Apple this week discontinued personalized engraving for replacement iPod devices, according to an internal memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers and obtained by MacRumors.
In other words, if you have a damaged iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, or iPod classic with an engraved message on it, and an Apple technician determines that the entire device needs to be replaced, Apple will simply provide customers with a non-engraved replacement from its repair inventory.
Previously, customers had the option of requesting a re-engraved replacement device shipped directly from China.
Given the iPod touch is a niche product in Apple's lineup, and that all other iPod models have been discontinued for years, this change is unlikely to affect most customers. However, if you had a nostalgic message engraved on an iPod several years ago, know that those words will be lost if Apple replaces the device.
Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS and iPadOS 13.4 updates to developers, one week after the release of the third betas and more than a month after the release of iOS and iPadOS 13.3.1.
iOS and iPadOS 13.4 can be downloaded from the Apple Developer center or over the air once the proper developer profile has been installed. On the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, Apple requires the beta to be installed over the air using the configuration profile.
iOS and iPadOS 13.4 are major updates, bringing several major new features to the iPhone and the iPad. There's a new toolbar in the Mail app that's available when viewing an email, featuring a more logical design to address complaints about the Mail layout in iOS 13.
The update design moves the reply icon away from the delete icon, making it much harder to accidentally delete an email, and it adds Folder and Compose icons.
iCloud Folder Sharing, designed to let users share folders in iCloud Drive with other people, is available as of iOS 13.4. iCloud Folder Sharing was first announced at WWDC last year, but it has taken Apple several months to implement it. The feature shows real-time updates so file changes will sync across the devices of all people with access to a specific folder.
There are nine new Memoji and Animoji stickers included in the update, featuring emoji-style poses like shocked face, face with hearts, eyes rolling, and more.
There's a subtle but important change to the way the URL bar works in Safari. In iOS 13.4, you can tap into the URL bar right away even when a URL is highlighted, which is different behavior from iOS 13.3.1. In iOS 13.3.1, an extra tap outside of a URL was required to deselect it before it could be tapped to be edited.
There are new Settings in the TV app that are designed to allow users to control streaming and downloading over WiFi and cellular, introducing new data saving options for those without unlimited streaming plans.
There are hints of a new CarKey API in iOS 13.4, which would allow the iPhone to be used to lock, unlock, and start a car that has NFC capabilities. This functionality hasn't been announced by Apple as of yet, but it will iPhone owners to use their devices in lieu of a car key. Sharing features will also be available for assigning keys to friends and family members through the Messages app.
Code in iOS 13.4 also suggests Apple is working on an over-the-air recovery feature that would allow the iPhone and the iPad to be restored without the need for a computer.
Though not an iOS specific feature, Apple with iOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4, tvOS 13.4, and Xcode 11.4 is allowing developers to create apps with universal purchase support, which means Apple device users will be able to purchase one app that works across multiple platforms.
There are new controls for calls and third-party navigation apps in CarPlay, along with keyboard shortcuts for the Photos app, changes to location requests for apps requesting user location, a new Shazam Shortcuts action, options for remapping hardware keys of a keyboard connected to the iPad, and more.
For a full list of all the new features that have been found in iOS and iPadOS 13.4 so far, make sure to check out our dedicated what's new articles for beta 1 and beta 2.
The new macOS Catalina beta can be downloaded using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper software from the Developer Center.
macOS Catalina 10.15.4 includes Screen Time Communication Limits, a feature first brought to the iPhone in the iOS 13.3 update, and it brings a new Head Pointer Accessibility option that allows the cursor to be controlled with head movements using the Mac's camera.
Real-time lyrics are included in macOS 10.15.4, bringing an iOS feature introduced in iOS 13 to the Mac. Real-time lyrics allow the lyrics for a song to scroll in real-time to the music so you can follow along with what's being sung.
References to AMD processors have also been discovered in the macOS 10.15.4 beta, leading to speculation that Apple is working on AMD-based Macs, but these references could simply be for internal testing rather than evidence of an AMD Mac.
Though not directly related to macOS Catalina 10.15.4, Apple is adding a new universal purchase option for macOS and iOS apps, which will allow Apple device users to purchase one app that works across multiple platforms.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 13.4 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the third beta and a month after the release of tvOS 13.3.1.
Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the new tvOS 13.4 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV using a profile that's installed using Xcode.
tvOS updates are typically minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than major outward-facing changes.
The tvOS 13.4 update introduces some minor design changes to streamline the look of the TV app interface, plus it introduces Family Sharing integration so users can access iTunes content purchased by family members without having to leave the app.
WhatsApp was today updated to version 2.20.30, introducing a new Dark Mode option that has been in testing for a few weeks now. According to the WhatsApp release notes, the new Dark Mode option is available whenever Dark Mode is activated on the iPhone or iPad.
Dark Mode is linked to iOS 13, which means iOS 13 is required to use Dark Mode. WhatsApp users on earlier versions of iOS will not have access to the feature.
Dark Mode is available throughout the WhatsApp app, with dark chat bubbles and a dark version of wallpaper, a dark settings section, and a dark splash screen.
Today’s update also includes a new search option that allows users to filter by author and content type, making it easier to locate photos and other content.
Apple has six mini-LED products in the works that are set to debut in 2020 and 2021, and production is not expected to be delayed by the coronavirus, according to a new note to investors sent out this morning by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Apple is developing a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 27-inch iMac Pro, a 14.1-inch MacBook Pro, a 16-inch MacBook Pro, a 10.2.-inch iPad, and a 7.9-inch iPad mini. Kuo does not provide specific launch dates for the items with the exception of the iMac Pro, which he says will launch in the fourth quarter of 2020, and the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which he says will launch in 2020.
The product research and development for mini LED remain unaffected by the COVID-19. The visibility for commercialization has even exceeded the expectations in our previous report.
The trend for Apple’s development and promotion of mini LED are more identifiable in five years. We predict that Apple is currently developing six mini-LED-support products (vs. the previous report of only two products), including a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 27-inch iMac Pro in 4Q20, a 14.1-inch MacBook Pro (upgraded from 13.3-inch), a 16-inch MacBook Pro, a 10.2-inch iPad, and a 7.9-inch iPad mini in 2020.
Of particular interest in Kuo's note is the mention of the 14.1-inch MacBook Pro, as this is the first indication that we've had that Apple is planning a new size for its smaller MacBook Pro offering. The 14.1-inch MacBook Pro will be sold alongside a refreshed 16-inch MacBook Pro. The mention of an iMac Pro is also notable as Apple has not refreshed its iMac Pro since it launched in 2017.
According to Kuo, Apple's mini-LED products are expected to come out in 2020 and 2021, but in previous notes, Kuo has said we can expect to see the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a mini-LED display in the fourth quarter of 2020, so that could also be when the 14.1-inch version will launch.
Kuo has also said that the mini-LED version of 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which is expected to be a high-end option, will launch in the fall of 2020. Current rumors indicate that this fall 12.9-inch model will come after a spring refresh of other iPad Pro models.
Apple this week premiered its upcoming original film "The Banker" at a special event at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, with stars Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, and Nia Long in attendance.
Inspired by true events, Apple says "The Banker" centers on revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who "devise an audacious and risky plan to take on the racist establishment of the 1960s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream."
"The Banker" will premiere in select theaters in the U.S. on March 6, and will become available to stream on Apple TV+ on March 20.
Apple TV+ is accessible through Apple's TV app on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, Mac, select Samsung and LG smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, as well as online at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. Apple says its TV app will be available on select Sony and VIZIO smart TVs later this year.
Amazon today has Apple's AirPods Pro for the low price of $234.98, down from $249.00. At about $14 off, this remains the lowest price we've ever tracked for a brand new model of the AirPods Pro among the major Apple resellers online.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This sale on the AirPods Pro typically comes around every few weeks on Amazon, and due to low stock it never lasts long. So if you've been waiting to purchase a pair, be sure to visit Amazon soon. Right now, the fastest delivery option can have the AirPods Pro arrive by Thursday, March 5.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
Last month, Apple launched a Night Mode photo challenge, inviting customers around the world to share their best low-light photos captured with the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Apple today revealed the six winning photos from thousands of submissions worldwide. The winning photos will be featured in a gallery on Apple.com, on Apple's social media platforms, and on billboards globally. Apple said it will pay a licensing fee to the winning photographers for use of such photos in its marketing.
Konstantin Chalabov / Moscow, Russia / iPhone 11 Pro:
Andrei Manuilov / Moscow, Russia / iPhone 11 Pro Max:
Mitsun Soni / Mumbai, India / iPhone 11 Pro:
Rubén P. Bescós / Pamplona, Spain / iPhone 11 Pro Max:
Rustam Shagimordanov / Moscow, Russia / iPhone 11:
Yu "Eric" Zhang / Beijing, China / iPhone 11 Pro Max:
Apple's panel of judges shared their thoughts on what made these photos stand out from the pack in the press release.
AAPL shares surged 9.3 percent on Monday as the U.S. stock market rebounded and Apple's rating was upgraded by an analyst who said the company was more prepared than its competitors to absorb the impact of the coronavirus outbreak (via Reuters).
Oppenheimer raised its rating on Apple stock from "perform" to "outperform", arguing that the stock had become too cheap since its 16.5 percent drop on February 12 that hovered until Friday's close.
As Barrons notes, the rally meant Apple enjoyed its biggest single-day move in more than 11 years.
Apple played a significant role in Monday's historic rally. Shares of the iPhone maker soared 9.3%, the stock's largest one-day move in more than 11 years.
The $24.45 per share gain contributed 172 points to the Dow Jones Industrial Average's 1,296 point gain. Apple (ticker: AAPL) closed the day at $298.91, after trading as high as $301.44 during the day's session. The stock peaked at $327.20 on Feb. 12.
Apple's stock has yo-yoed amid the developing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, and last week saw major fluctuations within the span of hours.
The viral epidemic in China prompted many of Apple's suppliers to suspend production at their factories in February and Apple retail stores temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.
Apple CEO Tim Cooklast week said he felt "China is getting the coronavirus under control," and added that the number of reported infections in the region is "coming down day by day by day." Major iPhone assembler Foxconn today said it expects its Chinese plants to resume normal operation by the end of the month.
Apple's rally boosted the company's market value by $111 billion, while its market capitalization now stands at $1.3 trillion, although that's still shy of the company's all-time high of $328 set on January 29, 2020, which saw its market cap grow to over $1.4 trillion.
iPhone assembler Foxconn expects its Chinese plants to resume normal operation by the end of the month after fixing labor shortages resulting from the coronavirus outbreak (via Bloomberg).
The first quarter of the year is typically quiet for Apple and its Taiwanese iPhone supplier after a boom in sales over the holiday season. However, ongoing delays from the coronavirus outbreak in China could cause Apple to miss its schedule for mass producing its upcoming low-cost iPhone, according to at least one report.
"As of today, the production resumption has reached 50% of seasonal required capacity. Based on the current schedule, we shall be able to reach full seasonal capacity by the end of March," [Foxconn] said in a stock exchange filing. "There are still plenty of uncertainties which we cannot quantify around the potential impact on the full year."
Apple was planning to begin mass production on the low-cost iPhone in February, but sources that spoke to Nikkei last month said that meeting that target was "very challenging" and production could be delayed until March.
Current rumors have suggested Apple plans to unveil the new iPhone at an event that's set to take place in March, perhaps on March 31, with Apple then releasing the device on April 3. Though there are issues with production, multiple sources have said the new iPhone is still going to launch on time.
Foxconn slashed its 2020 revenue outlook in early February after it imposed strict quarantines at its main base in China to guard against the coronavirus outbreak. The manufacturer previously claimed the viral outbreak had had a "fairly small impact" on iPhone production, but since then the virus has spread to 70 countries and is responsible for 90,000 infections and 3,000 deaths, most of which have occurred in China.
iPad Pro models are currently showing limited availability at stores in major cities in the U.S., Australia and across Europe, Boomberg's Mark Gurman reported today.
According to a review of Apple's website that was conducted on Monday, the non-cellular 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 512GB storage is sold out at all Apple stores in the Los Angeles area, while the same model and other versions are also sold out at many stores in New York City.
Some Apple store employees said they started noticing reduced iPad Pro inventory in the last week. They asked not to be identified discussing private product information.
Gurman's report leads by speculating that the supply constraints may be a possible sign of the coronavirus outbreak's impact on Apple's manufacturing supply chain, but he also concedes that the shortages could be due to new incoming iPad Pro models. Apple sometimes slows the flow of product units coming into its various sales channels as the next-generation models approach launch.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to launch an upgraded iPad Pro during the first half of 2020, perhaps as early as this month, with Apple planning to release a next-generation model with a rear-facing time-of-flight (ToF) camera system supporting 3D sensing for immersive augmented reality experiences.
Recent rumors suggest Apple is planning to hold an event on Tuesday, March 31, so if new iPad Pros are in the works for the first half of 2020, they could well be announced at this event.
However, even if an announcement is imminent, it's still possible the new iPad Pro model supplies could be constrained or delayed due to a slowdown in production caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China. A DigiTimes report last month claimed the new iPad Pro models have been slow to ramp up following the extended Lunar New Year holiday, although the Taiwan-based website maintained that launch of the new devices is expected "around March."
Gurman notes that AirPods Pro and built-to-order Macs are also continuing to show shipping delays, and some Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 5 models are listed as unavailable to buy online, although the Series 3 watch and Airpods Pro were constrained before the viral outbreak was reported.
Apple's latest iPhones and other iPads remain widely available in the U.S., although the iPhone 11 is listed as unavailable in some European countries and Australia.
In addition to the new iPad Pro, rumors suggest Apple is planning to release a new low-cost iPhone and an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro, while more outlying launch possibilities for the first half of 2020 include a MacBook Air update, Apple's Tile-like "AirTags" item trackers, and perhaps a wireless charging mat.
Apple recently said it wouldn't meet its guidance for the March quarter due to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus, citing both constrained iPhone supplies worldwide and lower customer demand for Apple products in China as the main impacts on performance for the quarter.
Around the same size as the iPhone 11, the HyperJuice can charge an iPhone from empty to 50 percent charge in under 30 minutes, and comes with an integrated 18W USB-C cable that can charge any USB-C devices including iPad Pro and Android devices.
The 10,000mAh battery pack can be easily recharged at 18W speed using the same built-in USB-C cable or using an additional USB-C input charge port.
It also supports pass-through charging, so users can charge both their HyperJuice battery pack and iPhone at the same time using a single USB-C charger with the cables already built into the HyperJuice.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Hyper. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Nintendo today announced that it plans to add a multiplayer mode to Mario Kart Tour on March 8, allowing players to compete against up to seven other players.
According to Nintendo, gamers can play against their friends in game, people who are located nearby, or others around the world, with several multiplayer gameplay modes available.
Nintendo first introduced Mario Kart Tour for iPhone and iPad in September 2019. Gameplay is similar to other Mario Kart games on Nintendo consoles, allowing players to race a kart across the Mushroom Kingdom, beating their rivals to the finish line.
Mario Kart Tour is free to play, but there is an optional Gold Pass subscription that introduces various in-game items and badges, along with unlocking a faster 200cc mode. There are also in-app purchases for rubies and other items.
Nintendo has previously tested multiplayer mode with a closed beta test for subscribers in December and an open beta test in January, but now the feature is ready to officially launch.
Production on Apple's devices has been stymied in recent weeks due to delays caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China. Many of Apple's China-based suppliers had to shut down for two weeks or more in February, and there are still staffing issues as factories work to ramp up production around travel bans, quarantines, and other problems.
Apple's operations team has been raising concerns about the company's reliance on China, and as early as 2015, there were suggestions that Apple relocate assembly of one or more products to Vietnam, allowing Apple to start training workers and creating component providers outside of China.
Senior managers shot down the idea at the time, and transitioning away from China has been "too challenging to undertake." Apple has, however, begun to move some production outside of China. Apple has moved AirPods Pro assembly to Vietnam due to tariffs, and now produces some iPhones in India, but a complete break "is impossible."
As The Wall Street Journal points out, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been downplaying the need for changes in the supply chain. On Friday, Cook said in an interview that if there are supply chain changes because of the coronavirus, it will be "adjusting some knobs, not some kind of wholesale fundamental change."
Apple is not able to break away from China because China has hundreds of thousands of employees, both skilled and unskilled, that have expertise in manufacturing Apple's devices.
Finding a comparable amount of unskilled and skilled labor is impossible, said Dan Panzica, a former Foxconn executive. The population in China has allowed suppliers to build factories with a capacity for more than 250,000 people. The number of migrant workers in China, who do much of Apple's production, exceed Vietnam's total population of 100 million. India is the closest comparison, but its roads, ports and infrastructure lag far behind those in China.
"You're not going to be able to have mega-factories anywhere else," Mr. Panzica said. "You're going to have to break them up."
Should Apple decide to move production out of China, that could impact device sales in the country. China is responsible for close to a fifth of Apple's total revenue.
Apple's relationship with China began many years ago, when Foxconn began making iPods in 2001 and the iPhone in 2007. As Apple device sales have grown, the factories that assemble Apple devices have also grown in tandem, resulting in what The Wall Street Journal describes as a "triangle of interdependency."
Apple grew to depend on Foxconn to make devices and Chinese consumers to buy them. Foxconn built its business by leaning on China's vast workforce and control over land to construct factories. And China became beholden to Foxconn as the nation's largest private-sector employer and Apple as a trainer of new technology suppliers.
Apple did plan to assemble some iPhone 11 models in India, but the effort was halted before a single manufacturing line was set up, as Apple believed India was not ready to supply the skilled labor or robust infrastructure that Apple expects. iPhone 11 models were produced in China instead.
That's not likely to change in 2020 because there's no supply chain in place and workers in India aren't ready to produce the high-end iPhones that are expected to be released in 2020. As for U.S. production, Apple is manufacturing some Mac Pro models in the United States (those sold in the United States), but Mac Pro models sold in the rest of the world are still manufactured in China because the U.S. also doesn't have the skilled labor force that China has available.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple in the spring of 2020 unveiled and released the first Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which is similar to a Smart Keyboard for iPad but with a built-in trackpad for better navigation with a cursor. In 2021, Apple debuted a second-generation 12.9-inch version that works with the 2021 iPad Pro.
In the guide below, we cover everything we know about Apple's Magic Keyboard, including compatible devices, feature set, and more.
iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Reviews
Reviews of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro have been largely positive, and many reviewers have been impressed with the key feel and the quality and functionality of the trackpad.
The biggest complaint about the Magic Keyboard has been the weight, which adds quite a lot of bulk to the iPad Pro. As mentioned above, the 12.9-inch model paired with a Magic Keyboard is heavier than a MacBook Air.
Reviewers found the trackpad to be a little bit small in comparison to the trackpad on a MacBook, but said that it works smoothly and is superior to the trackpad on Microsoft's Surface machines. Another complaint included the lack of function keys on the keyboard, preventing users from controlling things like key brightness. Below, we've included multiple review videos, and a list of sites with full reviews of the Magic Keyboard.
The first Magic Keyboard was released for the 2020 iPad Pro models in March of 2020, and a second-generation version came out in April 2021.
The Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch model is unchanged and is compatible with both the 2020 and 2021 iPad Pro models, but that's not the case for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.
Apple's 2021 iPad Pro is 0.5mm thicker than the 2020 iPad Pro due to the inclusion of a mini-LED display in the new model, so the first-generation Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro will not fit the 2021 iPad Pro models.
The updated 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard released in 2021 is, however, backwards compatible with the 2020 model. So if you have a 2020 iPad Pro you can buy the 2021 Magic Keyboard (which is the only version available now), but if you have a 2021 iPad Pro, you will need to make sure you're getting the 2021 Magic Keyboard.
If you already have a 2020 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard, it will not fit the 2021 iPad Pro models.
It's also worth noting that in 2021, Apple also introduced a white version of the Magic Keyboard for the first time, which is available for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.
Design
The Magic Keyboard is similar in design to Apple's prior Smart Keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro, but there are some unique design elements worth noting.
The keyboard itself attaches magnetically and wraps around the front and back of the iPad and it is flush with the iPad when closed, but when open, the back part of the keyboard case angles forward to attach to the area in front of the keyboard, leaving the iPad Pro floating in the air above the keyboard portion.
In this floating position, the iPad Pro is secured to the case using a magnetic connection. A cantilevered hinge allows the iPad Pro to be adjusted to various viewing angles. When closed, the Magic Keyboard offers front and back protection for the iPad Pro.
The design of the Magic Keyboard does not allow it to be flipped around to the back of the iPad Pro for a sketching or drawing mode. Using the iPad Pro outside of a standard laptop mode requires the Magic Keyboard to be removed.
Weight
The new Magic Keyboard is heavier than the iPad Pro itself, which is something to consider before purchasing. The 12.9-inch version of the Magic Keyboard weighs 710 grams (1.6 pounds), heavier than the 641 grams (1.41 pounds) of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Combined, that's just about three pounds, which is heavier than a MacBook Air and close to the weight of a 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch Magic Keyboard weights 601 grams (1.3 pounds), while the 11-inch iPad Pro weighs 471 grams (1.04 pounds), so the 11-inch keyboard is heavier than the 11-inch iPad Pro, but the combined weight doesn't make the setup heavier than a MacBook.
Trackpad
The trackpad on the Magic Keyboard is located below the keys, much like on a MacBook. It's smaller than the trackpad on a MacBook, but works in much the same way, allowing navigation throughout iPadOS with swipes, gestures, and taps.
Keys and Key Feel
The Magic Keyboard is a full-size keyboard that uses the same scissor switch mechanism that Apple first implemented in the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 2020 MacBook Air.
Scissor switches are more reliable than the butterfly switches that Apple was using in prior keyboards, with the butterfly switches prone to failure due to dust and other small particulates. The scissor switch keyboard can be seen in this x-ray of the Magic Keyboard shared by iFixit.
The scissor mechanism offers 1mm of travel for a quiet but responsive typing experience that Apple says is the best typing experience ever on an iPad. Compared to the Smart Keyboard Folio that does not have a trackpad, the keys on the Magic Keyboard offer a more satisfying press thanks to the 1mm of travel.
The keys on the Magic Keyboard are backlit and the brightness adjust based on the ambient lighting in the room.
Trackpad Gestures
Apple designed a unique trackpad experience built for a touch-first interface for the iPad, introducing support for multi-touch gestures and the cursor.
When using the trackpad, the cursor displays on the iPad Pro's screen as a circle, a design Apple chose because it looked similar to the tip of a finger. The cursor displays only when the trackpad is touched and is in use, and it fades away when not in use.
The Magic Keyboard works across iPadOS, with the cursor transforming when there are elements on the display that can be interacted with. The experience of using the trackpad is similar to using a trackpad on Mac, and it feels just as natural as it does on a Mac.
You can quickly edit text in apps using the cursor, scroll through Safari, enter multitasking views, and more, with a number of gestures supported. We've outlined some of the available gestures and navigation options below:
Bring the cursor to the top right of the iPad's display to open Control Center.
Bring the cursor to the top left of the iPad's display to open Notification Center.
Tap to open apps.
Press and hold to activate long press features.
Bring the cursor to the bottom of the screen to open the Dock.
Slide the cursor all the way to the right side of the screen to get to Slide Over apps.
Swipe down with three fingers to access the Home screen.
Swipe left or right with three fingers to swap between open apps.
Swipe upwards with three fingers and hold to get to the multitasking view.
Use pinch gestures to zoom in and out where appropriate.
Swipe down with two fingers to bring up Spotlight search.
Scroll through webpages in Safari with two fingers on the trackpad.
Long press when editing text to select text to copy or drag and drop.
Use two fingers in a text editing app to bring up Cut, Copy, and Paste options.
Click with two fingers for a right click gesture.
Both Apple apps and third-party apps work with the trackpad by default, and developers are getting an API to add deeper trackpad support into their apps. Apple is also building support into specific apps like Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
Lap Stability
The Magic Keyboard is stable on a lap and is built to be well-balanced for lap use. It is a rigid keyboard with no flexibility.
Tilt
The tilt of the iPad Pro when inside the Magic Keyboard can be adjusted from 90 to 130 degrees.
USB-C Port
There's a USB-C port on the Magic Keyboard that allows for passthrough charging, leaving the USB-C port on the iPad Pro itself open for connecting to displays or accessories. The USB-C port provides power to the iPad Pro inductively, and while it doesn't provide quite as much power as the standard power adapter, it's not too far off.
Some Magic Keyboard owners have had trouble charging the keyboard using a third-party charging cable or power adapter, which is something to be aware of. Apple's iPad Pro charging cable and power adapter may be required.
Compatible Devices
The first-generation 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard released in 2020 is compatible with 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models. It is not compatible with 2021 iPad Pro models.
The second-generation 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard released in 2021 is compatible with 2018, 2020, and 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.
The 11-inch Magic Keyboard options sold in 2020 and 2021 are compatible with iPad Pro models from 2018, 2020, and 2021, as well as the fourth-generation iPad Air.
Software Requirements
Using the Magic Keyboard with an iPad Pro requires the iPadOS 13.4 update, which enables mouse and trackpad support along with many trackpad gestures and options.
The Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro costs $299, and the Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro costs $349. The Magic Keyboards can be purchased from Apple's online store.
Magic Keyboard Hidden Features
There are a lot of little hidden features and tweaks that aren't immediately obvious when using the Magic Keyboard, so make sure to check out our tips and tricks video to learn about some handy features like adjusting the backlighting of the keys and bringing up the onscreen keyboard.
Other Keyboard With Trackpad Options
There are a few other keyboard cases with trackpad designed for the iPad Pro and Apple's other iPads, which can be found in our guide on keyboard trackpad cases available for purchase.
Michelle Mendelovitz, a TV exec who worked for Apple for two years and oversaw the development of shows like "For All Mankind," "Servant," and "Visible: Out on Television," is leaving Apple for Disney-owned 20th Century Fox TV, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
At Fox, Mendelovitz will lead the drama development team with the title Senior Vice President of Drama Development. Mendelovitz first joined Apple as a Creative Executive in September 2018 as Apple was working to build the Apple TV+ service that debuted in November 2019.
Prior to that, she worked at Sony Pictures Entertainment and CBS, developing TV shows like "The Good Doctor," "Bloodline," "Mom," and more.
20th Century Fox, owned by Disney as of March 2019, has been responsible for producing TV shows like "Glee," "How I Met Your Mother," "Family Guy," "American Horror Story," "The Simpsons," and more.
Future shows overseen by Mendelovitz could potentially make their way to Disney+, an Apple TV+ competitor, though much of the Fox content goes to Hulu, which is majority-owned by Disney.
Apple today formally announced its upcoming "She Creates" initiative at Apple Stores, which will see Apple host more than 5,000 Today at Apple sessions highlighting inspiring female creators using photography, design, technology, business, and film to "to address tough topics, explore new perspectives and empower their communities."
"Celebrating the work, spirit and contributions of women is so important to Apple," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail + People. "We're thrilled to recognize International Women's Day through the 'She Creates' programming series and bring these experiences to our stores so everyone can be inspired by some of the world's most passionate and innovative creators."
International Women's Day, which takes place on Sunday, March 8 in 2020, is a global day designed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements by women. While Apple participates in International Women's Day each year, it is not an event created by Apple.
Starting today, there are two new Today at Apple sessions inspired by women, including a Music Lab featuring the music of Alicia Keys and an Art Lab called "Playful Portraits" that draws inspiration from three female artists in New York, Tokyo, and Warsaw. Other special Today at Apple sessions are planned for select stores around the world throughout March, with more information available on Apple's Today at Apple website
Along with "She Creates" sessions at Apple retail stores, Apple says that every day in March, it will highlight apps and games created by female developers, designers, and entrepreneurs through the App of the Day and Game of the Day features.
In the Apple TV app, there's a new International Women's Day collection highlighting women who are "changing the narrative through storytelling across the movie and TV landscape." There are sections dedicated to Bold New Voices, Women Directing Women, Rebellious Icons, and Recent Watershed Moments in TV.
On March 8, Apple plans to release a curated collection on Apple Podcasts called "Changing the Narrative," which features podcasts celebrating women podcasters, shows, and stories. In Books, Apple will feature women recommending their favorite books.
Finally, Apple Watch owners around the world can earn an International Women's Day Apple Watch award and stickers by completing a walk, run, or wheelchair workout of 20 minutes or more.
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