iPhone With Apple Pencil Support Could Launch 'As Early As 2019'

[BvizioN]

multi-touch concept phones which had been shown everywhere inside the industry during 2006.

I personally take concepts with a grain of salt. They could come very late or never ever make it to a real product. Like Nokia Morph concept which was like something out of a sci-fiction. And that Microsoft multi touch table concept before the original iPhone that we never did see to make it through. Or the Samsung bendable phone/tablet shown few years ago. There was absolutely no reason for Jobs to mention concept on the first iPhone event. iPhone was truly first of it's kind, regardless of concepts or some semi smart PDA sort of devices around.

 

[Niklas_nick]

TBH I'm astonished and I have complained in these forums on multiple occasions that Apple hasn't yet extended compatibility of the pencil. It's a really convenient tool for any creative planning, drawing etc. and I'd love to use the pencil on an iPhone, too, or on the trackpads (especially the gargantuan ones on the new tbMBP's) or on iPad Mini.

In my eyes its neglectful fragmentation of features that the Apple pencil only works on iPad Pro and that on the other hand 3D Touch is not implemented on it. Apple could well expand their range of different product features across the range to build a whole better lineup.


I think that they will probably change pencil hardware for it to be compatible across the range so I would have to get a second gen pencil but I'm quite okay with a hardware update.

I have to say that I'm mostly happy with it, charging actually is no issue at all in day-to-day use (I occasionally charge the pencil on the cable and when it's depleted on the go I just put it in the iPad for a moment. This works fine enough so that I after some months of use can't even tell how long the pencil needs to be charged and for how long that will suffice).

The pencil is balanced perfectly, has a really nice feeling and weight in the hand. The housing plastic is okay but the cap just feels flimsy and trashy and is my major annoyance, very un-applelike. Also the tip could be just slightly softer so it doesn't feel like you'll damage your display when you get slightly too enthusiastic.

 

[ke-iron]

Question: if it's optional, why not? What’s the burden? It might make something easier to those who are willing to spend $100 on it, but it's not going to change anything to those who do not want it.

This is not the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. The market for people buying $100 for iPhones is not there. This will not happen.

 

[mrr]

Please Apple. Give us an iPhone Pro and a Pencil to go along with the iPad Pro and be done with it.

 

[convergent]

I personally take concepts with a grain of salt. They could come very late or never ever make it to a real product. Like Nokia Morph concept which was like something out of a sci-fiction. And that Microsoft multi touch table concept before the original iPhone that we never did see to make it through. Or the Samsung bendable phone/tablet shown few years ago. There was absolutely no reason for Jobs to mention concept on the first iPhone event. iPhone was truly first of it's kind, regardless of concepts or some semi smart PDA sort of devices around.

Multi touch was not just concept when the iPhone came out. HTC had pretty good touch. And most smartphones you could use just fine with your finger. And ... I'm pretty sure Samsung is planning a folding screen Note for the near future. As someone else said... Apple mulls while others do. They don't always get it right, but that is how innovation happens.

 

[carpleror]

"Who wants a stylus for their phones? You've to put it away, you lose em, YUCK"

I hate how literal people take this. First off, that was said 10 years ago, before there was even an app store, the world of smartphones is a much different place. Steve couldn't imagine what could be done on iPhones 10 years in the future, when he said that. Second, that was said as a marketing ploy to get consumers to understand how big a deal it was for a touch screen phone to work with your finger. Prior to that you NEEDED a stylus, it wasn't a choice. Lastly, a stylus is useful for certain applications, mainly writing and drawing, but not for general use. That quote was meant to say "using a stylus for general use is annoying". You could easily turn that quote around and say "Who wants to use a finger to draw or write on their phone? It's not accurate, your finger covers the screen, YUCK".

I hate when people spew bullsh*t like this...
[doublepost=1508008825][/doublepost]

The video and quotes of Steve often get rolled out whenever the Apple Pencil is discussed. However, in defence of Tim Cook, I think people are too quick to jump to those quotes/video.

At the time Steve made those comments in the keynote, pretty much all 'touch screen' devices were shockingly bad and pretty much unusable with just a finger - at least in the way we use them now. Most devices resorted to needing a stylus as the only reasonable way of interacting with the device. The iPhone changed all that, and Steve's comments were indicative of that shift in technology. Here'a device with a touch screen so good, so accurate, so responsive that you can use it entirely without a stylus, unlike 98% of devices on the market at that time. It was a game changer.

The Apple Pencil is an optional stylus. You don't need it. You can use the iPad Pro without the Pencil. But with it, you can write naturally or be more precise.

In that sense, I don't think Steve's comments are completely out of sync with the existence of the Pencil?

I agree whole heartedly. The iPhone/iPad are completely different devices than what they were when Steve first said that quote. You have to remember, there wasn't even an App Store back then. Steve iconically pitched it as three different devices on stage, but it's arguably hundreds of different devices now (ever see that old Radio Shack ad from the 90's?). Now your phone can do so much that it's literally impossible to say that using your finger is better for EVERY task or using a stylus is better for EVERY task. The main difference here is that the stylus is optional. You don't have to use it on the iPhone like you would have for other smart phones back in the day. However, it is there for you (or will be in the future) should you need it.
[doublepost=1508009073][/doublepost]

This is an Apple thing to do. Instead of being like Samsung where a pen is provided. Give the ability to add one, at a price, oh and only the Apple one.

There are plenty of third party styluses you can buy for the iPhone or iPad on Amazon right now. It just so happens that Apple's works the best. That's what happens when you control both the software AND the hardware.

 

[OneMike]

There are plenty of third party styluses you can buy for the iPhone or iPad on Amazon right now. It just so happens that Apple's works the best. That's what happens when you control both the software AND the hardware.

Key word control. As with the os Apple cripples what others have access to do, so wow. Who would think apples work the best.... everyone.

 

[carpleror]

Key word control. As with the os Apple cripples what others have access to do, so wow. Who would think apples work the best.... everyone.

So let's agree on two facts before I start. First, Apple prides themselves of trying to provide the best user experience, not just for tech junkies, but for the average consumer as well. Second, Apple is also aware that for the average consumer, a great user experience means things just work. Not that you have to go through 8 settings and wait 3 minutes while your phone searches to set up wireless headphones. Or that you have 9 different typefaces to choose from. Or any number of the mundane options Android devices give you "control" over. No, Apple instead makes those decisions for you so that you don't have to think about it. By Apple controlling the software and the hardware, you get things like seamless and immediate integration of two wireless earbuds in the form of AirPods. I don't have to sit there and wait and try over and over, like I do when trying to sync my one Bose bluetooth speaker. Control over everything will always lead to a better user experience, and I'd happily give up the ability to customize my device for the benefit of everything just working when I want it to.

 

[OneMike]

So let's agree on two facts before I start. First, Apple prides themselves of trying to provide the best user experience, not just for tech junkies, but for the average consumer as well. Second, Apple is also aware that for the average consumer, a great user experience means things just work. Not that you have to go through 8 settings and wait 3 minutes while your phone searches to set up wireless headphones. Or that you have 9 different typefaces to choose from. Or any number of the mundane options Android devices give you "control" over. No, Apple instead makes those decisions for you so that you don't have to think about it. By Apple controlling the software and the hardware, you get things like seamless and immediate integration of two wireless earbuds in the form of AirPods. I don't have to sit there and wait and try over and over, like I do when trying to sync my one Bose bluetooth speaker. Control over everything will always lead to a better user experience, and I'd happily give up the ability to customize my device for the benefit of everything just working when I want it to.

By Apple controlling the software Apple controls who the profits go to.

It’s as simple as that. No novel needed and at Apple the concern is about what will bring the most profit. Not user experience.

 

[carpleror]

By Apple controlling the software Apple controls who the profits go to.

It’s as simple as that. No novel needed and at Apple the concern is about what will bring the most profit. Not user experience.

Don't sit here are tell me Samsung is more worried about user experience than their bottom line. Yes, profit and stock prices are of huge importance to Apple, but that's every company, they don't work for free. Although Apple has shifted to a more bottom line focus, they are still by far the most user experience conscious of their competitors.

 

[convergent]

So let's agree on two facts before I start. First, Apple prides themselves of trying to provide the best user experience, not just for tech junkies, but for the average consumer as well. Second, Apple is also aware that for the average consumer, a great user experience means things just work. Not that you have to go through 8 settings and wait 3 minutes while your phone searches to set up wireless headphones. Or that you have 9 different typefaces to choose from. Or any number of the mundane options Android devices give you "control" over. No, Apple instead makes those decisions for you so that you don't have to think about it. By Apple controlling the software and the hardware, you get things like seamless and immediate integration of two wireless earbuds in the form of AirPods. I don't have to sit there and wait and try over and over, like I do when trying to sync my one Bose bluetooth speaker. Control over everything will always lead to a better user experience, and I'd happily give up the ability to customize my device for the benefit of everything just working when I want it to.

I really haven't heard a lot of people complaining about being unable to pair a Bluetooth anything with an iPhone. I've also not had it take more than about 20 seconds. I certainly wouldn't limit myself to one vs. hundreds of options, because I can save half a minute pairing it which I do one time in the life of my ownership of the earbuds. Especially when they are kind of dorky looking and I am confident they would keep falling out of my ears, since no Apple earbud I've ever had worked well in my ears (no sized rubber fitting to the ear).

The "better experience" with Apple is the one they dictate, and if you like that then its great and you should probably buy Apple. I grew tired of having everything decided for me and being unable to take advantage of technology advances that I wanted to use. My recent experience with Android.. specifically Samsung... is that their experience works fine out of the box and you don't need to go and configure any more settings than you do on a new iPhone to get up and running. You need to make a few choices, and you need to put in your account info for Google, email accounts etc.. No different from an iPhone.

As Apple has added more complexity to iOS, there are plenty of experience things that are baffling to non techie users. My wife is one of them. The random prompts for your iCloud password. The confusion of sharing Apps/Music vs. iCloud. The iMessage setup across multiple devices. There is plenty of complexity to deal with when "it just works" stops working on you. The only difference today between iOS and Android is that along with this complexity, you do have the option to (if you care to) change and configure nearly everything you want. With iOS, you are pretty much stuck with the exact same thing they give you, and then once a year you might get a couple of new goodies.

 

[Brien]

It's hardly the most greaceful charging solution ever, but let's be honest, you have to be a fkng idiot to actually allow this to happen to something you spent $99 on.

2nd gen pencil would likely use wireless charging.

 

[Vjosullivan]

Iphone isn’t a Nintendo DS and the Apple Pencil isn’t a stylus.

Yes, it is.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Yes, it is.

Nah... not in the usual usage of the word. A stylus is a cheap, skinny little plasticky rod that is suitable for short durations of usage. Real artists find them laughable.

But the Apple Pencil is beloved by artists who gush about the perfect weight, balance and feel in their hands. They use it for hours at a time, and it has advanced features specifically designed for artists, such as accelerometers to determine tilt.

It’s Apple’s product, and so they kinda get to name it—similar to Samsung’s S-pen. But I’m sure Note users call their skinny plasticky drawing thing a stylus all the time, anyway.

You can call both of them styluses if you want to; if it increases your happiness, go for it!!

PS And the iPhone is a much better gaming device than a DS...

 

[carpleror]

I really haven't heard a lot of people complaining about being unable to pair a Bluetooth anything with an iPhone. I've also not had it take more than about 20 seconds. I certainly wouldn't limit myself to one vs. hundreds of options, because I can save half a minute pairing it which I do one time in the life of my ownership of the earbuds. Especially when they are kind of dorky looking and I am confident they would keep falling out of my ears, since no Apple earbud I've ever had worked well in my ears (no sized rubber fitting to the ear).

The "better experience" with Apple is the one they dictate, and if you like that then its great and you should probably buy Apple. I grew tired of having everything decided for me and being unable to take advantage of technology advances that I wanted to use. My recent experience with Android.. specifically Samsung... is that their experience works fine out of the box and you don't need to go and configure any more settings than you do on a new iPhone to get up and running. You need to make a few choices, and you need to put in your account info for Google, email accounts etc.. No different from an iPhone.

As Apple has added more complexity to iOS, there are plenty of experience things that are baffling to non techie users. My wife is one of them. The random prompts for your iCloud password. The confusion of sharing Apps/Music vs. iCloud. The iMessage setup across multiple devices. There is plenty of complexity to deal with when "it just works" stops working on you. The only difference today between iOS and Android is that along with this complexity, you do have the option to (if you care to) change and configure nearly everything you want. With iOS, you are pretty much stuck with the exact same thing they give you, and then once a year you might get a couple of new goodies.

I have to honestly say, although I was very skeptical at first, AirPods are magical. I'm not limiting myself to AirPods, but I truly believe, at least for iPhone users, they are the best option (I however have never had a problem with their fit). You pair them once, and they are set forever. I could not use them for a month, and just open the case and pop them in. It's literally that simple, they "just work". On the other hand, I have had numerous issues with other Bluetooth devices not syncing, de-syncing, not being discoverable - you name it, I've dealt with it. Now, in the grand scheme of things, are these big problems, no absolutely not. But it is a nice touch to be able to pull your AirPods out of a bag after not having used them for weeks and being confident that they'll work the second you put them in your ears (provided they're charged).

My only point is that there are numerous advantages to a company being in control of both hardware and software. Android has to create software for numerous different models, made by a number of manufacturers, with widely different specs. This means, generally speaking, they need to provide cookie cutter updates that will work on all Android phones. Apple, however, has much more freedom to innovate. They can engineer software around the processing power and battery limitations of their flagship devices to allow the phone to run more efficiently. Perhaps even shrink battery size without sacrificing battery life simply by optimizing the software for that specific device. Additionally, when it comes to accessories, it becomes easier to make things like your watches, earphones, speakers, charging pads, etc. "just work" when they're all proprietary and your relatively more aware of the softwares and hardwares they'll be communicating with.

I'm not saying Android or Samsung is inherently bad, I just think the benefits of a closed architecture like Apple has outweigh the benefits of customization that Android offer. What I will say is I sometimes wish Apple put just a little more priority into getting new hardware features into a phone, they could have easily added wireless charging a few years ago.

 

[Joegrech]

Remember when Apple was innovative and Apple fans gleefully accused Samsung of stealing all their ideas? Doesn't feel so good to be an Apple fan does it? Not only that Apple takes 2 or 3 yrs to use those "ideas..." and have the gall to still call them "innovative."

Stick to your exploding Sumsung you id..t
[doublepost=1508034847][/doublepost]

They need to add a stylus to the iPhone now - just so people can use the eraser to rub out the notch.

I bet you, the next Samsung will have the same screen format as the iPhone X! ...a in a year or so, Samsung may even copy the face recognition. Currently the one on Samsung is useless.

 

[convergent]

I have to honestly say, although I was very skeptical at first, AirPods are magical. I'm not limiting myself to AirPods, but I truly believe, at least for iPhone users, they are the best option (I however have never had a problem with their fit). You pair them once, and they are set forever. I could not use them for a month, and just open the case and pop them in. It's literally that simple, they "just work". On the other hand, I have had numerous issues with other Bluetooth devices not syncing, de-syncing, not being discoverable - you name it, I've dealt with it. Now, in the grand scheme of things, are these big problems, no absolutely not. But it is a nice touch to be able to pull your AirPods out of a bag after not having used them for weeks and being confident that they'll work the second you put them in your ears (provided they're charged).

My only point is that there are numerous advantages to a company being in control of both hardware and software. Android has to create software for numerous different models, made by a number of manufacturers, with widely different specs. This means, generally speaking, they need to provide cookie cutter updates that will work on all Android phones. Apple, however, has much more freedom to innovate. They can engineer software around the processing power and battery limitations of their flagship devices to allow the phone to run more efficiently. Perhaps even shrink battery size without sacrificing battery life simply by optimizing the software for that specific device. Additionally, when it comes to accessories, it becomes easier to make things like your watches, earphones, speakers, charging pads, etc. "just work" when they're all proprietary and your relatively more aware of the softwares and hardwares they'll be communicating with.

I'm not saying Android or Samsung is inherently bad, I just think the benefits of a closed architecture like Apple has outweigh the benefits of customization that Android offer. What I will say is I sometimes wish Apple put just a little more priority into getting new hardware features into a phone, they could have easily added wireless charging a few years ago.

There are pros and cons of the closed Apple system. From my experience the cons of going elsewhere have greatly diminished and the pros of Apple have greatly diminished too. A couple years ago when I tried something different I hated it. Not so any longer. I am availing myself of technology and capabilities that Apple refuses to make available. Apple has gotten stale in many ways.

 

[Sevendaymelee]

View attachment 725185 Who wants a styl..

Oh. The Note is popular you say.

What a joke

View attachment 725187

Bringing up a phone that gets absolutely WAXED by iPhone sales every single year is not the best way to prove your point.

 

[BvizioN]

Multi touch was not just concept when the iPhone came out. HTC had pretty good touch. And most smartphones you could use just fine with your finger. And ... I'm pretty sure Samsung is planning a folding screen Note for the near future. As someone else said... Apple mulls while others do. They don't always get it right, but that is how innovation happens.

Yes, I am aware touch sensitive display phones existed before the original iPhone and I have used myself quite few of them. But touch and multi touch are 2 different things. I am not aware of any display technology back at 2007 that worked as good as the one on the iPhone. And no, you could not use them just fine. They were clunky, buggy, and not even close on accuracy as iPhone multi touch display was. Matter of fact, it toke years for Android manufactures to perfect it to the same level and I am willing to bet some have not cached up even now after 10 years. And I am talking about multi touch responsiveness and not the resolution or display quality where Apple may still be behind. It was almost as buttery smooth then as it is now.
As for Samsung priding itself and attracting attention with things it may or may not do on the future, I believe it when I see it. Obviously bendable/foldable displays will be a thing on the future but whats the point on barking a decade ahead bout it?

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Question: if it's optional, why not? What’s the burden? It might make something easier to those who are willing to spend $100 on it, but it's not going to change anything to those who do not want it.

Of course it'll be optional; you don't believe Apple would throw in a $100 accessory for free do you?

 

[Bacillus]

Do I smell another Ive Design Award for the iPhone / Smart BatteryCase / Pencil combi
With the latter injected in some unexpected (back-)side hole, to sustain that fortification ?

 

[Mildredop]

3. a Stylus on a 3.5" phone made/makes no sense. But technology, phone size and consumer behaviors have changed a lot since Jobs made those comments.

...and now Apple is finally trying to catch up.

 

[Admiral]

"Who wants a stylus for their phones? You've to put it away, you lose em, YUCK"

At a hundred bucks each, today's Apple sees the losing 'em as a feature, not a bug.

 

[kdarling]

I personally take concepts with a grain of salt. They could come very late or never ever make it to a real product. Like Nokia Morph concept which was like something out of a sci-fiction.

Yes, that one was a true concept only. Of course, now Lenovo has shown it off for real, albeit without the electric muscle part.

And that Microsoft multi touch table concept before the original iPhone that we never did see to make it through.

The Surface table line (later renamed Pixelsense) sold from 2008 to at least 2013. I lost track of it after that. It was never meant to be for consumers, btw.

There was absolutely no reason for Jobs to mention concept on the first iPhone event. iPhone was truly first of it's kind, regardless of concepts...

The iPhone was the first multi-touch phone to market. But Jobs claimed "we have invented a new technology called multi-touch". That deliberately ignored all that had been going on for decades, and more especially during the year that the iPhone was in actual product development.

For instance, the Open Linux developer phone with multi-touch and pinch-to-zoom had been been announced two months prior to the iPhone:

... or some semi smart PDA sort of devices around.

Semi smart?? Other smartphones were much more powerful at the time. They had 3G, video cameras, some had front-facing cameras for video calls, many had GPS. And they all supported third party apps, which the first iPhone did not.

Second, that was said as a marketing ploy to get consumers to understand how big a deal it was for a touch screen phone to work with your finger.

Yes and no. Heck, the very FIRST smartphone on the planet, the 1993 IBM Simon had a finger friendly UI:


Even my 2005 Samsung smartphone came with some finger friendly apps, such as this control center:



And of course WinMo had a touch friendly dialer. (Apple later also used a left leaning white phone on a green background icon):

Prior to that you NEEDED a stylus, it wasn't a choice.

Not really. For one thing, most phones had a cursor pad so you could do everything with your thumb. As for other interaction, most of us rarely used a stylus except to do drawings and handwritten notes. (I used to do that a lot before going to Home Depot. Very handy!)

Otherwise, you only really needed a stylus (or fingernail) for default tiny onscreen keyboards. But touch phones with slide out keyboards took care of that. Or you could use bigger third party onscreen keyboards, like this one that I used:

... They were clunky, buggy, and not even close on accuracy as iPhone multi touch display was. Matter of fact, it toke years for Android manufactures to perfect it to the same level and I am willing to bet some have not cached up even now after 10 years.

Just different software emphasis. For example, remember this 2012 test:

As for Samsung priding itself and attracting attention with things it may or may not do on the future, I believe it when I see it. Obviously bendable/foldable displays will be a thing on the future but whats the point on barking a decade ahead bout it?

Personally I'd love it if Apple told us what they were working on (actually Cook hints at things like VR, medical sensors, cars, etc) and actually showed us their prototypes!

 

[convergent]

Yes, that one was a true concept only. Of course, now Lenovo has shown it off for real, albeit without the electric muscle part.



The Surface table line (later renamed Pixelsense) sold from 2008 to at least 2013. I lost track of it after that. It was never meant to be for consumers, btw.



The iPhone was the first multi-touch phone to market. But Jobs claimed "we have invented a new technology called multi-touch". That deliberately ignored all that had been going on for decades, and more especially during the year that the iPhone was in actual product development.

For instance, the Open Linux developer phone with multi-touch and pinch-to-zoom had been been announced two months prior to the iPhone:

View attachment 725504



Semi smart?? Other smartphones were much more powerful at the time. They had 3G, video cameras, some had front-facing cameras for video calls, many had GPS. And they all supported third party apps, which the first iPhone did not.



Yes and no. Heck, the very FIRST smartphone on the planet, the 1993 IBM Simon had a finger friendly UI:

View attachment 725506
Even my 2005 Samsung smartphone came with some finger friendly apps, such as this control center:

View attachment 725507

And of course WinMo had a touch friendly dialer. (Apple later also used a left leaning white phone on a green background icon):

View attachment 725508



Not really. For one thing, most phones had a cursor pad so you could do everything with your thumb. As for other interaction, most of us rarely used a stylus except to do drawings and handwritten notes. (I used to do that a lot before going to Home Depot. Very handy!)

Otherwise, you only really needed a stylus (or fingernail) for default tiny onscreen keyboards. But touch phones with slide out keyboards took care of that. Or you could use bigger third party onscreen keyboards, like this one that I used:

View attachment 725505



Just different software. For example, remember this 2012 test:

View attachment 725509



Personally I'd love it if Apple told us what they were working on (actually Cook hints at things like VR) and showed us prototypes.

Great info... It's amazing to me how many Apple fans really believe that the iPhone was the first smartphone. Nothing was really new in it, and it lacked functions of competing devices, but Apple polished it up for the common person, and brought it to the masses.