Pencil charging...extremely poor design

[Michael Goff]

Well...I am debating the exact scenario you listed. I might sell my MBP to get the iPad Pro. Not sure yet. I want to get a firsthand look at it and see what the keyboard is like. Might even get the pencil too

In all honesty, I'd wait for proper reviews. For me, it's Lisa from MobileTechReview. For you, it might be somebody else you really trust. Also, in all honesty, if you get it I'm going to want to know how good it is as a replacement laptop. So I'll definitely be watching carefully. If it is bad, I'll learn from that and go get the MacBook next year.

So you'll be testing it for me. *thumbs up*

 

[jclardy]

I still agree with Jobs...the stylus is unnecessary and just gets in the way. The fact that it's $99 makes it even more unnecessary.

I disagree. It is unnecessary for a 3.5 inch screen that you use constantly, but for a 13" tablet it is ideal as a secondary input device. There are so many times on my current iPad that I have to sketch out an idea and I always give up and grab a notepad instead as drawing with a finger just isn't the same as drawing with a pen. Granted, having 3D touch (and pressure sensitivity) on an iPad could change things, but that is not available yet.

 

[chriscrowlee]

Thought the same thing, curses, I keep going back and forth on this thing, I like the specs but then I look at the website or videos and the execution of it is just off. The pencil should have had a cord that it could connect to. I also think an 11.3" screen size would have been much better.
I'm trying to think if I would use this at all. I draw and sketch often, (majoring in Film/Animation,) but am not sure if this would be a replacement for my art gear or just end up being an iPad Air 2+++ and then I just use it to watch Netflix.


Kal.

I think that's the dilemma many have. The product has no appeal to me, but I can see the very small demographic it could potentially be a great product for. With its specs, I think it'd have a much larger appeal if it ran full OS X.

 

[Old geek 959]

I'm sure the 15 second charge for 30 minute usage outweighs the cons, but you gotta admit this looks pretty funky.

Looks like those signs you carry to the airport with name on it when you expecting someone you don't know LOL

 

[TheBuffather]

Admittedly, I didn't read the whole thread. But, I want to point out that charging it for 30 minutes of use takes 15 seconds. Extrapolating that out to the max charge, which Apple claims is 12 hours, means it would only take 6 minutes to charge to full. Of course, I could be wrong if additional segments of 15 seconds does not equal the same amount of charge. But I assume it would be quick.

 

[yegon]

I seriously question the powers of deduction of those people that frequently cite Jobs' distaste for stylii and phones in relation to stylii and tablets. The quote would only be relevant if the stylus was now, suddenly, replacing the finger as the main input device for general usage. Clearly this is not the case, and the stylus is intended for activities that are objectively better suited to a stylus than a finger.

Equally, the suggestion that pencil charging via the lightning port is bad design tells me someone isn't paying attention. It's a quick, easy recharge option, not a permanent charging strategy. Also, if you can't prevent the pencil being snapped off for for a mere 20-30 seconds, you've got bigger problems than a snapped pencil.

More likely, it's just something else to moan about, reality be damned.

 

[WilliamG]

Ha...ok. Because I don't own a $2.8k piece of tech, I'm suddenly not a designer. Guess I should tell all my clients that.

I'm simply pointing out bad design, like it or not. Obviously this thread is riddled with my opinions. Take it or leave it. I had no intention of criticizing anyone that would buy/use the Pencil. My primary motivation was pointing out the fact that the Pencil could easily snap off if you dropped or laid the tablet down too harshly. My own use cases obviously do not reflect those of others, so I respect anyone who can see a genuine use in the Pencil. I'm just saying I wouldn't personally run out and buy one at nearly $1k when I already have plenty good enough (better?) tools for the job. I would imagine any artist for illustrator also has tools for their job/hobby already. Not saying I don't welcome options, but at almost $1k after tax it's definitely not practical for most. Granted, it makes more sense if you own an Air 2 and the Pencil will (presumably) work with it.

Then...don't charge it that way? Charge the pencil with the included charger if you're not able to keep your devices secure? I really fail to see the uproar about this...

 

[nStyle]

Then...don't charge it that way? Charge the pencil with the included charger if you're not able to keep your devices secure? I really fail to see the uproar about this...

There is no "included charger"...The iPad is the only charger from what has been shown.

Clearly this is not the case, and the stylus is intended for activities that are objectively better suited to a stylus than a finger.

Yes, but how is a 12.9" iPad significantly more suitable to use by stylus than a 9.7" iPad? Why wait 5 years to release a stylus? Artists and the like could of been using this Apple Pencil for the past 5 years?

I digress. Whether or not the Pencil will be a valuable tool to someone is really not for me to decide. Maybe someone out there really cares about the precision and force touch capabilities. I personally don't see the point in it but that's not the purpose of the thread.

... someone isn't paying attention. It's a quick, easy recharge option, not a permanent charging strategy

I guess you're the one not paying attention. It's the ONLY way to charge it that we know of.

 

[JTBing]

I guess you're the one not paying attention. It's the ONLY way to charge it that we know of.

And even so... if fully charging the Pencil takes <10 minutes, it's far more convenient to be able to plug in your pencil to the iPad for a couple minutes. It sticks out? Sure. That's still much more convenient a method of quick charging than having to find an outlet and plug the pencil into the wall.

 

[Krevnik]

There is no "included charger"...The iPad is the only charger from what has been shown.

From Ars:

The accessory charges with a Lightning connector that plugs directly into the iPad Pro or an included dongle—this connector is used to pair the Apple Pencil with the iPad Pro the first time you use it.

The lighting connector is there because using that means two things:
1) It can charge from a F<->F dongle at the end of any existing lightning cable plugged into a port or charger.
2) When you aren't anywhere you can use a USB port or charger, you can use the iPad itself to keep you working. Say, on a plane with no outlets, a bus, etc.

Yes, but how is a 12.9" iPad significantly more suitable to use by stylus than a 9.7" iPad? Why wait 5 years to release a stylus? Artists and the like could of been using this Apple Pencil for the past 5 years?

I digress. Whether or not the Pencil will be a valuable tool to someone is really not for me to decide. Maybe someone out there really cares about the precision and force touch capabilities. I personally don't see the point in it but that's not the purpose of the thread.

I suspect that the tech needed to align in favor of what Apple wanted to do with this thing. 240Hz sampling, touch prediction to further remove input lag, palm rejection in the OS. It isn't any one thing that makes this work well, and you have to get it all to come together. And Apple's digitizer doesn't seem to be directly based on any existing design, although seemingly similar to the N-Trig design.

There's no particular reason why the Pencil must work with the larger Pro. And I suspect the enhancements that make the screen work with the Pencil will eventually come to the Air. But, the thing they wanted to do here is aim this device at productivity users and content creators, and a larger screen to really take advantage of split screen and provide a larger canvas to work with in content creation does have a use. The Surface Pro 3 is 12" for very specific reasons.

 

[nStyle]

From Ars:



The lighting connector is there because using that means two things:
1) It can charge from a F<->F dongle at the end of any existing lightning cable plugged into a port or charger.
2) When you aren't anywhere you can use a USB port or charger, you can use the iPad itself to keep you working. Say, on a plane with no outlets, a bus, etc.

No, the simple presence of an "included dongle" does not necessarily mean either of your two points are true.

 

[jamezr]

No, the simple presence of an "included dongle" does not necessarily mean either of your two points are true.

Apple does not mention a Pencil charging dongle on their website.

http://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/specs/

 

[Krevnik]

No, the simple presence of an "included dongle" does not necessarily mean either of your two points are true.

I was citing Ars, but also adding my own commentary on it. And simply saying it is untrue doesn't make it so either. The whole point of the lightning connector so that it can plug into the iPad when you don't have the "dongle" to plug into. Using the iPad as the only means to charge is a terrible design, which is why it isn't the design. But you shouldn't be required to carry the dongle for the Pencil while you are away from your desk.

I'd be willing to bet real money if you are so sure of your stance. I'm certain of mine.

Apple does not mention a Pencil charging dongle on their website.

View attachment 581715
http://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/specs/

Considering the dongle is included with the accessory, not having it in the box with the iPad Pro is correct.

 

[nStyle]

Maybe I misread the article. They are insinuating the Pencil will charge with the dongle. Easy to miss, but that's what it says. In that case I concede. Funny that the dongle (and it's seeming ability to charge) is hidden within indiscreet wording on one news website rather than Apple themselves.

 

[WilliamG]

There is no "included charger"...The iPad is the only charger from what has been shown.


I guess you're the one not paying attention. It's the ONLY way to charge it that we know of.

Read the post above mine. Ars already detailed this. It's not the only way to charge the pencil.

 

[Krevnik]

Maybe I misread the article. They are insinuating the Pencil will charge with the dongle. Easy to miss, but that's what it says. In that case I concede. Funny that the dongle (and it's seeming ability to charge) is hidden within indiscreet wording on one news website rather than Apple themselves.

It is easy to miss. But when was the last time Apple said "It plugs into the wall man! How cool is that?". If it used something novel like induction charging, MagSafe, or the like, sure. There's nothing really new about charging the Pencil. It's a Female to Female lighting plug adapter, and that's it. Plug in a lightning cable you already have and go.

 

[nStyle]

It is easy to miss. But when was the last time Apple said "It plugs into the wall man! How cool is that?". If it used something novel like induction charging, MagSafe, or the like, sure. There's nothing really new about charging the Pencil. It's a Female to Female lighting plug adapter, and that's it. Plug in a lightning cable you already have and go.

Apple refers to the iPad as "magical", so I hope you're joking. There are no bounds to what they will hype up. Usually every detail is iterated with them (which isn't a bad thing). I didn't watch the keynote, but most reviewers/previewers were demoing the Pencil plugging into the iPad as the only way to charge it.

 

[Krevnik]

Apple refers to the iPad as "magical", so I hope you're joking. There are no bounds to what they will hype up. Usually every detail is iterated with them (which isn't a bad thing). I didn't watch the keynote, but most reviewers/previewers were demoing the Pencil plugging into the iPad as the only way to charge it.

If the iPhone gained wireless charging, but also kept the lightning port, do you think they would bother mentioning the lightning port at all? Or be going "ZOMG! Wireless charging! Yeeeeaaaah!"

Apple specifically points out what they want to point out. Nothing more, nothing less. And rapid charging in the field using the iPad itself is a feature worth pointing to. It addresses one concern about a stylus with a battery: "range anxiety", to borrow a term from electric cars for a moment. The fact that it can also hook up to a lightning cable via a Female -> Female adapter doesn't really tell me about what happens when I run out of juice in the field. This would have been cleared up easily enough if Apple had a Tech Specs page for the Pencil (which they don't), so they could say what is in the box.