Apple Announces New Magnetic Apple Pencil Featuring Tap Gestures and Wireless Charging

[MacRumors]

Alongside the new iPad Pro, Apple also announced a new Apple Pencil available for $129 (preorders today, shipping November 7). The second-generation pencil magnetically attaches to the new iPad Pro for both pairing and wireless charging.

The biggest addition to the Pencil, aside from the new magnetic charging feature, is a double-tap gesture -- a finger tap on the pencil itself while you hold it -- that can do different things depending on the app. In Notes, for example, a double-tap changes the tool. In Photoshop for iPad, a double-tap zooms in or out of the image. Taps are customizable, though, for better personalization. Tap a locked iPad with the pencil, and it wakes up the device and opens right up into the Notes app.

There are no connectors or moving parts now, just the simple pencil itself. Apple also offers engraving through the Apple Store, to personalize it further (helpful for telling Pencils apart in a design studio).

Like the previous pencil, it works with no perceptible lag, is pressure sensitive for drawing and sketching, and is aware of tilt for shading.

The second-generation pencil is available for $129 with free engraving, and is compatible with the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The first-generation pencil sticks around for $99, for owners of older, compatible iPads. (iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st and 2nd generations, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, and the 6th generation iPad)

Article Link: Apple Announces New Magnetic Apple Pencil Featuring Tap Gestures and Wireless Charging

 

[HappyDude20]

Okay, the wireless charging while it’s magnetically connected to the new iPad is AWESOME.

 

[Mac 128]

The double-tap switch to an eraser is so much more efficient than flipping it over to use the end as an eraser.

I’ll be curious to see how his Pencil can be adapted to use with older iPads for charging. It’s obviously using some kind of Qi charging, so maybe there will be a small Lightning dongle available for it?

 

[tuffigirl]

I have been waiting for the new iPad Pro & it does not disappoint. Wireless pencil charging and being able to charge your iPhone as well? Yep I'll be running to the Apple store!

 

[spazzcat]

The double-tap switch to an eraser is so much more efficient than flipping it over to use the end as an eraser.

I’ll be curious to see how his Pencil can be adapted to use with older iPads for charging. It’s obviously using some kind of Qi charging, so maybe there will be a small Lightning dongle available for it?

Guessing it will not work with the old iPad Pros?

 

[Mac 128]

I have been waiting for the new iPad Pro & it does not disappoint. Wireless pencil charging and being able to charge your iPhone as well? Yep I'll be running to the Apple store!

The loss of Lightning is the only real problem here. But at least there’s a simple dongle for that. So I don’t have to carry different cables for it and he iPhone.

 

[Niklas_nick]

Wondering if it is backwards compatible with the older iPad Pro and the current iPad - or does it need the new pro with its connector for charging and pairing?

 

[Mac 128]

Guessing it will not work with the old iPad Pros?

Why wouldn’t it? The charging won’t, which is why I’m curious about how Apple or third parties will address that. Heck even the SamrtPort could be used for this purpose. I’m sure we’ll see when the store is up again as to available accessories. But there’s no reason why the Pencil itself won’t work.

 

[Spock]

I’m really glad I didn’t put any money on Apple adding USB-C, I honestly didn’t except that.

 

[dominiongamma]

I’m really glad I didn’t put any money on Apple adding USB-C, I honestly didn’t except that.

Why? Everyone knew it was coming, the rumors states it awhile back

 

[shyam09]

Priced at $129.

 

[Spock]

Why? Everyone knew it was coming, the rumors states it awhile back

I knew about the rumors but Apple is so obsessed with the bottom line and hardware control that I wasn’t expecting a standard port on the iPad.

 

[Zimmy68]

Yep, typical Apple pricing.
And no, it will not work on the prior iPad Pros, only the new ones.

 

[Newton1600]

iPad Pro with USBC and Wireless Charging for Apple Pencil did not disappoint. But was hoping for Airpower and AirPod version 2... So that did kinda disappoint...WTF APPLE

 

[Niklas_nick]

Wondering if it is backwards compatible with the older iPad Pro and the current iPad - or does it need the new pro with its connector for charging and pairing?

Alright the Apple site says it “Chose the right Apple Pencil for your iPad: Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) for 12.9” iPad Pro (3rd Generation) and 11” iPad Pro / Apple Pencil for (...).

Ugh this is ********. Probably because it only charges through the new connector, but why not make it compatible? Oh and it got 40% more expensive, as always...

 

[mark-in-mk]

UK store live before the end of the Keynote. Ordered for 7th Nov delivery.

 

[thatisme]

Was looking forward to purchasing a new iPad Pro, but not at the current prices. The iPad Pro price is fine, it's the extras that kill it for me. $129 for the pencil and $179 for a keyboard??? Not for me. Maybe others are fine with the price point.

 

[Aryphin]

Sucks! I just bought a new Apple Pencil too in September. Could I do some type of trade in?

 

[jetho]

Is the old pencil compatibile with the new iPad Pros? I only use the pencil occasionally when editing photos, so I have no real reason to upgrade if I can still use it.

 

[RevTEG]

Ordered... Along with the new 12.9. Now I just need to sell body parts that I can live without. lol

 

[macduke]

Ordered the new one to go with my new 12.9" iPad Pro. Kinda wish I hadn't bought that Apple Pencil last year, but eventually my kid will use it as a hand me down once she has a device able to use it.

This seems to address all of my gripes.

• It won't lose the cap
• It has a flat edge so it won't roll away
• It charges without having to be plugged into the iPad or anything
• It pairs seamlessly
• It attaches to the side (and without battery drain issues like third party cases have sensing the screen next to it)
• It now supports a gesture to toggle modes, assign to undo key, etc.

It costs more at $129, but for that price, I think it's worth all the additional benefits. It just sucks for those of us who more recently purchased an Apple Pencil.

 

[AppleWarMachine]

Priced at $129.

yeah, they forgot to mention that it's $29 more

(along with everything else that they introduced...at an increased price)

gotta keep those prices up to keep having record breaking quarters

 

[Signup]

I love the new iPad Pro and I would love it even better if I can connect it to the new Mac Mini through that connection port or wirelessly over WiFi so I can get a little bit of Mac on my iPad Pro as an output or Mac interface when I need it. I use iOS more than I use my MacBook so a Mac Mini would be ideal with iPad Pro with that pencil and folio keyboard.

 

[44267547]

The new Apple Pencil looks great, and I think the magnetic wireless charging is brilliant, however; I just can’t justify the price point being I did wouldn’t have a need for this personally, unless its for someone that’s into [sketching or heavy note-taking], this wouldn’t be for me. But the version two of the Apple Pencil looks to be very successful for what it’s offering.

 

[Mac 128]

Yep, typical Apple pricing.
And no, it will not work on the prior iPad Pros, only the new ones.

I don't think we can say this for sure yet, until someone actually tries. I can't imagine why the functionality of using the Pencil would be different. Charging, and pairing could be an issue, but frankly I'd be a little surprised if there weren't some sort of work-arounds to the pairing. Charging will most definitely require an adapter of some sort. The only way it wouldn't work is if Apple kills the code in the older iPad software, assuming the physical issues can be solved.

Is the old pencil compatibile with the new iPad Pros? I only use the pencil occasionally when editing photos, so I have no real reason to upgrade if I can still use it.

According to the website, no. However, I can't imagine the functionality isn't supported. The pairing seems to be the primary issue. I just can't imagine there's no work around to it though. At a minimum, a simple USB-C dongle to Lightning to enable that functionality. Although, Apple would have to support it, even if a Third party could bring a dongle to market.