Apple Pencil 2 Rumored to Feature Gesture Support, New Charging Method and Minimalistic Design

[MacRumors]

The second-generation Apple Pencil that Apple is rumored to be working on will feature support for gestures, a new design, and a new charging method, according to leaker Benjamin Geskin.

Geskin, who sometimes provides accurate information on Apple's plans sourced from Chinese social networks, says the upcoming Apple Pencil will feature a design that's "more minimalistic" with no silver band at the top.

Apple Pencil 2018:- Design is even more minimalistic, the silver rail on top is now gone.- Tap and Swipe gestures along the pencil.- Magnetically attachable to the new iPad. - New charging method. pic.twitter.com/tS1ptCWgnh - Ben Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1) October 29, 2018

It will attach magnetically to the side of the new iPad Pro models, and it is said to feature a new charging method, though there are no details on what that charging method might be. It's possible the accessory will charge wirelessly when docked to the iPad Pro, with Apple eliminating the Lightning port.

Previous Apple Pencil 2 rumors have suggested the accessory will also feature a new pairing method, connecting to an iPad Pro device wirelessly much like AirPods rather than through a physical connection, which would be in line with the rumors of a new charging method.

Geskin also says that the new Apple Pencil will support tap and swipe gestures, a rumor supported by code in iOS 12.1 shared by 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo over the weekend. The gestures are said to allow iPad Pro users to do things like change the size or color of a brush within a sketching app using the sides of the Apple Pencil.

We don't have long to wait for full details on the second-generation Apple Pencil and the new iPad Pro models. Apple's October 30 event takes place tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time or 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with Apple planning to live stream the event on its website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.

MacRumors will have live coverage of all of Apple's announcements, both here on the site and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Article Link: Apple Pencil 2 Rumored to Feature Gesture Support, New Charging Method and Minimalistic Design

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

This makes sense with the artwork for the upcoming October event heavily hinting at improved graphical design and drawing capabilities.

 

[Icestorm815]

Apple's October 30 event takes place tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time...

I think you mean 10 AM Eastern Time or 7 AM Pacific Time.

 

[TreyCox]

I hope it comes in black.

 

[cmaier]

Since the butt end is no longer a removable cap/charge point, I hope you can flip the pencil upside down and use that end as an eraser.

 

[tromboneaholic]

Hopefully it's compatible with older iPads and charges wirelessly rather than relying on the smart connector.

 

[AngerDanger]

Geskin, who sometimes provides accurate information on Apple's plans sourced from Chinese social networks, says the upcoming Apple Pencil will feature a design that's "more minimalistic" with no silver band at the top.

Thank god! It's difficult to look at the current Apple Pencil without getting lost in its overcomplicated design!

It'll hardly be recognizable!

 

[fokmik]

I hope the Magnetically attachable to the new iPad. - New charging method are the same thing

 

[macduke]

This sounds like a good direction. I have nearly lost my cap on several occasions. However, don't most people use their iPad with a case? Hopefully it is able to attach/charge with a case. I carry mine all over campus and I also have small children. No way I'm going case-less. Hopefully Apple brings back their leather cases with one specially designed for the Pencil. IMO there is no iPad case better than Apple's leather cases—they are slim, protective, and attractive.

 

[frou]

This is going to be an Insanely Great ™ iPad

 

[mdorais]

I think you mean 10 AM Eastern Time or 7 AM Pacific Time.

I noticed this as well. MacRumors has been getting really sloppy with their articles.

 

[jsalda]

I'm more excited about this event than any others in the past year. And for some reason, it seems like there are more unknowns with this event than previous.

 

[redheeler]

It will attach magnetically to the side of the new iPad Pro models

Reminds me of the old white iMac, with the Apple Remote able to magnetically stick to the side. Nice to see Apple reusing some old ideas.

 

[cmaier]

However, don't most people use their iPad with a case?

I assume most people who use cases use the smart keyboard or smart cover, neither of which covers the back.

 

[iapplelove]

Oh man I can’t wait... it’s been years since I bought a new iPad.

I’m actually looking forward to this purchase.

 

[phillytim]

Same here - I'm pretty ready to move on from my original iPad Air from 2013. It's time, and perfect timing with the new standard of Facial Recognition & perhaps USB-C.

 

[Mike MA]

I think you mean 10 AM Eastern Time or 7 AM Pacific Time.

I noticed this as well. MacRumors has been getting really sloppy with their articles.

The macrumors bot must be fired immediately!

 

[Yr Blues]

I hope it comes in black.

It changes color depending on what you choose from the App palette.

 

[iPadified]

I wonder if we also see pencil sensitive iMac.

 

[tromboneaholic]

I wonder if we also see pencil sensitive iMac.

Not in the iMac's current form.

Trackpad would be more likely.

 

[fokmik]

A lot of things that will be unveiled tomorrow, next year the others will copy paste. Like this ideas for the pencil

 

[macduke]

The macrumors bot must be fired immediately!

I think the MacRumors bot is just what the writers post under in the forums. This article was written by Juli.

I thought I've seen it post in comments in the past and thought it was arn who forgot to switch accounts. I think I've seen some stories posted anonymously, for when someone either doesn't want to put their name to a story, or for their pool of freelancers who don't really work for the site but get paid on the side when they need someone to quickly crank out an article. It could also be a testing ground for new writers who could be hired on later. Does anyone know for sure? I would like to be a MacRumors bot. I wrote a little for 9to5Mac back in college.

 

[- rob -]

I noticed this as well. MacRumors has been getting really sloppy with their articles.

This is editorial. Maybe they are looking for help. “...wait to long...” is also in there.

 

[charlituna]

Hopefully it's compatible with older iPads and charges wirelessly rather than relying on the smart connector.

If they are doing this only wireless via a magnet etc stuff then it won’t be compatible with the older iPads. And frankly I dont see them doing it like that for just that reason. There are folks that still have functioning iPad Pros under 2 years plus the iPad 2018 that might want to use this new Pencil for its fancy new features that will only need software updates to work on older hardware.

The only hiccup would be the charging. it would be silly for Apple to cut those folks off when they could just keep the lightning port (which would also be useful for customers that end up with a bum pencil that stops wirelessly charging but the next appointment at their local apple store is a week ago, which happens a lot, or the store has to order the pencil, which also probably happens a lot).

As for the whole ‘but then I can’t flip it over and use the cap as an eraser’, they can have a tap or gesture on the new pencil that switches it. Probably more useful anyway since the tip is a much finer point than the cap

 

[DNichter]

Reminds me of the old white iMac, with the Apple Remote able to magnetically stick to the side. Nice to see Apple reusing some old ideas.

View attachment 799251

My first iMac - I miss those days.