The iPad Pro is getting some fresh competition from Microsoft after the company just took the wraps off its newest tablet, the Surface Pro.
It’s been over 16 months since Microsoft’s would-be iPad-killer was last updated. Although its the 5th version of Microsoft’s tablet, this go around the company decided to ditch the number suffixes and pack the Surface Pro with more features than ever before.
Accessory makers are already manufacturing cases for Apple’s next-generation iPad Pros. According to two that have leaked early, they’ll come with tweaked designs, while the new 10.5-inch model could have a taller display.
Apple is reportedly planning to increase production of the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro ahead of its official debut.
The device is said to have entered mass production back in March or April, with monthly shipments currently at around 500,000 units. However, in July, that figure will rise to 600,000.
Apple’s first iOS 10.3.3 beta, rolled out to registered developers on Tuesday, hints at a 12.9-inch iPad Pro refresh is imminent. The device could get its unveiling next month at WWDC, alongside iOS 11 and the rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
Apple says it will service “functional issues” on Smart Keyboards for the iPad Pro for up to three years, according to internal memos sent to Apple stores and service providers recently.
The company, in the memo sent last week, acknowledged that some Smart Keyboard owners experienced stuck or unresponsive keys as well as non-working Smart Connectors. Apple says it will fix any qualifying keyboards free of charge within three years of the date of purchase. The company will also give a refund to any customer who already paid for service on a Smart Keyboard.
An employee of PC World, a U.K.-based computer superstore, has admitted to stealing 27,000 euros ($30,000) worth of Apple products from his workplace. Oh, the irony!
21-year-old Eoin Giles of Dublin, Ireland, pleaded guilty to stealing 21 MacBooks, six Apple Watches, and seven iPads Pros, and then selling them on. Giles described it as a “stupid” attempt to make money.
Apple’s Q2 earnings report for 2017 just barely beat Wall Street’s expectations when the numbers were revealed this afternoon, but there are plenty of reasons to still be optimistic about AAPL.
During the company’s call with investors today, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri discussed some of the struggles the company experienced last quarter, from slumping iPhone sales to economic headwinds in China.
Here are the biggest takeaways:
Need a home security camera that’s super-simple to set up? Look no further than the Reolink Argus — the world’s first completely wireless camera. It’s battery-powered, streams 1080p video over Wi-Fi, and has built-in night vision.
It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got an iPad screen protector that feels like real paper, a ZX Spectrum reborn, a watch made of paper, and more!
For all the intricate thought that went into the design of the Apple Pencil, a safe and elegant way to store and charge it with the iPad Pro was an obvious detail seemingly overlooked.
An accessories startup has produced a smart case for the iPad Pro that conveniently docks and charges the pencil along an edge.
Many artists and designers have said guiding the tip of an Apple Pencil along the surface of the iPad Pro is one of the best digital drawing experiences. Jan Sapper thinks he can eliminate the word digital from that last sentence.
Sapper says he has come up with a screen cover that makes the iPad Pro’s slick glass surface feel more like paper.
The National Hockey League is going all-in on the iPad for this year’s playoffs.
Apple and the NHL struck a partnership for the 2017 playoffs that will give all 16 playoff teams three iPad Pros that can be accessed by players and coaches during their quest for the Stanley Cup.
Did you buy the new Mac Pro with 50 percent more cores? No? Then you still have a spare $3,000 lying around. But you don’t need to pay that much to get a refurbished iPad Pro, an unlocked iPhone, and even free coffee with this week’s best Apple deals.
The NBA playoffs are set to tip off this weekend where the biggest names in the sport will clash for a shot at hoisting the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy.
This season has been one of the best in recent memory, so to celebrate, Apple brought in renowned digital sketch artist Robert Generette III, aka Rob Zilla, to show how he uses the iPad Pro to create lifelike sketches of the league’s superstars.
Check out his incredible drawing process:
Apple hasn’t done much with the Smart Connector since it debuted on the iPad Pro in 2015, but according to a new rumor, the data and charging port could finally be headed to the iPhone.
The Mac Pro isn’t the only device Apple is rethinking for professional users.
According to a new report, the company is also considering significant changes to the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, one of which could see the fancy new Touch Bar biting the dust.
For the first time ever, Microsoft has beaten the iPad in J.D. Power’s latest tablet satisfaction rankings that found the Surface has a higher number of younger customers than its competitors.
Apple has dominated J.D. Power’s rankings over the last few years, but according to the popular ranking service, Microsoft’s offerings were just a little bit better thanks to best-in-class design, productivity and accessory use.
iPad sales have been falling for years now, but it turns out that Apple’s tablet business isn’t dying quite as quickly as it may seem.
In fact, if you take the iPad mini out of the equation, iPad sales are actually on the up.
One of the best iPad Pro features may soon be heading to the iPhone.
All three new iPhones in 2017 will get True Tone displays, according to the latest research note from analysts at Barclays that predict Apple will add a “full spectral sensing” ambient light sensor on each device.
Apple continued its new ad campaign series for the iPad Pro today by publishing some new ads that showcase how the tablet is the perfect laptop replacements.
The three new ads are aimed at students and frequent travelers by highlighting the iPad Pro’s lightness, ability to carry textbooks and notes on the same screen, as well as its all day battery life that can keep you entertained on a 12 hour flight. Like the previous set of iPad Pro ads, the quirky new videos feature tweets from real people with real problems.
Watch all three short ads below:
The latest update to Xcode has provided another hint that Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro will feature a faster 120Hz display.
Existing iPhone and iPad displays max out at 60Hz, but higher refresh rates allow for a smoother experience when playing graphically intensive games and using Apple Pencil.
This week on The CultCast: Apple’s new iPad is cheaper, fatter, heavier and underpowered, but you should still get one. Plus: Why the “iPad mini Pro” is kind of a ripoff; two reasons you should not buy a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7; everything you can do with Apple’s new Clips app; our hands-on review of the new Pioneer SPH-DA120 budget Car Play stereo; and we test out the Think Tank Helipack V2, a gigantic backpack built for your DJI Phantom.
Our thanks to Blue Apron for supporting this episode. Blue Apron makes it easy to cook delicious meals at home. See their upcoming menu and get your first three meals free at BlueApron.com/CultCast.
Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro could deliver a faster display refresh rate, if you believe a clue hidden in the latest iOS beta.
Code from the latest developer build of iOS 10.3 hints at the ability to reduce an iPad’s refresh rate to 60Hz from a higher default setting.
Tim Cook has repeatedly dissed Microsoft’s Surface tablets by comparing them to a toaster-refrigerator, but during his trip to China this week the Apple CEO was forced to spend some up-close time with the convertible tablet.
Apple’s new iPad might be identical to the iPad Air 2 it replaces, but don’t be fooled by how sleek and slender it looks in official photos.
The new slate is noticeably thicker and heavier than its predecessor.
Apple today introduced a new 9.7-inch iPad that’s more affordable than ever before.
The device looks almost identical to the iPad Air 2 that it is replacing in Apple’s tablet lineup, but it starts at just $329 with 32GB of storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, and an A9 processor.