feels just like using a MacBook 10:31am: Entirely new Apple Pencil Pro. New sensor in the barrel to enable new interactions. Squeeze gesture with feedback. Gyroscope lets you roll the pencil. Find My support. Pairs, charges, and stores magnetically on the side of iPad Pro. Developers can create custom interactions. Also works with Air. $129 Apple Apple Apple 10:35am: iPad Pro, double the storage, starts at $999 (11-inch), $1,299 (13-inch). 10:37am: 10th-gen iPad now starts at $349! 10:38am: Tim is wrapping up. Let Loose event: The latest rumors Apple Store down: It took longer than usual, but the Apple Store is down ahead of the event. Apple Pencil Pro: According to code spotted on the Apple Japan website while describing the main logo for the event, Apple is preparing to introduce an Apple Pencil Pro to its ever-growing family of Apple Pencils. It is said to have features like haptic feedback and a new squeeze gesture. Apple Pencil eraser: An interactive teaser on Apple.com suggests the Apple Pencil could have an eraser feature built into the device. Short and to the point: The keynote will reportedly last just over a half-hour , making it one of Apples shortest Special Events. iPad

Apple announces the M2 iPad Air with a larger 13-inch screen

Macworld At its Let Loose event on May 7, Apple announced an all-new version of the iPad Air. As expected, the update includes a larger-screen model and an upgrade from the M1 to the M2 processor. The new Air comes in four similar colors: blue, purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. But theres a lot more to this upgrade than appearances. Upgraded screen The eye-catching change for the 2024 generation is the new larger screen option . Ahead of the event, pundits predicted that the iPad Air would match the Pro and offer a mid-size (11-inch) and large (12.9-inch) display spec. But Apple went a little further than expected and bumped the Air to a full 13 inches, matching the M4 iPad Pro. Tech-wise, this is essentially the same screen as we got last time (theres no mini-LED as was predicted at one point, just LED, and no ProMotion), only bigger. Whereas the 11-inch model has screen specs of 23601640 at 264ppi, the same as the 5th-gen iPad Air from 2022, the 13-inch model is bumped to 23601640, also at 264ppi. The larger screen also gets a higher brightness rating, at 600 nits max compared to 500 on both the new 11-inch model and the 2024 Air. Finally, both of the new Air models have displays that support the Hover feature ( introduced in 2022 on the iPad Pro only) with the new Apple Pencil Pro. Note that theyre not compatible with the Apple Pencil 1st gen or 2nd gen, but they do work with the Apple Pencil USB-C. Yes, its confusing . Apple Apple Apple Camera setup The little-used rear-facing camera on the iPad Air is largely the same as before, other than a predictable bump from Smart HDR 3 to Smart HDR 4 for those awkward lighting conditions youre unlikely to be tackling with an iPad. Its still a 12MP wide lens with a f/1.8 aperture and 5x digital zoom. The real fun happens at the front. After shifting the camera from the short to the long edge on the 10-gen iPad back in 2022, Apple has finally decided to do the same thing on its more expensive tablets, including the Air. The landscape camera will make video calls far more natural and intuitive. We knew this was coming, but its still good to see. Apple Apple Apple Tech specs At the heart of the new Air sits an M2 processor , with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, in an obvious step up from the M1 in 2022s Air. With the iPad Pro jumping this year from the M2 all the way up to the M4, this seems a little less impressive, but its still a speedy and worthwhile chip. And as Apple repeatedly said in the keynote, the Air is supposed to be a cheaper Pro for people who dont need as much power and high-end features. Apple boasts that the M2 delivers 15 percent faster CPU performance than the M1, 25 faster GPU performance, and a 40 percent faster Neural Engine. (Of course, well need to make our own tests when we get a review sample but those numbers match previous testing.) If youre upgrading from two generations ago, the 4th-gen Air with its A14 Bionic chip, Apple says youll see a performance boost thats a whopping 3x faster across the board. Storage capacities have been bumped, too. The 5th-gen iPad Air came with 64GB or 256GB, but the new models offer far more choice, including a top tier of 1TB. You pay for the privilege at those upper ends, of course, but the entry-level 11-inch gives you twice as much storage for the same price. 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB Other than this, the Air has been upgraded from Bluetooth 5.0 in the 5th-gen model to Bluetooth 5.3, and from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 6E. And the 13-inch model only gets what Apple describes as 2x bass in its stereo speaker setup. Dont worry, well test this too. Release date and availability The 2024 iPad was announced at Apples Let Loose event on May 7, and can be ordered right away . It will ship to customers, and appear in stores, on Wednesday, May 15 . Prices The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599. The 13-inch model starts at $799. Heres the full pricing for the smaller model: iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 128GB, Wi-Fi): $599 / 599 / A$999 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi): $699/ 699 / A$1,179 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 512GB, Wi-Fi): $899/ 899 / A$1,529 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 1TB, Wi-Fi): $1,099/ 1,099 / A$1,879 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 128GB, cellular): $749 / 749 / A$1,249 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 256GB, cellular): $849/ 849 / A$1,429 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 512GB, cellular): $1,049/ 1,049 / A$1,779 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 1TB, cellular): $1,249/ 1,249 / A$2,129 And heres the price list for the new big-screen model: iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 128GB, Wi-Fi): $799 / 799 / A$1,299 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi): $899/ 899 / A$1,479 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 512GB, Wi-Fi): $1,099/ 1,099 / A$1,829 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 1TB, Wi-Fi): $1,299/ 1,299 / A$2,179 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 128GB, cellular): $949 / 949 / A$1,549 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 256GB, cellular): $1,049/ 1,049 / A$1,729 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 512GB, cellular): $1,249/ 1,249 / A$2,079 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 1TB, cellular): $1,449/ 1,449 / A$2,429 iPad

Apple has quietly killed its cheapest iPad

It's official: Apple has retired one of its cheapest and most popular iPad models. May it rest in peace.

Apple has tragically killed off its last device that still had a headphone jack

Macworld As the Let Loose event wound down Tuesday, Tim Cook had one last announcement before the stream ended: the 10th-gen iPad now starts at $349, an impressive $100 price drop. What he didnt say is the move also means the 9th-gen iPad is gone. Apple hasnt updated the 9th-gen iPad since September 2021, so its not a huge surprise to see it go away. It still had Apples old iPad design with a Home button and Lightning port, tapered edges, and A13 Bionic chip, with a starting price of $329. It was definitely showing its age and unless you got it on sale, wasnt the great bargain it once was. It was rumored that the 9th-gen iPad could get an update later this year with a new processor, USB-C port, and updated design, but it appears those rumors wont come to pass. Instead, Apple will push entry-level buyers to the 10th-gen model, which is clearly a superior machine. For an extra $20, youre getting a far better iPad with a Liquid Retina display, USB-C support, newer A14 processor, and more color options. We struggled to recommend it at its original $449 price, but with a $100 price drop, its fantastic value. Still, its sad to see the last callback to the original iPad leave this world so unceremoniously. iPad

The Google Pixel 8a is official. Heres everything thats new

With the Pixel 8a, Google wants you to believe that top-tier silicon, a 120Hz OLED display, and seven years of OS updates are possible in a $499 phone.

Here's the Apple Pencil Lineup With New Pro Model

With the launch of the refreshed iPad Air and iPad Pro models, Apple introduced a new Apple Pencil Pro. No Apple Pencil options have been discontinued, which means there are now four total Apple Pencils to choose from. While the updated iPad Pro and iPad Air are compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C Apple Pencil, they do not work with the Apple Pencil 2. Older iPads are also not able to work with the Apple Pencil Pro. Apple Pencil Pro M4 iPad Pro M2 iPad Air Apple Pencil USB-C M4 iPad Pro M2 iPad Air 12.9-inch iPad Pro (4th gen and later) 11-inch iPad Pro (1st gen and later) iPad Air (4th and 5th gen) iPad mini (6th gen) Apple Pencil 2 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th gen) 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen) iPad Air (4th and 5th gen) iPad mini (6th gen) Apple Pencil 1 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd gen) 10.5-inch iPad Pro 9.7-inch iPad Pro iPad Air (3rd gen) iPad mini (5th gen) iPad (6th gen and later) The Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil 2 are both priced at $129, while the Apple Pencil 1 is priced at $99 and the Apple Pencil USB-C is $79. Compared to older Apple Pencil models, the Apple Pencil Pro supports squeeze gestures, roll gestures, haptic feedback, and Find My . Tags: Apple Pencil , May 2024 Apple Event Related Forum: iPad Accessories This article, Here's the Apple Pencil Lineup With New Pro Model first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only

Apple at its Let Loose event today announced new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and there are smaller changes compared to the previous generation devices that did not get mentioned during the event but are worth knowing about. One of the differences worth noting is the lack of a physical SIM card slot. On the previous generation models, the cellular versions of both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro included a physical SIM card slot. In the new devices, that's no longer the case. All cellular models now support eSIM only. It's a small but crucial detail for anyone looking to upgrade their iPad while sticking with their current cellular plan. Apple has not divulged the reason why it chose to remove the physical SIM slot, but it could have been a design decision related to making the devices slimmer, or a necessity to keep them slim, given all of the devices' hardware upgrades. Either way, the change brings parity to Apple's latest iPad models and its iPhone , which dropped the physical SIM slot in 2022 with the launch of the iPhone 14 . Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad Pro Tag: May 2024 Apple Event Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now) , 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Launches New Smart Folio Cases for M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air

Apple today announced the new iPad Pro and iPad Air , and alongside the tablets there are now a few new accessories available to purchase on Apple.com. Starting with the iPad Pro, Apple is selling a new Smart Folio for the 11-inch iPad Pro in Denim, Black, and White. There's also a Smart Folio for the 13-inch iPad Pro in the same color options. Similarly, you can get the Smart Folio for 11-inch iPad Air in Light Violet, Charcoal Gray, Sage, and Denim. There's also the Smart Folio for the 13-inch iPad Air in the same color options. Finally, there's a pair of new Magic Keyboards for the 11-inch and 13-inch M4 iPad Pro. The 11-inch model is $299.00 and the 13-inch model is $349.00 , and both come in White and Black. Tag: May 2024 Apple Event This article, Apple Launches New Smart Folio Cases for M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

New Apple Pencil Pro adds a fourth stylus option for iPads

Macworld For some reason, Apple sells three accessories all named Apple Pencil, each with different features and compatibility. The solution? A fourth Apple Pencil! The new Apple Pencil Pro may seem like an unnecessary complication to a stylus lineup for an accessory that shouldnt need a lineup , but theres no arguing that it doesnt deliver the features everyone wants. Apple Pencil Pro looks just like the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, and it supports all the same features including magnetic charging and pairing, double-tap, and tilt and pressure sensitivity. But it also adds four new features weve wanted in an Apple Pencil for a long time: A gyroscope that lets you roll the pencil to change the orientation of shaped brushes and tools. A taptic engine for haptic feedback. Find My support. Squeeze sensitivity, to open palettes or change tool options like weights or colors. All this and it costs the same as the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil: $129. The difference is compatibility: The 2nd-gen Apple Pencil is supported by the last few years iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but not the new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro. Apple Pencil Pro supports only the new M2 iPad Air (both sizes) and M4 iPad Pro (both sizes). It stands to reason that Apple will soon reduce its Apple Pencil line from four to twowhen older iPad Air and Pro models are no longer available. Apple has already stopped selling the 9th-generation iPad with a Lightning connector, so it stands to reason that the original Apple Pencil is no longer needed, but Apple will presumably still sell it until the 10th-gen iPad gets an update. For now, the stylus situation is confusing enough that Apple had to produce a features chart: Apple Apple Apple Accessories, iPad

Apple updated two of its biggest iPad apps, and they look amazing

Apple has revealed updated versions of the Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps for the iPad, with both of them adding new tricks to exploit the M4's firepower.

Apple's New iPad Pro Models Weigh Less Than iPad Air Models

Apple today introduced ultra thin iPad Pro models, which are the thinnest iPad models to date. In fact, Apple is using the tagline hinpossible to describe the new tablets, and with that reduction in thickness, there's also been a reduction in weight. Both iPad Pro models are lighter than the iPad Air models, despite the iPad Air models having the Air name that has historically been used to denote a light weight and a thin design when compared to Pro devices. 13-inch iPad Pro - 1.28 pounds (579 grams) 13-inch iPad Air - 1.36 pounds (617 grams) 11-inch iPad Pro - 0.98 pounds (444 grams) 11-inch iPad Air - 1.02 pounds (462 grams) The 11-inch iPad Pro is 5.3mm thick, while the 13-inch iPad Pro is 5.1mm thick, which Apple pointed out is thinner than the iPod nano. Both iPad Air models are 6.1mm thick, comparatively, and they have noticeably thicker bezels. iPad Air pricing starts at $599, while iPad Pro pricing starts at $999. Tag: May 2024 Apple Event This article, Apple's New iPad Pro Models Weigh Less Than iPad Air Models first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

The new iPad Pro is finally here with an M4 chip and OLED display

Macworld Apple introduced a major update to the iPad Pro during Tuesdays Let Loose event. Promoting the new iPads as AI-capable tablets, the new 13-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro have several upgrades over the models they replacewith a higher starting price to go with them. At the heart of the iPad Pro is an M4 System on a Chip, a big leap in silicon from the M2 chips they replace. The M4 has a 10-core CPU, with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, and Apple claims that the M4 is 1.5 times faster than the M2 in CPU performance. The M4 has a new display engine that is 50 percent faster than the M2, and a 10-core GPU that is four times faster. The iPad Pro has 8GB (256GB or 512GB SSD models) or 16GB (1TB or 2TB models) of RAM. Learn more about the M4 . The M4 also has a 16-core NPU, which Apple calls its most powerful Neural Engine ever. It is capable of 38 trillion operating per second, which is 60 times faster than the original Neural Engine that was in the A11 Bionic chip. Apple claims that the Neural Engine in M4 is more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today. Apple Apple Apple Another major upgrade to the iPad Pro is the display. Apple has replaced the LED and mini LED technology on the previous iPad Pros with a new display it calls Ultra Retina XDR, which is an implementation of OLED technology that offers deeper blacks, better details in shadows and low light, and better response to motion. Apple uses two OLED panels in an implementation it calls Tandem OLED to address the brightness concerns of a single OLED panel. The Tandem OLED generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. Apple also offers a nano texture glass option for $100 more than the standard glossy glass (though youll need to get a model with at least 1TB of storage). The third major change is with the cameras. The front-facing camera is now on the longer side of the iPad Pro for use in landscape mode and the rear 10MP ultra-wide camera is gone. The 12MP main camera now has an adaptive True Tone flash that works while scanning documents, which uses AI to sense shadows when scanning and uses the flash to fill in the spot, and multiple photos are taken and stitched together to create the best scan. Apple calls the new iPad Pro the thinnest Apple product ever. The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs 0.98 pounds (444 grams), while the 13-inch model is 5.1mm thick and weighs 1.28 pounds (582 grams). Like the M3 Pro/Max MacBook Pro, the iPad Pro is available in Silver or Space Black. They start at $999 (11-inch) and ($1,299), $200 more than the M2 models: iPad Pro 11-inch Wi-Fi (2024): $999/999/CA$1,399/AU$1,699 iPad Pro 11-inch Cellular (2024): $1,199/1,199/CA$1,679/AU$2,049 iPad Pro 13-inch Wi-Fi (2024): $1,299/1,299/CA$1,799/AU$$2,199 iPad Pro 13-inch Cellular (2024): $1,499/1,499/CA$2,079/AU$2,549 The new iPad Pro is now available for pre-order now with shipments beginning next week. 13-inch iPad Pro (2024) Price When Reviewed: $1,299 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $1299 at Apple 11-inch iPad Pro (2024) Price When Reviewed: $999 (Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $999 at Apple iPad, Tablets

New iPad Pro With All Options Costs Over $3,000

Apple's newly announced iPad Pro models cost over $3,000 when fully configured with all available options and accessories, making it the priciest iPad to date. The cost breakdown for the top-specification iPad Pro is as follows: 13-inch iPad Pro (starting price): $1,299 2TB storage : +$1,000 Nano-texture glass option : +$100 Wi-Fi + Cellular : +$200 Apple Pencil Pro : $129 Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (13-inch model): $349 The maxed-out iPad Pro costs $2,599, but with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, it comes to a total of $3,077 a new high for the iPad. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, New iPad Pro With All Options Costs Over $3,000 first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Here's Apple's Full iPad Lineup With New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models

With the debut of updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models, Apple has streamlined its iPad lineup with a range of devices available in different sizes and price points. The iPad Air now comes in two sizes like the iPad Pro, the ninth-generation $329 iPad has been discontinued, and Apple has dropped the price of the standard 10th-generation iPad. Apple's full lineup with starting prices: 13-inch iPad Pro - $1,299 11-inch iPad Pro - $999 13-inch iPad Air - $799 11-inch iPad Air - $599 10.9-inch iPad - $349 (down from $449) 8.3-inch iPad mini - $499 The low-cost iPad now starts at $349 instead of $329 because the ninth-generation iPad has been discontinued, but the 10th-generation model has A14 chip instead of the older A13 chip. All of the iPad models can be updated with additional storage space, which increases the price. The high-end 2TB 13-inch iPad Pro, for example, is $2,299, and even more expensive with nano-texture glass and cellular connectivity. Apple introduced a new Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil Pro to go along with the iPad Pro models. The iPad Pro and iPad Air can be ordered as of today. Tag: May 2024 Apple Event This article, Here's Apple's Full iPad Lineup With New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Debuts Next-Generation M4 Chip

Apple today unveiled the M4 chip, its newest system on a chip for the 2024 iPad Pro lineup. Apple said that the M4 chip features a new up-to-10-core CPU of up to four performance cores and six efficiency cores. The M4 chip comes in two different models: the 9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores (for 256GB and 512GB iPad Pro), and 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores (for 1TB and 2TB iPad Pro). The M4 chip is built with second-generation 3nm technology and features a new display engine. It delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance than the M2 in the previous iPad Pro and four-times faster rendering performance. For performance in gaming, the M4 chip features Dynamic Caching that helps significantly increases performance for demanding pro apps and games. It also enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing on iPad for the first time. Finally, the M4 includes a Neural Engine that fuels accelerated AI workloads. Apple mentioned that this is the company's most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second and helping users accomplish AI tasks quickly on the iPad Pro. For more details about the 2024 iPad Pro, be sure to read our full post on the new tablets. Tags: May 2024 Apple Event , M4 This article, Apple Debuts Next-Generation M4 Chip first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple overhauled its two best iPad accessories. Heres whats new

The Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil have seen significant updates for the all-new 2024 iPad Pro models. Here's more about these promising-looking accessories.

What is nano-texture glass and do I need it?

Macworld On some Apple products, including the Apple Studio Display and M4 iPad Pro, a feature called nano-texture glass is available. This is something that was first introduced on the incredibly expensive Pro Display XDR , before coming to other Apple products beginning with the now-discontinued 27-inch iMac. So, what is it, and should you spend hundreds more to have it adorn your screen? What is Nano-texture glass? Glare is often a problem in brightly lit offices and homes, which can render the large, glossy displays little more than hugely elaborate mirrors. One way to combat this is through matte displays. Opting for the new nano-texture glass will drastically reduce glare while avoiding the frostiness and washed-out colors that are often the compromise made when opting for a matte finish. Its all thanks to some clever design and a meticulous process that results in displays that can happily cope with bright light sources, albeit at a rather costly addition to the price tag. How does nano-texture glass work? One of the main causes of glare is light from lamps, windows, and other sources reflecting back at you due to the smooth surfaces of modern displays. Matte finishes combat this by having some kind of coating on the display which diffuses or breaks down the light due to its more angular surface. Sadly, this works both ways, so the light emanating from the display itself is also altered, resulting in the murkier results that usually accompany the technique. Apple has taken things to the next level by foregoing a coating and instead physically altering the surface itself through tiny (nano) etchings. The pattern of the etchings means that light rays hitting the display are reflected off at a range of angles, eradicating most of the glare in the process. The very clever part is that this somehow doesnt seem to have much of an effect on the onscreen display. Of course, making all those microscopic etches in the glass is a precision job, which is why it costs more. Over the years the price has come down, however, and the additional cost of the M4 iPad Pro is just $100 more than the standard glass (though youll need to get at least 1TB of storage). How can I clean nano-texture glass? One of the quirks of Apples new Nano-texture glass display is that the company insists it can only be cleaned using a specific Apple cloth. One is included with every display, but were not entirely sure what magic ingredients make it such a special piece of fabric. Needless to say, if youve just forked out half a grand for a special display technology, its probably a good idea to follow the manufacturers instructions and not buy a 5/$5 knockoff cloth from eBay. How durable is the nano-texture glass? Nano-texture is as durable as standard glass. Since it doesnt have a coating, there shouldnt be any noticeable wear. Should I get nano-texture glass on my Apple device? The main reason for adding on the costly Nano-texture glass feature is if you are struggling with glare, for example, if you use your Studio Display in a room with bright overhead lights or work outside on your iPad Pro. Apple Inc, Mac

iPad Pro With 1TB+ Storage Has 16GB RAM, Other Models Have 8GB

Apple's new iPad Pro models have different amounts of RAM based on storage capacity, with the higher-tier models offering double the memory. The 256GB and 512GB iPad Pro models are equipped with 8GB RAM, while the 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB RAM. Both models offer 120GB/s memory bandwidth. The M4 chips in the different storage tiers also vary, with the 256/512GB models offering a 9-core CPU and the 1TB/2TB models equipped with a 10-core CPU. Both models have 10-core GPUs and a 16-core Neural Engine. Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, but the 1TB variants cost $1,599 in the 11-inch size and $1,899 in the 13-inch size. Apple's new iPad Pro models are available to order starting today, and will deliver to customers next week. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, iPad Pro With 1TB+ Storage Has 16GB RAM, Other Models Have 8GB first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iPad Pro's $100 Nano-Texture Glass Option Only Available With 1TB and 2TB Models

Apple's latest iPad Pro models are available with a matte nano-texture display option for the first time. The nano-texture glass is designed for users who work in high-end, color-managed workflows, or challenging lighting conditions. It is etched at the nanometer scale to maintain image quality and contrast while scattering ambient light for reduced glare. Nano-texture glass has only been available on the Pro Display XDR, iMac , and Studio Display so far, making this the first time that it has come to a touch-based device. Customers can only configure the iPad Pro with nano-texture glass with 1TB and 2TB models for an additional cost of $100. With an 11-inch model, this brings the price to $1,699 or $2,099, and with a 13-inch model it brings the price to $1,999 or $2,399. Related Roundup: iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 11 iPad Pro (Buy Now) , 12.9 iPad Pro (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, iPad Pro's $100 Nano-Texture Glass Option Only Available With 1TB and 2TB Models first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple just did something amazing to the iPad

Apple announced a new iPad Air and iPad Pro today. But there was another iPad announcement we weren't expecting, and it's a big one.

Apple debuts M4 processor in new iPad Pro

Macworld Apples new iPad Pro is powered by the M4 processor, skipping the M3 entirely. Apple has never debuted an M-series processor in a product other than the Mac, so the launch of this new processor in the iPad Pro is an unexpected surprise. The M4 is made on an enhanced 3nm process and contains over 28 billion transistors and has the following advanced features in the iPad Pro: 4 high-performance CPU cores with improved branch prediction and wider decode and execution engines. 6 high-efficiency CPU cores with improved branch prediction and a deeper execution engine. 10-core GPU built on the same architecture as M3, with dynamic caching, mesh shaders, and ray tracing acceleration. 16-core Neural Engine delivering over 38 trillion operations per second. Apple Apple Apple Apple says the CPU is up to 50 percent faster than the M2 found in the previous iPad Pro, which means its somewhere around 20-25 percent faster than the CPU in the M3. The GPU is said to be up tofour times faster than that in the M2, though that might be a best case scenario that uses lots of ray tracing. The Neural Engine is the fastest in any Apple product, but just barelythe A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro can do 35 trillion operations per second, according to Apple. Apple says the M4 has a memory bandwidth of 120GB/sec, up from 100GB/sec in both the M2 and M3. Theres also a new display engine to handle the Tandem OLED display and updated video processing with support for H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and AV1. When it comes to power efficiency, Apple says M4 uses no more power than the M2 and can deliver the same performance using only half the power, and the same performance as a thin and light PC with one-fourth the power (Apple used an ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED with Core Ultra 7 155H for that comparison). In iPad Pro models with 256GB or 512GB of storage, the M4 will have 8GB of RAM. In those with 1TB or 2TB of storage, it will have 16GB. So that remains unchanged from the M2. Its not clear when the M4 will make its way to the Mac, but with the M3 MacBook Air only arriving in March and the Pro models making their debut in November, its likely the first laptops wont roll out until later this year. However, its possible that the Mac mini, Studio, and Pro, which are still using M2 chips, get an M4 refresh sooner than that. iPad

The new iPad Pro is here, and it looks absolutely ridiculous

Apple's new iPad Pro is going all-in with a powerful chipset, bright display, and its thinnest design ever. In short, it's a truly wild upgrade.

Apple Introduces Logic Pro 2 With New AI Features

To go along with the new iPad Pro models that were introduced today, Apple debuted updated versions of both Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The updated Logic Pro 2 software is smarter than ever, delivering new experiences for songwriting, beat-making, producing, and mixing. Logic Pro has new AI-based studio assistant features that help artists make music. Session Players expand the Drummer capabilities in Logic Pro, with Apple adding a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player, plus a Stem Splitter to extract work with individual parts of a single audio recording. Stem Splitter is designed to allow artists to separate mixed audio into distinct parts: Drums, Bass, Vocals, and Other instruments. Separating tracks makes it easier to apply effects, add new parts, and change the mix. Logic Pro gives creatives everything they need to write, produce, and mix a great song, and our latest features take that creativity to a whole new level, said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple's senior director of Apps Worldwide Product Marketing. Logic Pro's new AI-backed updates, combined with the unparalleled performance of iPad, Mac, and M-series Apple silicon, provide creative pros with the best music creation experience in the industry. With a new ChromaGlow feature, users can dial in the perfect tone and choose from five different saturation styles to add ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch to tracks. Logic Pro is available for the new iPad models and the Mac, and it is set to come out on May 13. The software is free for existing users, and $200 for new users. Tag: May 2024 Apple Event This article, Apple Introduces Logic Pro 2 With New AI Features first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

iPad 9 Discontinued, iPad 10 Now Starts at $349

Apple today discontinued the ninth-generation iPad, which was the final iPad model that it sold with a Lightning port. In addition, Apple lowered the price of the tenth-generation iPad, which now starts at $349 in the U.S. instead of $449. The ninth-generation iPad started at $329 in the U.S., so the tenth-generation iPad is now much closer to that price point. Despite the ninth-generation iPad being discontinued, the original Apple Pencil with a Lightning connector remains available for $99. Apple's entire iPad lineup is now equipped with USB-C ports, excluding refurbished models. There were no hardware changes to the iPad 10 or the iPad mini announced today, with only the iPad Pro and iPad Air lineups receiving updates . Related Roundup: iPad Tag: May 2024 Apple Event Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy) Related Forum: iPad This article, iPad 9 Discontinued, iPad 10 Now Starts at $349 first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for New iPad Pro Starting at $299

Apple at its Let Loose event today announced a new Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Pro models, with a thinner, lighter design. Apple says the Magic Keyboard has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, while maintaing the same floating design. Two colors are available that match the new iPad Pro. New features include a function row with screen brightness controls, an aluminum palm rest, and a larger trackpad with haptic feedback. Apple claims that thanks to the trackpad, working on iPad Pro feels just like using a MacBook. The new Magic Keyboard can be pre-ordered today and will be available starting Wednesday, May 15, with the 11-inch model priced at $299 and the 13-inch version costing $349. Related Roundup: iPad Air Tag: Magic Keyboard Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now) Related Forum: iPad This article, Apple Announces Redesigned Magic Keyboard for New iPad Pro Starting at $299 first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums