iPad Pro - page 20

By DP Spender

The launch of the new 2020 iPad Pro brought a plethora of articles from tech journalists asking, “Is this Apple’s laptop replacement?” That question is so open-ended, it might as well be an infinite loop. It’s like asking a toolmaker, “Is your new hammer a suitable replacement for last year’s wrench?”

It is in many ways a pointless question — and one that in my opinion totally misses the point. The question should be, “Does the 2020 iPad Pro get your job done?” To which my answer is yes, but then so did the 2018 model.

Apple’s newest iPad Pro has the ability to disconnect its microphone when the device is not in use for increased security. The disconnect happens at a hardware level so software cannot override it — but there’s a catch.

The feature only works for you if you have the right accessories.

Need a new MacBook Pro? You won’t want to miss Woot’s brilliant deal on 13-inch models, refurbished by Apple, which are now available for as little as $679.99. Or pick up the brand-new 2020 Mac mini from $699 — $100 off its usual price tag.

That’s just some of the awesome offers in today’s Deals & Steals roundup that will help you tackle self-isolation and working from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Other highlights include:

• Sims 4 for Mac — from $4.99
• Beats Solo3 wireless headphones — save $140
• iPad Air with 4G — save $130

Find all these discounts and more in today’s Deals & Steals roundup.

Apple’s long-rumored augmented reality glasses project may have suffered a serious setback thanks to Facebook.

The social network company reportedly reached a licensing deal with Plessey, a British firm that makes displays specifically for augmented reality displays. Apple supposedly was looking into acquiring Plessey. But Facebook rushed in and struck an exclusive supply deal with the company, effectively shutting out Cupertino.

If you use (or plan to use) a trackpad with your iPad, you definitely need to know these six handy gestures. From the three-finger swipe to the slammer, they will transform the way you use your tablet.

Get the lowdown on those essential iPad gestures, plus the rest of what’s new in iPadOS 13.4, iOS 13.5 and macOS Catalina 10.13.4, in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it for easy reading on your iPad or iPhone. You’ll also get the rest of the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos.

This week on The CultCast: Forget the A12Z and LiDAR Scanner, it’s iPadOS and the new Magic Keyboard that just supercharged the iPad Pro — we discuss! Plus, we’ll tell you the best new features in iOS 13.4. And Tim Cook, aka The Cookie, uses Apple’s massive supply chain prowess to deliver hugely needed supplies for medical workers — we got the story for ya right here!

Our thanks to LinkedIn for supporting this episode. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. So head to LinkedIn.com/cultcast and get a $50 credit toward your first job post.

A new investigation into Apple’s improved A12Z Bionic chip inside the 2020 iPad Pro reveals that it features exactly the same GPU found in the A12X Bionic for 2018 iPad Pro units. The one big difference is that an additional eighth core is now enabled, making it slightly faster.

Many fans are now criticizing Apple for what seems, at first glance, as intentional throttling. It is assumed Cupertino is disabling features in its newest chips, only to enable them later and market them as improved — even though they’re essentially the same on the inside.

Could it be that this is a scheme to make quick and easy cash? Actually, no. This is standard practice across the semiconductor industry. Others like Intel and Nvidia use exactly the same approach — and there’s a very good reason for it.

Here’s the real reason why an A12Z is just an A12X with unlocked potential.

Apple suppliers are ramping up Magic Keyboard production as its new scissor switches quickly replace butterfly keys in the company’s most popular products, reveals a new report published Wednesday.

Sources say that manufacturers have seen “no cutbacks” in orders, despite concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic could impact sales. A 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh is said to be next in line for an upgrade.

Zagg is updating two of its keyboard cases for the 2020 iPad Pro that debuts tomorrow. The Slim Book Go focuses more on portability, while the Rugged Book Go brings a bit additional protection to Apple’s latest high-end tablet.

Apple’s newest iPad Pro will begin landing on customers’ doorsteps Wednesday, March 25. Will it be worth their hard-earned cash? Let’s find out from reviewers who already have their hands on one.

Unsurprisingly, the 2020 iPad Pro is already being dubbed Apple’s best tablet yet. It improves upon an already winning formula with a LiDAR Scanner, Ultra Wide camera, and faster connectivity.

Some still bemoan missing features in iPadOS. When it comes to the hardware, however, there’s very little to complain about.

The OtterBox Defender Series adds multiple layers of shielding, and a version specifically for the 2020 iPad Pro already hit store shelves.

This case wraps around the sides and back of the tablet, plus it includes a built-in screen protector and a removable screen shield that also functions as a kickstand.

Adding an extra camera lens and LiDAR to the 2020 iPad Pro changed the design enough that virtually all keyboard cases designed for its predecessor can’t be used with the new model. And Apple’s own Magic Keyboard won‘t debut for months.

Still, there are already a couple of keyboard cases available for people expecting a new iPad Pro to arrive this week.

From a hardware perspective, the new iPad Pro seems unassailable. The new Magic Keyboard with trackpad looks amazing. And iPadOS 13.4 feels like a game-changing upgrade.

It’s true: The iPad Pro is really having a moment right now. One could even argue that Apple’s tablet is better than a Mac at this point.

Find out what makes that practically blasphemous statement true in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now and read it on your iPad or iPhone. Or get the links below for our blowout coverage of the new iPad Pro. You’ll also find the rest of the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos.

The 2020 iPad Pro is less than 1% faster than the previous model, according to a popular benchmarking test. The numbers appear to be the result of the new model not using Apple’s latest-generation processor.

The new tablet does offer improved graphics capabilities, however.

This week on The CultCast: Our reactions to Apple’s new hardware! Plus, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Apple’s new Mac mini, MacBook Air, iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard.

Out thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast, and use offer code CultCast at checkout for 10% off your first purchase.

Apple is planning another iPad Pro refresh for 2020 that will introduce its first Mini LED display, according to a new report. The technology could pave the way for thinner devices, but it may be exclusive to 12.9-inch models initially.

Apple’s most recent iPad Pro refresh, unveiled on Wednesday, is expected to boost shipments by as much as 40% in the meantime.

Apple is offering laughably low trade-in rates for old iPad Pro models. You can make a maximum of $240 if you have a high-end device with bags of storage that’s still in good condition. But 2018 iPad Pro models are worth a lot more than that.

Cult of Mac will pay you up to $300 for a base model 11-inch iPad Pro with just 64GB of storage. That figure rises to $400 for a 512GB model, while a 12.9-inch iPad Pro can earn you as much as $500.

This could slash the price of your upgrade to a new drool-worthy 2020 iPad Pro by more than half! Get a quote from us today and find out how much your old iPad is really worth.

Apple’s new Magic Keyboard case for the iPad Pro looks amazing. But its most impressive feature (aside from that incredibly solid-looking hinge) will become available to any iPad owner with a mouse or trackpad laying around. The new trackpad support coming next week in iOS 13.4 works with pretty much any Bluetooth or USB mouse. You just connect the peripheral, and a cursor appears on the iPad screen.

This is a much, much better system than the cobbled-together mouse support that already exists in iOS 13’s Accessibility settings. Instead of simply imitating a finger on-screen, Apple completely rethought how a cursor should work on a touch-based device. This thing is deep, as we’re about to see.

Here’s a hands-on look at the new iPad mouse and trackpad features.

Buyers already snapped up the Apple’s initial supply of one version of the 2020 iPad Pro. A 12.9-inch model ordered now won‘t ship until early April. The 11-inch model is still available on launch day, however.

In what’s likely an attempt to prevent hoarding, Apple put a restriction on how many iPad Pro units each customer could buy.

Ten years ago, the iPad was a barely capable, outsize version of the iPhone. The idea that it could outdo the Mac was laughable. And yet here we are, a decade later with the 2020 iPad Pro, and that’s exactly what has happened.

The Mac has stood still (or even gone backward, if you count that keyboard), while the iPad has turned into the computer from the future. Here’s what Apple’s two platforms look like in a head-to-head battle in 2020.

The first 2020 iPad Pro orders will start reaching customers next Wednesday, March 25. You don’t need to wait that long to see what it will look like on your desk, complete with amazing Magic Keyboard, however.

Using the power of augmented reality, Apple can put a virtual iPad Pro anywhere in your home. But be warned: If you didn’t already want a 2020 iPad Pro, you will after you see one right in front of you.

A new Apple demonstration video surfaced Thursday, this one showing off the powerful marquee feature of the new iPad Pro, the LiDAR Scanner.

Words do not explain this augmented reality tool quite like seeing it being demoed by various developers.

Apple’s new 2020 iPad Pro lineup is now available to preorder from Amazon just a day after its official unveiling.

Both the 11- and 12.9-inch options in all storage capacities are available with a release date of March 25. Prices start at $799.99 — 99 cents more than Apple charges — for the base model.

Every 2020 iPad Pro reportedly includes 50% more RAM than most versions of its predecessor. This goes along with an enhanced processor.

In addition, Apple’s latest tablet also supposedly includes the U1 chip for directionally-aware AirDrop.

Update: Tests with Apple’s latest tablet confirm that it has 6GB of RAM.  However, it does not have the U1 chip.

The two new iPad Pros unveiled Wednesday are the first Apple tablets to support the super-fast Wi-Fi 6 standard.

Apple’s brilliant new iPad Pro ads don’t mention Wi-Fi 6 as one of the headline features, but it’s a huge upgrade in connectivity from the previous generation, offering faster speeds and longer range.

There are many reasons why you’ll be hearing about Wi-Fi 6 a lot more in the future.