Any given year, there are a variety of different rumors swirling around at any given time regarding upcoming products from Apple. But this year, and especially right now, it certainly feels like the rumor mill is bursting at the seams regarding devices the company is working on. Especially in the laptop category.
Right now, Apple's biggest iPad is a Pro-branded model, boasting a 12.9-inch display. It's a big piece of technology, but for folks who like that sort of thing, it's also a workhorse that has a big, beautiful display. But it sounds like Apple's ready to test the waters on an even bigger tablet. But, as it turns out, Apple might not be going pro with this one.
One of the biggest new features coming to iPadOS 16 later this year is Stage Manager, the all-new method for multitasking on Apple's most powerful tablets. Specifically, the iPad models that are equipped with Apple silicon under the hood. Which, for now, is the M1 processor.
The 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro should get the new Apple M2 chip and wireless charging support in September or October, ahead of a new 14.1-incher in 2023.
Apple's line of tablets are pretty powerful and helpful. And while some folks might see plenty of shortcomings with iPadOS, it's also plenty useful. And it's getting better with iPadOS 16, which is expected to arrive later this fall. To that end, Apple is finally getting around to adding one of the most important apps the company's tablets have been missing for years.
One of the biggest new elements to help boost productivity on iPad is what Apple calls Stage Manager. It's a brand new multitasking software tool that helps tablet users get more done. At least, that's the idea. But it's only available on iPad models equipped with Apple's M-series processor, the M1. And today, Apple's hoping to explain why that is.
iPadOS is the software that helps differentiate the iPad lineup from the iPhone, even if it is technically based on iOS. And there are plenty of similarities, of course, especially when it comes to general features. But that's the idea. Bridge the gap between the two mobile operating systems, but also leave plenty of similarities so that they retain that helpfulness users have come to expect.
Gamevice has been offering a gaming controller attachment for the iPhone for quite some time. And for many Android-based devices, too. But, one thing that has been missing is a game controller for the iPad lineup. But that changes, with the company officially unveiling a brand new gaming controller attachment that will fit several different iPad models across Apple's range of tablets.
Typically speaking, Apple isn't the highest payout when it comes to offering trade-in values. But, they aren't the worst, either. And of course, trade-in values will continue to vary on a semi-regular basis, just as we're seeing recently.
Budget iPad, Apple's entry-level model that starts at $329, is predicted to increase screen size on models releasing next year to match the eleven-inch iPad Pro.
A reliable analyst predicts no mini-LED products from Apple in 2022. So, does that mean that the eleven-inch iPad Pro won't get a mini-LED upgrade this year at all?
One of the new devices that the rumor mill suggested we'd see at Apple's "Peek Performance" event earlier this month was a new iPad Pro. Unfortunately, that did not come to pass. Which means we're still waiting for Apple to refresh the 12.9- and 11-inch iPad Pro models at some point in the near future.