WWDC is almost upon us. Ahead of Monday’s keynote event we’re running down everything we’re expecting for the annual developers extravaganza. You can watch the keynote live, and follow coverage here at Cult of Mac.
From software to hardware, here’s what we are predicting for next week:
Apple could unveil a new iPad Pro 2 as soon as next Monday during its WWDC 2017 keynote. And if it does, we hope the company adds some new productivity features, like this Smart Keyboard with a trackpad.
In a new mockup that imagines what the new Smart Keyboard could look like, designer David Chapman shows why it would be a great idea.
Take another look:
“Sketchnotes” are an increasingly popular form of visual note-taking. By combining text and images, sketchnotes are not only beautiful, but often easier to recall than text alone. The technique is an effective way of capturing notes and ideas in the classroom, meetings and conferences.
All next week, illustrator and senior UX/UI designer Andy McNally will be sketchnoting Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) for us, starting with the big keynote on Monday.
Andy has been covering Apple’s events as sketchnotes for some time. We ran some of his sketchnotes from last year’s event, which proved very popular. He’s back again this year, and is planning to publish sketchnotes from a variety of sessions at the conference.
Before he gets started, Andy shared some tips and techniques for getting started on sketchnoting yourself. Let’s take a look:
If you love the idea of Apple Pencil but you don’t want to upgrade to a pricey iPad Pro, the new Bamboo Sketch stylus is the solution.
With 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity, interchangeable tips, and Bluetooth connectivity, it’s the ultimate stylus for any iPad.
Apple has registered a bunch of new products with the Eurasian Economic Commission ahead of WWDC next week.
Its filings hint at the imminent arrival of new Macs, iPads, and a refreshed Magic Keyboard.
Didn’t get one of the rare tickets to Apple’s 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference? Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to watch most of the action from your couch at home.
Apple confirmed today that it’s big keynote on June 5 will be available to view via live streaming. Fans can tune in by watching the event on Apple TV, or through Safari on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. You can even watch from a PC with Microsoft Edge on Windows 10.
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: