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Apple is planning new hardware and software features for iPad that cater to professional users, according to Bloomberg, including a new iPad with faster display technology that allows for smoother on-screen zooming, panning, and scrolling.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said Apple will release a 10.5-inch iPad Pro model next year alongside a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad model. The fate of the iPad mini remains uncertain, but it is presumable that Apple could discontinue the 7.9-inch tablet due to its lack of Apple Pencil support and relatively close proximity in size to 5.5-inch Plus-sized iPhones.
The new hardware will be completed by wider iOS support for the Apple Pencil, the report adds. Apple is reportedly planning to introduce the new software features in a subsequent iOS 10 update in the first half of 2017, but may decide to hold back on the improvements until iOS 11 is released later in the year.
Apple has considered allowing users to annotate objects in many applications across the whole operating system, including in Mail, the Safari web browser, and iMessage, similar to what Samsung Electronics Co. offers on its Note smartphones, the person said. Currently, Apple only supports Pencil functionality in specifically developed apps.
Apple saw its iPad revenue grow slightly for the first time in 10 quarters in July, and these improvements could help the company continue that trend.
Top Rated Comments
People still buy iPads???
No, people still own older iPads. That work great and are waiting for a real good excuse to upgrade.People still buy iPads???
Do you find yourself amusing?I'd really love to see newly updated iPad Mini's too. Though I'm not going to hold my breath for one at this point. :(
I don't get Apple. They devote the entire 2012 event to an outdated Mini (no retina which I can understand, but the A5 instead of the A6 for no real reason). Then they match Air and Mini 2 in 2013. They do NOTHING except add Touch ID for the 3 and now the 4 sits all alone with a special version of the A8.Did the market for the Mini suddenly diminish? I find it hard to believe that large phones obliterated that audience.