Apple Pencil 2 With AirPods-Like Pairing Expected to Launch Alongside iPad Pro With Face ID

[cmaier]

Not all pencils come with an eraser. Just saying.

Yeah, thanks for informing me. I’ve been alive for five decades and never heard of a pencil without an eraser. The fact that almost every pencil has an eraser, and probably the one defining characteristic that differentiates pencils from pens is likely the eraser is completely irrelevant, you are correct.

I thank god every day that people on the internet can be so pedantic and provide additional information that nobody already knew and which is obviously so relevant to the point being made.
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A tablet is a toy and will never replace a computer. I say this as an owner of one.

It’s not because they’re not fast enough, but because touch screen will always be inferior to a keyboard and a mouse when it comes to productivity. An actual computer, running a full-featured operating system designed for a precise and accurate mouse pointer, will always be significantly more capable and powerful than a tablet even for the average user. A tablet is the only several hundred dollar device where you can’t even type an email without wanting to kill yourself. They are essentially useless for anything other than YouTube and reading.

And if you have to carry around a keyboard and a mouse to make your tablet worth it, then you’re wasting your time anyway because iOS is designed for fat slow inaccurate fingers, and also because if you’re carrying the extra weight you may as well bring a laptop that has ports and a cpu heat sink and won’t throttle itself at 30% load.

Speak for yourself. I designed microprocessors for a decade and a half, built my own Linux and windows machines for years, used high end workstations every day, etc. I’ve been coding since 1977. I’m pretty familiar with computers. I use an iPad every day now for almost anything other than coding (which nowadays I do mostly as a hobby). As an attorney, I can pretty much do everything my job requires on my iPad Pro with keyboard. Whether an iPad suffices for someone pretty much comes down to what they need to get done with their computer. Some people need a mouse, some need dual monitors, some don’t need any of that.

 

[Abazigal]

Yeah, thanks for informing me. I’ve been alive for five decades and never heard of a pencil without an eraser. The fact that almost every pencil has an eraser, and probably the one defining characteristic that differentiates pencils from pens is likely the eraser is completely irrelevant, you are correct.

I thank god every day that people on the internet can be so pedantic and provide additional information that nobody already knew and which is obviously so relevant to the point being made.

The pencils I used for a good part of my secondary schooling didn’t have erasers at the tips.

To me, the eraser isn’t the main differentiating feature. It’s the ease of undoing your errors (it used to be that it was far easier to erase Pencil writings than pen).

My point is that just because a real life Pencil comes with an eraser doesn’t mean that a digital stylus that just happens to be called a “pencil” necessarily has to support the same feature.

It’s a nonissue.

 

[cmaier]

The pencils I used for a good part of my secondary schooling didn’t have erasers at the tips.

To me, the eraser isn’t the main differentiating feature. It’s the ease of undoing your errors (it used to be that it was far easier to erase Pencil writings than pen).

My point is that just because a real life Pencil comes with an eraser doesn’t mean that a digital stylus that just happens to be called a “pencil” necessarily has to support the same feature.

It’s a nonissue.

And the pedantry continues. I’d like to point out this:

“To me, the eraser isn’t the main differentiating feature. It’s the ease of undoing your errors.”

I guess you undid them with unicorn tears?

I’ll save you yet another pedantic reply: yes, I am aware that erasers exist on their own, completely unattached to pencils.


Here’s the thing I don’t understand: given that obviously everyone knows that pencils without erasers exist, but given that obviously people associate erasers with pencils, what was the point in letting us all know that some pencils don’t have erasers? What does that add to the discourse? How does that address the clear underlying point that it would be nice if the Apple Pencil had an eraser at the other end?

 

[Abazigal]

And the pedantry continues. I’d like to point out this:

“To me, the eraser isn’t the main differentiating feature. It’s the ease of undoing your errors.”

I guess you undid them with unicorn tears?

I’ll save you yet another pedantic reply: yes, I am aware that erasers exist on their own, completely unattached to pencils.


Here’s the thing I don’t understand: given that obviously everyone knows that pencils without erasers exist, but given that obviously people associate erasers with pencils, what was the point in letting us all know that some pencils don’t have erasers? What does that add to the discourse? How does that address the clear underlying point that it would be nice if the Apple Pencil had an eraser at the other end?

Because I see two issues being conflated.

Whether the Apple Pencil experience would be improved with an eraser feature at the tip has no link with actual pencils sporting erasers (or not). The rationale for each is completely different.

Modern writing / drawing apps have the eraser option right next to the pen option in the menu. This makes it no more convenient to spin your pencil around to undo an error.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I lived to see the day when people would discuss on the internet whether pencils have erasers or not.

I think I've just lost the remaining 10 IQ points I had left reading this discussions. Probably the dumbest discussion in the entire history of the world ever.

Anyway I'm very excited for this new Apple event because it means I will be able to get the previous gen stuff for cheap.

 

[cmaier]

I lived to see the day when people would discuss on the internet whether pencils have erasers or not.

I think I've just lost the remaining 10 IQ points I had left reading this discussions. Probably the dumbest discussion in the entire history of the world ever.

Exactly my (pencil) point.

 

[Mainsail]

A tablet is a toy and will never replace a computer. I say this as an owner of one.

It’s not because they’re not fast enough, but because touch screen will always be inferior to a keyboard and a mouse when it comes to productivity. An actual computer, running a full-featured operating system designed for a precise and accurate mouse pointer, will always be significantly more capable and powerful than a tablet even for the average user. A tablet is the only several hundred dollar device where you can’t even type an email without wanting to kill yourself. They are essentially useless for anything other than YouTube and reading.

And if you have to carry around a keyboard and a mouse to make your tablet worth it, then you’re wasting your time anyway because iOS is designed for fat slow inaccurate fingers, and also because if you’re carrying the extra weight you may as well bring a laptop that has ports and a cpu heat sink and won’t throttle itself at 30% load.

Call the iPad a toy if you want. It doesn’t change the fact that tons of people use them everyday to be productive and perform tasks that they used to do on their laptops. Ignore the facts, but Apple seems to believe this is the direction of the future. They are investing way more into iOS and mobile devices. Why? Because these devices make up over 80% of their profits.

My point is it doesn’t matter if you believe it or not. It doesn’t matter if you can’t figure out how to use an iPad to effectively do routine productive tasks while others have figured it out. It doesn’t matter if you think it is just a toy, while the development of Mobile hardware and apps race ahead. The thing that matters is: if Apple doesn’t believe there is a market for entry level laptops because they think iPads fill that need, they will not invest in product development for new entry level MacBooks. Sure, they might offer a low spec rMB for $1,000, but that doesn’t require them to invest new $$ in product development.

 

[B.A.T]

Enjoy your loss in productivity.

I don’t use the computer like I did 4 years ago. In my case I won’t lose any productivity.

 

[Mainsail]

I don’t use the computer like I did 4 years ago. In my case I won’t lose any productivity.

Great point. As technology moves on, people adapt and change their workflow and use patterns. There was a time when you needed a big tower desktop just to access the internet, draft a document, and reply to an email. Then, you had to carry a seven pound laptop around with you just to do the same. Things change.

Over four years ago, I bought a MBA. It has been terrific. But, the truth is that I really don't need a laptop anymore. I can do my mobile productivity tasks on an iPad. I think iOS 11 was a real shot in the arm for iPad productivity. Now, when I occasionally have some heavy lifting to do, I use my MBA in clamshell mode as a desktop with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.....much more comfy than being hunched over a small laptop screen. So, when it is time to replace my MBA, it will probably just be a Mac Mini......if there is a decent update available. So, yes, we use our devices differently as our needs and technology change.

 

[StyxMaker]

If it's a pencil, it should have an eraser. I should be able to flip it upside down and trigger supporting software to switch to the eraser tool.

Here's hoping.

Otherwise they should call it "Pen" or "Quill" or "Inky Pointy Thing."

There are a lot of pencils that do not have erasers on them.

 

[cmaier]

There are a lot of pencils that do not have erasers on them.

Oh lord. You too?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Another vote for iPad Mini 5

 

[BWhaler]

I can’t wait.

I’m hoping for a Smart Keyboard with place to store and charge pencil. I don’t use pencil enough because it’s always in a bag somewhere or at home/office.

Really looking forward to upgrading. Hoping Apple does major iOS updates for iPad in iOS 13 too.

 

[Bacillus]

On the contrary of what Apple thinks, pencils are just secondary accessories that need to be stowed away, charged and then taken up - whether the next minute or month - within a split second.
All the yummy high-tech to (re-)gain pen & paper functionality comes next.
They never get it.
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I lived to see the day when people would discuss on the internet whether pencils have erasers or not.
I think I've just lost the remaining 10 IQ points I had left reading this discussions. Probably the dumbest discussion in the entire history of the world ever.
Anyway I'm very excited for this new Apple event because it means I will be able to get the previous gen stuff for cheap.

Keep up. Joni will find a way to recharge your IQ, lying upside down, before things get affordable

 

[AgentAnonymous]

Speak for yourself

It's not a matter of opinion. A tablet is a toy that is largely useless for anything except Youtube and reading. Sure, you can use it for other things, but it's like using a knife to hammer nails in that you're only making the job harder than it needs to by trying to say, type an essay, on a device with a touch screen and no ports.

I designed microprocessors for a decade and a half, built my own Linux and windows machines for years, used high end workstations every day, etc. I’ve been coding since 1977.

No you haven't.

I use an iPad every day now for almost anything other than coding (which nowadays I do mostly as a hobby).

So you use it for Youtube, Facebook, and porn. And then you use a real computer when you need to do actual work (coding). Like I said, an iPad is a toy. A "nice to have" but otherwise redundant and not hyper-useful pleasure device.

I can pretty much do everything my job requires on my iPad Pro with keyboard.

1. If you have to carry around a keyboard to make a tablet even usable, then you may as well bring a much more functional laptop.

2. Even with a keyboard an iPad is still inferior to a laptop, because it runs a gimped mobile operating system. Just because you can get by with a tablet if you compromise and bring a keyboard doesn't mean it's an optimal or even good solution.

 

[PBMB]

There has been no update or rumour on the iPad mini for so long I think it's dead.

Well, appleinsider mentioned yesterday 4 different model identifiers for the expected iPad update (and another 4 for the cellular versions). Apple has currently 4 iPad models, including the iPad mini. If their report is accurate, then this is the latest iPad mini rumor.

 

[AgentAnonymous]

Great point. As technology moves on, people adapt and change their workflow and use patterns.

A tablet doesn't represent technology moving on. It actually represents technology moving backwards. Tablets in general are designed as low price devices (with the exception of Apple, who sells everything at a premium) for people who have low needs. You get desktop processor speeds from 10 years ago, no ports, and a tiny screen. Exciting!
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Call the iPad a toy if you want. It doesn’t change the fact that tons of people use them everyday to be productive and perform tasks that they used to do on their laptops. Ignore the facts, but Apple seems to believe this is the direction of the future.

But they don't. People use them every day, you got that right, but at a net loss of productivity. With the sole exception of drawing, there is no task that can't be accomplished faster and more efficiently on a similarly priced laptop. There are people non-ironically paying Apple 1000 dollars for a device they can't even type a long e-mail on out of the box, lmao.

 

[mark-in-mk]

Woah, not so much off topic, as a journey into an alternative universe.

So - When can I have a new model iPad ?

 

[BigBadW0lf]

"Rambo said ..."
"... according to Rambo."
How can I take this seriously

 

[PBMB]

With the sole exception of drawing, there is no task that can't be accomplished faster and more efficiently on a similarly priced laptop.

Certainly for home/office use a normal computing system is far superior to any tablet. You forget though that tablets are equipped with specific sensors that laptops lack and therefore can provide valuable services outdoors. E.g. GPS and offline maps. Also, the cellular models give you data almost everywhere and can be used as phones as well with the appropriate software (e.g. Skype).

 

[abcdefg12345]

Hopefully next year's iPhone redesign will include the switch to usb-c along with the rest of apple devices, that way 1 charger can charge iPhones, iPads, Macs, apple mouse and keyboard, AirPods, and even android phones and windows pcs.

only problem is some people will try to charge their Mac with an iPhone charger and complain that it's not charging.

 

[TrainFromUkraine]

I just turned over my 2012 MBA to my daughter and my iPad Air 2 is beginning to show its age. Hopefully new Pro will be able to replace them both
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A tablet doesn't represent technology moving on. It actually represents technology moving backwards. Tablets in general are designed as low price devices (with the exception of Apple, who sells everything at a premium) for people who have low needs. You get desktop processor speeds from 10 years ago, no ports, and a tiny screen. Exciting!
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But they don't. People use them every day, you got that right, but at a net loss of productivity. With the sole exception of drawing, there is no task that can't be accomplished faster and more efficiently on a similarly priced laptop. There are people non-ironically paying Apple 1000 dollars for a device they can't even type a long e-mail on out of the box, lmao.

So, you don't like tablets and you like telling people what they should spend their money on and how to use their devices. Got it. Always appreciate advise from mom's basement dwellers.

 

[HarryWild]

Cannot wait to buy a new iPad Mini 5/Pro! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mac 128]

Hopefully next year's iPhone redesign will include the switch to usb-c along with the rest of apple devices, that way 1 charger can charge iPhones, iPads, Macs, apple mouse and keyboard, AirPods, and even android phones and windows pcs.

only problem is some people will try to charge their Mac with an iPhone charger and complain that it's not charging.

I don’t believe the iPhone will ever switch to USB-C. I imagine they’ll drop the port completely in favor of wireless charging and some kind of smart connector technology.

The same issue applies to using an iPhone charger with an iPad already, and there’s not too many complaints. I ocassionaly do this without thinking and then wonder why it didn’t charge later.

Even if Apple changed all new products to USB-C tomorrow, all the legacy Lightning products will still be around for years to come. Only the wealthy who can afford to replace everything at once will benefit from the convenience to carry only one cable, and good luck to them if they forget their cable and have to rely on the kindness of the majority still using Lightning.

I’m still surprised that Apple didn’t add a Lightning port to the Mac to accomodate Lightning audio products, and a second charging port for USB-C Macs to keep the port free for data connections. That would be the best of both worlds in a hybrid ecosystem. So I imagine they won’t do that on the iPad either. Apple will probably keep USB-C ports solely for high speed data transfer and desktop compatibility on devices which need it. Everything else will rely on wireless, with sealed ports.

 

[Mainsail]

A tablet doesn't represent technology moving on. It actually represents technology moving backwards. Tablets in general are designed as low price devices (with the exception of Apple, who sells everything at a premium) for people who have low needs. You get desktop processor speeds from 10 years ago, no ports, and a tiny screen. Exciting!
[doublepost=1539159090][/doublepost]
But they don't. People use them every day, you got that right, but at a net loss of productivity. With the sole exception of drawing, there is no task that can't be accomplished faster and more efficiently on a similarly priced laptop. There are people non-ironically paying Apple 1000 dollars for a device they can't even type a long e-mail on out of the box, lmao.

Maybe a Net loss of productivity for you, but not for everyone. What about people that:

Draw (your point)
Take handwritten notes in class and meetings (I had management jobs that put me in meetings most of the day)
Read, markup, and annotate documents
Mark-up technical drawings
Meet with customers and sign contracts
Review documents while standing up
Read Books and technical manuals

When I look at my workflow, typing speed and mouse navigation are becoming a smaller part of my productivity. I am pretty fast on the virtual keyboard. When answering important emails and crafting business memos, the limiting factor is not typing speed for me........what slows me down is actually thinking about what I want to say....providing a thoughtful well reasoned response. So, the virtual keyboard does not really slow me down. If I need to get thoughts down quickly, I use the dictation feature (mic) on the virtual keyboard. Also, I can always attach a Bluetooth KB......but I rarely do.......since I have a desktop rig back at my home office for the rare heavy lift. BTW - I understand that there are jobs that depend on typing speed, even when mobile, and a laptop might be a solution for them. For me, typing speed has never been a big part of my productivity. Even when I worked as a financial analyst on large complex spreadsheets, I would never consider using a laptop as a productivity gain. I would use a desktop with two big monitors and a proper mouse.....no trackpad for me. I might have said that a laptop was just a toy....but I didn’t.

I just don’t need to carry around a laptop to be productive when mobile. The idea of lugging an expensive 3lb device around seems so inefficient, when I can get stuff down on a $300 iPad that weighs 1lb. I don’t even need an Apple Pencil. I can do all of my notes and markups with my fingers or an inexpensive fine point stylus.

Look, an iPad might not work for you.....that’s fine. But, why insist that it can’t be a effective tool for others when you have no idea what other people do for a living and how they use their devices. It’s just a weirdly myopic view of the professional world.