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But we're environmentally friendly. Meanwhile creates e-waste with a 1 year old $300+ product that can't be re-used.

You can just sell the keyboard with the iPad.

Scenario 1: Keyboard not compatible
Buyer: Buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard
You: Sells 1 iPad and 1 keyboard, buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard
Total: +1 iPad +1 keyboard

Scenario 2: Keyboard is compatible
Buyer: Buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard from Apple
You: Sells 1 iPad and buys 1 iPad from Apple
Total: +1 iPad +1 keyboard

There is no e-waste in this situation.
 
You can just sell the keyboard with the iPad.

Scenario 1: Keyboard not compatible
Buyer: Buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard
You: Sells 1 iPad and 1 keyboard, buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard
Total: +1 iPad +1 keyboard

Scenario 2: Keyboard is compatible
Buyer: Buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard from Apple
You: Sells 1 iPad and buys 1 iPad from Apple
Total: +1 iPad +1 keyboard

There is no e-waste in this situation.
One cannot not ignore the opportunities though to complain about each option.

Scenario 1:Waaah, it's not compatible - woe is me!
Scenario 2: Waaah, it doesn't support feature x and iPads are too thin. Woe is me!
 
At the very least, it’s a heads up to anyone thinking of buying a new 11” iPad Pro that if they buy a magic keyboard this year, that it will not be compatible with the future ones.
 
I could sell my drawer full of unused iPhone chargers. Someone would buy them, for certain. Your point is what?

His point is it isn't waste as long as someone else using that keyboard.

That customers have to spend more money, doesn't change that fact.
 
One cannot not ignore the opportunities though to complain about each option.

Scenario 1:Waaah, it's not compatible - woe is me!
Scenario 2: Waaah, it doesn't support feature x and iPads are too thin. Woe is me!

Yes, but then don't bring e-waste into the argument.

If I am responsible for killing 10 million people, don't say my action are bad for global warming, when it fact it would have the opposite effect.

In that case, please have the decency to accuse me of genocide and crimes against humanity.
 
Yes, but then don't bring e-waste into the argument.

If I am responsible for killing 10 million people, don't say my action are bad for global warming, when it fact it would have the opposite effect.

In that case, please have the decency to accuse me of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Hey, friendly fire there. I totally agree with your post!
 
Apple probably has a magnetic strength they require for their stress testing and with the extra weight the iPad may not break its magnetic connection easier than Apple is comfortable with. There are only three things at play here:

1. The Mk can't close (already tested false)
2. The magnet position has changed (since the keyboard is backwards compatible this is it)
3. The iPad doesn't remain attached as securely (a heavier iPad has the same effect as weaker magnets)

I'm betting its 3.
Like I said. Check the thread in the iPad forums. People are using a case that is even heavier than the difference of the new iPad Pro vs 4th gen and it still works well with the MKB. This would point to it being 2
 
How is this any different from say, the iPhone battery case? People buy it because it's more integrated with the iPhone compared to say, a separate power bank. But they have to have known that this case likely will not be compatible with subsequent iPhone models. If you are the kind to upgrade your device every year, then maybe an integrated accessory designed to work only with a specific model isn't the best choice. If you see yourself holding on to your iPhone for 3-4 years, then it makes more financial sense.

I don't think Apple purposely went out of their way to force people to buy a separate Smart Keyboard for the new iPad Pro but at the same time, they are not going to force themselves to maintain backwards compatibility with an older product if it doesn't suit their design and engineering needs.

It's just the risk when you are buying a product that is designed to work really well with a specific product, vs a more generic product like a bluetooth keyboard. Even now, people choosing to buy the M1 iPad Pro will have to ask themselves the same question, because again, there is no guarantee that this iteration of the Smart Keyboard will work with the next refresh.
An iPhone battery case isn’t $350. Somehow Apple was able to make this new keyboard work with older iPads yet the couldn’t design the new iPad so it would work with the old keyboard (or future proof the old keyboard to work with a nearly identical future iPad)? It would be one thing if the new keyboard had different functionality like a row of function keys or something. Or if the new iPad was bigger or a different form factor. Or if they let you trade in the old MK for a discount on a new one. But that’s not the case here. The iPad I was planning to replace was the 2018 model. That‘s 3 years old. The MK I just bought last year. How Apple could not have foreseen this is baffling. And if they did but just don’t care that’s worse. And worse for them as if I find out the new iPad won‘t work with the existing MK then I’m not buying the new iPad. So they’re out $1,100. I’m sure I won’t be the only one.
 
It does. There's nothing wrong with it and it'll last longer.

All I've read for years now us complaining about how thin the iPad is and how fragile it is as a result.

So now it's thicker and everyone's complaining....

This only effects the 12.9" model - you know - the one with a radically different screen technology.

My Magic Keyboard for the 9.3" original isn't remotely useful for the newer iPads. Never bothered me.

This also only effects folk who buy new every year - and if that's your gig then, to be quite frank, stop complaining because you're already burning through several hundred bucks in the process.
No it doesn’t as the current MK works with older iPad models. The iPad Pro I was planning to replace is the 2018 model. Please explain how Apple engineering/accessories teams were able to make a new MK that supports older iPad Pro models but couldn’t figure out a way for the new iPad Pro to support the older MK, or at the time they were designing the original MK didn’t think to design it so it could support a future iPad Pro. One would assume the iPad Pro they just announced has been in the pipeline for a while.
 
No it doesn’t as the current MK works with older iPad models. The iPad Pro I was planning to replace is the 2018 model. Please explain how Apple engineering/accessories teams were able to make a new MK that supports older iPad Pro models but couldn’t figure out a way for the new iPad Pro to support the older MK, or at the time they were designing the original MK didn’t think to design it so it could support a future iPad Pro. One would assume the iPad Pro they just announced has been in the pipeline for a while.
$$$$$ $$$$$$$ 🤲🤲🤲 Gimme gimme gimme says Tim.
 
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Why am I not surprised. Anyway, the idea to buy an iPad keyboard was far-fetched. I make do with the ordinary Apple bluetooth kb and a €10 Ikea iPad stand. Compatible with any iPad
 
My theory is that because the iPad "floats" Apple requires the magnets to have a specific attachment strength so it will stay attached despite being bumped or bounced around in a bag and the heavier iPad has the same effect as slightly weaker magnets. I bet the new iPad works just fine in the old MK, but since it doesn't meet Apple's stress tests well enough Apple won't endorse it for use.

You'll notice that the Keyboard Folio is compatible because it doesn't suspend the iPad in the Air.
I hope you’re right and “not compatible” means “doesn’t recommend” vs “won’t work”. It would be nice if Apple cleared this up. A little birdie could easily tap John Gruber, Rene Ritchie, Jason Snell or Federico Viticci on the shoulder and say here’s the deal with the MK.
 
You can just sell the keyboard with the iPad.

Scenario 1: Keyboard not compatible
Buyer: Buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard
You: Sells 1 iPad and 1 keyboard, buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard
Total: +1 iPad +1 keyboard

Scenario 2: Keyboard is compatible
Buyer: Buys 1 iPad and 1 keyboard from Apple
You: Sells 1 iPad and buys 1 iPad from Apple
Total: +1 iPad +1 keyboard

There is no e-waste in this situation.
Some people would rather the ease of Apple’s trade-in program. It doesn’t exist for the keyboard. Also my iPad is in perfect physical condition but the keyboard is a bit grubby. But I don’t need a new keyboard. Why spend $350 on something that is almost exactly the same as what you have?
 
Some people would rather the ease of Apple’s trade-in program. It doesn’t exist for the keyboard. Also my iPad is in perfect physical condition but the keyboard is a bit grubby. But I don’t need a new keyboard. Why spend $350 on something that is almost exactly the same as what you have?
You'll be spending $150-$200 on it, depending on how much your old one sells for.

That's what happens when you upgrade due to want instead of need.

Besides, all you had to do was look it the iPad Pro history.

2016 9.7" iPP
2017 10.5" iPP
2018 11" iPP

There was every chance that the 2021 iPP would change more than the minuscule 0.5mm thickness.
 
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No it doesn’t as the current MK works with older iPad models. The iPad Pro I was planning to replace is the 2018 model. Please explain how Apple engineering/accessories teams were able to make a new MK that supports older iPad Pro models but couldn’t figure out a way for the new iPad Pro to support the older MK, or at the time they were designing the original MK didn’t think to design it so it could support a future iPad Pro. One would assume the iPad Pro they just announced has been in the pipeline for a while.
It DOES work. With the current iPad.

You're complaining because it won't work with the thicker iPad 12.9.

And why is that? Because the current 12.9 is thinner and Apple precision engineer their devices.

This is nothing more that elitism at work. Sell your iPad AND Magic Keyboard.

When the Series 4 watch came out Juuk discovered Apple had changed the specs by less than 1mm where the band connects to the Watch: this meant Series 3 metal based bands would not fit the series 4 or higher.

Big freaking woop. Live with it.

I can't believe the amazing amounts of crying over this. Utterly speechless.

When I buy an accessory I buy it for the current device; if it fits later models then that's a bonus, but I sure don't expect or demand it.

If you could afford a 12.9 last year with a MK AND you were looking at buying a 12.9 this year AND this issue bothers you then perhaps you shouldn't be buying new top-end tablets every year.
 
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It DOES work. With the current iPad.

You're complaining because it won't work with the thicker iPad 12.9.

And why is that? Because the current 12.9 is thinner and Apple precision engineer their devices.

This is nothing more that elitism at work. Sell your iPad AND Magic Keyboard.

When the Series 4 watch came out Juuk discovered Apple had changed the specs by less than 1mm where the band connects to the Watch: this meant Series 3 metal based bands would not fit the series 4 or higher.

Big freaking woop. Live with it.

I can't believe the amazing amounts of crying over this. Utterly speechless.

When I buy an accessory I buy it for the current device; if it fits later models then that's a bonus, but I sure don't expect or demand it.

If you could afford a 12.9 last year with a MK AND you were looking at buying a 12.9 this year AND this issue bothers you then perhaps you shouldn't be buying new top-end tablets every year.

The person you quoted purchased their tablet in 2018 and purchased the MK last year. A 2018 user upgrading to a 2021 revision isn't an "every year" upgrade user and their concerns are valid.

Thickness has nothing to do with this I'm sure. It will come down to magnet placement in the new revision for the 12.9 size. Apple decided to move the magnets. Maybe they had no choice, but it stills comes off as bad form.

There is no reason for the keyboard to not last multiple revisions of the product similar to what has happened on the 11". Apple is also wanting to promote this which is why they made the newly revised MK still compatible with older revisions. They also get that it is ridiculous to expect people to swap these out every revision to some degree. I just don't get why they didn't offer something to deal with the breakage here, but maybe we'll see something once they start allowing orders who knows. Either way, people complaining have a valid complaint.

In an ideal world. Apple should allow a swap to the newer revision at no charge for anyone purchasing the newer IPP. Hopefully we see that happen. Then they can refurbish these and help to align a bit closer with their environmental pledges and customer service. Especially since the keyboard here has zero difference from a user perspective and it will be a real challenge buying the Apple MK from third parties who may not readily disclose the different revisions.
 
Thickness has nothing to do with this I'm sure. It will come down to magnet placement in the new revision for the 12.9 size. Apple decided to move the magnets. Maybe they had no choice, but it stills comes off as bad form.

Incorrect. It's everything to do with thickness.

In fact the new keyboard can be used with older iPads.

According to French site iGeneration, and as spotted by 9to5 Mac, the thicker casing means that the older model cannot be closed precisely.

"The problem is that once closed, the Magic Keyboard tightens the tablet fairly closely," says iGeneration, in translation. "Apple did not leave a millimetre of flexibility, because the accessory must hold the iPad in place.."

"But with this half-millimetre more on the 2021 generation," continues the site, "perhaps this very precise adjustment is problematic and the device had to be reviewed."

 
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Glad that I hold off and does not purchase that magic keyboard.

And typical comments all over the place. Not surprising.
 
Incorrect. It's everything to do with thickness.

In fact the new keyboard can be used with older iPads.



Apple has not confirmed why it does or does not work. The thickness is one of the hypothesis from tech places but nothing confirmed from Apple. Someone can try this out. Take the thinner iPad 12.9 and the old keyboard and add 5 pieces of standard 11x8.5 inch papers. What kind of issues would someone see? Does the screen rub against the keyboard with or without the 0.5 mm added?
 
I wasn’t sure about this because I’ve carried additional documents in between my ipad and case before. So I made a 0.5mm plastic insert and added it to the front of my current iPad Pro. Open and Closed it over a dozen times, no issue… The new case might be “incompatible“, But, i don’t see an issue with the thickness… unless the new display is super fragile or something… one thing i did notice: with the insert in and the cover closed, with the keyboard side up the magnets aren’t quite strong enough to hold down the “bulging“ iPad Pro completely; nothing noticable with keyboard side down, no foreseeable damage to the iPad, but it could be seen as an Apple product failure: as the display might stay on if the magnets don’t touch.
 
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