Kuo: USB-C on 2018 iPad Pro, Touch ID on 2018 MacBook, EKG and Ceramic Backs on All Apple Watch Series 4 Models, More

[jagolden]

If ipad gets USB-C, how will the apple pencil be charged? Another dongle?

The pencil comes with a female/female connector dongle so just use your regular charger cable with the lighting connector, the adapter, and the pencil plugged into the other end of the connector.

I keep a dedicated charger with a short lightning cable plugged in and the adapter dongle plugged and taped to the lightning connector of the cable. Then I just plug on the pencil when I need to.

I also replaced the cap on the pencil that covers the lightning connector with a different cap that has a standard rubberish stylus tip on it.

 

[Val-kyrie]

Maybe they are working towards an all USB-C lineup (iPads/Macs)? Maybe iPhones, watches and AirPods all going full wireless, no ports? I can't see them completely removing ports from the phone for at least another couple years though... Wireless isn't mainstream enough.

While I appreciate a wireless charging option, I still prefer wired charging based on better efficiency, less heat, and less wasted electricity.

 

[Dave245]

The iPad is the only iOS device that USB-C kinda makes sense in, but I seriously doubt it. If anything they might add it as a secondary port if they are trying to position the iPad Pro as more of a MacBook replacement, but Apple would be wise to wait for USB-C Micro or something in the coming years. Or better, offer up the Lightning connector to the industry as the standard for USB-C Micro going forward, since it’s already a lot thinner and a bit narrower than USB-C.

The problem is a lot of people don't see the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, i'm one of those people, granted it can replace a laptop for simple things like it has for my parents who just use there's for internet browsing, watching Netflix, Youtube and simple web browsing, but as a full laptop replacement for getting work done it just isn't there yet.

The ASK just isn't as good as the Surface Pro keyboard and that's a shame! if Apple want position the iPad as a device that can replace the laptop then they need to do more, as bad as Windows may be the Surface Pro really does better at replacing a laptop and being a full computer.

 

[Zdigital2015]

And where is the new iMac?

Intel is not announcing 9th Generation CPUs until October...we will not be hearing about iMacs before Intel announces the CPUs that will be going into them.

 

[jagolden]

Precisely. Also, changing iPad Pro to USB-C renders it unable to charge the current-gen Apple Pencil, compatibility with which is one of the selling points of the iPad Pro. Will Apple start to sell two Apple Pencils—one USB-C, one Lightning for use with the current-gen Standard iPad? Makes little sense.

Do people actually charge their pencils from their iPad? I’ve never done this, always use a charger and the pencil included female/female adapter. I could only see the use of charging directly from the iPad if I was isolated form using a wall or power bank charger.

 

[tennisproha]

Wouldn’t USB-C make iOS less secure? I thought the whole point of having a proprietary connector was as a gatekeeper from nefarious devices.

 

[subjonas]

My hope regarding usb c on the iPad Pro is that it will finally enable native video input. Being able to (natively) use the iPad Pro as a second display with my MacBook Pro with pencil input would more than double the iPP’s usefulness for me.

 

[jagolden]

As someone who wears a continuous glucose monitor, I can tell you, we will not have non-invasive continuous glucose monitors (CGM) anytime soon. The technology for a CGM has just recently become good enough to use reliably. These reliable models are all invasive. Optical CGMs are a LONG way away. I wish I were wrong, but I just don't see this happening on a watch before the end of the decade.

I’ve recently seen advertised a supposedly non-invasive glucose monitoring device you just place on your arm. I don’t have any info on it other than "most insurance plans will cover it". I have a series 0 watch which still gives me all I bought it for so have no interest in upgrading now. But a non invasive glucose monitoring capability would have me saving my dollars for one that does that.

 

[Techwatcher]

Wouldn’t USB-C make iOS less secure? I thought the whole point of having a proprietary connector was as a gatekeeper from nefarious devices.

No. Get lightning out of here.
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I really hope the USB-C rumor is true. Apple seriously needs to ditch Lightning and replace it with USB-C across ALL iOS devices.

This guy gets it.

 

[SmugMaverick]

5W plug again! lmfao

I'm done if they try that again, it's just pathetic and greedy.
[doublepost=1536601147][/doublepost]5W plug again! lmfao

I'm done if they try that again, it's just pathetic and greedy.

 

[jagolden]

Would ECG for the watch dramatically improve heart rate readings? I’m very interested in what they have to say about this. The current optical HR sensor definitely seems finicky in terms of accuracy and ability to get a reading when you’re moving about. Sometimes on a run or bike I won’t get a reading for minutes, or it’ll read my HR as being half of what it should be, etc. Would love a more reliable sensor that isn’t so thrown off by movement.

Yeah, I don’t find the heart rate monitoring very accurate on the watch.
When I go to the doctor I always compare their reading to the watches reading. Usually differs by 10-12 beats. I find that a significant difference.

 

[0947347]

They also all charge wirelessly, which we're about to see. Mac and iPad Pro would share the same power connector, and we don't know for sure what the new wireless AirPod charger will use. Beats uses microusb on all but one or two models. It's already a mixed mess and iPad would fit right in. This isn't to say I think it's going to happen but I wouldn't completely count it out because it does make sense. Especially if all new accessories are announced.

Also do not discount the iPad Pro potentially having two ports.

How about Apple Pencil?
They would need to make a new one for a sake of changing a port

 

[smulji]

The problem is a lot of people don't see the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, i'm one of those people, granted it can replace a laptop for simple things like it has for my parents who just use there's for internet browsing, watching Netflix, Youtube and simple web browsing, but as a full laptop replacement for getting work done it just isn't there yet.

The ASK just isn't as good as the Surface Pro keyboard and that's a shame! if Apple want position the iPad as a device that can replace the laptop then they need to do more, as bad as Windows may be the Surface Pro really does better at replacing a laptop and being a full computer.

I think it's time for Apple to add Touch / Pencil support to macOS and bring macOS to the iPad Pro. Similar in concept to what MS did with Win10 / Surface Pro

 

[iMi]

I only have two things on the wish list for the latest Apple gadgets. First, USB-C on everything from iPads to iPhones. Two, FaceID on all Macs and at least iPad Pros.

The Mac should really be a no brainer and given some of Apple's trends, I would say this is definitely coming at some point in the future. Hopefully soon!

 

[jagolden]

I’m looking for an iMac too, but I don’t want to buy one with a 2+ years old cpu.

A 6 core CPU, 16 GB standard RAM and a base configuration with SSD would be more than enough for me to immediately order one.

An anniversary redesign would be great too, but only if it solves thermal issues.

Don’t know what your needs are but I bought a 1 year old tech 27" iMac from the Apple refurb store for a great price. Have had it seven years and it still runs like a charm. Don’t overlook the refurb offerings.
The only immediate "drawback" I discovered is it won’t run the new Mac OS due to be released. Not interested in it any how. I won’t upgrade the desktop until absolutely forced to and I’ll still probably look for a refurb. Figure I’ve got maybe another 5 year’s to get out of this unit.

 

[Zdigital2015]

The Apple Pencil should have had a female USB-C port to begin with. That way if your pencil is low on battery life, you can just use a cable, plug it in to the iPad, and you're still able to use it.

Why they chose a male Lightning connector for the pencil is beyond me.

Because the male Lightning connector is the only one small enough to keep the diameter of the Pencil as thin as they wanted it. A female USB-C port would increase the Apple Pencil's overall size too much for most people.

If my Pencil is low on battery, I simply plug it into my iPad Pro now and let it charge. It looks a little weird, but that's about it.

 

[Gusjasso]

If ipad gets USB-C, how will the apple pencil be charged? Another dongle?

...or another pencil

 

[miguelsan22]

Anyone else thinking about getting the iPhone X on a discount vs the less expensive model?

 

[Dave245]

I think it's time for Apple to add Touch / Pencil support to macOS and bring macOS to the iPad Pro. Similar in concept to what MS did with Win10 / Surface Pro

I think you could be right, i use to be dead against this until i tried out a Surface Pro in store and it really good, it surprised me how much i liked it. MacOS is still better than Windows i think, but for getting work done and having a better keyboard than the ASK the Surface Pro or even Surface Book 2 is miles better.

For example i'm a writer spending hours in front of my computer, i tried using the ASK and it just didn't work for what i need, the Surface Pro keyboard in store had much better feel, travel and a trackpad! the added bonus is that i can detach the screen from the keyboard and draw, handwrite and take notes directly on the screen. I really like the iPad Pro but it's time for it too grow up and become more like a FULL laptop replacement, at the moment it risks losing me to the Surface Pro when Microsoft announce the Surface Pro 5/6 or whatever they decide to call the next one.

another point is that for the cost of the iPad Pro with ASK and Apple Pencil you can easily buy a Surface Pro.

 

[Baymowe335]

How exactly would they do that?

All glucose monitors require piercing the skin to access blood.

There is tech in the pipeline that is non invasive. Science.

 

[jagolden]

If this comes to be, hopefully the USB-C connectors are more durable than lightning. Am I the only one for whom lightning connectors wear away, where black stripes appear at the copper contacts, either from dirt in the iPhone/iPad jack and/or from general wear & tear, rendering lightning cables to be unusable after just 4-5 months of regular use?

Maybe just lucky - have never worn out or broken or exposed wires on any iOS product - 6 iPods, 4 iPhones, and 3 iPads.
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So now my Apple Pencil is going to need a usb-c converter so it will then have 3 tiny plastic things that are easy to lose?

I believe the USB-C will be on the charger and the iPad will remain Lightning-for now.

 

[Vlad.E.]

I havent wore a watch in decades, i think i might get one this year and ear pods.

 

[magicschoolbus]

Glad I got a series 3 cellular with 20% off. The 4 looks great and all, but I probably would have only been able to afford the sport instead of the cellular. The 20% off the 3 made it way more affordable. Love the watch - can't wait to see the new one. I'll probably upgrade come series 6 or so.

 

[tresmith]

"Low-cost Macbook", anybody else noticed a theme with Cooks Apple and price lately? It certainly ain't in that direction. The laptop line up is comically fragmented, it is as bad as the many version of Windows Vista Jobs derided Microsoft over.

Cook is an operations guy not a "vision guy." Even though great operations lead to great profits, no vision will ultimately lead to Apple spiraling downward. You need both types of people. Jobs and Cook made a great team.

 

[LuvMacs]

As a physician, I hope that Apple will NOT include ECG functionality in the new Apple Watch. An ECG represents the vectors of electrical potentials generated by the heart and requires multiple leads for the electrical activity to be accurately recorded. Single lead ECG recorders (as would be the case for an Apple Watch with ECG functionality) are inaccurate and the resulting data can be misleading.
Apple should instead concentrate on improving accuracy of heart rate monitoring by the Apple Watch.