iPad Pro

Apple boosts production of 10.5″ iPad Pro ahead of rumored WWDC reveal

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 23, 2018

Apple has boosted production of a rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro model ahead of the tablet's supposed reveal at the company's annual pilgrimage for developers next month, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes said Friday.

The device's monthly shipment volume is now expected to grow to 600,000 units in July, up from around 500,000 units currently. The Cupertino company is hoping to achieve annual shipments of the new tablet in excess of five million units in 2017.

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro model reportedly entered mass production in March-April.

Watchers expect demand for the recently launched $329 iPad model “to pick up strongly” starting at the end of the quarter, reaching its peak in the next quarter when the device's monthly shipments could pass four million units in June and July, the market watchers noted.

As for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro model, Apple is expected to update its highest-resolution iOS device at some point this year, with some supply chain sources saying a second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro model could enter mass production in June.

“Sources from the upstream supply chain noted that Apple's inexpensive 9.7-inch iPad is expected to accelerate Apple's pace on phasing out the iPad mini 4 from the market,” as was rumored earlier this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knJNtkRyO9E

Subscribe to iDownloadBlog on YouTube

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gave the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model 70-30 odds of being announced at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month.

In a recent note to clients, Kuo wrote that Apple’s engineers were able to squeeze a 10.5-inch display into a form factor similar to the existing 9.7-inch iPad models due to the narrower side bezels on the upcoming tablet.

“The newly designed 10.5-inch iPad Pro will have a similar form factor to the 9.7-inch model, but will feature a larger display thanks to narrow bezels,” said the analyst.

Kuo believes that the overhauled design of the device should help improve the user experience and boost traction in the corporate and commercial sectors.

Apple has reportedly commissioned Foxconn to assemble the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model.

General Interface Solution will be the sole supplier of touch panels for the device.

The same supplier provides 3D Touch components for existing iPhones and is said to have landed orders for the three times pricier 3D Touch parts for the OLED-based iPhone 8 model.

KGI forecast 10.5-inch iPad Pro shipments of five to six million units in fiscal 2017, accounting for fifteen percent of total fiscal 2017 iPad shipments.

Image: 9.7-inch iPad Pro with a 10.5-inch piece of paper overlaid via Dan Provost.

KGI: 70% likelihood that Apple will unveil 10.5″ iPad Pro at WWDC next month

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 23, 2018

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says there's over 70 percent likelihood that Apple's rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro with a redesigned chassis is formally announced at the June 5 WWDC keynote as suppliers are gearing up for volume production in early June.

In his Saturday research note to clients, titled “2017 WWDC highlights” and seen by MacRumors, the analyst wrote that Apple's engineers were able to squeeze a 10.5-inch display into a similar form factor to the existing 9.7-inch iPads due to the narrower side bezels on the upcoming 10.5-inch iPad Pro model.

Here's an excerpt from the note:

The newly designed 10.5-inch iPad Pro will have a similar form factor to the 9.7-inch model, but will feature a larger display thanks to narrow bezels. The new design should improve the user experience and help gain traction in the corporate and commercial sectors.

He added that Foxconn will be assemble the new device, while GIS will be the sole supplier of touch panel modules. KGI forecast 10.5-inch iPad Pro shipments of five to six million units in fiscal 2017, accounting for fifteen percent of total fiscal 2017 iPad shipments.

The analyst did not specify if the upcoming device will have the traditional LCD screen or one based on AMOLED display technology like iPhone 8. For what it's worth, Kuo said in August 2016 that a “revolutionary” iPad model with flexible AMOLED panels and other “radical changes” in form factor design shouldn't be expected before 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knJNtkRyO9E

Subscribe to iDownloadBlog on YouTube

For the sake of completeness, we should mentioned that KGI speculated last October that the device would sport the same 2,7320-by-2,048 pixel resolution as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the same pixel density as the iPad mini 4 at 326 pixels per inch.

At that resolution, the width of the 10.5-inch iPad model would be the same height as the current iPad mini models, meaning users could be able to run two full-sized windows side-by-side in iOS’s Split View multitasking mode.

Raymond Soneira, a display expert and president of DisplayMate Technologies, thinks that if the new 10.5-inch iPad shrinks the bezel and keeps the outside dimensions the same, then the display aspect ratio will increase from the current 1.33 to as high as 1.50.

“The screen area would then increase by up to 31 percent. However, with no bezel at all the screen diagonal would then be 11.2 inches for the same outside dimensions as the current 9.7-inch iPad model with the rounded corners,” he added.

WWDC kicks off with a keynote address at 10:00am Pacific Time on Monday, June 5.

Image: 9.7-inch iPad Pro with a 10.5-inch piece of paper overlaid via Dan Provost.

The best calendar apps for iPad

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated September 10, 2020

Time famously flies, which is why calendars have been invented to make sense of that unstoppable ride called life we're all on together. It is also the reason why it has been ages since we last shook the App Store tree and scrutinized all the best calendar apps for iPad falling off it for their quality.

So here we are again, same place but different time, sizing up what today’s App Store has to offer in terms of third-party apps to satisfy your organization and scheduling needs on iPad. Join us on a roundup of some of the best iPad calendar apps for iPad.

Apple shows off NBA star illustrations created on iPad Pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 12, 2017

Apple today showcased work of the self-proclaimed “Vector Art Monster” aka Rob Zilla, who drew NBA star Kevin Durant with his iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

The iPad Pro + Apple Pencil combo allows the artist to create illustrations that Mashable has described as “bright, arresting sports imagery.”

To celebrate the Golden State Warriors’ NBA-best regular season record, and star Kevin Durant’s return to the team just in time for the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the iPhone maker has shared images and videos showing off the illustration coming to life from start to finish.

Apple could soon let you use iPad Pro with your Mac as a Cintiq-style drawing tablet

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 13, 2017

In addition to his assertion that Apple has been working on additional MacBook Pro models sans TouchBar, OSNews' managing editor Thom Holwerda also heard from people in the know that all-new iPad and Mac integration could be in the works, too. As part of its planned pro-oriented feature enhancements, Apple is reportedly considering allowing users to hook an iPad Pro up to a Mac so that the tablet can be used as a Cintiq-like drawing tablet for their computer.

Watch new iPad Pro ads highlighting portability, all-day battery and educational features

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 31, 2017

Yesterday, Apple expanded its collection of iPad Pro ads based on real tweets from real people with a trio of new videos running fifteen seconds long each. The commercials highlight the device's light weight, portability, all-day battery life and the many advantages it brings to students in school. Using the “Real problems... answered” tagline, the clips can be streamed from Apple's official YouTube channel.

9.7″ iPad Pro 2 with A10X Fusion chip could launch next week

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 15, 2017

A second-generation iPad Pro model with a screen measuring 9.7 inches diagonally could launch as early as next week, according to a new report Wednesday by reliable Japanese blog Mac Otakara. The publication's sources describe the forthcoming device as a modest upgrade over the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which released in March 2016 following the September 2015 introduction of the original 12.9-inch iPad Pro model.

Apple moves 10.5″ iPad Pro production to March ahead of rumored April event

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 14, 2017

Apple has reportedly moved ahead volume production for its bezel-less 10.5-inch iPad Pro to March and is expected to unveil the new tablet at an event in April to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater, DigiTimes reported Tuesday citing Taiwan-based supply chain makers. MacRumors said Apple could launch new gadgets next week.

Apple wants to zero in on ‘Pro’ segment, but what about the large majority?

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

In a statement warmly welcomed by us internet folk, Tim Cook recently proclaimed "you will see us do more in the pro area." In our circles, this is unquestionably good news, as we all foster an insatiable appetite for new innovations, be that on a hardware or software level. More pro is great, however I invariably had to spare a thought for the average, not-so techy Apple customer.

I’m talking about the type of customer that after owning their iPhone 6S for more than a year, still has little concept of what 3D Touch does. Or how about the one that loves their new MacBook, but will gaze at you with a stunned expression when you introduce them to Force Touch on their trackpad. This is by no means meant to sound snarky or patronizing, because as a matter of fact, I don’t blame them for not knowing - I blame Apple for failing to take everyone along for the ride due to poor communication.

Shifting up the ‘Pro’ a notch in the future sounds great, that said how do you straddle the line between pleasing us tech-warriors and not entirely overwhelming a large majority of users, a majority already only privity to roughly half of the juicy features on their devices? Apple needs to find some cogent answers to this issue, and rather than creating a two-tier system in their hardware sold (labelling only some products 'Pro'), I contend that software could be the key.

Apple spotted testing new iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 13, 2017

Potentially confirming KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s prediction of a planned iPad refresh due this spring, mobile marketing firm Fiksu (via TechCrunch) has spotted several new iPad models that are currently being tested in Cupertino and nearby locations.

According to unnamed but allegedly “reputable supply chain analysts” who spoke with MacRumors, Apple could announce new products between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24.

Analysts are expecting Apple product announcements as early as next week

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 13, 2017

According to reputable supply chain analysts who spoke with MacRumors on condition of anonymity, Apple could announce some new products later this month, most likely between Monday, March 20 and Friday, March 24.

We already know that Apple will be previewing major updates to iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS at its annual developers conference, which this year kicks off with a keynote on June 5. We also know that the Cupertino company usually saves the best and most important product upgrades for September (iPhones, iPads, Macs and major iOS and macOS software upgrades). So, what could Apple be unveiling at a March press event?

Neverthink takes cues from TV era, plays videos in place of programs

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

If you sampled a bunch of people and asked them about their favorite downtime activities, chances are there would be a fairly even split in numbers between respondents choosing a good book over other forms of entertainment and those drawn to the audiovisual media instead. Folks of the latter segment know best for themselves where to get their daily dose of videos from, but places such as Netflix, Youtube or Hulu are generally speaking a solid bet. Internet empowered services aside, there is credible chatter that in the shadows of society, some renegades continue to resort to a traditional TV set for their spate of mindless diversion.

Whether you find yourself all too often hunting for new videos to watch during lunch break or you identify with the dwindling TV crowd, a brand new app called neverthink could be for you. That’s because it marries the old-fashion convenience of always-on programming with the excitement of the sometimes mercurial internet. Neverthink wants you to never again think about what videos to dig up next and their way of going about it is unique enough to potentially strike a chord with you.