An iPad the size the largest MacBook Pro is supposedly on the way. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple apparently plans to “grande size” the iPad. A version with a 16-inch display is reportedly being developed.
If true, this will be a considerable jump up from the Apple’s largest current tablet, which includes a 12.9-inch screen. And the device – perhaps called iPad Ultra – will have a display the same size as the largest MacBook Pro.
Some people need more than one or two displays. Like software developers. Today’s featured MacBook Pro-and-custom-PC setup manages to rely on five different screens like some sort of mini Mission Control. But launches controlled from here are new software products and updates, not rockets.
The first reviews of iPad 10 show a device with many enhanced features and a noticeably higher pricetag. Screenshot: Apple
Early reviews of iPad 10 compliment its larger display, relocated camera and faster processor. But they also have plenty to say about the steep increase in price.
Read on to see if the new “budget” iPad, which now starts at $449, is right for you.
Updated: In spring 2024, Apple lowered the cost of the iPad 10 to $349.
Zugu's iPad cases are top-rated on Amazon for good reasons. Photos: Zugu
You don’t find many brands on Amazon with an average rating of 5 stars, but Zugu is one of them. The company focuses intently on making the best iPad cases it can, and if rave reviews are anything to go by — and they certainly are — Zugu is wildly successful at its endeavors.
After all, seeing all 5 stars filled in for thousands of ratings of each iPad case has got to be reassuring for shoppers looking to protect their tablet. And that includes cases for iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro, in all sizes.
We’ll take a closer look at Zugu’s iPad cases and how the company got to where it is today below.
Elago's R1 strap is perfect for your new AirPods Pro 2 charging case. Photo: Elago
Halloween is the time for kooky costumes, candy-induced belly aches and frighteningly good deals on Apple accessories in Cult of Mac‘s Super Sweet Deals sale. You can get anything made by Elago for 15% off this week.
Just head to the Cult of Mac Store to take 15% off all Elago accessories. That’s 162 products that go along with pretty much everything Apple. See some highlights below.
iPad users get many new features in iPadOS 16.1 without Stage Manger ever being activated. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple finally released iPadOS 16.1. The debut of the Stage Manager multitasking system has drawn most of the attention, but plenty of other new features are worth checking out, too.
Monday’s launch is extra-significant because iPadOS 16 never launched. Version 16.1 is the first replacement for last year’s iPadOS 15.x.
Not too bad for an Apple product launch event that never actually happened, I guess. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: For once, Apple’s new products leave us scratching our heads more than reaching for our wallets. We let loose our first impressions of this week’s new iPads, the surprisingly affordable Apple TV 4K, that ridiculous Apple Pencil dongle and more.
Also on The CultCast:
Is the new Magic Keyboard Folio really all that magical? Some features sound great, but we don’t think it will turn your iPad into a laptop — at least not one you can use on your lap!
What’s up with that USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter? Like everyone else in the Apple universe, we’re not diggin’ the dongle.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
Our sponsor: Squarespace
Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.
Should you buy the iPad 10 or pay more and get the M1 iPad Air? Photo: Rajesh
Apple’s newest iPad features a redesigned chassis, a bigger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and faster internals. Thanks to these changes, the iPad 10 carries a significantly higher starting price tag of $449.
Meanwhile, Apple sells the M1 iPad Air, with more powerful internals, for $599. So, should you spring for the Air and pay that additional $150, or save your money and buy the new 10th-gen iPad?
Since the new entry-level iPad utilizes USB-C rather than Lightning, you can’t plug the Apple Pencil into the tablet to charge the stylus. And Apple’s “fix” — the $9 USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter that will come packaged with old-school Apple Pencils — sent some Apple fans into an accelerated version of the five stages of grief.
The Logitech Crayon could be a better option for iPad 10 buyers. Photo: Logitech
The latest version of the Logitech Crayon iPad stylus charges via USB-C, just like the new iPad 10. That makes it a simpler option than the Apple Pencil 1 that still uses Lightning.
Momax Vertical Laptop Stand Holder is a good place for your MacBook and your iPhone or iPad. Photo: Momax
This post on unique MacBook, iPad and iPhone stands is brought to you by Momax.
It can pay to place your most important devices on stands, like your MacBook, iPad and iPhone. It usually makes them easier to view and use while also creating some extra space on the desktop for other items or uses, and out of the way of spills and other workstation calamities.
If you need a stand for a laptop, tablet or smartphone, Momax features a whole lineup. And better yet, as a Cult of Mac reader, you can get 10% off any purchase, plus an extra 5% off if you buy more than one item. See below.
Pretend you're watching Apple's "Take Note" event with a video touting the M2 in the new iPad Pro. Screenshot: Apple
The much-anticipated Apple October event never happened. Apple took the rare step of unveiling the latest iPads and Apple TV via underwhelming press releases. But the company apparently did preliminary work to hold an event that would have been called “Take Note,” and some of this is still available.
Most notably, there’s a glitzy 9-minute video preview for the 2022 iPad Pro and iPad 10, just like the ones for other products at previous such events.
It looks like a nice iPad 10 accessory, but it's not cheap. Photo: Apple
Along with the redesigned 10th-gen iPad that Apple released Tuesday, the company rolled out the first Magic Keyboard Folio to go with the entry-level tablet. The new iPad accessory adds function keys — a first for Apple’s iPad keyboards.
While the iPad 10 costs much more than previous versions, starting at $449 instead of $329, if you want the detachable keyboard and stand Apple now makes for it, you have to add another $249.
That completes your basic iPad experience for a pretty penny. And the new Magic Keyboard Folio only comes in white, by the way.
The 10th-generation iPad comes in four colors and brings a top-to-bottom redesign to Apple's entry-level tablet. Photo: Apple
Apple gave the 2022 version of the basic iPad a larger screen, USB-C, a faster processor and other enhancements. And the Home button is gone. But along with the new features comes a huge 36% price increase.
“With a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, powerful A14 Bionic chip, a first-ever landscape front camera, fast wireless connectivity, USB-C, and support for incredible accessories like the new Magic Keyboard Folio, the new iPad delivers more value, more versatility — and is simply more fun,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, in a press release Tuesday.
The 2022 iPad Pro has Apple's latest processor, but few other changes. Photo: Apple
Apple unveiled new iPad Pro models with the M2 processor, which brings a 15% speed boost to the tablets. But Tuesday’s announcement was a disappointment for those hoping for wireless charging or more ports.
“Powered by the M2 chip, the new iPad Pro features incredible performance and the most advanced technologies, including a next-level Apple Pencil hover experience, ProRes video capture, superfast wireless connectivity, and powerful iPadOS 16 features,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Marketing. “There’s nothing else like it.”
iPad 10 will apparently include support for the improved Apple Pencil 2, which helps confirm that the tablet is in for a major redesign. Photo: Andrea Nepori
A slipup by a retail employee revealed that the upcoming iPad 10 will support the Apple Pencil 2. That’s a change from the current version of Apple’s most affordable tablet, which is compatible with the original version of the stylus with fewer features.
Fresh versions of the iPad Pro and basic iPad are on the way soon. Photo: Apple
October is likely to be a good month for iPad fans with new models expected any day now. That includes a faster version of the iPad Pro and a redesigned budget iPad, according to leaks.
But don’t expect them to appear at a glitzy event. Apple is apparently going to launch these on the downlow.
A HomePod that's also an iPad cradle might look something like this concept. Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple reportedly plans to release an iPad cradle with a built-in speaker. The device will function as a HomePod smart speaker, and when a tablet is placed in it will become a smart home hub with a touchscreen.
The company also allegedly continues work on a single device that will perform the same task.
The 2021 iPad is a great tablet, and this is a great price. Photo: Apple
You can get Apple’s latest iPad for just $269 on Amazon after a $60 discount. This Prime Early Access deal marks the lowest price yet for the entry-level iPad released in 2021.
That whopping $60 discount makes Apple’s cheapest iPad even more affordable.
Some non-M1 iPads will support Stage Manager too. Image: Apple
Apple listened to a chorus of user complaints by bringing support for Stage Manager to some older iPad models that don’t have the M1 processor. That gives more tablets access to the system that puts iPadOS applications in resizable, floating windows.
But the news isn’t all good. The company also decided to delay full support for external displays until later. The feature won’t be part of iPadOS 16.1 when it launches.
Dr. Jordan Rogers uses iPad Pro to conduct a 3D scan of the pit his team is excavating in an ancient Roman kitchen in Pompeii. Photo: Apple
The iPad has joined the traditional tools of archeology. Along with shovels, brushes and buckets, the team excavating Pompeii uses Apple’s tablet to record what they find.
“iPad is the perfect archaeology machine,” says Allison Emmerson, who is leading the dig at the long-buried Roman city.
More USB-C ports would make the 2022 iPad Pro far more capable. Concept: Apple/Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The 2022 iPad Pro that almost certainly will launch in October raises hopes among tablet fans for significant hardware improvements. The basic iPad design is great, but there are nevertheless a few changes that need to be made.
Here’s a handful of suggestions that would make the iPad Pro easier to use without mucking up the best tablet on the market.
BookFusion offers advanced features that make reading ebooks and managing your digital library easier than ever. Image: BookFusion
This post about ebook reader and management apps is presented by BookFusion.
If you love reading, BookFusion may be the ideal app for you. It allows you to have your entire ebook collection at your fingertips on any device you own. You can easily upload, organize, sync, read and share ebooks across all your devices.
All that, and the reading experience is pretty great, too. In fact, you can replace apps like Marvin 3, Kybooks and Calibre Companion with just one iOS app — BookFusion.
There's a lot to look forward to on September 7 at 10 a.m. Image: Apple
The long-anticipated Apple early fall event is just around the corner. On September 7, executives will take to the stage at Apple Park to unveil an array of new products.
Here’s everything we’re expecting at the “Far Out” event, plus the devices we’ll likely have to wait until later in the year to see.