Photo Source: Slashleaks
Just shy of a month ago, I dismissed rumors that Apple would release an iPad Pro with Face ID locked to portrait orientation, as it currently is on the iPhone X. That same report from Japanese site Macotakara also said that, because of Face ID being locked to portrait, Apple would be moving the Smart Connector to a new location just above the Lightning Port. I was completely unconvinced, as none of this made any sense.
I may be the editor for a site that got its start exclusively covering the iPad, but I am also a lifelong Windows user. It is the only platform I can use for work, because all of the software in my field of expertise is Windows-based. The only path I have to using a Mac at work is via virtual machines, and that just isn’t attractive to me. That isn’t the only reason, though. I have always used Microsoft Windows, going back to my student days. That familiarity is hard to shake, especially when I’ve never been faced with a convincing reason to leave the platform for unfamiliar waters.
Photo Source: 9to5Mac
It won’t be long now. An Apple Event to announce a new iPhone lineup and potentially several other devices is less than a month away. The fact that there are three new phones coming is really old news. Like 10 months old, at this point. The rumor mill never sleeps, right? The sizes, screen types, resolutions, astrological signs, etc of these phones have also been widely publicized over the last six months. We are close enough to the event now that this information should actually be reliable. Honestly, its nice to see that the leakers got it right this year. It’s been relatively drama free now that no one really cares about notches, missing headphone jacks, or the end of TouchID.
Photo Source: 9to5Mac
Not all Apple device rumors are equal, and neither are their sources. As we get closer to the arrival of new hardware, the real rumors will start coming in, and reputable people will be able to substantiate them. In our first case, we have a report from a very reliable person- Guilherme Rambo of 9to5Mac.
Photo Source: OnLeaks
A couple of days ago, I wrote about a few new iPad Pro rumors, including a report about changes to Face ID and the Smart Connector that I wasn’t a big fan of. I felt that I had good reason to doubt the validity of Macotakara’s information. However, today brings more news that seemingly supports these and another strange rumor about the new iPads.
Photo Source: 9to5Mac
Rumors and reports on the coming iPad Pro updates have been few and far between over the last eight months, but 9to5Mac and Macotakara have brought a little more information to light over the past few days. Some of it is expected- no headphone jack. Some of it is good- removing the bezels will give us a little more screen real estate on the current 10.5″ model, and a smaller overall size on the 12.9″. However, there is one very concerning bit in yesterday’s Macotakara report.
It’s been an unexpectedly busy couple of days in Apple news. First off, Apple released an updated version of the MacBook Pro yesterday. These new 2018 versions have new Intel processors, more RAM, better screens, and a “quieter” keyboard. Unfortunately, Apple has not mentioned any design changes to the keyboard based on the number of complaints of failures due to dirt and grit getting under the keys. While a specific mention of this could be problematic for Apple due to ongoing litigation over this issue, the feeling around the industry is that this version of the keyboard will not be a significant improvement.
Photo Source: Steve Troughton-Smith
There have been rumors of a new redesigned iPad Pro with TrueDepth Camera and Face ID, no Home Button, and reduced bezels since the end of last year. Now, courtesy of noted Apple developer Steve Troughton-Smith, we have some real evidence that this device is more than just a rumor.
The WWDC Keynote is only two weeks away, so we should start hearing bits and pieces about what will be covered at the event. However, if last year is a guide, we should also expect some surprises. While there were rumors of a new 10.5″ iPad Pro leading up to WWDC 2017, no one knew about the new iPad-specific features that were coming to iOS 11.
While the new 6th Generation iPad was framed almost exclusively in terms of its usefulness and capabilities for the education market at Apple’s release event this week, the reality of its appeal promises to be FAR broader. Between the current focus on education and the robust features and specs of the iPad Pros, it is easy to forget about the iPad’s more general reach. However, it was the release of the new iPad’s predecessor and its new focus on delivering solid features at a more competitive price that finally reversed the fortunes of Apple’s tablets last year.
Photo Source: Patently Apple
There is a lot of smoke on the topic of touch and virtual interface for there not to be a fire somewhere. We have the Touch Bar that Apple added to the MacBook a couple of years ago. A couple of weeks ago, Apple was awarded a patent for a clamshell device with an OLED keyboard. Now, as reported by Patently Apple, an Apple patent application for a virtual keyboard that was filed in 2017 was published just a couple of days ago. Where the awarded patents was fairly open ended, this application has some valuable specifics and diagrams,