Apple Announces Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil for New iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

Today at its "Hey Siri" special event, Apple announced two brand new accessories for the newly-announced iPad Pro. The Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil both allow iPad Pro users to have more tactile experiences for heavy-duty work that a touch-screen alone can't sustain, increasing productivity.

The Smart Keyboard comes built into a Smart Cover and uses the Smart Dome Switch from the MacBook, which means that the keys click down evenly from wherever you hit them. According to Apple, the keys offer the "accuracy, stability, and satisfying key feel of standard keyboards." The keys are covered by a soft, custom woven fabric and the entire keyboard itself is "easily foldable and can transform into a Smart Cover."

The Keyboard connects to the iPad Pro via a new magnetic port called the Smart Connector, which can transmit both data and power at the same time. Because it connects directly to the iPad Pro, the Smart Keyboard does not require a separate battery, on/off switch, or Bluetooth pairing -- snap it on and it works automatically. The Smart Keyboard works with the QuickType features in iOS 9, for quick access to word predictions and autocorrect.

The Apple Pencil is a stylus that's been designed from the ground up to work with the iPad Pro. The touch system of the iPad Pro was designed with the Apple Pencil in mind, for a dramatically reduced latency and impressive accuracy when used for activities like fine art illustration and detailed 3D design.

Sensors inside the Apple Pencil allow it to detect its position on the iPad Pro's screen, tilt, and force, enabling pressure sensitivity. It also calculates both angle and orientation to produce both broad or shaded strokes, and it's precise enough that artists can touch a single pixel on the screen.

The Apple Pencil works with popular iOS apps like Mail, Notes, Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Office 365. The battery lasts for several hours and it's able to be recharged via the iPad Pro through a built-in Lightning connector.

Both the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard are sold separately from the iPad Pro. The Apple Pencil will retail for $99, while the Smart Keyboard will retail for $169. Both accessories will be available for purchase in November alongside the iPad Pro.

Article Link: Apple Announces Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil for New iPad Pro

 

[Traverse]

I hope that they make these accessories available to the other iPads as well. How long has other iPad users wanted stylus support!? Plus, I would love a first party keyboard for my 9.7" iPad besides Apple's Mac keyboard.

 

[sunapple]

Really excited for this. A truly useful companion to my 15" rMBP as a product design student.

 

[leftynaut]

$99 stylus? Whoa.

 

[shareef777]

Rip off the Surface and charge more for it. Sure, why not.

 

[MecPro]

Way too expensive

 

[fzfpff]

$99 for a pencil?
But hey, it's Apple Pencil!

 

[FieldingMellish]

Is John Scully really behind the pencil?

 

[NickD73]

Been telling you guys for a while now: sell your Apple stock while it's still north of $100. We'll see $85 by this time next year. Book it. They're starting to do what Apple did after Jobs was fired: over-saturate their product lineup.

 

[Keniutek]

But, but, but... Surface was stupid and people didn't need it.

 

[netsped]

"Who want's a stylus?"

 

[Chaos123x]

Is it pressure sensitive? Does the iPad or the case have a spot to store it so you don't lose it? How does it compare to real Wacom tablet? How many levels of pressure sensitivity does it have? Can it replace your Wacom tablet for your Mac?

 

[elgrecomac]

So Apple IS watching microsoft!

 

[APlotdevice]

I'm actually hoping that the pencil will be compatible with the next iPhone +. Kinda doubt it though.

Is it pressure sensitive? Does the iPad or the case have a spot to store it so you don't lose it? How does it compare to real Wacom tablet? How many levels of pressure sensitivity does it have? Can it replace your Wacom tablet for your Mac?

The pencil is not only pressure sensitive, but also detects tilt and angle. Something I'm pretty sure we've only seen on the higher end dedicated Wacom tablets up until this point.

 

[Chaos123x]

The iPad pro is really big. It be great if you could use the pencil on a regular sized iPad.

 

[frostiex]

does it work with iPad Pro only or regualar iPads too?

 

[Andres Cantu]

That is one pricey pencil!

Add the case and you're already $1,000+

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Awesoooome!

Those of you whining about $99 can price out a Wacom Cintiq for comparison.

 

[extricated]

iPad Surface Pro.
Seriously, though, this thing looks awesome! Very nice for design/art.

 

[jlc1978]

My question

I'm actually hoping that the pencil will be compatible with the next iPhone +. Kinda doubt it though.


The pencil is not only pressure sensitive, but also detects tilt and angle. Something I'm pretty sure we've only seen on the higher end dedicated Wacom tablets up until this point.

I hope they built in palm rejection so you can use it like a real pencil and not hold it at some bizarre angle to avoid having your hand write on the screen instead of the pencil.

 

[Razeus]

I think Apple realized the Surface Pro was a serious threat.

 

[Rigby]

does it work with iPad Pro only or regualar iPads too?

He emphasized that they increased resolution and refresh rate of the touch screen, so my guess is that it will only work on the Pro. Too bad, I'd like to have that on a more portable device too. I guess they are saving this for the Air 3/Mini 5.

At first I thought they had finally jumped the shark when they announced "Apple Pencil". But while this is far from revolutionary, it looks like it may at least be "stylus done right" with the pressure and orientation sensors.

 

[Chaos123x]

I don't really have a problem paying the $99 shoot I paid like $79 for the Wacom creative stylus 2 and that was complete garbage. I do have a problem spending $799 on a huuuuge iPad though. I'd like to just keep my old iPad 3. Hopefully this works with it (I doubt it) or at least maybe I can sell the old iPad for a good price. :-/

 

[KylePowers]

These prices need be halved.

And charging the stylus is super awkward!

 

[Chaos123x]

Looks like all the "tech" is in the pencil so it may work with old iPads but it also means it's probably another BS novlety stylus that still isn't good enough for real creative work.