Apple has begun selling refurbished models of the Apple Pencil at a discount. iPad Pro owners in the United States can save a pretty penny when picking up the best stylus available for their tablet — but it’s still not the most affordable.
Microsoft exec claims iPad Pro is a Surface copycat
In love with your new iPad Pro? You can thank Microsoft for that.
Microsoft executive Ryan Gavin claims Apple’s latest take on tablets wouldn’t have happened without the Surface Pro. It is a “clear example” that the company is following Microsoft’s move into ultraportable 2-in-1 machines.
New iPad Pro ads tout power and the Pencil
Apple has rolled out yet another pair of iPad Pro ads, this time focusing on power and what makes Apple Pencil so spectacular.
The 16-second clips continue the “Real Problems” campaign, which sees common complaints solved by Apple’s tablet.
WWDC 2017’s biggest moments in sketchnotes
All this week, illustrator and senior UX/UI designer Andy McNally will be sketchnoting Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference for us.
My markers and pens worked overtime to capture all of the news and announcements in this year’s WWDC keynote. I captured three pages of notes on watchOS 4, macOS HighSierra, the iMac Pro, the new 10.5 inch iPad Pro, and iOS 11. The artist in me is excited about trying out the new iPad Pro to test the improved Apple Pencil latency. You can check out all of Apple’s announcements and details here.
New 10.5-inch iPad Pro is Apple’s best tablet yet
Apple just unveiled the 10.5-inch iPad Pro we’ve all been waiting for. It delivers a faster 120Hz display for smoother motion and enhanced Apple Pencil performance, but Apple’s latest A10X Fusion processor for the best performance on an iPad to date.
Getting ready to sketchnote Monday’s WWDC keynote
All next week, illustrator and senior UX/UI designer Andy McNally will be sketchnoting Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference for us, starting with the big keynote on Monday.
It is time to get ready for the 2017 WWDC. What should I pack? What pens should I bring? OK, maybe I’m the only one who has to think about what pens and colored markers I need to bring. However, it is critical to remember all of the chargers and cables for our Apple devices.
Get drawing tips as we cover WWDC with sketchnotes
“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:
Bamboo Sketch stylus brings Apple Pencil features to any iPad
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.
Microsoft takes aim at iPad with new Surface Pro
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.
Crazy MacBook Pro concept replaces keyboard with a yuuuuuuge touchpad
Tim Cook has repeatedly said Apple has no plans to make a touchscreen MacBook, but a crazy new concept imagines what would happen if the company replaced keyboards with a giant touchpad.
Giving creatives a big touchscreen instead of a keyboard may sounds like a horrible idea at first. Typing would definitely take some getting used to. However, designer Daniel Brunsteiner’s concept shows how you could do some cool new stuff with the touchpad.
Take a closer look:
Finally, a sensible way to store and charge Apple Pencil
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.
Make your iPad Pro feel like paper with this cover
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.
Watch iPad Pro artist bring NBA stars to life using Apple Pencil
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 dock could turn your iPhone into a MacBook
Apple has created a dock that could turn a future iPhone or iPad into a MacBook.
The idea is explained in a patent application published on Thursday, which details an ultra-portable notebook into which an iOS device is placed to provide software and power.
iOS 10.3 code hints at faster refresh rate for 10.5-inch iPad Pro
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.
Server logs reveal Apple is testing four new iPad models
Evidence that Apple is testing a new lineup of iPads has surfaced online, adding credence to a recent rumor that new iPads could be unveiled as soon as next week.
Device logs obtained by mobile marketing firm Fiksu appear to show that four different iPad models are currently being tested in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Apple pitches iPad Pro as ultimate clutter killer
Ever feel like you got way too much stuff crowding up your life?
Well, according to Apple’s latest ad you could be living in minimalist bliss with fewer things if you just buy one more thing: an iPad Pro.
Should Apple make iPad Pro compatible with a mouse? [Friday Night Fights]
Apple is again trying to convince fans that the iPad Pro is a suitable PC replacement. Earlier this week, the company rolled out new ads that remind us why its high-end slate is better (in some ways) than a desktop. But there’s just one problem.
iPad Pro, like other iOS devices, isn’t compatible with a mouse or trackpad. That’s fine in most cases, but many users would like to use a mouse for all manner of things, and Apple doesn’t allow it. Should this change in a future version of iOS?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we discuss why mouse compatibility might be great for iPad Pro, and why it might be pointless!
Apple pushes iPad Pro as PC killer in new ads
Apple’s latest advertising campaign for the iPad Pro touts how well the tablet works as a PC replacement.
The funny new ads, released today, use real tweets from real people to highlight how the iPad Pro excels over old-school computers in areas like speed, Wi-Fi, productivity and viruses. Each clip is only 15 seconds long — and they all exhibit a playful tone that’s similar to the old “Get a Mac” campaign.
Watch all four right here:
Powerful new drawing app Linea is perfect for Apple Pencil
Iconfactory, the awesome team behind apps like Twitterrific and Flare, just launched a stellar new drawing app for iPad. It’s called Linea, and it’s a perfect match for Apple Pencil, offering all the tools you’ll need for sketching, taking notes, and more.
Apple could keep us waiting for 3 new iPads
Apple is expected to launch three new iPad models in various sizes in 2017, but we may have to wait until the second half of the year to get our hands on them.
Sources in Apple’s supply chain have confirmed earlier reports that three new models are coming — but they’re unlikely to arrive this spring as previously anticipated.
Apple Pencil 2 may get magnets to stick to iPad Pro
Keeping tabs on your Apple Pencil is about to get a lot easier once Apple comes out with the second-generation version later this year.
A new rumor out of Asia claims Apple plans to release an updated version of its fancy stylus this spring and like the Smart Cover, it will use magnets to attach itself to your iPad.
iOS revenue to surpass $1 trillion this year
Apple’s revenues generated from the iOS ecosystem will surpass $1 trillion sometime this year, according to one analyst.
By mid-2017, the company is forecast to have sold a whopping 1.2 billion iPhones, while collective sales of all iOS devices will surpass 1.75 billion units.
iPad art graces cover of latest New Yorker
Want proof you can get “real” work done on the iPad Pro? Look no further than the latest cover of The New Yorker.
Long-time art editor Jorge Colombo drew the latest cover using the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and the app Procreate. It’s not the first time art created on the iPad has been featured by the popular magazine, but it’s certainly the best looking one yet.
Even better, you can watch Colombo draw the cover.
Best iPad accessories of 2016
Accessory makers churned out some awesome new gadgets for the iPad in 2016. From cases to Star Wars toys, loads of new gear came along to boost the capabilities of the world’s favorite tablets.
Whether for the Pro line or the less-powerful Air or mini models, these are the best iPad accessories of 2016.