Astropad Slate turns your iPad into a no-screen Mac drawing tablet

Apple has been pushing the iPads, particularly the iPad Pros, as the next wave of computing, practically replacing laptops for some of the common computing tasks, including content creation. Despite the rich variety of apps for these slates, however, there are still some software and work that can only be done on more powerful computers like Macs and MacBooks. And despite how Apple’s computers have long been loved by designers and artists, the company itself has made no tools to support these use cases, such as drawing tablets or even specialized controllers. That does leave the market wide open for manufacturers like Wacom and its drawing tables, but it also forces people to buy these products when they have a perfectly capable iPad with an Apple Pencil. That’s where Astropad’s latest product comes in, bridging the divide between Macs and iPads once again, but with a curious twist.

Designer: Astropad

In a nutshell, Astropad Slate is an app that lets you remotely control a Mac using an iPad, Pro or otherwise. You can connect using Wi-Fi, a USB cable, or even Peer-to-Peer networking. Although an Apple Pencil would be nice, it isn’t exactly a requirement. With just your fingers, you can already control the Mac as if you were using a gigantic touchpad. That includes supporting gestures like pinching or two-finger scroll.

The Slate app really shines, however, when you involve an Apple Pencil, which is supported by most iPads nowadays. With this precise tool, you can not only hover over the user interface on the Mac, you can also turn handwritten scribbles into text, practically replacing the keyboard. Of course, creators, designers, and artists are more likely to utilize the app’s ability to turn the iPad into a drawing tablet, but one without a screen.

This would be similar to the older and cheaper drawing slates that some artists prefer for their distraction-free experience. It does, however, take a bit of getting used to because you won’t be looking at where your hand is going, unlike the analog pen and paper experience. That does help you focus more on what’s happening on screen and, at least for some, offers a more ergonomic position since you won’t be craning your neck downward.

For those that prefer a more “conventional” display tablet experience, Astropad does have its Studio that turns the iPad into something like a Wacom Cintiq and even has compatibility with Windows PCs. For all that power, however, Astropad Studio requires a $79.99 annual subscription, while this simpler Astropad Slate is a one-time $19.99 purchase only.

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12.9-inch iPad Air renders suggest a cheaper way to go Pro

When Apple launched the iPad Pro, it tried to justify its existence with a slogan that questioned what computers really are these days. It pushed forward the thought of the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, which made sense for an iPad with the largest display available of its kind. Although smaller models eventually launched, it was only the iPad Pro that could boast having the largest screen among Apple’s tablets, but that might no longer be the case soon. Leaked information suggests that Apple will be mixing things up a bit and might introduce a 12.9-inch iPad Air that could add more choice for consumers but also make its message a little bit more confusing as well.

Designer: Apple (via 91mobiles)

Putting the largest iPad under the “Pro” model makes perfect sense considering what it empowers users to accomplish. With that much screen real estate, multi-tasking with two apps side-by-side is not only easy but even comfortable, while having a large digital canvas frees creators to do their best work. The size also implies having bigger or better hardware capabilities, and indeed, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro always has the latest and greatest that Apple has to offer on any iPad.

Unofficial CAD schematics, however, herald the coming of a 12.9-inch iPad Air, a family of tablets better known for their accessible price tags and, more often than not, more modest specs. The renders don’t come with any launch date, which means it could happen this year or never at all. Leaks never carry 100% accuracy, but the mere idea that Apple will be launching what will be the largest iPad Air is quite curious and could spark even more interest in the iPad line.

For all intents and purposes, this 12.9-inch iPad Air is a stretched-out regular iPad Air, and all the design cues of the current model are evident. There are thick bezels, at least compared to the iPad Pro of the same size, and a single camera. That camera, however, is also the only place where the 12.9-inch design diverges, using a pill-shaped island to enclose both the camera and LED flash instead of a single circle for the lens itself.

This 12.9-inch iPad Air could be Apple’s attempt to offer an extra-large iPad without the bells and whistles that make the 12.9-inch iPad Pro quite expensive. It’s the same strategy it is using with the iPhone Plus models, which isn’t exactly raking in sales. It does give consumers more choices, but considering how the iPad Air is already a watered-down iPad Pro in terms of many features, including Apple Pencil support, it does weaken the appeal of the iPad Pro line by having what is practically a cheaper iPad Pro.

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The best gifts for new dads

We get it, new dads (like new moms) just need a break. Aside from volunteering for babysitting duties, there’s an easy way to help: Get them some new gear. Perhaps some wireless earbuds to listen to podcasts as they put the baby to sleep, or something that could help to distract the youngins so he can rest his back for a few minutes. Here are the products we think would be most useful to tired new dads.

10.2-inch iPad

Apple's 9th-gen iPad is one of the most useful devices for any new parent. It can be your child's gateway to video chatting with their grandparents (and with the new Center Stage cameras, they’ll always be in frame), or a life-saving distraction during long car rides. It could be a new dad's way to catch up on their favorite show while stuck dealing with mealtime. Or it could be a way for growing kids to read interactive stories and play games. The iPad can be whatever you want it to be. And paired with a decent case, it can be durable enough to survive life with tiny humans. (And if it does break, at least it's far cheaper to replace than an iPad Air, or a typical laptop.)

Jabra Elite 85t earbuds

There's no question that we love Jabra's lineup of wireless earbuds. The Elite 85t delivers solid active noise canceling, a slim and light design, and excellent sound. And best of all, they cost around $200 and you can often find them for around $150. No matter which smartphone you have, the 85t are an excellent way to catch up on podcasts while trying to rock a baby to sleep. And they'll be even more useful during the rare bit of downtime for new parents. They're perfect for rocking out to your favorite tunes, or pair them to your TV or set-top box to enjoy late-night movies without making much noise.

Apple AirPods Pro

The first AirPods Pro were a much-needed improvement over the original AirPods, thanks to a more secure bud design and noise canceling. The second-generation AirPod Pros are even better, with significantly improved sound and far more powerful ANC. They’re perfect for drowning out a crying infant as they’re being rocked to sleep, or quieting the cacophony of house noise while preparing dinner. Pop in one AirPod Pro, and it can help dad catch up on his podcasts while pushing a stroller around town, or chasing kids through a playground. And once the kids are asleep, they can deliver surprisingly powerful tunes. They also easily pair with Apple TVs to deliver immersive sound at night without waking the kids.

SmartNoggin Nogginstik

This relatively cheap rattle is deceptively useful. It has a light-up face to keep babies interested, multiple textures for them to explore, and a mirror on the bottom for them to learn their own faces. It was a secret weapon during my child's first-year tantrums, so much so that I've gifted it to every new parent I know. It's not high tech at all, but it's a reminder that they’re called classics for a reason.

Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch Series 8 is the perfect companion for any iPhone-toting dad. It’s not as flashy as the Apple Watch Ultra, but it’s still filled with useful features like automatic car crash detection. And then there are all the other great things dads can do with an Apple Watch: Keep tabs on notifications without pulling out their phone; check out with Apple Pay in a few seconds; and live out their sci-fi fantasies by taking calls on their wrist. It’s perfect dad tech: A little dorky, but eminently practical.

Kindle Paperwhite

We all wish we could read more, and sometimes it’s just nice to stop staring at a phone’s bright screen. Enter the Kindle Paperwhite, one of our favorite e-readers on the market. It has a large 6.8-inch E-Ink screen that’s purpose built for reading. The backlight is easy on the eyes, and the most recent model even features warmer lighting to avoid disrupting sleep patterns. It’s also waterproof, making it a great bath, beach or pool companion. After dealing with kids for the whole day, it may be worth just locking up your notification and social media infested phone to dive into a good book. And if you're not an Amazon person, you have plenty of good e-reader options from Kobo to consider, like the Clara 2E.

Theragun Mini 2.0

Keeping up with a new baby can lead to aches and pains in muscles that dad never knew he had. The Theragun Mini can give him the opportunity to get a massage without leaving the house. While there are much bigger and more powerful Theragun machines, the Mini is a good size for beginners and those who want to take its muscle relief power wherever they go. It has a single button that dad can use to change the massage gun’s speed and its ergonomic design makes it easy to reach different parts of the body. And arguably the best part is its 150-minute battery life — while that might not seem like a long time, it truly is when you consider the fact that you don’t need to use it for more than a few minutes each day to feel the results. With that schedule, dad could use the Theragun Mini every day for a month or more before needing to recharge it.

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Game controller

A perfect gift for any gamer dads in your life, the Laugh and Learn Controller is basically a baby-proofed version of a modern gamepad. There's a joystick, directional pad, and array of buttons for kids to fiddle with. But like any good distracting toy, it also lights up and makes sounds to keep them entertained. It's not exactly complex, but it's inexpensive and effective. That's particularly true for parents of little ones who always gravitate to their expensive console controllers.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gifts-for-new-dads-110049541.html?src=rss

Watch how this tiny HDMI dongle turns your iPad or Smartphone into a secondary touchscreen for your Laptop

Imagine playing PlayStation games on a smartphone, watching Netflix on your Nintendo Switch, browsing your laptop on a Raspberry Pi, or using your iPad as a viewfinder for your DSLR. No fancy rigs, long cables, or expensive equipment/apps. All you need is the AURGA Viewer, an all-in-one plug-and-play dongle that creates a seamless wireless bridge between two devices.

Designer: AURGA Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $72 $99 ($27 off with coupon code “YankoAurga”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Although the AURGA Viewer looks like a mere HDMI dongle, it’s capable of much more than that. Most dongles only broadcast video (and audio IF you’re lucky). Plug the AURGA into a device and it lets you broadcast low-latency, high-resolution video and 48kHz stereo audio to a secondary display, and even works as an input controller. So, not only can you use your phone or tablet as a secondary screen for your laptop, but you now even tap, swipe, pinch on the touchscreen of your secondary device to control your primary one.

For Designers – Turn your tablet into a pen display for Windows 10.

For Professionals – More screen space by seamlessly extending your desktop.

The fact that this simple dongle creates a two-way bridge between any set of devices unlocks an entire list of possibilities. You could turn your iPad into a secondary display for your laptop, pinching, swiping, and tapping away at elements, or even using the Apple Pencil to sketch the way you would with a Wacom Cyntiq. Your smartphone could even turn into a viewfinder for your DLSR, giving you a better view of what you’re trying to capture (even more so if you’re trying to capture images/videos for social media).

Amplify your Mini PC – Connect your iPad for greater computing power.

For Photographers & Videographers – A larger monitor screen to make sure your videos are perfect everytime.

Outside work, the AURGA Viewer lets you even play console or desktop games on your smartphone or iPad, thanks to the dongle’s incredible low-latency connection. You can use the AURGA Viewer to turn smart devices into monitors for your all-in-one machines like connecting your iPad Air to your Mac Mini for powerful touchscreen computing, or even to something like a Raspberry Pi device.

For Developers – Seamless coding experience with extra screen real estate.

For Gamers – Turn your mobile device into a portable gaming console.

The AURGA Viewer is deceivingly small, mimicking the form of a regular USB stick, yet it’s a powerhouse that creates a bridge of compatibility across devices that would otherwise never be compatible. It comes with an HDMI port for data transfer, and has a small USB-C cable too to draw power (sort of like Amazon’s Fire Stick). The AURGA Viewer works seamlessly with iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows devices, and uses a combination of Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 5G to make its operation buttery smooth.

Use it to revive a dormant device in your house, giving your old smartphone a new purpose, or to multitask by using your laptop/desktop on your iPad. The AURGA Viewer is a remarkably handy dongle to have, whether you’re a designer, developer, photographer, tinkerer, gamer, or just someone who likes the idea of a cross-platform world where devices can connect and communicate with each other without needing tonnes of cables, apps, or expensive gear… All you really need is this small $72 dongle.

Click Here to Buy Now: $72 $99 ($27 off with coupon code “YankoAurga”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

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Get the 2021 Apple 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 256GB) at a Steal on Amazon!

Are you looking for a high-quality tablet that delivers a fantastic user experience without breaking the bank? Look no further than the 2021 Apple 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 256GB), now available at an unbeatable price on Amazon. This powerful and versatile device is the perfect choice for students, professionals, and anyone who wants a device that can do it all. With a stunning 10.2-inch Retina display and an A13 Bionic chip, this iPad is built to handle everything from productivity tasks to streaming videos and playing games. But what really sets this iPad apart is its impressive 256GB of storage. With…

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MOFT elevates mobile life at CES 2023 with new stands and mounts for iPhones and iPads

The tech frenzy in Las Vegas may have finally died down, but the CES dust has far from settled. There are more than a few products and prototypes that can be unpacked beyond our 35 best designs for CES this year. Despite the wide range of consumer electronics and technologies showcased, all of them have the common goal of improving human lives as well as helping our planet heal. That can be as grand as four-seater flying cars that will take commuting to new heights, literally, or something as simple yet as effective as making it easier to use our gadgets today. That kind of meaningful improvement is what MOFT is offering Apple fans with a new set of accessories designed to take their iPad and iPhone use to the next level, almost literally as well.

Designer: MOFT

Whether it’s for consuming content or creating them, tablets are often used at the desk level, which is the most uncomfortable angle for using them for long periods. While there are a few stands that try to raise the tablet screen to a more ergonomic level, the new MOFT Snap Float Folio easily outclasses them in design and versatility. Inspired by origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, this protective cover can set the iPad as much as 3.6 inches higher, while its four versatile angles let you use the iPad in various ways. Even better, the folio is made of fiberglass from recycled materials and a premium leather-like PU surface that makes it lightweight yet luxurious.

It’s not unusual for people with MacBooks to keep their iPhones nearby, though usually lying on the desk or propped up on a stand below eye level. Either way, switching back and forth between MacBook and iPhone is sure to strain your eyes and neck. The Flip Laptop iPhone Mount easily solves this by making your iPhone seemingly float beside your laptop screen. The mount attaches to the back of a laptop, and its arm can flip out in three different orientations to magnetically hold the iPhone securely. The mount is made from soft faux leather, and the adhesive can be removed without leaving a mark on your laptop’s stylish lid.

Sometimes, your quality of life doesn’t exactly require an ergonomic height but instead focuses on everyday carry convenience. The new Snap Stand Power Set offers this portable flexibility with a battery pack and a stand and wallet, both of which can magnetically attach to an iPhone, either together or alone. The minimalist design and scratch-resistant faux leather give these accessories a luxurious appearance that adds to your iPhone’s prestige, even when they’re riding on the smartphone’s back.

If you’re going to carry your iPhone around, though, you might want to take a gander at MOFT’s new Sling Case. Making you look hip while swinging your iPhone along, the case’s hidden strap connectors let you securely attach an adjustable lanyard of any length. The soft-touch faux leather case is compatible with MagSafe accessories and gives you even more reasons to save yourself the awkwardness of bulging pockets.

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The best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023

The perfect hybrid machine that’s just as good a tablet as it is a laptop still doesn’t exist. But throughout last year, companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google continued to improve their operating systems for machines that do double duty. Windows 11 has features that make it friendlier for multi-screen devices, while Android has been better optimized for larger displays. Plus, with the rise of ARM-based chips for laptops, especially Apple’s impressive M series, prospects for a powerful 2-in-1 with a vast touch-friendly app ecosystem is at an all-time high.

Even the best 2-in-1 laptops still have their limits, of course. Since they’re smaller than proper laptops, they tend to have less-powerful processors. Keyboards are often less sturdy, with condensed layouts and shallower travel. Plus, they’re almost always tablets first, leaving you to buy a keyboard case separately. (And those ain’t cheap!) So, you can’t always assume the advertised price is what you’ll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.

Sometimes, getting a third-party keyboard might be just as good, and they’re often cheaper than first-party offerings. If you’re looking to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don’t need your keyboard to attach to your tablet, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device wireless keyboard is also a good pick.

While we’ve typically made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 laptop in previous years, this time there isn’t a great choice. We would usually pick a Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something around $500 that’s thin, lightweight and long-lasting, you’re better off this year looking at a conventional laptop (like those on our best budget PCs list).

Apple iPad Pro 12.9 2020
Chris Velazco / Engadget

When you’re shopping for a 2-in-1, there are some basic criteria to keep in mind. First, look at the spec sheet to see how heavy the tablet is (alone, and with the keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds, with the 1.94-pound Surface Pro 9 being one of the heaviest around. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8+ are both slightly lighter. If the overall weight of the tablet and its keyboard come close to 3 pounds, you’ll be better off just getting an ultraportable laptop.

You’ll also want to opt for an 11-inch or 12-inch screen instead of a smaller 10-inch model. The bigger displays will make multitasking easier, plus their companion keyboards will be much better spaced. Also, try to get 6GB of RAM if you can for better performance — you’ll find this in the base model of the Galaxy Tab S7+, while this year’s iPad Pro and the Surface Pro 8 start with 8GB of RAM.

Finally, while some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone will want to pay the premium for it. An integrated cellular radio makes checking emails or replying to messages on the go far more convenient. But it also often costs more, and that’s not counting what you’ll pay for data. And, as for 5G — you can hold off on it unless you live within range of a mmWave beacon. Coverage is still spotty and existing nationwide networks use the slower sub-6 technology that’s barely faster than LTE.

Best overall: Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

There’s no beating the Surface series when it comes to 2-in-1s. They’re powerful, sleek tablets running an OS that’s actually designed for productivity. The Surface Pro 9 is Microsoft’s latest and great tablet, and it builds upon the already excellent Pro 8. It features speedy 12th-gen Intel CPUs and all of the major upgrades from last year, including a 120Hz display and a more modern design. It’s the best implementation of Microsoft’s tablet PC vision yet.

Don’t confuse this with the similarly named Surface Pro 9 with 5G, though, which has a slower ARM processor and inferior software compatibility. Built-in cellular is nice and all, but the Intel Pro 9 is a far better PC.

Like most of the other 2-in-1s on this list, the Pro 9 doesn’t come with a keyboard cover — you’ll have to pay extra for that. That’s a shame, considering it starts at $1,000. Microsoft offers a variety of Type Covers for its Surface Pros ranging from $100 to $180, depending on whether you want a slot for a stylus. But at least they’re comfortable and well-spaced. You can also get the Surface Slim Pen 2 ($130) for sketching out your diagrams or artwork, which features haptic feedback for a more responsive experience.

Best for Apple users: 12.9-inch iPad Pro

If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, the best option for you is obviously an iPad. The 12-inch Pro is our pick. Like older models, this iPad Pro has a stunning 12.9-inch screen with a speedy 120Hz refresh rate, as well as mini-LED backlighting. This year, it includes Apple’s incredibly fast M2 chip and more battery life than ever before.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience, and its trackpad means you won’t have to reach for the screen to launch apps. But it’ll also cost you an extra $300, making it the most expensive case on this list by a lot. The iPad also lacks a headphone jack and its webcam is awkwardly positioned along the left bezel when you prop it up horizontally, so be aware that it’s still far from a perfect laptop replacement. Still, with its sleek design and respectable battery life, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a good 2-in-1 for Apple users.

Best for Android users: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+

While Windows is better than iPadOS and Android for productivity, it lags the other two when it comes to apps specifically designed for touchscreens. If you want a tablet that has all the apps you want, and only need it to occasionally double as a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S8+ is a solid option. You’ll enjoy watching movies and playing games on its gorgeous 12.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, and Samsung includes the S Pen, which is great for sketching and taking notes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 8GB of RAM keep things running smoothly, too.

Last year, Samsung dramatically improved its keyboard case, making the Tab an even better laptop replacement. You could type for hours on this thing and not hate yourself (or Samsung). The battery life is also excellent, so you won’t need to worry about staying close to an outlet. The main caveat is that Android isn’t great as a desktop OS, even with the benefits of Android 12L. And while Samsung’s DeX mode offers a somewhat workable solution, it has plenty of quirks.

Cherlynn Low contributed to this report.

The new iPad 10 is a beautiful upgrade with a few oddities

Although it was largely anticipated, Apple still managed to give us a surprise with the somewhat sudden drop of its new iPad lineup. As expected, the new M2 iPad Pros turned out to be powerhouses to rival the MacBooks in strength, especially when it comes to productivity features enabled by better Apple Pencil support. It might look a little boring, though, since the design remains mostly unchanged from the previous generation. In that regard, it is the new 10th-generation entry-level iPad that’s more exciting and a little bit more confusing. While Apple did finally consolidate its tablet design across tiers, it also introduced a few design quirks that resulted in a bit of bewilderment when it comes to accessories for the 10.9-inch iPad.

Designer: Apple

On the outside, the iPad 10 breathes new life into the lineup with vibrant color options that mirror the choices for the latest iMac all-in-one computers. With the switch to flatter edges, Apple has finally unified the look of all of its iPads. It’s a long overdue change that easily identifies an iPad as belonging to the company’s “modern” generation. It’s hard to deny that these new iPads look delightful on their own, and you might be hesitant to put a protective case on them because of that.

There are also quite a few notable changes inside brought about by the overall design upgrade. The most evident will be the switch from a Lightning port to a more standard USB-C port, which is now also uniform across all current iPad models. An even more significant change, however, is the relocation of the front-facing camera from the portrait edge to the landscape edge. This is admittedly a more natural position for a camera design to be used in video calls while the tablet is standing horizontally on a desk, perhaps with a keyboard cover. Despite that logical placement, none of the other iPads, even the new iPad Pros, have adopted this design, and Apple may have a rather unfortunate reason for doing so.

The two major changes above have an adverse effect on the iPad’s most important accessory. Surprisingly, the iPad 10 is compatible only with the first-gen Apple Pencil, making it the remaining iPad to do so. The reason is that the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil can only charge magnetically on the landscape edge of an iPad, a place that is now occupied by the front camera on the iPad 10. Unfortunately, the old Apple Pencil charges only via a Lightning connector, which the iPad 10 no longer has. Apple’s solution, as you might have guessed, is to sell a USB-C to Apple pencil adapter that does solve the awkwardness of the older-gen charging method but introduces a new kind of convenience in the process.

Apple is also launching a new Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad 10 that comes in two pieces, one for the keyboard and another for the back cover that can fold outward to act as an adjustable stand. Curiously, you’ll have to sacrifice the iPad’s eye-catching color because the folio is available only in white for now. It is also strangely compatible only with the iPad 10, which complicates Apple’s iPad accessory lineup a bit. The 10th-gen iPad starts at $449 as the new entry point to this line of portable computers, while the Magic Keyboard Folio sells for $249.

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The new Apple M2 iPad Pro is basically a MacBook with a touchscreen and Pencil

If overkill were a tablet, it would look like the M2 iPad Pro…

Did the iPad really need an M2 chip? Chances are that if you look at what 99% of people use a tablet for, an M2 chip is volumes more processing power than you’d ever need. I use my iPad for YouTube and Netflix. However, Apple clearly didn’t build their 2022 M2 iPad Pro for 99% of people. Sort of like the Watch Ultra of tablet design, the M2 iPad Pro is capable of dethroning devices more specialist and more expensive than it. Heck, the M2 chip now lets you literally 3D render on it using the upcoming Octane X, and color-correct using DaVinci Resolve. In short, the iPad Pro is basically Apple’s way of giving you the MacBook experience, without the price tag or the MacOS.

Designer: Apple

There aren’t many changes to the iPad Pro’s overall design, apart from a few hardware tweaks. It’s proof that Apple’s happy with where things are at with the iPad and barring any sudden developments, there shouldn’t be any reason to overhaul the design. The company didn’t even put MagSafe or wireless charging on the iPad Pro. However, the new machine does have a better camera, capable of recording ProRes video, and the M2 chip on the inside is now much more capable of handling all sorts of tasks and files. Combine this with iOS 16’s Stage Manager and you’ve got yourself a beast of a machine capable of doing the job of a MacBook Air… with a touchscreen.

As Apple unveiled the device, they highlighted exactly how capable the new M2 chip was. Even though the announcement was much shorter than your traditional Apple keynote, the iPad Pro’s reputation pretty much speaks for itself. Apple highlighted how the Pro would aid professionals like doctors, architects, filmmakers, and photographers (aside from the artists, obviously), while the video also put real metrics to the iPad Pro’s improvements, with 15% faster CPU speeds, 35% faster GPU speeds, 50% more memory bandwidth, and a 40% faster neural engine for machine learning tasks. There’s quite literally no other tablet that even comes close to what the M2 iPad Pro is capable of pulling off. In fact, the iPad Pro easily outshines quite a few Chromebooks.

The newest feature to make it to the new iPad Pro, however, is the tablet’s ability to detect the Apple Pencil up to 12mm away from the screen. Dubbed the Hover, this ability allows you to hover your pencil above the screen and unlock various interactions. In painting apps, it allows you to accurately see your paint stroke’s position before you go ahead and make your mark. Preview files before you select them, or objects before you place them in compositions. The Hover mode works along with the Pencil’s tap feature and even allows you to use your non-Pencil-holding hand to pinch/swipe to control your iPad and Pencil’s overall experience.

Surprisingly enough (although not too much), the new iPad Pros are priced the same as their predecessors. The 11-inch variant starts at $799, while the larger 12.9-inch variant starts at $1099 (and comes with the upgraded XDR display), with shipping beginning at the end of the month.

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