iPad Pro

The iPad Pro Lightning connector is capable of supporting USB 3.0 speeds

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

According to CNET's iPad Pro review, Apple's just-released tablet is capable of supporting USB 3.0 transfer speeds via its Lightning connector. The report, which corroborates a finding by iFixit, and was later brought to our attention by MacRumors' Juli Clover, is notable for a few reasons.

First, it would make the iPad Pro the first and only device that Apple makes (that's not a Mac) to support USB 3.0 transfer speeds. Secondly, it means that copying large 4K video files to the device will be much more feasible.

PDF Expert 5, normally a $9.99 app, is Apple’s Free App of the Week

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

If you wish to read and annotate PDFs on the iPad, then there is perhaps no better app to do so with than PDF Expert 5. The latest in the long standing series of PDF annotation tools from developer Readdle, PDF Expert 5 is a well-respected app that normally commands a $9.99 purchase price.

If you've yet to purchase PDF Expert 5, then I have some good news for you: For the next week, the app is available as a free download from the App Store as a part of Apple's Free App of the Week promotion.

How long does it take to fully charge iPad Pro?

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2015

Despite its notably faster 'A9X' system-on-a-chip and a bigger screen with significantly increased pixel count, the iPad Pro is roughly in line with prior iPad models in terms of battery life.

On the other hand, the jumbo-sized tablet ships with Apple's 12W USB Power Adapter despite having a much larger battery. So, how long does it take to recharge the iPad Pro's battery from dead to full capacity?

Benchmarks put iPad Pro’s A9X chip roughly on par with Intel’s 2013 Core i5

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2015

The powerful Apple-designed 'A9X' system-on-a-chip—the engine that drives the iPad Pro—outperforms its predecessor inside the iPad Air 2 by a large margin while offering approximately the same performance as Intel's Core i5 processor for notebooks from 2013.

In terms of graphics, the iPad Pro still manages to outperform the fluidness of the iPad Air 2 despite having more pixels on a bigger screen. That's the gist of a series of synthetic benchmarks that ArsTechnica ran as part of its massive review of the iPad Pro in order to determine just how speedy Apple's new tablet is.

iPad Pro doesn’t support untethered ‘Hey Siri’

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 12, 2015

Although Apple's iPad Pro Tech Specs webpage states in black and white that the device's A9X system-on-a-chip includes an embedded 'M9' motion coprocessor, just like its A9 counterpart powering the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, the tablet doesn't support untethered 'Hey Siri' functionality when not connected to power, AppleInsider discovered yesterday.

iPad Pro first impressions

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

After waking up in the wee hours of the morning to find the iPad Pro on sale and available for in-store pickup, I decided to place an order for a 128GB Space Grey Wi-Fi-only model. Unfortunately, I had to wait until tonight before I was finally able to get my new iPad home and unboxed. Tomorrow, I’ll be posting some deeper impressions and a few videos that showcase the new iPad Pro, but I wanted to leave you with some of my brief first impressions before I hit the hay.

Microsoft refreshes Office apps for iPad Pro, with an important caveat

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 11, 2015

Windows giant Microsoft today released compatibility updates for its mobile Office app in the App Store—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive—aimed at lucky iPad Pro owners.

Featuring full support for iOS 9's new Slide Over and Split View multitasking modes, these apps now take full advantage of the iPad Pro's massive 2,732-by-2,048 pixel resolution 12.9-canvas that in landscape mode basically runs two full-sized apps concurrently.

Logitech launches Create Backlit Keyboard Case for iPad Pro compatible with Smart Connector

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 11, 2015

Accessory maker Logitech wasted no time launching its Create Backlit Keyboard Case, a folio-style protector for the iPad Pro that offers a full-size keyboard with backlit keys, something Apple's pricey $169 Smart Keyboard case is lambasted for lacking.

Billed as the first third-party keyboard case for Apple's latest tablet, the accessory connects to the iPad Pro's new Smart Connector which offers simultaneous keyboard charging and data transfer, without the need for manual Bluetooth pairing.

Jony Ive talks Apple Pencil

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 11, 2015

Apple's Chief Design Officer, Jony Ive, sat down with The Telegraph's Rhiannon Williams today to discuss the iPad Pro launch (see our review roundup here) and in particular Apple's optional stylus accessory, the $99 Apple Pencil.

The stylus, Ive said, will feel like “a more natural extension” of the pen and paper experience but achieving that degree of natural behavior “was a significant technological challenge,” he revealed.

iPad Pro review roundup: a new canvas for productivity and content creation

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2016

The reviews are in for Apple’s iPad Pro, which went on sale earlier this morning ahead of its retail launch later this week.

So, what’s this device good for? Is it simply a jumbo-sized iPad in the same sense as the iPad was called just an oversized iPhone?

Does the significant screen size increase bring any tangible benefits to your mobile computing beyond just a bigger canvas for your apps?

What about the Apple Pencil and Apple’s pricey keyboard cover, are these optional add-ons or essential accessories? Answers to these questions differ from one reviewer to another. Here’s our roundup of the best iPad Pro reviews on the web.

The iPad Pro is now available for purchase

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 11, 2015

Apple's super-sized tablet aimed at professionals is now available for purchase from the online Apple Store. Early this morning, the iPad Pro went on sale, along with notable accessories, the Apple Pencil, and Smart Keyboard.

The iPad Pro is available for purchase starting at $799 via the Apple online store and brick and mortar Apple retails stores. In fact, you can order an iPad Pro right now, and schedule an in-store pickup when the Apple Store opens later today.

AT&T to take orders for iPad Pro starting tomorrow

Matthew Miller ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

As Apple gears up to start taking orders for the iPad Pro starting tomorrow, carrier partners are as well, or at least AT&T is. The company will be letting customers order it both in stores and online, but the 128 GB WiFi + Cellular model will be their only one, AT&T announced today. AT&T noted that Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard will also be available from the carrier.