Second-Generation Apple Pencil Rumored for March of 2017

[rowspaxe]

Do you believe the surface pro pen is better?....just curious

I think the sp pen and apple pencil are both fine, but i prefer the surface pro pen. it has a softer tip and a slight give in the tip mechanism. The pencil feels very hardand clacky to me. Its a bigger issue with notes. I also like the surface pen pressure curve better. The pencil will make a line with no pressure: that doesn't feel realistic. A lot comes down to preference

 

[V.K.]

Have you seen MyScript MathPad? It's mostly a demo app to highlight their handwriting recognition library and it's not quite functional enough for me to use, but it's got some potential. I'd love to see this kind of capability eventually get built into a computation notepad at some point. Might even encourage me to learn to write legibly...

I tried it a while back after somebody (you?) recommended it on macrumors but it had a too high error rate for my liking. perhaps my handwriting is just bad.

That's the one awkward thing about the Apple Pencil. The way you charge it through your iPad just looks cumbersome. I wonder if anybody has broken there Apple Pencil or snapped it off from the iPad.

It does look awkward but I don't recall any reports of people breaking their Apple pencils this way. I rather think there would have been if this was an actual issue. I always charge my pencil directly from the ipad and I've never had a situation where it was in danger of breaking off. It charges very quickly this way and there is no need to carry around any adapters. After using the pencil for a year I personally would prefer they keep the charging system the way it is rather than change to a female lightning plug.

 

[KPOM]

I feel that the Surface Studio is a Mac Pro competitor, not an iMac competitor. It might "take off" but at a starting price of $2999 it's a big ask.

The Surface Studio has an iMac-class processor and no Thunderbolt support.

 

[Appleaker]

The iPad Pro itself only lasts 10 hours on a charge. Why is there a huge need to have it last longer than the device it'll be used on? Is it really that hard to charge it when they charge their iPad too?

Show me someone who works 12 hours straight without any breaks and doesn't set their pencil down at all in that time.

The truth is, the battery life of the current pencil is more than sufficient for 99.9% of users. I haven't heard a single complaint about it from countless graphic designers, artists, and others that use it frequently in their daily work.

They may have the iPad charging while using the pencil, and therefore they have to go back and forth to charge it. It's just the fact that it's another thing to charge and it can get annoying over time when you pick up your pencil and you have to charge it before it can be used. I think if it charged wirelessly from the side of the iPad, the current battery life wouldn't necessarily be an issue.
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I agree that there are aspects of both that could combine to make one standout device. Not sure what changed from the surface 3 to 4 pen, but I used a surface 3 pen for a while. It was fine, but I ultimately like the feel of the pencil better (though maybe a little too slippery), along with better sensitivity, tilt, etc.

With the surface 4, have they fixed the jittery line issue when drawing slowly?



If you're only comparing prices, then yes. But those devices aren't competitors.



I keep seeing this suggestion, but how would that actually work? The iPad is a very thin device, and the pencil is much thicker. I don't want some super thin stylus that would be awkward to use for long periods of time.



When working on a canvas that takes up the full screen, without button or menu overlays, it would be much easier to flip the pencil over to do some quick erasing. Having to exit full screen mode, switch to the eraser tool, then switch back to a brush tool, then enter full screen mode again gets annoying. It may not sound like a big deal, but it disrupts the workflow.



I'd certainly welcome a higher capacity battery if it doesn't affect size or weight, but I'm still trying to see the big issue here. Certainly these people who are constantly taking notes or drawing have to charge their devices at some point since I'm pretty sure they'll run out of power before a fully charged pencil, right?

They may be charging the iPad while drawing and both are low on battery. Sure, they can get another lighting cable and use the adapter but it's just a hassle in my opinion. It's mainly the annoyance when you pick up the pencil when you need it and you see that you have to charge it. Then you're sat around waiting with the pencil sticking out your iPad. It's just awkward. If they implemented wireless charging then it wouldn't be so much of an issue, but even then it doesn't beat the Surface Pen battery life. Hopefully they can improve the overall battery life by using their own wireless chip.
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Do you believe the surface pro pen is better?....just curious

I am hopeful for an eraser. The charging for me is awesome...I haven't plugged it into the power cord since the first week I owned it.

I think they are both very good in their own ways. I like the accuracy and sensitivity of the Apple Pencil, but the Surface Pen wins in battery life and functionality. My favourite features would have to be being able to draw on a Surface without pairing and having the eraser.

 

[akatsuki]

They need to get rid of the artificial divide between Pro and regular iPad models. Just make all their touchscreens pen compatible. Hell. I'd like to use a pen on my iPhone.

 

[handsome pete]

They may be charging the iPad while drawing and both are low on battery.

Given both options I agree that wireless charging would be preferred, but this still seems like a ridiculous complaint. The pencil provides roughly 12 hours of use. Preventing the battery from running out during use is very easily preventable.

 

[willzyx]

Change charging design. Current charging is ****ing retarded. If you can't figure out how to do wireless charging, just stick regular AAA batteries like the Surface Pen.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

and a magnet that would allow the Apple Pencil to attach to an iPad's body when not in use

This is so basic though that it blew my mind that it wasn't there from day 1.

The reason it wasn't there from day one is because there is nobody at Apple to say "it's not good enough, go back and try again." Tim Cook has regimented Apple to the point where people just go there to do their jobs and nobody thinks outside of the box any more. He has changed Apple according to his supply-chain mentality, which is the only thing he was ever really good at. Supply chains are very regimented, and that "gift" he has now bestowed upon the organization.

Apple needs a real leader, not an inept, vertically-thinking manager.

 

[Menneisyys2]

I love the Pencil as it is now, but the battery drain when not in use is terrible.

The trick is to just make the Bluetooth subsystem forget the pencil after work. (Settings > Bluetooth, tap the pencil, "Forget" at the top.) Then, you'll need to re-pair the pencil eery time you use (and make forget at the end), but that's very quick.

 

[thekeyring]

If you're only comparing prices, then yes. But those devices aren't competitors.

Generally, I would say the Surface Studio is a Pro computer, in a way. Perhaps not a Mac Pro competitor, but certainly not an all-in one for your average desktop user. The cost for what you get is just not justifiable if you plan on browsing the web, typing essays, doing emails and managing your CV for a student (as an example).

As Microsoft have shown, a touch screen is just not a mainstream way of interacting with a computer. The Surface Studio shines in demos not because they've shown off a user reading a book on the giant screen, or browsing the web with it, but rather doing artwork in Photoshop.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

They may have the iPad charging while using the pencil, and therefore they have to go back and forth to charge it. It's just the fact that it's another thing to charge and it can get annoying over time when you pick up your pencil and you have to charge it before it can be used. I think if it charged wirelessly from the side of the iPad, the current battery life wouldn't necessarily be an issue.

Until a wireless charging technology exists which can do so at a distance, that won't be a reality. Right now that's simply not possible. In your world there would be no need for charging as it could simply power it remotely without need to charge or have a battery.

 

[thekeyring]

The reason it wasn't there from day one is because there is nobody at Apple to say "it's not good enough, go back and try again." Tim Cook has regimented Apple to the point where people just go there to do their jobs and nobody thinks outside of the box any more. He has changed Apple according to his supply-chain mentality, which is the only thing he was ever really good at. Supply chains are very regimented, and that "gift" he has now bestowed upon the organization.

Apple needs a real leader, not an inept, vertically-thinking manager.

Source? I suspect if Steve Jobs was still presenting - even if the products were the same as Apple are releasing without him - you wouldn't think that ^.
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The Surface Studio has an iMac-class processor and no Thunderbolt support.

So it's expensive simply because it has extra features designed for Pro use?

 

[0lf]

The Surface Studio has an iMac-class processor and no Thunderbolt support.

in fact, the surface studio CPU can be found also into the macbook pro 15"

 

[Abazigal]

The reason it wasn't there from day one is because there is nobody at Apple to say "it's not good enough, go back and try again." Tim Cook has regimented Apple to the point where people just go there to do their jobs and nobody thinks outside of the box any more. He has changed Apple according to his supply-chain mentality, which is the only thing he was ever really good at. Supply chains are very regimented, and that "gift" he has now bestowed upon the organization.

Apple needs a real leader, not an inept, vertically-thinking manager.

Apple didn't implement an idea of mine. Therefore, it is Apple who is inept and not my idea which is silly.

 

[prowlmedia]

Thank you, powers-that-be. Apple engineers should be commended for making a Pencil that sucks and blows at the same time. Please steal the Microsoft Surface pen and we'll all be happy clams.

Urgh no. That is awful. The new Wacom 2 pen is pretty nice tho.

 

[NufSaid]

The Surface Studio has an iMac-class processor and no Thunderbolt support.

I agree. I tested that before buying a macbook pro and the pen is the same awful one that the surface pro uses. It it had an apple pencil it might be better.
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I think they are both very good in their own ways. I like the accuracy and sensitivity of the Apple Pencil, but the Surface Pen wins in battery life and functionality. My favourite features would have to be being able to draw on a Surface without pairing and having the eraser.

I can barely write and draw with my surface pro, while I like the eraser for me it doesn't even compare to the accuracy and smoothness of the pencil.

 

[manu chao]

The Surface Studio has an iMac-class processor and no Thunderbolt support.

But that cannot be the case. Only Apple is stupid enough to put 'laptop-grade' components in a desktop computer.

 

[konqueror4u]

I hate the way to charge my Apple pencil. I think apple needs to come up with a dongle for charging.

 

[Greenmeenie]

So now I'm hearing Apple will update the Apple Pen in March, but won't update the ipads until the fall? Huh? That makes no sense. To hold an event in March where....suprise! All that's announced is a new Apple Pen. Lol. Maybe they should get that kooky Japanese guy to sing his song "I've got a pen. I've got an Apple. UH! Apple Pen!

 

[JackANSI]

The pencil is one of the few new'ish Apple accessories that I actually think was innovative (if you don't look at what drawing tablets have been able to do for years).

I can't image all the ways Apple will mess it up or pass on features that should be added to make it smaller.

Thinner body the same diameter as the AirPods
Charging case like the AirPods
A minimum of $249, but I lean toward $329-379.
Only works with iPad Pro 2, period (and iPad Pro 2 won't work with pencil 1)
No "eraser" or "reverse-side marker".

So now I'm hearing Apple will update the Apple Pen in March, but won't update the ipads until the fall? Huh? That makes no sense. To hold an event in March where....suprise! All that's announced is a new Apple Pen. Lol. Maybe they should get that kooky Japanese guy to sing his song "I've got a pen. I've got an Apple. UH! Apple Pen!

If they announce it now, it might be ready to ship for a fall launch
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I hate the way to charge my Apple pencil. I think apple needs to come up with a dongle for charging.

https://www.amazon.com/TechMatte-Charging-Adapter-Flexible-Connector/dp/B017CNQQ1Y

 

[konqueror4u]

The pencil is one of the few new'ish Apple accessories that I actually think was innovative (if you don't look at what drawing tablets have been able to do for years).

I can't image all the ways Apple will mess it up or pass on features that should be added to make it smaller.

Thinner body the same diameter as the AirPods
Charging case like the AirPods
A minimum of $249, but I lean toward $329-379.
Only works with iPad Pro 2, period (and iPad Pro 2 won't work with pencil 1)
No "eraser" or "reverse-side marker".





If they announce it now, it might be ready to ship for a fall launch
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https://www.amazon.com/TechMatte-Charging-Adapter-Flexible-Connector/dp/B017CNQQ1Y

Thank you. But I was just looking for a charger not for a male to female connector.

 

[MH01]

I have no issues with my current pencil , be interesting how they upsell the new one.

 

[44267547]

I tried it a while back after somebody (you?) recommended it on macrumors but it had a too high error rate for my liking. perhaps my handwriting is just bad.


It does look awkward but I don't recall any reports of people breaking their Apple pencils this way. I rather think there would have been if this was an actual issue. I always charge my pencil directly from the ipad and I've never had a situation where it was in danger of breaking off. It charges very quickly this way and there is no need to carry around any adapters. After using the pencil for a year I personally would prefer they keep the charging system the way it is rather than change to a female lightning plug.

I haven't heard of anyone breaking the Apple Pencil off in the iPad. But it looks easy to do. I can only imagine the nightmare of ruining two products if that actually happened.

 

[Appleaker]

Until a wireless charging technology exists which can do so at a distance, that won't be a reality. Right now that's simply not possible. In your world there would be no need for charging as it could simply power it remotely without need to charge or have a battery.

The technology does exist, and Apple are working with Energous on implementing it. But that's not what I was saying. Like the Surface Pen, it would magnetically attach to the side and therefore would be able to charge wirelessly, which is possible.

 

[1000]

Wonder if it'll have a W1-like chip for easy pairing/device switching + longer battery.

SO SOON ? (Said no one about an Apple product in the last four years ever)