iPadOS 17.5 Beta Potentially References New Apple Pencil and 'Squeeze' Gesture

The first beta of iOS 17.5 potentially references a new fourth-generation Apple Pencil, amid rumors that the accessory will be updated soon.

apple pencil
The beta includes a hidden code reference to a "V4" version of the Apple Pencil, according to MacRumors contributor Steve Moser:

NumberOfApplePencilV1ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV2ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV3ConnectionsCount
NumberOfApplePencilV4ConnectionsCount

A new Apple Pencil is rumored to launch alongside updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models in May. Apple refers to the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil released last year as the third-generation Apple Pencil in iOS code, so the fourth-generation model would be a new version that would likely succeed the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Additional code in the iOS 17.5 beta uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris suggests that the Apple Pencil could gain a "squeeze" gesture for certain actions, but details are slim. The gesture may provide users with a quicker way to add a sticker, text box, signature, or shape in image editing apps, the code suggests.

MacRumors exclusively reported that Apple has tested a new Apple Pencil with visionOS support, but it is unclear if this feature will be released to the public.

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Top Rated Comments

truthsteve Avatar
8 months ago
squeeze to gush out virtual ink all over the screen
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MLMcMillion Avatar
8 months ago
Just give it an actual eraser. I'm tired of it randomly thinking I tapped and switching.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MasterControlProgram Avatar
8 months ago

Just give it an actual eraser. I'm tired of it randomly thinking I tapped and switching.
Same. Or I tap it and it ignores it. I’d much prefer an actual physical clicky button like the Kindle Scribe, it’s so much easier to use.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CalMin Avatar
8 months ago

Just give it an actual eraser. I'm tired of it randomly thinking I tapped and switching.
This!!

I had an MS Surface for a while and although the pen computing as part of the main OS felt like a gimmick, I really enjoyed just flipping it around and using the eraser. It's ironic to me that MS call it a Surface PEN and included an eraser, and Apple calls it an Apple PENCIL, and yet it doesn't have an eraser.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swiftapplefan Avatar
8 months ago
Since when was there a third generation though?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Surf Monkey Avatar
8 months ago

Just give it an actual eraser. I'm tired of it randomly thinking I tapped and switching.
Yeah, it should have an eraser end for sure. It’s weird that the device doesn’t have that already. Typical Apple. Remove functionality in the name of minimalist design.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)