iOS 9.3 Beta 2 Allows iPad Pro's Smart Connector to Update Accessory Firmware

[MacRumors]

The second beta of iOS 9.3, which was seeded to developers on Monday and the public earlier today, includes a new feature that allows the iPad Pro's Smart Connector to update accessory firmware. The new feature was first spotted by German developer Stefan Wolfrum (via Cult of Mac) when he plugged his Logitech Create keyboard case into his iPad Pro.

In the past month, several users in the MacRumors forums have noted that the Create keyboard case suffers from lag and dropped keystrokes. A MacRumors forum member, who also reported that his Create keyboard had its firmware updated when plugged into an iPad Pro running iOS 9.3 beta 2, said that both issues were resolved by the firmware update.

MacRumors was able to recreate the steps that led to the update by updating our iPad Pro to beta 2 and connecting the keyboard. When the keyboard is connected, a pop-up is displayed alerting users to an "accessory update", asking whether they want to update the "Smart Connector Accessory". If a user chooses to update, the pop-up stays on the screen and displays the update progress. Once progress hits 100 percent the dialog box disappears; the update took 30 - 40 seconds. However, there was no dialog or indication of what the update changed once the process was complete.

The Smart Connector's ability to transmit both data and power at the same time has been on full display with keyboard accessories like the Smart Keyboard and Logitech Create, but it was unknown whether the port could be used to update firmware for accessories. It's unclear whether the new iOS beta housed the firmware update or whether it quickly pinged a server to download the update before applying it.

Article Link: iOS 9.3 Beta 2 Allows iPad Pro's Smart Connector to Update Accessory Firmware

 

[Speedman100]

That's pretty cool I guess.

 

[ipedro]

There's so much potential for the Smart Connector.

One possible use: a piano keyboard that can be easily docked to the iPad Pro. Perhaps a MIDI interface for existing pianos that can sit on the musical notation stand.

 

[FloatingBones]

Nature uses interfaces to supply both power and information. For instance, our bloodstream is used to provide fuel and oxygen (power), and it's also used to deliver information in the form of hormones to our cells. Our structural network is used to hold us up and do work. It's also used as a signaling mechanism (cellular mechanotransduction) to cue the expression of genes in our cells (see this SciAm article). I'm amused how Apple imitates life to have a single interface for power and information.

 

[appleguy123]

Nature uses interfaces to supply both power and information. For instance, our bloodstream is used to provide fuel and oxygen (power), and it's also used to deliver information in the form of hormones to our cells. Our structural network is used to hold us up and do work. It's also used as a signaling mechanism (cellular mechanotransduction) to cue the expression of genes in our cells (see this SciAm article). I'm amused how Apple imitates life to have a single interface for power and information.

Like pretty much every other connector on a mobile device ever?

 

[btrach144]

Nature uses interfaces to supply both power and information. For instance, our bloodstream is used to provide fuel and oxygen (power), and it's also used to deliver information in the form of hormones to our cells. Our structural network is used to hold us up and do work. It's also used as a signaling mechanism (cellular mechanotransduction) to cue the expression of genes in our cells (see this SciAm article). I'm amused how Apple imitates life to have a single interface for power and information.

Lol sounds like you need to get out more

 

[farewelwilliams]

Remember the times when you shipped a product, you had to invest so much in QA because there's no way for you to push out updates to patch up any bugs once the product is out in the wild?

 

[Max(IT)]

very interesting news...
How's limited to iPad Pro's connector ?

 

[haruhiko]

Nature uses interfaces to supply both power and information. For instance, our bloodstream is used to provide fuel and oxygen (power), and it's also used to deliver information in the form of hormones to our cells. Our structural network is used to hold us up and do work. It's also used as a signaling mechanism (cellular mechanotransduction) to cue the expression of genes in our cells (see this SciAm article). I'm amused how Apple imitates life to have a single interface for power and information.

Just like your PS/2 keyboard port from 1987?

 

[Junipr]

Nature uses interfaces to supply both power and information. For instance, our bloodstream is used to provide fuel and oxygen (power), and it's also used to deliver information in the form of hormones to our cells. Our structural network is used to hold us up and do work. It's also used as a signaling mechanism (cellular mechanotransduction) to cue the expression of genes in our cells (see this SciAm article). I'm amused how Apple imitates life to have a single interface for power and information.

Bro, relax.

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I love bionics, super interesting. The delivery here is just grossly technical.

 

[KiwiAdventure]

I have a iPad Pro and it has poor battery time so their is no point in charging things using the Pro.

 

[vthree]

This will be amazing if it works with car play some time in the future.

 

[JonneyGee]

I'd love to see Lightning accessories given the same treatment.

 

[MH01]

This is very cool.

 

[SeaFox]

Lol sounds like you need to get out more

Bro, relax.

*cough*
Shouldn't you guys be watching some sportsball and drinking a Mountain Dew?

 

[atlatnesiti]

There's so much potential for the Smart Connector.
One possible use: a piano keyboard that can be easily docked to the iPad Pro. Perhaps a MIDI interface for existing pianos that can sit on the musical notation stand.

As a muso myself, I'm definitely with you on that one.
Still, it puzzles me that with all the power available on iPad Pro, that Apple haven't released Logic version for iPad Pro, nor any main software developers like Ableton, Steinberg, Propellerhead, erc;
iPad Pro has enough CPU power right now to run all of these...
What gives..?!

 

[ipedro]

As a muso myself, I'm definitely with you on that one.
Still, it puzzles me that with all the power available on iPad Pro, that Apple haven't released Logic version for iPad Pro, nor any main software developers like Ableton, Steinberg, Propellerhead, erc;
iPad Pro has enough CPU power right now to run all of these...
What gives..?!

It's only been out for a few months. Apple hasn't released *any* pro level apps specifically for iPad Pro. I expect that to change over the post-PC transition that is now accelerating. Tim Cook is now openly calling the iPad a "PC replacement".

I'm sure that there are working versions of Mac apps for iOS in a Cupertino lab. Logic and Final Cut Pro would both be incredible on an iPad Pro but we need to remember that those apps were designed for a mouse centric UI. It's quite possible that Apple is re-working those apps for a touch interface. iMovie and Garageband for iOS provide the template to follow.

We're early adopters of this new Pro platform. I'm patiently waiting over this first year to see how things develop. Apple clearly has a professional end user in mind and being the newest device in the Apple lineup, I'm sure that they have a strategy to make it a hit in that market.

 

[atlatnesiti]

It's only been out for a few months. Apple hasn't released *any* pro level apps specifically for iPad Pro. I expect that to change over the post-PC transition that is now accelerating. Tim Cook is now openly calling the iPad a "PC replacement".

I'm sure that there are working versions of Mac apps for iOS in a Cupertino lab. Logic and Final Cut Pro would both be incredible on an iPad Pro but we need to remember that those apps were designed for a mouse centric UI. It's quite possible that Apple is re-working those apps for a touch interface. iMovie and Garageband for iOS provide the template to follow.

We're early adopters of this new Pro platform. I'm patiently waiting over this first year to see how things develop. Apple clearly has a professional end user in mind and being the newest device in the Apple lineup, I'm sure that they have a strategy to make it a hit in that market.

I do understand all of your points, but shouldn't be Apple "leading by example"..?
As it is, most, if not all developers are sitting on the proverbial fence and refuse to develop specicaly for iPad Pro...
As it it is right now, iPad Pro is just a 13" version of iPad Air 2 with bigger screen realestate I'm afraid

 

[Zirel]

Just like your PS/2 keyboard port from 1987?

No, just like your ADB port from 1986:

 

[jonnysods]

Sounds amazing, buying one today...

...nah

 

[navaira]

The most amazing piece of information here for me is that keyboards now get firmware updates.

 

[sghigliotty]

I just updated my Logitech Create case...worked like a charm!

 

[Tech198]

Now, that what a call smart

 

[ProjectManager101]

Ok... can someone explain me.... Why and iPad can not transmit midi over USB? That is the most idiotic thing Apple have done, in order to transfer midi you need wifi or blue tooth = latency + dropped signal. Why I can not have my virtual instrument in the iPad and connect it to my Mac and have it recognized.

That is why I do not trust Apple, they block features.

 

[Eric5273]

I'm curious to see what other sorts of smart connector accessories we will see in the future. What would be cool is if someone could build some sort of docking station that allows you to connect a keyboard and some other accessories.