Apple Event 2024 is here! This lineup of exciting announcements, titled “Let Loose” was rumored to be all about iPad—and it looks like Apple delivered.
To begin, Tim Cook greeted us from Apple Park with the latest news from the Vision Pro. Porsche is using Vision Pro across the company in everything from employee training to elevating showrooms. The medical industry and film industry are also utilizing Vision Pro to push the boundaries of existing technologies. He closed his opening remarks by sharing that MacBook Air is now the world’s best 13″ and 15″ laptop. He then transitioned to what we’re all here for: the latest with iPad.
Apple’s New iPad Air
Cook then turned it over to SVP John Ternus, who introduced us to the newest iteration of iPad Air. He opened with sharing the wide variety of uses for Air, from college to entrepreneurs to content creators. For the first time ever, iPad Air will be available in two sizes: a redesigned 11″ model and an all-new 13″ model, both with the brand’s signature Liquid Retina display. The larger screen was inspired by users who often opt for the larger iPad Pro. Both displays will have the same advanced features, like the ability to use Split View with iPad OS. Additionally, the front-facing camera is now on the landscape edge of the device, with Center Stage to keep everyone in frame. The latest generation of iPad Air now has landscape stereo speakers with facial audio for superior sound, with the 13″ model getting an extra boost.
The new iPad Air comes in four colors (blue, purple, Starlight and Space Grey) and a body made of recycled materials. We were excited to hear that the new tablets will feature the M2 chip, which is about 50% faster than M1 for a major performance upgrade like faster CPU, GPU and neural engine. Users of all kinds will enjoy 3x faster performance, from gaming to graphic design. M2 also enables powerful machine learning for features like Visual Lookup and Subject Lift. Like previous models, the new Air is compatible with the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard for enhanced usability. This time, though, iPad Air will also support Apple Pencil Hover for greater precision. The 11″ model starts at $599 and the 13″ starts at $799—storage options range from 128GB to 1TB. You can order the new Air today, and models will hit shelves next week.
Crush It with iPad Pro
The next big unveiling for the Apple Event 2024 is the totally revamped iPad Pro. Apple’s professional-grade tablets are thinner and more powerful than ever and available in 11″ and 13″ options. In fact, the newest Pro models are Apple’s thinnest product ever. Weighing in at .98 and 1.28 lb, respectively, these devices are shockingly lightweight without sacrificing performance. Additionally, Pro will be available in stylish Silver and Space Black finishes, with recyclable aluminum enclosures.
Most exciting was the announcement that for the first time, iPad Pro is getting an OLED display. Recognizing that a single panel wouldn’t be able to generate enough brightness to deliver sufficient XDR performance, Apple developed a state-of-the-art display: Tandem OLED, with two OLED panels for peak HDR brightness for unrivaled display quality. That means iPad Pro can support 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR and HDR content, and 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness. Additionally, new Ultra Retina XDR is coming to both sizes of iPad Pro for the most advanced image technology yet. Blacks are deeper and more true, and there are more details in low light than ever. For professionals who use iPad Pro in demanding lighting conditions, Apple has introduced Nano Texture glass to scatter light and reduce glare. This is truly the most advanced iPad display we’ve seen. iPad Pro is available in 256GB to 2TB storage options, with the 11″ model starting at $999 and the 13″ starting at $1,299. Pro is available to order beginning today and will be available next week.
Introducing M4
And now…the Pro model will feature the new M4 chip. With so much incredible new technology, it was time to leap to the next generation of Apple Silicon. M4 is built on second-generation 3nm technology that offers greater performance efficiency. There’s also an entirely new display engine that enables the precision and brightness of the Ultra Retina XDR display. M4 delivers 50% faster CPU performance than M2 did in the previous Pro models. The new chip also brings new helpful features like Dynamic Caching and mesh shading. With 4x faster pro rendering performance than M2, games look fantastic and rendering apps are more responsive than ever. M4 also features an industry-leading Neural Engine that helps accelerate AI workloads, capable of 38 trillion operations per second.
Pro Apps for iPad
Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro 2 for iPad are redesigned for iPad, centered around controls for touch. Ideal for passionate creatives, you’ll be able to film and edit at a new level. Final Cut Pro lets you film, edit finish and share professional videos from a portable iPad. Final rendering is up to 2x faster with the new chip, too. Plus, the latest version of Final Cut Pro 2 has a new feature called Live Multicam that enables you to connect and preview up to four cameras at once, all in one place. Creators can remotely direct each angle and adjust exposure, white balance and more remotely. To further support the capabilities of Final Cut Pro 2, Apple developed a new app: Final Cut Camera. This app lets you connect multiple iPhones or iPads to capture additional angles while using Live Multicam. Final Cut Pro 2 automatically transfers and syncs each Live Multicam angle, too. M4 also makes editing and finishing incredibly smooth and fast.
Logic Pro 2 for iPad delivers the music producer studio experience with the simplicity of touch controls. Whether you’re an emerging artist or a veteran producer, this app is smarter than ever for ease of use. The app backpacks off the popular Drummer feature with a new feature called Session Players, with bass and keyboard players you can add to a track, all controlled by AI. As for effects, Apple has developed a new plugin called ChromaGlow that uses machine learning to replicate the ChromaVerb. Remixing? Logic Pro 2 has you covered as well. The new Stem Splitter feature can extracts a track into four parts for voice, bass, drums and other instruments.
A New Camera for iPad Pro
Continuing the incredible overhaul of the iPad Pro is the new camera. Features like the Adaptive True Tone flash make it so easy to scan documents in any lighting condition with no shadows. The adaptive flash harnesses the power of AI to take multiple photos at once to eliminate shadows. The front-facing camera is being moved to the landscape edge, just like iPad Air. This is also the new location of FaceID as well as a new charging and pairing system for Apple Pencil. But that’s not all the iPad Pro gets in terms of accessories: to compliment its lighter, thinner design, Apple is also introducing a new Magic Keyboard. It’s completely redesigned to also be thinner and lighter, and it’s available in two colors like the Pro. New features include a new function row and a larger, more responsive trackpad. The experience is just like using a keyboard on a MacBook, great for multi-device users. The new Magic Keyboard is available in 11″ and 13″ sizes, priced at $299 and $349, respectively.
Oh, and we’re also getting a brand new Apple Pencil. Meet Apple Pencil Pro. To start, there’s a new sensor in the barrel of the pencil for new interactions: you can squeeze it to bring up the tool palette, plus haptic feedback. An integrated gyroscope offers responses to rotating the pencil in your hand. Apple Pencil Pro supports Find My, too; perfect for when it rolls off your desk. It also can pair, charge and store magnetically on the side of iPad Pro. Apple Pencil Pro will retail for $129, and you can order it today.
Apple Event 2024: A Streamlined iPad Lineup
Next-level performance and new accessories make the new iPad lineup arguably the brand’s best yet. Apple also announced a price drop on iPad 10th generation, now starting at $349, making it the perfect entry-level model. We’re excited to see these incredible devices in person and to experience Apple’s newest innovations. If you have questions about these products, call us at 847-954-4100 or visit the Apple Store in our Atrium.
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