The best iPad ever, but it needs new software | Wilnesh News

appleNew iPad Pro and iPad Air models were announced on Wednesday. I’ve been testing the new iPad Pro for a few days now, and I’ve found it to be a very good iPad.

This is an important launch for Apple. Earlier this month, the company reported a 16% year-over-year decline in iPad revenue in the fiscal second quarter. Apple has not launched a new iPad since October 2022.

The new iPad Pro is fast, powered by the latest M4 chip, and has a new OLED display that’s richer in color than its predecessor. This is the thinnest product Apple has ever launched.

However, it still runs the same iPad software, which is starting to feel outdated. The fully loaded model I tested costs about $2,499. That’s not including the $350 keyboard and $129 Apple Pencil Pro, which will help you get the most out of the device.

It’s time for Apple to make this product more than just an iPad. The software, called iPadOS, needs to catch up with the hardware.

Here’s what you need to know.

The new iPad Pro costs $200 more than the model it replaces. I tested the larger 13-inch iPad Pro, which starts at $1,299 before storage and 5G upgrades. Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch model.

The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was how thin it was. This is evident when compared to the M1 iPad Pro I’ve used for the past few years. And it’s lighter. This is especially good on the 13-inch model, which replaces the 12.9-inch version. I always thought it felt too heavy and bulky to be used as a tablet. It still feels large, but more manageable.

The new OLED screen is another highlight. It’s very clear and colorful. It’s similar to the OLED screens Apple has used on iPhone Pros for years, but not on the iPad. The screen adapts, brightening during dark movies or showing explosions. Professional video and photo editors will appreciate its color accuracy. I love using it while watching movies and playing Diablo Immortal. The game will look even better once Activision Blizzard releases an update to improve the graphics on the M4 iPad Pro. The four stereo speakers sound good and loud but not tinny.

The camera is finally in the right place. It sits on the lateral edge of the iPad, so when it’s propped up, it’s right in the center of a FaceTime call. It used to sit on top of the iPad, forcing people to look awkwardly to the side during video calls. During my testing, the quality was good and clear, and I liked that the camera using the Center Stage feature followed me as I moved around the room.

The iPad has the latest and greatest M4 chip, but it’s not yet available on the Mac. I ran the GeekBench multi-core benchmark and it scored 48% higher than the previous M2 iPad Pro. Apple promises rendering speeds that are 4 times faster than M2 and processor performance that is 1.5 times higher, which means that for professionals in need, video editing and rendering of 3D models and other content in Final Cut Pro for iPad will be faster . The M4 also has a special engine that powers the “Tandem OLED” display. Apple has taken a unique approach with the iPad, stacking two OLED screens on top of each other, which requires this special part of the M4 chip to work.

The iPad Pro felt fast when I was running two apps side-by-side, switching between Slack and a web browser, or loading into a game. Switch apps instantly. It’s not much different than my M1 iPad for everyday tasks, like browsing the web and opening apps, which seems to be the primary way the iPad is used. More on this in the next section.

The new iPad Pro supports Apple’s updated $350 Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro (the 11-inch version costs $300). It’s great, just like typing on a Mac, with a full row of functions above the number keys for switching apps, adjusting volume or brightness, and more. Apple added a larger trackpad and an aluminum palm rest, but kept the same soft exterior and “floating” screen mechanism, which allows you to snap the iPad to the case using magnetic pins and tilt it forward or back.

The updated Apple Pencil Pro is also interesting. I mainly use Apple Pencil to sign documents. But those who draw on their iPad or need more control over 3D or video apps will appreciate these new features. I like squeezing it to switch between tools (pencil, brush or eraser and color) and having a tactile pulse to confirm you’ve squeezed it. Developers can add squeeze functionality to their apps so you can access different tools in different apps. The added gyroscope also allows you to tilt and rotate the pencil to alter your pencil or pen strokes. Double-clicking is also handy, allowing you to switch between pencil and eraser tools, for example. The hover feature previews where you will touch the display.

Apple promises the same battery life as the previous generation iPad Pro. So you can browse the web or watch videos for about 10 hours, or 9 hours if you’re browsing over a cellular connection. This is consistent with the results I received during testing. Expect a full working day of use. Still, it’s impressive considering this iPad is 1.3 mm thinner and 103 grams lighter than the previous-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple talked a lot about artificial intelligence when it released the new iPad. However, most of the artificial intelligence is what Apple has previously called machine learning. A lot happens behind the scenes. For example, a camera can take multiple photos of a document and scan it more accurately. AI can isolate backgrounds in Final Cut Pro or generate music in apps like StaffPad.Apple CEO Tim Cook said he will discuss generative AI during WWDC in June, so more features may be on the way.