So, the Apple Let Loose conference has concluded. What did the Cupertino giant showcase during the event? If you haven’t been following the rumors about what Apple will unveil at its Let Loose conference, you’ll likely be surprised by the lion’s share of new products that the Cupertino giant announced for the coming months.
If tablets seemed unnecessary to you before this Apple conference, perhaps you’ll reconsider now. The Cupertino giant revamped its lineup by introducing new models of iPad Air and iPad Pro, with the latter deserving particular attention due to several revolutionary solutions. Interesting accessories were also presented, such as the Magic Keyboard and the updated Apple Pencil Pro. Of particular interest is the new Apple M4 processor, which marks a new stage for Apple devices. There are surprises, but also some predictability, but is it expensive? Not necessarily, and not everywhere.
Let’s go through everything in order.
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New iPad Air in 11″ and 13″ sizes
The iPad Air hadn’t seen significant changes for a while. However, during the Let Loose event in May, Tim Cook unveiled completely new models of tablets.
In the latest version, the iPad Air has become larger, and now you can choose between 11″ and 13″ options. In both models, we get a Liquid Retina Display screen with the front camera finally moved to the longer edge for convenient use in landscape mode. This will significantly ease FaceTime calls or participation in video conferences on the 13-inch tablet. The 12-megapixel camera is also equipped with the Center Stage feature, which uses machine learning to automatically keep everyone in view.
The tablet’s body is made from 100% recycled aluminum, and the Apple M2 chip inside supposedly boasts a 50% increase in efficiency compared to the previous generation. Compared to the iPad Air with A14 Bionic, it provides three times higher performance. Oh, how many times have we heard something similar at Apple presentations? But in practice, it often turns out not to be entirely true. Only tests will prove whether the developers from Cupertino were telling the truth.
The good news is that storage space will be doubled, so the cheapest version will have 128 GB on board. Of course, for more demanding users, there are also options with larger capacities – 256, 512, and 1 TB. Prices for the new iPad Air start at $599 for the 11-inch version and $799 for the 13-inch version. It cannot be denied that the main protagonist of today’s short presentation was the iPad Pro. And here Apple decided to introduce two diagonal options – 11 and 13 inches. The record-breaking thin body catches the eye (the 13-inch tablet is only 5.1 mm thin, making it the thinnest device in the manufacturer’s entire lineup).
So, Apple copied itself and transferred the philosophy of the iPad Pro to the Air series, offering buyers a choice between an 11-inch and 13-inch Liquid Retina display. This is a long-awaited change – previously, purchasing a large Apple tablet was associated with emptying your wallet and the only choice being the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Additionally, the new iPad Air has received two significant improvements: the stereo speakers and the front camera have been moved to the long edge of the device.
The new iPad Air not only has a larger screen and better speakers but also comes in new body color options. In addition to the standard colors, we also have blue and purple variants.
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iPad Pro with OLED screen
Apple has finally done it. After several months of anticipation, Apple has unveiled the long-awaited iPad Pro, equipped with an OLED screen. It’s the most powerful tablet from Apple in its history..
As in previous years, there are two versions of the tablet available – the smaller 11-inch and the larger 13-inch. The new models are also very thin – the smaller 11-inch model is only 5.3 mm thick, while the 13-inch model is only 5.1 mm! This makes the tablet the thinnest product from Apple. As for the build quality, the iPad Pro’s body is made of aluminum. Therefore, the iPad Pro 11″ weighs about 445 g, while the larger version weighs about 580 g.
Both devices are equipped with Ultra Retina XDR OLED screens. Moreover, each iPad Pro has dual OLED panels, a technology called Tandem OLED. Thanks to this, users can expect the best user experience – the display provides excellent viewing angles, even higher contrast, and deep black color. The panel offers a standard brightness of 1000 nits, while the maximum brightness reaches 1600 nits.
Using the device outdoors will certainly not pose any problems. Moreover, Apple has used nano-textured glass for the first time, known to us from the Apple Studio Displays monitors. It minimizes glare, especially in bright environments and outdoors.
It’s worth noting that the front camera, like in the iPad Air, has been moved from the top bezel to the side to make the tablet more convenient to use in landscape orientation. However, the rear camera no longer features the ultra-wide-angle module. Now, the new model has only one rear camera, a flash, and a LiDAR scanner.
But that’s not all; the new processor – Apple M4 – debuted alongside the iPad Pro tablets. The change is driven, among other things, by the reduction in thickness; the new system, besides offering higher efficiency, also consumes less energy.
Apple promises to increase productivity by up to four times compared to the iPad Pro with the M2 processor, also thanks to the new cooling design. For example, the Apple logo on the back cover is made of copper for more efficient heat dissipation.
The new Apple M4 chip is manufactured using TSMC’s 2nd generation 3-nanometer lithography. The chip features a special display engine that controls the screen and offers 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. Thus, the chip provides 50% higher CPU performance compared to the M2 and 4 times higher GPU performance. Thanks to the new chip, owners of this tablet will have access to, among other things, ray tracing.
The Apple M4 chip is also highly energy-efficient. It can deliver identical performance using only 1/4 of the power compared to its predecessor, the M2. Since Apple plans to integrate artificial intelligence into its devices, the new Neural Engine mechanism could not be absent. It boasts 16 cores – Apple claims it to be the fastest module of its kind in the world. Additionally, developers are confident that the new Neural Engine and machine learning accelerators make the M4 an exceptionally powerful chip for artificial intelligence.
The price of the new 11-inch model starts at $999, and the 13-inch model starts at $1299.
If we summarize the impressions of the new iPad Pro, it seems to me that Apple is going in circles. The company is trying to present tablets as a full-fledged PC replacement. But this is a dead-end path, a path that Microsoft has already taken. I don’t think anyone will spend over $1500 to get something similar to an ultrabook. It must be understood that for most users, a tablet is a device for media playback, social media communication, but not for performing office tasks. Although Apple fans sometimes surprise with their unconventional choices.
Yes, Apple has done quite well with the new iPad Pro. There’s a new processor and finally OLED screens, but still, it’s just a tablet.
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Apple Magic Keyboard для iPad Pro
Along with the new tablet, Apple’s offering will also include a new version of the Magic Keyboard, which, of course, is even thinner and lighter to match the trend set by the new iPad Pro. The Magic Keyboard combines a keyboard and trackpad in a new, slim, and portable design with an aluminum palm rest. The keyboard features a row of function keys and an enlarged glass trackpad with tactile feedback, ideal for tasks that require precision and the use of Multi-Touch gestures. The updated model is more tailored to the needs of professional users.
The new model, thanks to several improvements and new features of the iPad Pro, will undoubtedly become an interesting alternative to the basic MacBook, albeit likely at a significantly higher price.
It’s worth noting that the new Apple Magic Keyboard is only compatible with the iPad Pro (M4) – neither the new iPad Air nor older tablet models are supported.
To be honest, I really liked the new keyboard. Apple knows how to make accessories for their devices. I don’t have an iPad, but I would like to have such a keyboard. However, the price of the new product is a deterrent for me. The new keyboard is available in two sizes: the version for the 11-inch tablet costs $299, and for the 13-inch – $349. That’s quite expensive. Pre-orders can be placed starting today, and shipments will begin next week.
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Apple Pencil Pro
Apple also officially announced the Apple Pencil Pro during the Let Loose event. When we squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro, a floating menu appears, allowing us to change the most important things for artists and graphic designers. The stylus also offers haptic feedback, so we’ll know when we perform an action. Additionally, by rotating the stylus in hand, you’ll be able to change the brush shape.
And the Apple Pencil Pro also supports the “Find” feature, so we’ll be able to locate the stylus within the app. The Apple Pencil Pro won’t work exclusively with the iPad Pro; it will be fully functional with the iPad Air as well. Combined with the new Magic Keyboard, you can create a truly nice (albeit expensive) setup.
How much does the Apple Pencil Pro cost? Interestingly, the Cupertino giant didn’t intentionally raise the price. The new stylus is priced at $129.
Apple keeps trying to improve its stylus year after year, but is it really necessary for users? I don’t think so. I know many iPad owners who have never used the stylus, even if they have one. Some people consider it an unnecessary accessory that simply isn’t needed for a modern tablet. Why Apple is so determined to push and refine its stylus is not clear to me.
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New versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro
You know, for the first time, I regretted not having an iPad when I saw the updated Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps. These are video and audio editors. But they are so cool!
It’s expected that Final Cut Pro will render twice as fast as on an iPad with an M1 chip, on the new Pro Note tablet powered by the M4. There’s also a new Multicam mode, allowing us to connect and view up to four cameras simultaneously via live view. Additionally, the Final Cut Camera, available for iPhone and iPad, allows for additional shots while recording live with multiple cameras, which is already fantastic. The Final Cut Camera can also replace the Camera app.
Logic Pro 2 is “smarter than ever,” and many features have been enhanced with the help of artificial intelligence. As you can see, Apple is increasingly delving into artificial intelligence, and you can expect some revelations about this during this year’s WWDC. In any case, the new version of Logic Pro will make life easier for musicians and producers.
This is a case where there are almost no comments and we want even more details and facts.
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How to improve upon the improved
These words perfectly characterize everything we saw at the Apple Let Loose conference. The Cupertino company is striving to enhance its already nearly perfect iPad tablets, sometimes offering completely unnecessary things.
Yes, the popularity of iPad tablets is undeniable. They set a standard in this segment. But I’m not fond of the trend I’ve been observing over the past two years. Apple is making every effort to promote the idea that their tablets can replace PCs. It’s not just about increasing screen sizes or equipping them with powerful processors, but also about working with keyboards and styluses. Developers are trying to prove to us, or perhaps to themselves, that they are right. But history has already proven otherwise.
The Apple Let Loose conference once again demonstrated that the Cupertino giant is treading water, lacking new ideas. This could play into the hands of competitors. Frankly, I’m eagerly awaiting this year’s WWDC from Apple. Perhaps there we will see something new, revolutionary, or maybe not.
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