Apple’s large announcement at this time wasn’t a brand new iPad, it was a brand new stylus for the iPad. reasonably than changing both of the earlier ones, this goes on sale alongside them, so there are actually three Apple Pencils, and it’s going to be much more complicated for iPad homeowners seeking to purchase one for his or her pill.
Largely following the design of the 2018 Pencil (full with matte end and flat aspect with magnetic attachment), the brand new stylus differs within the inclusion of a sliding cap which reveals the USB-C port for charging. Curiously, Apple is just not referring to the brand new gadget as a Third-gen mannequin, however reasonably “the brand new Apple Pencil” or “Apple Pencil (USB-C),” maybe as a result of the corporate doesn’t need clients to suppose it’s extra superior than previous fashions. That is the vary because it now stands:
The most recent Apple Pencil, then, can also be the most cost effective. It even manages to undercut the 1st-gen mannequin, which is greater than eight years outdated, has distinct design flaws, and is predicated on a connection normal that stopped being added to new iPads in 2022. The explanation for that is the cut-down characteristic set on the brand new Apple Pencil, which units it aside as a intentionally funds model of the product. It was rumored that Apple had a funds Pencil within the works, however the firm was thought to have deserted work on the challenge greater than a 12 months in the past.
Generally, the lacking options are ones that had been introduced in with the 2nd-gen Pencil in 2018: the USB-C Pencil can’t pair and cost wirelessly, for instance, despite the fact that it does connect to the companion iPad magnetically, it doesn’t provide the double-tap management methodology to change instruments, and you’ll’t get it engraved.
However the one characteristic the place the USB-C Pencil falls behind even the first-gen Pencil can also be its most notable omission. The brand new stylus doesn’t have stress sensitivity, the characteristic whereby the opposite two fashions are capable of alter the stroke laid down relying on how exhausting you press. That is what set the Apple Pencil other than rival merchandise, and it’s tempting to recommend that those that have an interest within the new Pencil would possibly do higher to simply purchase a third-party stylus, which is prone to be cheaper nonetheless.
The brand new Apple Pencil will start transport in early November and isn’t but obtainable for preorder.