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This "software" delay is the stupidest thing I've ever heard frankly, doesn't make a lick of sense. Apple releases software updates the same day for tens of different iPhone and iPad models. Yet somehow, these new iPad models are so fundamentally different that it's taking them weeks to finish the software? Make it make sense.

Say it's delayed due to production issues, that's reasonable. But this software thing is straight bogus.
It means they’re behind schedule and the software simply isn’t done. They wasted valuable resources on a stupid $3500 headset no one wants or talks about anymore. Meanwhile it’ll be 20 months since some iPads were updated come may.
 
It makes complete sense as Apple doesn't want you to buy either a MacBook or an iPad.

iPad and Mac are two completely different product categories that Apple has made sure won't ever adopt each other's key features even if it's perfectly doable from a technical perspective.

You're not supposed get one, singular device that does all of what a Mac and an iPad does.

iPad gets you a stellar, OLED touch display with Pencil support for $1099.

MBA gets you that real computer freedom and genuine computer I/O and a keyboard for $1099.

But you can never get both in one device -You're supposed to buy both an iPad and a Mac/MacBook, and also a bunch of accessories and a ton of apps that only work on each device, respectively.

An iPad+Mac combo device would be a disaster for Apple's iPad and Mac earnings.

In other words, you'll be waiting in vain for it. Never happening.
Disagree— they will merge the two at some point but it will be in the form of an entirely new product at a higher price point— a folding MacBook Pro with touch display perhaps. Also, if Apple were to draw from its Steve Jobs days, they were never afraid of cannibalizing their own products, so there is always a possibility, no matter how remote that they up the capability of the iPad Pros…
 


Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again.


Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will get OLED display technology and the new M3 chips, while the iPad Air will come in the standard 10.9-inch size and a larger 12.9-inch size.

According to Gurman, Apple's suppliers are ramping up production of the new iPads at the current time. Apple initially planned to launch the iPads in March or early April, but is apparently working to "finish software for the new devices." The OLED iPad Pro models also need "complex new manufacturing techniques," which Gurman says has contributed to the delay.

Article Link: Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May
Whenever the new iPad Pro comes out, here’s hoping that a “Smart” keyboard for it also is made available. The “Magic” keyboard for the iPad Pro has spiffy features, but weighs a good deal more. For those of us who haul around the iPad Pro just about everywhere, the light weight of the “Smart” keyboard is greatly appreciated.
 
This is good news guys. The closer to WWDC, the better.

I shared this in the past and I may be very well wrong, but an announcement at or close to the WWDC - which is an OS/app-focused event - could actually mean that iPadOS finally gets more "pro" features. Not banking on macOS on iPad as a dual boot option. But bringing some Mac features for those who want them would be nice and help avoid yet another bunch of reviews stating: "The M3 chip in the iPad is nice, but iPadOS still limits its usefulness."

If there's a time to bring those features to iPadOS, it's this year's WWDC in conjunction with the biggest refresh to the iPad Pro.

Fingers crossed.
 
iPad Air should not exist. The money-people at it again. Bring the product-people back.

Edit: to clarify — iPad Air should be renamed "iPad" and sold as the regular iPad model, in one size only. iPad Pro should get more features including dual orientation cameras, improved speakers, additional ports, up-tp 8 TB and OLED display, to further differentiate from the regular model. All iPads should support a singular model of Apple Pencil and all other Pencils should go bye-bye. Current regular iPad should become a corporate and education bulk-purchase item only. Streamline; improve; refine; clarify.
iPad SE, iPad, iPad Pro. Every student in our school district has an iPad.
 
Damn. I just took advantage of that recent Amazon Magic Keyboard open box sale for my 2018 iPad Pro and it totally transformed my use of the iPad. So much so I have been eagerly anticipating the pricing to drop on the refurb M1 iPad Pros so I can get a few years of use with my new-to-me keyboard with a fresh battery and double the RAM.
 
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iPad Air should be called "iPad" and should be the regular mainstream iPad sold in Apple's stores and on Apple's websites. It should come in one size with an 11" LED display. The current regular iPad should be an education and corporate bulk purchase device, and should be unavailable to the consumer. If the new iPad Pro gets M3, then the consumer "iPad" should stick with M1 and always be at least two generations behind the Pro. The Pro iPad should further differentiate with an OLED display, an additional display size of 13", and multiple ports such as MagSafe 3 and an SDXC slot, in addition to the Thunderbolt 4. Every iPad including iPad mini should support the very same Apple Pencil version, and the wired Apple Pencil should go to die. iPad Pro should always have more speakers than the regular iPad, and possibly an additional camera on the front (landscape camera + portrait camera). iPad Pro should be available up to 8 TB.
What you are describing for Pro is a good device that simply does not have a good OS at the moment, and probably won’t for some time in the future, ie it won’t work. All those additional ports and better flexibility are already on the Mac (mini for the lower end of the budget and MacBook Pro on the mid-high range). Apple won’t make just two iPad lines as the regular is too basic, even though it is very good for kids, education sector and other enterprise clients. The Air is what the majority seems to be using, the Pro is an overkill for the most part, again, due to the software. Killing the Air line would be totally illogical for Apple, as they would not lower the price of that type of a device to meet the market share of today’s regular iPad. In fact, they already had killed the Air for several years (the gap between the Air 2 and Air 3). Clearly they thought it was not enough to have only the cheaper regular iPad and the overkill that the Pro is And brought back the Air in a third generation after several years of Air totally missing from the lineup.
 
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This is a bummer, I am going on vacation next month and was looking forward on taking my new iPad Pro with OLED on the trip. This not happening now. I'll probably wait until next now. Apple will probably make us wait another two years for the next update.😂
 
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This is a total bummer but I guarantee you they will at least announce them by April 25 or Tim will have a very awkward Q2 earning call since they never comment on unreleased products. The Q1 earnings call had iPad down 25% which they blamed on no iPad launch in Q1 like there was the previous year (M2 pro and 10th gen iPad). This year Q2 they will have to do some dancing if the new iPads aren’t at least announced.
 
I have the M1 Pro, edit photos with it and would like more power …
BUT the faster M2 and M3 Chips get hotter and throttle… if they even make it thinner …
How can there be more power if the damn chips can’t get the heat off of them. Put in a cooling pad that spreads the heat more … The iPad Pro is a damn furnace that’s choking already … I want more power Apple not a thinner iPad
What are you with your iPad that it is choking furnace ?
 
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