The iPad Pro has some limitations when you compare it to a traditional laptop with a touchscreen and pen compatibility. I think any fan of the device who’s honest with themselves understands that. There are fewer of them than there used to be thanks to Apple’s efforts to beef up the iPad on the software side over the last three years. The release of iPadOS this summer was a another big step in this process, freeing the iPad from the hardware and software schedule of the iPhone.
Ming-Chi Kuo has a new report that clarifies some previous information he released back in October. In that previous note, he predicted that Apple would release new iPad Pros with new Mini-LED displays in the Fall of 2020 with a new MacBook coming the following year. Now he saying that it will be the 12.9″ Pro alone that gets a Mini-LED display in the third quarter of next year.
First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. If you are celebrating here in the US today, I hope you are having a wonderful day filled with family, fun and lots of good food. I am looking forward to heading next door (yes, my Holiday travel is absolutely BRUTAL) and partaking in our family’s traditional feast in about an hour. I can’t wait. For our fairly large crew, turkey is the sideshow. My Mom’s Chicken and Dumplings and Dressing are the stars of the show. I skipped breakfast to make room, so now I’m really hungry.
Ok, back to business…
I’ve been a big fan of my Brydge Bluetooth Keyboard for the 12.9″ iPad Pro since I got one back in July. So much so that my Pro rarely gets used without it now. I gave it a brief overview this Summer right after getting it and came away very impressed. My opinion hasn’t changed over the months since.
The keys are close to the same size, spacing and quality that you get with a good laptop keyboard. The key action is responsive and has a pleasing feedback. The backlight is bright. The docking clips allow you to position the iPad at almost any angle you choose. Their Silver, Space Gray and Gold are a perfect match for each iPad color. It’s just a great product, all the way around. The magnetic cover that protects the back of the iPad is a nice touch, as well.
I’m a huge fan of the iPad Pro, but I’ve been critical of one aspect of the device: the available first-party keyboard. Even though I found Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio to be better than the original Smart Keyboard, that isn’t saying much. I know these keyboards have a lot of fans, but I not among them. I just really do not like the key action AT ALL.
First off, a new Bloomberg report that covers multiple items lead off by saying that Apple will release a new iPad Pro in the first half of next year. This echoes an earlier report from Ming-Chi Kuo also talking about a new Pro coming in the first quarter of next year. When the rumors that a new high-end tablet would come in October didn’t materialize, Kuo’s information gained credibility. Joined by the likes of Marc Gurman, now this seems to be a very credible release timeline.
A month or so ago, a small refresh of the iPad Pro in 2019 seemed like a given. So did an October event covering several rumored Apple products. However, as we prepare to close out the month next week, the time for invitations to such an event has come and gone with no news. Continue reading
Photo Source: SlashLeaks
I was starting to wonder about whether Apple might pass on a Fall event this year. Last week there was a Ming-Chi Kuo report claiming that Apple would have a new iPad Pro in the first quarter next year, which would line up with the usual 16-18 month cycle that the device has kept to since release. Considering the lack of iPad Pro hardware leaks, this one made me wonder. Then Neil Cybart tweeted Apple’s event announcement timeframes over the last few years a couple of days ago and we are now outside of the shortest one, which was 11 days.
Photo Source: 9to5Mac
According to a chinese-language report (via 9to5Mac), Ming-Chi Kuo is predicting a monster first half of 2020 that would really shake up the company’s hardware portfolio, as well as change up some of their typical release schedules.
I get that I’m talking about a device that is over a year away when the 2019 version hasn’t been released. It hasn’t even been announced. We don’t even know when the announcement event will be yet. Normally I don’t like doing this kind of thing, but I think this particular rumor is interesting to be worth paying attention to.
That’s the way it goes in the tech world. By the time the new thing arrives, the news cycle is already well on to the next thing. This goes double with Apple. As the new iPhones 11 and Apple Watches arrive in the hands of eager buyers (including myself) later today, there have already been a lot of reports on what seems to be an inevitable October event, as well as a lot of rumors on next year’s iPhone. Yeah, the tech press isn’t known for its patience waiting for the next leak or story.