Just a month away from Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024, tech giant Apple announced upgraded versions of the iPad Pro, iPad Air, Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard, in its keynote event titled “Let Loose” on May 8.
In what was mentioned by Apple CEO Tim Cook as the “biggest day for the iPad'' the 35-minute presentation highlighted a boat load of new features and upgraded accessories directed towards Apple’s renowned tablet.
Here’s everything Apple announced during its May 2024 event:
Better than ever
Without any massive changes in the past two years, the iPad Pro receives major upgrades to make it better than ever. The new iPad Pro will be powered by Apple’s new M4 system chip, which is described to be four times faster than the M2 chip.
The iPad Pro also received a major display revamp, debuting Ultra Retina XDR display with state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology, providing for a more remarkable visual experience. The new iPad Pro will also support an incredible 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness for Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, and 1,600 nits peak for HDR. Moreover, the iPad Pro will also sport a thinner overall profile, measuring just around 5.3mm for the 11-inch version and 5.1mm for the 13-inch model.
Lastly, the iPad Pro’s camera system has also seen its fair share of improvements, upfront the ultra wide 12MP camera with center stage moves to the landscape location making the experience of video conferencing in landscape orientation even better. At the back end, the 12MP camera captures vibrant Smart HDR images and video with even better color, improved textures, and detail in low light.
The iPad Pro will be priced starting at $999 (₱72,990) for the 11-inch model, while the 13-inch model will be priced at $1299 (₱94,990). Both models will be available in two colors, Silver and Space Black, with a base storage of 256GB.
Breath of fresh air
The iPad Air was another tablet by Apple that was well overdue for an upgrade, which boasted an M1 system chip for well over two years in the running. The new iPad Air will now be powered by Apple’s M2 chip, which was first used in the Apple Macbook Pro 2022, Macbook Air 2022 and the iPad Pro M2. Although it may not be a massive upgrade compared to the iPad Pro, it does make it a notable upgrade from its predecessor-making it more powerful and versatile than ever.
Moreover, the iPad Air will now come in two sizes, the existing 11-inch model and the new, and larger 13-inch variant, which will allow for more room to work, learn, and play. Similarly to the iPad Pro, the front-facing Ultra Wide 12MP camera of the iPad Air will now be located along the landscape edge of the tablet.
The iPad Air will be priced starting at $599 (₱42,990) for the 11-inch model, while the 13-inch model will be priced at $799 (₱54,990). Both models will be available in four colors which are, Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight with a base storage of 128GB.
Precision and productivity
Six years after the release of the second generation Apple Pencil, the widely popular stylus has also received a set of new features.
The Apple Pencil Pro will have a new sensor near its barrel which can sense a user’s squeeze, bringing up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, all without interrupting the creative process. Moreover, Apple’s “Find My” support system will make its way in the Pencil Pro, considering how easy it is to lose the pencil if you don't store it securely on the side of your iPad.
On the other hand, Apple has also unveiled a newly improved version of the Magic Keyboard. Designed specifically for the new iPad Pro, the all-new thinner and lighter Magic Keyboard makes the iPad Pro experience more portable and versatile than ever. The new Magic Keyboard will continue to boast the floating design that users have loved, and now includes a function row for access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. The keyboard will also feature a sleek aluminum palm rest and a larger trackpad that’s even more responsive with haptic feedback, making the whole experience similar to a MacBook.
The Apple Pencil Pro will retail for $129 (₱8,990), while the Magic Keyboard will be priced at $299 (₱19,990) for the 11-inch model and $349 (₱24,990) for the 13-inch model.
Moving forward
During an event showcasing several new hardware releases, Apple has also announced that it is lowering its price for their entry-level 10th-generation iPad to $349 (₱24,990), $100 less from its original price point of $449 (₱34,990).
Moreover, Apple also announced they will be launching an application called Final Cut Camera, which is specifically built to support live multi-camera production. The app will sync with the updated Final Cut Pro app and will let users connect multiple iPhones or iPads to capture additional angles during a live multicam shoot or record professional videos.
Moreover, Apple also revealed new AI-powered features for its digital audio workstation, including a new virtual bass player and keyboard player.
To conclude the event, Cook delivered a message, saying “[The] iPad enables people to take their ideas, their work and their creativity to new heights.”
Apple’s latest products are available for pre-order on their official website.
