New iPad Only Supports First-Gen Apple Pencil, Requires Adapter to Charge

[Joosst]

This is obviously a mistake. That dongle is a last minute fix.

Of course Apple would’ve wanted the 2nd generation pencil to work, but they couldn’t figure it out with the new landscape camera.

Tim just didn’t have the courage to postpone the release date until the designers figured it out. So they came up with this stupid excuse of a dongle.

But, mark my words: this solution was not intended from the beginning.

Let’s wait to see what strange holes iFixit will find. I’m sure we’ll see evidence of Apple Pencil 2 charging / magnets. Cancelled at the last moment because it messed with the camera.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

This was really surprising to read. Why would you build a new product and not have support for a more current accessory product? That doesn't make sense.

 

[LeadingHeat]

It's weird, the article makes it look like it's a female-female adapter, so how exactly you're supposed to plug the pencil in to pair it remains to be seen?

Likely a USB-C to lightning cord connecting the adapter to the iPad. Which will actually help you not lose the adapter as easily, if that cord is always plugged in.

Plus it’s probably so that if you charge the pencil in a wall outlet you don’t have a pencil sticking out of your wall 8” straight out haha.

 

[submariner89]

Had one on order and cancelled it. I thought this was a ****ing joke.

 

[warstory91]

Actually pretty happy about this, because I needed a reason not to buy this. Thanks for making it easy Apple.

 

[hendot]

The new iPad is mostly the same as the previous generation iPad air. The previous generation air has not quite as good front facing camera, is compatible with Apple Pencil 2, but otherwise the same specs.
If the pencil thing is important to you (based on this thread, it is) shop the refurb store for a 4th gen iPad Air.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I understand a budget iPad, but this seems lazy at best. The original Apple Pencil, while not a bad product overall, had a really clunky design. I’m surprised Apple is still releasing an iPad that doesn’t support the second-gen pencil.

I’m surprised we have four versions of iPad, tbh.

 

[antiprotest]

I predict the next generation of iPad will stop support for Pencil 1 but will support Pencil 2. However, you will need your friend's iPad Pro 2 to charge it.

 

[Radeon85]

Apple is returning to the bad old ways of the early 90s, offer every product imaginable, in every configuration imaginable even if they make zero sense, come up with pointless names and massively confuse the customer.

Great job Timmy.

 

[Greenmeenie]

This doesn’t effect me at all since I am an iPad Pro user… but i still think this is ridiculous. All ipads should be able to use the Apple pencil 2 now. Charging the first gen pencil was always such a lame & un apple-like experience. Now it’s even more so. To have the iPad mini 6 be able to use the apple pencil 2 & not the regular ipad is dumb. Others may disagree, but that‘s just my opinion.

 

[Mw0103]

This is obviously a mistake. That dongle is a last minute fix.

Of course Apple would’ve wanted the 2nd generation pencil to work, but they couldn’t figure it out with the new landscape camera.

Tim just didn’t have the courage to postpone the release date until the designers figured it out. So they came up with this stupid excuse of a dongle.

But, mark my words: this solution was not intended from the beginning.

Let’s wait to see what strange holes iFixit will find. I’m sure we’ll see evidence of Apple Pencil 2 charging / magnets. Cancelled at the last moment because it messed with the camera.

I don’t buy it. Plenty of available real estate on the short side where the camera used to be.

This decision is blatant upselling. If you want to use an Apple Pencil with any regularity, you have to step up to the air or pro. Not only does the pencil (gen 1 or gen 2) need regular charging, but it also needs frequent re-pairing (based on lots of experience with both). The cable and dongle dance is going to be a constant frustration for anyone buying this iPad and using the pencil more than zero times.

It also rules this out for someone with a pro (or air, or mini) looking for a second iPad. Apple must have research showing they’ll make more in upselling than they’ll lose from people like me who simply decide not to buy a second iPad at all.

 

[svish]

The new iPad should have supported Pencil 2.

 

[psxp]

Missed the release news today, just catching up.. dumbfounded.

What a bunch of morons (Apple)

wow.

All that crap about "The Environment" a few years ago. Now they're shipping a F'n dongle to use a 5 yr old accessory...

 

[bassexpander]

Half a dozen Chinese-branded pencils with USB charging that last hours at a time selling for $25. I guess Apple wants to sell more Chinese pencils (which work just as good).

 

[Wanted797]

This is a female to female adapter so you still need a cable. Wtf

 

[ppj845]

With this at least apple should open up Apple Pencil 1 compatibility to all iPads that has usb c (newer ipad pros)

 

[ppj845]

i feel like nobody in this thread has actually realized what is going on. Let me help out but it feels like people just like to troll.

- Every apple pencil comes with the adapter for free. they're not nickle and diming people who are purchasing it today
- The adapter isn't meant to be used with the ipad. it's more like a wall port. If you look it's female on both ends.

hope that helps.

Apple Pencil 2 doesn’t come with an adapter. It’d make more sense for this ipad work with Apple Pencil 2 and sell an adapter to usb c - magsafe charge

 

[BEUVK]

What is crazy is you are paying iPad Air price but you are getting iPad 9 pencil and un-laminated display. Why would anyone pay iPad Air price and get a iPad 9 tablet? If I pay iPad Air price, I am getting an iPad Air tablet. If I pay iPad 9 price, I am getting an iPad 9 tablet. I don't pay iPad Air price and get an iPad 9 tablet.

 

[kamilstudios]

Apple Pencil charging situation for the new iPad is actually much worse and stupid. Not only you have to always bring the USB-C adapter, you have to always bring USB-C cable as well to charge it since the adapter cannot directly connect to the iPad.

As stated in Apple website for the adapter "Your Apple Pencil plugs into one end of the adapter and the USB-C Charge Cable from your iPad plugs into the other."

 

[SamiZbicy]

It must be obvious that the sole purpose of the 10th gen iPad is to make us consumers buy the iPad.

 

[Born Again]

step 1 lose the pencil cap.
Step 2 lose the dongle
Step 3 profit! .. for apple

 

[Brien]

It’s obviously feature rationing, but understandable given it has the same 10.9-inch display as the Air. Otherwise, it’s too similar.

Which begs the question of why it exists.

 

[FrozenDarkness]

One thing id say is apple of yesteryear wouldve delayed these launches because there clearly are things they still need to figure out

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

Sure glad they put in that landscape FaceTime camera instead of a magnetic charger for the Apple Pencil 2

 

[mikegoldnj]

This is moronic. Release a new product that is only compatible with an old product, not the newer version already released?