12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' Rumored to Feature NFC, Bluetooth Stylus, Force Touch and USB-C

[MacRumors]

The much-rumored 12.9-inch so-called "iPad Pro" will feature a built-in NFC chip, pressure-sensitive Bluetooth stylus, Force Touch and USB-C port, according to AppleInsider. The report, citing a source familiar with Apple's future product plans, also claims that the larger iPad will have a new touchscreen with improved latency and unsurprisingly be powered by Apple's latest A-series processor.

A purported "iPad Pro" blueprint from December 2014 with possible dimensions​

The inclusion of an NFC chip will enable the iPad Pro to be used as an Apple Pay payment terminal, although it is unlikely the tablet itself will have tap-to-pay functionality, according to the report. Apple Pay contactless payments are currently limited to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 5, iPhone 5c or iPhone 5s when paired with an Apple Watch, in the United States.

Meanwhile, the report corroborates well-informed KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's claim that the iPad Pro will feature an Apple-built stylus, which AppleInsider says will connect via Bluetooth and allow pressure-sensitive input. The iPad Pro's display will also reportedly feature Force Touch, a technology that distinguishes between a tap and a deep press on the screen.

The report adds that the iPad Pro's USB-C port will either replace or supplement the Lightning connector equipped on other current iPads:

"The source also said that Apple's new, larger iPad will also feature a USB-C input, though they didn't indicate whether it would be a new, second port option, or if USB-C would replace the Lightning connector found on current iPads. Cases based on allegedly leaked "iPad Pro" designs have included spaces for two port openings, leading to speculation that Apple could potentially include both USB-C and Lightning, or offer docking capabilities in two different orientations."

Many of these rumored iPad Pro features have been reported by other sources over the past year, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Kuo.

The report stops short of providing a release timetable for the iPad Pro, although The Wall Street Journal reported in March that Apple is planning to begin mass production of the device in September following some internal setbacks. Apple typically refreshes its iPad lineup in October, and it's possible the iPad Pro could launch around that time if there are no further production delays.

Article Link: 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' Rumored to Feature NFC, Bluetooth Stylus, Force Touch and USB-C

 

[Crosscreek]

Who is the target market for this because if it only has IOS apps the iPad Air 2 is fine for me.

I would reconsider if OS X was utilized with touch force.

 

[sracer]

Who is the target market for this because if it only has IOS apps the iPad Air 2 is fine for me.

I would reconsider if OS X was utilized with touch force.

Who is the target market? Those for who the iPad Air 2 is NOT fine.

 

[dannys1]

The (almost) 13" touch screen alone is a market in itself for those that keep asking "whos it aimed at" - some pros will buy this just to run ONE app on. Mix engineers for instance who want to swap over to touch screen mixing, you can fit much more mixing desk on this than the iPad Air 2. Its tiny compared to Apple's market in most things but Slate Digital sell a large touch screen system just for running Pro Tools on alone which is at least 3x the price any potential Apple product would be.

It's as a genuine pro device should be, a niche product and moaning about Apple making niche products is bizarre, the company is so large now we should be amazed they're even bothering to make anything outside of the iPhone and their three best sell secondary devices. Just because you can't see the benefit of Candy Crush Saga on a larger screen doesn't mean there's a section of professionals who'd fall over themselves for an iPad quality touch screen to control input on their application.

Having the iPad as a pay terminal is a fantastic idea too - this is about the right size - I know when I had my store the touch screen terminals were AWFUL - being able to replace all of those with large iPads would be amazing. It would also remove the shady under world of business to business sales of over pricing for really poorly made niche software.

 

[Alex Moran]

Stylus and I'm sold

 

[Menel]

Who is the target market for this because if it only has IOS apps the iPad Air 2 is fine for me.

I would reconsider if OS X was utilized with touch force.

I have a hard time imagining many end users want a larger display. There was a big push for the smaller iPad mini, but there is very little buzz about a larger one.

There are power users in industry who want more.
Airline pilots might like larger maps.
Some engineers/architects might want more viewing ability for CAD viewing on the go.
Some artists might want a larger palette for working.

With NFC reading support there are grass roots businesses... who need point of sale terminals.
Startup mom and pop shops, fairgrounds, etc.
Square's business. In a countertop stand, it could be wired in to do a lot more. There is quite an industry Apple could go after.
This may simply be Apple going for even more, wedging themselves deeper into the market that revolves around handling transactions.

Power users and business are my guess at target market.

 

[applesith]

Why does a baking sheet need NFC?

 

[James Manesh]

There's a lot of potential in this, especially for enterprises.

An Apple engineered/designed stylus + force touch can open up some new and interesting ways of using iOS.

 

[DannyT2011]

Already I find myself trying to use force touch on my iPhone for copy and paste after a week with the apple watch. It'll be interesting to see how it will be used in an iPad

 

[colmaclean]

Is it just me or is using Apple Pay with a whacking great tablet probably just as stupid-looking as a tourist taking pictures using an iPad?

 

[jlc1978]

Stylus and I'm sold

Here, here; especially if it supports the earlier iPads as well...

 

[Coolman717]

Has anyone been into a modern car show room or bank? iPads are fixed down all over the place for customers to use and view products. Larger screened iPads will be much better and I can imagine many being used as terminals. The business case alone will be very lucrative.
PDF documents, sheet music, digital magazines, Remote Desktop, video playback, image viewing and gaming to name a few things that I personally want to see on a larger screened iPad.
Can't wait.

 

[Traverse]

I just hope they don't ignore the other iPads. I was thinking of going to the Mini this time.

 

[danr_97070]

Who is the target market for this because if it only has IOS apps the iPad Air 2 is fine for me.

I would reconsider if OS X was utilized with touch force.

Sounds like it'd be a great point-of-sale terminal. I think someone could
turn this into a cash register very easily.

 

[Velli]

I don't believe for a second that Apple would come out with any version of iPad that ships with a stylus. What I AM willing to believe is that they would optimize the OS to be used with either a finger or a stylus, including utilizing pressure sensitivity to enhance the experience when using an accesory stylus. But included in the box? Nah.

 

[sniffies]

Please, let it run OS X. Please!!

 

[Aldaris]

USB-C will limit how thin this iPad (future iPads) can get, and seeing how Ive is all about how thin they can get I can't see its inclusion. Additionally speed isn't so muc an issue as more and more are set up as a stand alone or sync' wirelessly.

 

[Bhatu]

I guess that forcetouch will be come in built into stylus - that will be its USP.

 

[T-Will]

Who is the target market for this because if it only has IOS apps the iPad Air 2 is fine for me.

Those who want a larger screen iPad.

 

[chrisone]

Stylus

Stylus and I'm sold

Me too. Would be even happier if a normal or mini would come with a good stylus support as well. I find even the Mini in size to be excellent for short work notes, including commenting on documents. I tried all kinds of 3rd party styluses, but it's not a good experience at all, I ended up using none. A good solution from Apple would be great.

 

[elgrecomac]

Hmmm. Did Apple buy Microsoft's Surface 3 and repackage it?

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

iPad Pro with NFC could lead to Apple controlling the entire payment industry.

Customers pay with Apple Pay on their iPhones and Apple Watches, and the merchant accepts it with their iPad Pro.

I'd imagine this causes a lot of concern for Square.

Edit: Although maybe not. Square's product is all about processing credit cards. So any customers who can't pay via NFC will still need the merchant to have a credit card reader, possibly square's.

 

[MacVista]

Now I find myself waiting for the 17", 21" and 27 iPads.

 

[pubwvj]

Photoshop and Illustrator

If this had a fully functional version of Photoshop & Illustrator, or some completely compatible use program that reads and writes those files, then I would love one. Linking it as a second screen and input device to my MacBookPro or MacPro would satisfy this need mostly but I would like it to be fully functional for those types of work. What I would really like to see would be the MacOSX running on it. That would solve the issues and make it be top notch. It would be fine if it were thicker.

----------

Why does a baking sheet need NFC?

Do you want cookies or not? This site uses cookies.

 

[JCox]

Being able to receive payments is key. I've been waiting for square to accept NFC (which they say will be in 2015). Maybe this is it and I can switch to this along with a card reader. Hopeful...