While shipments of all tablets, including Apple’s iPads, were down over the first quarter of 2020, Digitimes Research is predicting a big rebound coming up. We should know more about the last three months after Apple announces its earnings later today, but what’s coming up sounds pretty exciting for iPad users and fans.
For a solid year, there have been rumors of multiple iPad Pro releases in 2020. Early on, they seemed to conflict with reports of the new 11″ and 12.9″ Pros that were released a month ago, but it eventually became clear that this other device would be something different. It would come with 5G and a new Mini-LED screen. Some of the rumors said it would only be available in the 12.9″ flavor. However, despite the small variations, most of the reports of this device were pretty similar and all were clear about a release in late 2020.
Mark Gurman and Company at Bloomberg were back in a big way today, predicting the design of the coming premium iPhone 12 models, as well as delivering some additional details on AirTags and the HomePods 2. Several of these details have already been covered extensively elsewhere today, so won’t bother rehashing them again. I am only interested in one at the moment.
It’s only been a few days, but I think I’m entering new territory here. After kicking the tires on both 2020 iPad Pro sizes, I just don’t see a compelling reason to upset my apple cart (yeah, I know) and get rid of my 2018 12.9″ Pro. I don’t have a need for LiDAR and most of the small upgrades that are included don’t impact the way I use the device at work or at home.
I’m an iPad fan and have been user since the original back in 2010. And here we are. This is an iPad-centric site and new iPad Pros are coming tomorrow. Normally I would be really excited. Normally there would be exclamation marks trailing the title of this post and I would be anticipating getting home from work to get my hands on new toys. Normally, we wouldn’t find ourselves in the middle of a pandemic.
Apple has just announced and hasn’t even delivered the latest refresh of their iPad Pros and the news of the new just can’t be stopped. The new 11″ and 12.9″ models are modest upgrades, but they are arriving along with the new mouse and trackpad features included in iPadOS 13.4, and the new Magic Keyboard that is coming in May looks pretty amazing. However, even after these announcements earlier this week, the rumors of another iPad Pro update in the Fall still persist.
Earlier today I read an article by Tom Warren at The Verge entitled Apple finally admits Microsoft was right about tablets. I wasn’t especially surprised considering that Warren has always been completely MS-centric. He’s a good writer and does his job well, but I he’s not the guy I look to for even-handed reporting.
As a full-time Windows user myself and someone who certainly doesn’t dislike the platform, I still heartily disagree with his take in this article.
I have wanted Apple to go all out and give us their version of a standard laptop keyboard for the iPad Pro for a while now. Even if you like the Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, they aren’t what I’m talking about. Those were thin, light and mobile at the expense of all else. You know, things like backlit keys. Or a key mechanism. ANY key mechanism at all.
So Apple didn’t waste any time after accidentally leaking their new iPad Pro models a couple of days ago, releasing them this morning at Apple.com. As expected with all of the rumors and leaks, they have refreshed both the 11″ and 12.9″ models with new processors and cameras. Both models are available for preorder today, with the 11″ model starting at $799 and the 12.9″ version at $999.
Photo Source: iPhone In Canada
Yesterday brought all the proof we need that new iPad Pros are coming very soon. First off, we got an old reliable indicator from across the world. The Eurasian Economic Commission, which has turned out to be a very reliable indicator of impending Apple releases, posted filings for new iPad Pros yesterday.
9to5Mac has been a trusted source for Apple news for a long time. However, I didn’t really consider them to be quite on the level with Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo when it came to new device and iOS rumors. Gui Rambo has made quite an impact over the last couple of years revealing lots of information hidden inside of Apple’s various OS betas, but those details don’t start coming until after WWDC, when those of us with Apple Dev Accounts get our hands on the goodies.