Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,698
39,598



ipad_apple_pencil_duo.jpg
Apple is planning new hardware and software features for iPad that cater to professional users, according to Bloomberg, including a new iPad with faster display technology that allows for smoother on-screen zooming, panning, and scrolling.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said Apple will release a 10.5-inch iPad Pro model next year alongside a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad model. The fate of the iPad mini remains uncertain, but it is presumable that Apple could discontinue the 7.9-inch tablet due to its lack of Apple Pencil support and relatively close proximity in size to 5.5-inch Plus-sized iPhones.

The new hardware will be completed by wider iOS support for the Apple Pencil, the report adds. Apple is reportedly planning to introduce the new software features in a subsequent iOS 10 update in the first half of 2017, but may decide to hold back on the improvements until iOS 11 is released later in the year.
Apple has considered allowing users to annotate objects in many applications across the whole operating system, including in Mail, the Safari web browser, and iMessage, similar to what Samsung Electronics Co. offers on its Note smartphones, the person said. Currently, Apple only supports Pencil functionality in specifically developed apps.
Apple saw its iPad revenue grow slightly for the first time in 10 quarters in July, and these improvements could help the company continue that trend.

Article Link: New iPad Pro With Faster Display and Wider Support for Apple Pencil to Launch Next Year
 
I was thinking the 7.9 Mini might be discontinued from the line up. Now this rumor seems to be more in line with that.

There is no doubt the iPad Pro needs to expand, hopefully in the area's where it will draw more of a line up worth upgrading too.
 
Apple would release a 10.5-inch iPad Pro model next yearalongside a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad model.
This makes absolutely no sense to me. There's not enough size differential between the 9.7 and the 10.5 to justify that. What Apple needs to do is to simplify their offerings, not muddy up the water with a confusing array of devices that don't significantly differ. If this line-up actually happens, we'd have three different size iPads that each come in three color options and three storage options. That's TWENTY-SEVEN different iPads models! Then there's the iPhone SE with four colors and two storage options; the iPhone 6 and 6 plus; the 6s and 6s Plus each with four colors and three storage options. It makes my head spin.

Meanwhile, the Mac line is kept really simple because it's rarely updated.
 
I'd really love to see newly updated iPad Mini's too. Though I'm not going to hold my breath for one at this point. :(
I don't get Apple. They devote the entire 2012 event to an outdated Mini (no retina which I can understand, but the A5 instead of the A6 for no real reason). Then they match Air and Mini 2 in 2013. They do NOTHING except add Touch ID for the 3 and now the 4 sits all alone with a special version of the A8.

Did the market for the Mini suddenly diminish? I find it hard to believe that large phones obliterated that audience.
 
Well, thats too bad, I was hoping the iPad Pro 2 12.9 would be out by the end of November. Will save the cash and maybe get an Apple Watch 2 instead.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wolfshades
I've got a 9.7" iPad Pro, and it's great for when I have to one-hand it while outdoors away from a desk. I love it! I've considered also getting the 12.9 for more area when I can afford the weight/size.

10.5"? That could be a case of "12.9 was too big for a lot of hand-held work, 9.7" was a little small for note taking, but 10.5" is just right!"
 
  • Like
Reactions: millydog
I don't get Apple. They devote the entire 2012 event to an outdated Mini (no retina which I can understand, but the A5 instead of the A6 for no real reason). Then they match Air and Mini 2 in 2013. They do NOTHING except add Touch ID for the 3 and now the 4 sits all alone with a special version of the A8.

Did the market for the Mini suddenly diminish? I find it hard to believe that large phones obliterated that audience.

Apple's bone-headed decision to put an A5 into the mini has, from what I can see, had a horrible effect. My wife is constantly complaining about the lack of speed and glitches. Does she want another iPad? Yes but the mini hasn't inspired confidence in the product line for her. I can't complain my iPad 2 with an A5 is dreadfully slow as well.

You should see craigslist or other sites and the legions of people trying to sell their A5 minis off while they have a shred of value.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dan110 and Traverse
Oooh, thank god, because those current iPad Pros are so slow and laggy. :confused::confused:
 
Give it a pencil and a larger screen and now its a "Pro"? Am I missing something? Drop the Pro name unless it can run Pro apps like Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, etc. iPad Pro, haha! Get outta here with that BS

Well if they call it Pro perhaps you won't realize how weakly specc'd it is compared to a PC laptop and you'll spend your hard earned $$$
 
  • Like
Reactions: AleXXXa
Apple is planning new hardware and software features for iPad that cater to professional users

Uhhh.....Didn't Cook say at launch that the iPad Pro caters to professional users? Are their two different types of "professional users" that I'm unaware of ?
[doublepost=1472520286][/doublepost]
I'm still looking for a good reason to buy one. With the initial purchase price it's like buying a cheap laptop that cannot be upgraded. I wouldn't care too much about the storage, but the 2GB of RAM, no thanks.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! I returned my iPad Pro and just use my MacBooks now, the iPad Pro was a bad joke.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AleXXXa and dan110
i don't get the discontinue the 7.9-inch just because of no Apple pencil but i can see 5.5-inch iPhone's would be 'better' to get.. since u can do the same stuff anyway + more at basically the same size
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.