Taking advantage of new AssistiveTouch functionality in iPadOS, the trackpad can be used to bring up the Dock from any app with a two-finger tap, access the App Exposé screen with a three-finger tap, and more.
The full-size QWERTY keyboard features LED-backlit keys with three levels of brightness and an advertised three-month battery life per charge. It is compatible with the latest-generation 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, connecting via Bluetooth 4.1 rather than the Smart Connector.
Pricing is set at $199.99 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $229.99 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the first 500 pre-orders estimated to ship in late February 2020, followed by the remainder of pre-orders shipping in late March 2020.
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.
There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
"I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
When the MacBook Air is a thing, why does this have to be ?
It's a common question... even in this thread alone the sentiment has been repeated.
This isn't for everybody. Although I'm not a fan of Brydge, I am a proponent of 2-in-1 devices. Unfortunately, I think that iPadOS-based devices are the worst of the available options for 2-in-1.
For those who are deep into the Apple ecosystem and want to work toward a 2-in-1 device, this helps a bit.
Basically not. The AssistiveTouch functionality is nowhere close to offering true mouse/cursor functionality.
I was excited with anticipation of this AssistiveTouch, but it really isn't like using a mouse/cursor on a real Macbook/Windows computer.
Exactly. Anyone who knows Apple knows that they weren't going to flat-out come out with full mouse support. There is a sense of lowered expectations set by Apple's customers... they're willing to accept half-baked workarounds. Android has had full mouse support almost from day-1... it is completely optional and doesn't interfere with those who will never use a mouse. THAT is the standard that I measure iOS support for mice to.
$229? Yeh no. Once you buy the $1000+ iPad and for the bulk just get a Macbook.
The pricing makes no sense either (not the Apple's keyboard does either) Most of these iPad keyboards are WAY to overpriced.
Apple's should be $100-125. But I get the draw, its super thin and doesnt make it feel more than a cover. A lot goes into getting that to work and as a stand. $199 is nuts IMO, but I get the worth in portability.
This should be $150. It's a chunky keyboard at the end of the day with 2 clips to hold the ipad, nothing special to it. Paying 1/4 the price of the base 12.9" retail price for a keyboard just makes no financial sense and puts you into Macbook Air territory
