See what's on the slab: Apple reportedly mulls stretching the iPad Pro to 14 and 16 inches
(2021/06/28)
- Reference: 1624907711
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/06/28/report_apple_mulls_stretching_the/
- Source link:
Apple may be considering increasing the size of the iPad Pro’s display, with potential stretches including 14-inch and 16-inch versions, according to reports.
The rumblings have come from [1]Bloomberg sources claiming to be privy to Apple’s engineering plans.
If Apple opts to bring the device beyond the proof-of-concept phase, the chatty people noted it would be several years before it hits shelves.
[2]
“I’m told that Apple has engineers and designers exploring larger iPads that could hit stores a couple of years down the road at the earliest. They’re unlikely for next year – with Apple’s attention on a redesigned iPad Pro in the current sizes for 2022 – and it’s possible they never come at all,” according to the newswire's noted Apple soothsayer, Mark Gurman.
[3]
[4]
The Cupertino-based firm is expected to introduce a version of the iPad Pro with wireless charging next year. The redesigned machine will also include a fully glass back, replacing the standard aluminium enclosure used in existing models.
Apple first introduced the [5]iPad Pro in 2015 . Unlike the iPad and iPad Mini, it was positioned as a legitimate computing device that could conceivably replace the Mac for some tasks.
[6]These six proposed bipartisan antitrust laws put Big Tech in the cross-hairs – and a House committee just OK'd them
[7]Apple scrambles to quash iOS app sideloading demands with 'think of the children' defense
[8]Germany's competition watchdog to investigate whether Apple's ecosystem damages other businesses
[9]Apple's iPad Pro on a stick, um, we mean M1 iMac scores 2 out of 10 for repairability
Over time, Apple has built upon this proposition, offering a tablet-specific version of iOS for the iPad (called, predictably, iPadOS) and peripherals like the Magic Keyboard Case. The latest iPad Pro [10]even uses the same M1 processor found in the first-generation Apple Silicon Macs.
A 14-inch or even 16-inch iPad Pro could conceivably prove useful for those hoping to use their devices for creative work, even if its enlarged size may prove slightly cumbersome when used as a tablet.
[11]
Still, the locked-down nature of iPadOS is likely to be somewhat of a limiting factor. While many professionals in the Mac sphere might find the prospect of a large, highly-portable tablet appealing (a la Microsoft’s Surface), the limitations on app distribution on the iPad may prove to be a deterrent. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-06-27/big-ipads-apple-car-changes-amazon-ar-glasses-inside-big-tech-labs
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
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[5] https://www.theregister.com/2015/09/09/apples_ipad_pro/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/24/us_antitrust_big_tech/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/23/apple_ios_sideloading_apps_congress/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/21/germany_apple_competition/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/26/m1_imac/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/20/apple_product_launch/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The rumblings have come from [1]Bloomberg sources claiming to be privy to Apple’s engineering plans.
If Apple opts to bring the device beyond the proof-of-concept phase, the chatty people noted it would be several years before it hits shelves.
[2]
“I’m told that Apple has engineers and designers exploring larger iPads that could hit stores a couple of years down the road at the earliest. They’re unlikely for next year – with Apple’s attention on a redesigned iPad Pro in the current sizes for 2022 – and it’s possible they never come at all,” according to the newswire's noted Apple soothsayer, Mark Gurman.
[3]
[4]
The Cupertino-based firm is expected to introduce a version of the iPad Pro with wireless charging next year. The redesigned machine will also include a fully glass back, replacing the standard aluminium enclosure used in existing models.
Apple first introduced the [5]iPad Pro in 2015 . Unlike the iPad and iPad Mini, it was positioned as a legitimate computing device that could conceivably replace the Mac for some tasks.
[6]These six proposed bipartisan antitrust laws put Big Tech in the cross-hairs – and a House committee just OK'd them
[7]Apple scrambles to quash iOS app sideloading demands with 'think of the children' defense
[8]Germany's competition watchdog to investigate whether Apple's ecosystem damages other businesses
[9]Apple's iPad Pro on a stick, um, we mean M1 iMac scores 2 out of 10 for repairability
Over time, Apple has built upon this proposition, offering a tablet-specific version of iOS for the iPad (called, predictably, iPadOS) and peripherals like the Magic Keyboard Case. The latest iPad Pro [10]even uses the same M1 processor found in the first-generation Apple Silicon Macs.
A 14-inch or even 16-inch iPad Pro could conceivably prove useful for those hoping to use their devices for creative work, even if its enlarged size may prove slightly cumbersome when used as a tablet.
[11]
Still, the locked-down nature of iPadOS is likely to be somewhat of a limiting factor. While many professionals in the Mac sphere might find the prospect of a large, highly-portable tablet appealing (a la Microsoft’s Surface), the limitations on app distribution on the iPad may prove to be a deterrent. ®
Get our [12]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-06-27/big-ipads-apple-car-changes-amazon-ar-glasses-inside-big-tech-labs
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2015/09/09/apples_ipad_pro/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/24/us_antitrust_big_tech/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/23/apple_ios_sideloading_apps_congress/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/21/germany_apple_competition/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/26/m1_imac/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/20/apple_product_launch/
[11] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YNpGf4g4XYucbUDJzb@lZgAAAIQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[12] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
"a fully glass back, replacing the standard aluminium enclosure"
Anonymous Coward
Yes, that's what I want! A device which is both heavier *and* more breakable than it was before!
Re: "a fully glass back, replacing the standard aluminium enclosure"
elsergiovolador
Plus you can't repair it for a reasonable price, because Apple makes sure independent repair shops don't have access to parts and schematics.
Re: "a fully glass back, replacing the standard aluminium enclosure"
werdsmith
Schematics? What are the repair shops going to do with them?
Repair of this type of kit is by subassembly. Apple can make it hard by binding parts with digital signatures. Like with the fingerprint scan button. Though that was a reasonable security need. Otherwise, 3rd party parts are plentiful.
Re: "a fully glass back, replacing the standard aluminium enclosure"
Gene Cash
Yes, the slick glass back worked SO well on my Nexus 6P... enabling it to slide to the floor and smash.
RHPS
Dadz
I see you shiver, with antici..
..pation.
I want a 120 incher!
Anonymous Coward
Oh wait, we were discussing computers? Ummmm...
iPad and MacBook are converging
It's really just a matter of input preference. Do you want to touch the screen, with the detachable keyboard, or do you want a touchless screen, in which case the keyboard needs to always be there. macOS and iPadOS will continue to evolve until they meet in the middle, unfortunately.
I recently bough the 12.9" iPad Pro. They basically force you to buy the removable keyboard by disabling the split, on-screen keyboard. Why can I use split keyboard on my 9.8-inch iPad Pro, where my thumbs easily reach the middle of the screen, but not on a larger iPad, where reaching the center is a real problem (when holding the iPad upright with the rest of your fingers).