iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pass FCC, Smart Keyboard Limited to U.S. Layout at Launch - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pass FCC, Smart Keyboard Limited to U.S. Layout at Launch

Apple received final approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on October 15 for the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil ahead of their November launch. FCC regulatory documents show that Apple filed applications for both LTE and Wi-Fi models of the upcoming 12.9-inch tablet, as noted by G4Games.

Apple-Pencil-iPad-Pro
There are still at least two weeks remaining until the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil are released, but FCC approval is typically one of the final requirements leading up to a new product launch. The new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, for example, received FCC approval in August prior to their release this week.

On a related note, Apple also recently added fine print on its German website that indicates the Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro will only be available with a U.S. English layout at launch, as spotted by iFun.de. The accessory is not to be confused with the new Magic Keyboard, which will be available in over a dozen languages.

iPad-Pro-Smart-Keyboard
iPad Pro will come in Silver, Space Gray and Gold, starting at $799 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model. A 128GB Wi-Fi only model will also be available for $949, and a Wi-Fi + LTE 128GB model will retail for $1,079. Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard will retail for $99 and $169 respectively as standalone accessories.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad Accessories

Popular Stories

iPad Pro 2024 Space Black

Apple Has Likely Abandoned 'iPad Ultra' Plans

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:30 am PDT by
Apple has reportedly abandoned plans for a foldable "iPad Ultra" following years of disappointing sales performance for the iPad Pro. The claim predominantly comes from the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," who posted the remark in response to a question about whether the iPad would join a rumored "Ultra" series of Apple devices. Instant Digital listed the Apple Watch Ultra, M-series...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Apple Card Promo to Offer Free AirPods Pro 3

Friday May 15, 2026 8:59 am PDT by
Starting as early as next week, customers who sign up for an Apple Card at Apple's retail stores in the U.S. will receive $249 cash back when they purchase AirPods Pro 3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The promotion has yet to be officially announced by Apple, so exact terms and conditions are not available at this time. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 in the U.S., so customers who...
Apple WWDC25 iOS 26 CarPlay Light mode 250609

Six Popular iPhone Apps Now Available on CarPlay

Thursday May 14, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's CarPlay system for accessing iPhone apps on a vehicle's dashboard screen has received six popular apps in recent weeks: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, Google Meet, WhatsApp, and the indie artist streaming platform Audiomack. Make sure you have the latest version of each app and they will automatically appear on CarPlay. ChatGPT Starting with iOS 26.4, CarPlay supports voice-based...

Top Rated Comments

Pakaku Avatar
138 months ago
It would be wonderful if apple or Microsoft would fully embrace their new pen(cil)s and produce a desktop that takes advantage of that tech (and touch). I envision (read lust for) an imac 5K that has a simple tilt flat articulating base.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
138 months ago
It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful this thing is even 13 years after its release.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
138 months ago
Deleted.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OllyW Avatar
138 months ago
There's not that much difference between the US and German layout. It's reallz not that big a deal. You just need to keep a Yen attitude about it.
I can see quite a few big differences...



Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
138 months ago
No international Keyboard? What exactly are these guys smoking that they think the whole world uses the US Layout?
Sorry Apple but that is some Grade A ********.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
138 months ago
Well, it should be great for entering MacRumors giveaways.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)