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iPad Pro Likely to Ship With iOS 9.1, Suggesting No September Launch Alongside iPhone

Wednesday August 19, 2015 10:48 am PDT by Juli Clover
Earlier this week, we saw hints of Apple's work on iOS 9.1 in the MacRumors visitor logs, speculating Apple had begun work on the update as a way to test features on the much-rumored 12.9-inch "iPad Pro" or the iPad mini 4 ahead of production. As it turns out, we were correct.

This morning, analytics company AppSee found an "iPad6,8" with a resolution of 2,732 x 2,048 in its logs. We asked AppSee to check what version of iOS the iPad had installed on it, and as it turns out, it's running iOS 9.1, suggesting Apple's work on iOS 9.1 coincides with the development of the iPad Pro.


iOS 9.1 on the large-screened tablet in AppSee's logs suggests that's the operating system the iPad Pro will ship with, which rules out the possibility of a launch in September alongside the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. Both iOS 9.1 and the iPad Pro will likely be unveiled at a separate event later in the year.

Rumors this morning have also suggested the iPad Pro will be entering mass production in September or October, pointing towards a late October or November launch date. It's possible Apple plans to stick to the same October iPad unveiling timeline it's used for the past several years, introducing the iPad Pro in mid-October and shipping it at the end of the month.

It is not clear what will be introduced in iOS 9.1, but the iPad Pro includes several features that could require a dedicated update, such as a pressure sensitive Force Touch display, a stylus, and a USB-C port that could support peripheral devices.

Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be the first major new addition to the iPad lineup since the iPad mini was unveiled in 2012. At 12.9 inches, it's significantly larger than the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2, and could bring a much-needed boost to Apple's flagging iPad sales.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: iOS 9.1
Buyer's Guide: 12.9" iPad Pro (Buy Now)
[ 98 comments ]


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redheeler
45 months ago

Soooo just iOS for a Pro device?

This blows! Means no Mac OS X.

You can't expect Apple to put OS X on hardware it's not and never was designed for, can you? iOS is what I always expected.
Rating: 18 Votes
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Rogifan
45 months ago
I have to laugh at people thinking/expecting this device would run OS X. If that were the case believe me they would be rumors about it by now. No way would Apple be able to keep that a secret. I'm not sure why anyone is shocked this device will be running a version of iOS.
Rating: 18 Votes
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Ghost31
45 months ago
Why....would people think an iPad, which is known as an iOS device, would just all of a sudden run OS X?

These people...
Rating: 16 Votes
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thekeyring
45 months ago
Why are people moaning about it running iOS? If there's a feature or two you'd like in a Pro tablet (for example: true multitasking) why aren't you leaving comments like 'without true multitasking, I don't want it'.

If you want every feature of OS X, you need a laptop.
Rating: 12 Votes
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JonneyGee
45 months ago

This blows! Means no Mac OS X.

Then I won't be selling my Mac Pro and iMac with Retina 5K display.

I don't think anyone expected any iPad to ship with OS X.

And it's better this way. When you try to have one operating system to run touchscreen and non-touch devices, you get the train wreck that is Windows 8.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Sloppy.Joe
45 months ago
I'm really curious. Raise your hand if a 12.9 inch ipad is something you might want.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Goldfrapp
45 months ago
This blows! Means no Mac OS X.

Nevermind then, I won't be selling my Mac Pro and iMac with Retina 5K display.
Rating: 7 Votes
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snowboarder
45 months ago


If you want every feature of OS X, you need a laptop.



Sorry, but this BS. iOS is a joke. No file system. Every app has a mickey moused way
to store files without sharing it. Try to email two images. Etc, etc.

But the main thing - MS Surface Pro proved you can have a professional tablet
running FULL VERSION of Photoshop designed for a tablet, with larger icons etc.
Try it on your iPad.

Sorry, again, good hardware, but a disgrace of an operating system.
Designed for the kardashians...
Rating: 5 Votes
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Benjamin Frost
45 months ago
I'd jump on a jumbo iPad.
Rating: 5 Votes
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gotluck
45 months ago



But the ecosystem is just as important as the OS if not more. Apple could easily make a fully functional touch OS, but what applications will it run? Non touch OS X applications? Neutered iOS apps? It's not likely OS X application developers will be eager to redesign all their applications for touch interface without some serious financial motivation (money over time). The main reason developers were eager to create new versions of their applications for iOS was because iPhones and iPads were popular AND the apps were simple. Where will their motivation be to redesign their full desktop applications for a device that has no proven mass market demand? As far as I can see, the only way we'll ever see a laptop level tablet from Apple is if iOS and its ecosystem grows in functionality over time. Or if there is a sudden boom in demand for pro tablet devices.


iOS with a true usb host and a more friendly way to access files between apps would probably be enough for me to replicate most laptop functions
Rating: 4 Votes

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