Second-Generation Apple Pencil Rumored for March of 2017

[SeattleMoose]

There's also been some speculation that Apple could build in functionality outlined in several patents, including a magnet that would allow the Apple Pencil to attach to an iPad's body when not in use.

Apple invents the magnet? I would rather have more emojis.

 

[blacktape242]

now with a sharper tip!

 

[centauratlas]

Let me guess... thinner, shorter battery life, price bump, now available in jet black.

So thin, it will make a razor look thick and you'll have to wear chainmail gloves to avoid cutting your fingers off.

 

[DrumApple]

I've never seen the pencil being used by anyone outside of an Apple Store. Just saying.

 

[KPOM]

I've never seen the pencil being used by anyone outside of an Apple Store. Just saying.

I use it to take notes in GoodNotes.

 

[blackcrayon]

Apple pencil and Surface pen have similar latencies in similar programs. The pencil is good but the idea that it is revolutionary is rediculous

Heh, way to add a little straw-man at the end
I'm simply saying that for Apple to copy the Surface Pen end to end would not yield a universally better product. Apple did a step better in some aspects, like latency.

 

[Time Less]

I wonder if a W1 chip can make it compatible with the new MBPs.

 

[xnu]

Best thing Apple has created in the last 5 years. I use mine every night until my iPad Pro runs out of power. Too bad its so specialized.

 

[cube]

Best thing Apple has created in the last 5 years. I use mine every night until my iPad Pro runs out of power. Too bad its so specialized.

Too bad it doesn't slot in the iPad. No go.

 

[richinaus]

I've never seen the pencil being used by anyone outside of an Apple Store. Just saying.

I use it nearly every day, and extensively when working on a new concept / design. The 13" ipad pro does usually stay on my desk though and I don't think I have ever been anywhere in public using it coming to think about it. For me the larger pro is like a desk companion.

I am really hopeful that the new pro rumours are right and we get a smaller one, as it will be perfect for me. The 13" ipad pro is just too big to carry around all the time. In fact I am typing this right now on my 15" MBP at home and left the ipad in the office............

I look forward also to an improved pencil, however I am actually quite happy with the performance of the current one. Obviously more improvement is always great. A magnet would be good, and also maybe a matt black pencil to match the new matt black ipad [I hope].

Another thing would be the edges of the ipad be like the phone. Much nicer to hold.
[doublepost=1484784974][/doublepost]

Too bad it doesn't slot in the iPad. No go.

So you don't buy an amazing tool because there is no slot for it? Some people make odd decisions.......

 

[cube]

So you don't buy an amazing tool because there is no slot for it? Some people make odd decisions.......

Galaxy Note 12.2 has the right design.

But I am not amazed by my Tab 12.2's quality. That's why I am thinking about getting an iPad again when it finally dies even if it is expensive and Apple crippled and abandoned my iPad 1. There isn't really a non-Windows alternative.

 

[stevemiller]

I'm surely playing the pessimist here, but now I'm foreseeing them adding new pencil interactions to the OS, but restricting it all to a new pencil that is restricted to a new iPad model.

I don't really care that much, but it's also telling that I fully expect Apple to do little to nothing to add value for owners of existing hardware. More likely they'll reoptimize for the new generation hardware and the current generation will be given an input lag that will be branded the price of "progress". Sigh.

 

[fastasleep]

After seeing that one patent from a while ago, I'm mostly hoping they finally add compatibility with the new MBP trackpads. The larger surface area would really lend itself to the Apple Pencil and it would definitely convince me to buy one on release day.

Was wondering if this is a possibility. I would kill for MBP compatibility.

 

[Yojimbo007]

I hope they get rid of its lightning port, and instead of that, they add an eraser... as for charging, i hope they ship it with dock that can be placed on the desk, and when pencil goes in it, it charges, like AirPods

Let me take a wild guess…
The eraser will be implemented in version 3 …2 years from now…
So by the time one ends up with the reasonably feature-full stylus one would have spent north of 300$….

Its not like a clip or a magnetic attacment is rocket science or are some obscure ideas!
Neither is the flip and erase …..hey some styli even have a couple buttons on them to allow for other shortcuts .. some customizable. Apple did not need to peer into the future to see these… all they had to do was look in the past. .. but never the less here we are…….the blatant neglects were obvious from day one.

Granted.. the feel of how it draws is superior… but no excuse to neglect the rest… unless its by design,…which may very well be….

Also remember the smart connector… why not allow charging through a design sheme like that… whats with the ridiculous charging solution with sticking the pencel in the lightning port… ridiculous looking and vulnerable to breakage. At least provide a little dongle so the pen does not have to stick a foot out and it can be placed next or on top of the tablet. ! Or whats with the micro adapter…i dont even know where to look for the thing anymore. I think my chihuahua swallowed it thinking it was morsel of cookie.

Probably a reasonable charging solution will show up in version 4…. lol..

Its a bit too much of milking the customer… there has to be a balance.
Lately a lot of Apples actions seem to be way off balance …imo .


P.s.
Re the smart connector idea i mentioned above…
Check out the clip below…. .If the pen was equiped with the smart connector…. and the clip below had a smart-connector to lightning port adaptor buit in… it would have offered a nice solution.. among others…

https://www.radtech.com/products/pencilclipz-apple-stylus-holder-lightning-port

 

[69650]

I purchased the current model when it launched and it's still sitting in the box un-used because I haven't found an app that I can use it with. I thought it would be usable for more than just drawing. It would help a lot if the AppStore had a category for app's that are compatible with the Pencil.

 

[Roobun]

There's also been some speculation that Apple could build in functionality outlined in several patents, including new antenna technology and a magnet that would allow the Apple Pencil to attach to an iPad's body when not in use.

Ah, just like the Surface.

 

[Yojimbo007]

is pairing and battery life an issue when you can just quickly charge like this?

That is the most ridiculous charging Solution ... supre ugly.. and prone to breakage .
They could have easly implemented the smart connector solution on the pen...
They eventually will offer a better solution..but not before we pay 3 times over for incremental upgrades ... milk the customer.. no holds barred ...sigh bit too much Apple .

 

[ackmondual]

Cool, I like the Apple Pencil, if they can make it better, props.

Maybe if the could make charging port female, that could be great. The fact the port is male, every time I charge on my iPad I have the fear it can break easily on an accident. They have to figure out a more elegant way there.

Perhaps a version of MagSafe could make its return here?

 

[bernuli]

I hope they get rid of its lightning port, and instead of that, they add an eraser... as for charging, i hope they ship it with dock that can be placed on the desk, and when pencil goes in it, it charges, like AirPods

Totally. I bought the Belkin "Stand for Apple Pencil" as a gift. That thing is a-mazingly overpriced given its mono feature set. I would never buy one for myself as it is not worth the money even in the slightest.

 

[Yojimbo007]

No problem with the lighting charging, but it would be cool if the next smart covers offer a "pocket" in which you safely place the pen, maybe charging.

Lightning charger is one of the most rediculouse solutions.. ugly and prone to breakage..

They could easly have implemented the smartconnector or a similar solution on the pencil.... both for charging and keeping it attached to the ipad.
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I really like the feel of the Pencil, but would welcome an eraser on the back. I've seen a lot of criticism of the charging through the iPad's lightning port, but I haven't heard a more elegant alternative. I'd like to see Adobe step up and really port Photoshop over to the iPad. It has the power so I don't think we have to still do Photoshop light

A solution through the smart-connector would have been much more elegant. Both for hoding it in place and charging at the same time.

As for your last wish for photoshop.. That will be the MAGIC DAY for me...
That will be the day that Apple can LEGITIMATELY call the iPad a Pro device... but not without implementing a core/native usere manageable file system.

the fragmented app snippets are way to limiting snd cumbersome. Just look at the adobe lineup of snippets for ios... its ridiculous .

 

[fastasleep]

I purchased the current model when it launched and it's still sitting in the box un-used because I haven't found an app that I can use it with. I thought it would be usable for more than just drawing. It would help a lot if the AppStore had a category for app's that are compatible with the Pencil.

If only there were some kind of way to search the entire internet for lists of Pencil-compatible apps...

 

[skellener]

Maybe they'll add the most obvious flaw in its design. You gonna call something a "pencil" put a fxxcking eraser on the other end!! Even Wacom and Microsoft recognized this and included it.
[doublepost=1484790247][/doublepost]

I hope they get rid of its lightning port, and instead of that, they add an eraser... as for charging, i hope they ship it with dock that can be placed on the desk, and when pencil goes in it, it charges, like AirPods

Like this?

[doublepost=1484790543][/doublepost]But you know, this is Tim Cook's Apple. So when they hint at a new version, what it means is thinner and available in Rose Gold. That's it.

 

[ateslik]

I only wish there was a place to store the pencil in the iPad kind of like the Samsung Note phablets. But it's not possible at its current thickness.

I agree. An indentation in the back of the iPad Pro that magnetically held the pencil and simultaneously charged it would be really great. It would get rid of the cap that I constantly lose, the male to male adapter that I'm always looking for, make the pencil waterproof, and provide storage all in one fell swoop.

I love this product though. The weight and feeling in the hand is really wonderful. It draws amazing well. I don't use it nearly as much as I wish I could, but mabye someday when I have more time.

 

[macduke]

Attach it via magnet? Hmmm…this thing is gonna cost how much again? I don't think I could ever trust it. I'd just like an Apple Pencil version of the Smart Cover that has a slot for it along the edge.

I wonder if they'll ship it with a charging case—much like the AirPods.

As for upgrades, I could see it using something like a W1 chip for better battery life and maybe even faster response time. I could also see them adding a button to it that could be customized for each app through single and double clicks—or perhaps default to a system wide menu of sorts if they go deeper with the iOS integration. Maybe they could add more levels of pressure and tilt sensitivity, but I haven't heard many people complain about it. Maybe an eraser at the other end, or maybe some nibs that have a little more friction on glass. Maybe they could put a little Taptic feedback into it.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Skip the bit about the eraser. I understand, but being able to erase precisely is better than just rubbing out a wide area. Keep the darn thing exactly the same, add black, and give it all of the same functionality as my finger, like, being able to activate multitasking, control center, etc. Give me the tablet the ability to sense the Pencil as another finger when applicable.