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Apple plans to release an updated Magic Keyboard for new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models at some point "early next year," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iPad-Keyboards.jpg

The new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air will adopt "some" of the new features that were added to the latest Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, which was released in May. That means potential features for the next iPad Air version of the accessory include a thinner and lighter design with an aluminum palm rest, a larger glass trackpad, and a row of function keys with shortcuts for things like display brightness and volume.

Here is the excerpt from his report earlier this month:

The new iPad Air models — codenamed J607 and J637 — will focus on internal improvements. Apple also is preparing an updated version of its Magic Keyboard accessory, codenamed R307 and R308, for both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the new Air. These will bring some of the features of the iPad Pro keyboard down-market.

Apple released the current iPad Air models with the M2 chip in May.

Article Link: New Magic Keyboard for iPad Air Rumored for Next Year: What to Expect
 
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BelgianChoklit

macrumors regular
Jun 10, 2024
151
909
Does the current model for the M4 iPad Pro have issues with its USB-C port? Because mine (the first gen iPad Magic Keyboard) does where it will only work with USB-A to USB-C cables. Colleagues who own one as well report the same problem...
 

nutmac

macrumors 603
Mar 30, 2004
6,167
7,669
Magic Keyboard should magnetically attach to the protective case, like it is on Microsoft Surface Pro, so that it can be reused with future physical design of iPad models. Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard cost about half as much as iPad Pro and chances are, they won't work with iPad Pro M7+.
 
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DunedinD

macrumors member
Oct 15, 2021
72
222
For years I’ve been using a Mac Magic Keyboard instead. Yeah, these iPad keyboards are designed in more ways than one to go with specific iPads, but that’s also the slight problem. I prefer to keep the same keyboard experience, and the Mac keyboard is pretty much the same width as an 12.9/13in iPad Pro in landscape orientation. Great travel companion, and you can position the iPad further from yourself while keeping the keyboard at the ideal proximity too.
 
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AeroEd

macrumors member
Oct 25, 2023
98
153
Magic Keyboard should magnetically attach to the protective case, like it is on Microsoft Surface Pro, so that it can be reused with future physical design of iPad models. Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard cost about half as much as iPad Pro and chances are, they won't work with iPad Pro M7+.
I love my surface pro. Excellent device
 

DMVillain

macrumors 6502a
Jul 20, 2011
624
382
Now it will be up to date with the Pro’s keyboard as a nice looking device with an egregious flaw of not being able to control the keyboard backlight with hardware or shortcuts.
 
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arc of the universe

macrumors 6502
Jan 11, 2023
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this keyboard is the game changer.

talk about how it will be too expensive, etc etc.
but a game changer nevertheless.

the iPad Air + a really great keyboard with really great trackpad, will allow, take a guess, maybe 80% of home use laptop users to switch to the middle price iPad range. iPad Pro was overkill and too expensive for this target group.

apple needs to be sure to improve the current (old) Magic Keyboard that the Air uses now. make the key-travel less mushy; and make the trackpad larger (like the new M4 Magic Keyboard).

yeah yeah. talk about the shortcomings of the iPadOS's task manager, talk about not being able to play two sound files at the same time. but for the great bulk of home users, its more than enough.

i fully expect apple knows this already. and will probably actually raise the price (a very apple-like move) of the Air and still want a fortune for this new keyboard. this new combination will probably cost around 70% to 80% of a lower end M4 iPad Pro. but still worth it.

im a day one buyer. bye bye macOS.
 
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Macaholic868

Contributor
Feb 2, 2017
1,116
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I’d love to grab one of the older models that works with the M2 iPad Pro I just bought but the price tag is out of control. Between the M2 iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard I could buy an M1 or M2 MacBook Air. It’s a joke…
 
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srbNYC

macrumors 68000
Jul 7, 2020
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New York, NY
How I wish they would come out with a keyboard case for the Mini. I know it would be super compact, but for transportability, it would be awesome.
 

Total Respray

macrumors regular
Nov 16, 2011
194
793
If Apple is even remotely serious about its environmental commitments this keyboard will be compatible with other iPads too.
 
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Whomabe

macrumors newbie
Nov 27, 2015
14
1


Apple plans to release an updated Magic Keyboard for new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models at some point "early next year," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

iPad-Keyboards.jpg

The new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air will adopt "some" of the new features that were added to the latest Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, which was released in May. That means potential features for the next iPad Air version of the accessory include a thinner and lighter design with an aluminum palm rest, a larger glass trackpad, and a row of function keys with shortcuts for things like display brightness and volume.

Here is the excerpt from his report earlier this month:



Apple released the current iPad Air models with the M2 chip in May.

Article Link: New Magic Keyboard for iPad Air Rumored for Next Year: What to Expect
Bring back the Smart Keyboard Folio.
 
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Alvin777

macrumors 6502a
Aug 31, 2003
505
41
May it be way better and have a significant design change, pulse also use an advance mechanical switch :)
 
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ttyRazor

macrumors 6502
Sep 24, 2019
284
456
Let me guess, it’ll have a smaller camera cutout so it won’t fit older iPad Pros without a dremel.
 

BugeyeSTI

macrumors 604
Aug 19, 2017
7,217
9,068
Arizona/Illinois
Does the current model for the M4 iPad Pro have issues with its USB-C port? Because mine (the first gen iPad Magic Keyboard) does where it will only work with USB-A to USB-C cables. Colleagues who own one as well report the same problem...
I use an Apple or Anker USB-C to USB-C cable with my first gen keyboard with no issues.. I charge thru it as well as update/backup using iTunes whenever necessary..
 

tomtad

macrumors 68020
Jun 7, 2015
2,072
5,477
Talk about milking these for all they can get. It is a terrible indictment of Apple's money grabbing ways.

Completely agree. The fact they just left the new iPad Air with the old Magic Keyboard without any function keys, and are still charging £300 for it, is a shocker. Clearly just using up old stock while charging full price as an accessory for a new iPad model, so very financially savvy, but the user gets a bum deal. Even the base iPad comes with a function row.

I really hate Cook's Apple sometimes
 
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