Apple has unveiled its largest and most advanced iPad yet in the iPad Pro. But it's not just about size and smarts, there are other brand new features too.
So are these new features, including
Apple's first Stylus and official keyboard case, enough to make this totally
unique?
Apple
appears to be going after the hybrid tablet-cum-laptop market here with a full
power, large screen tablet. The company has even worked with the likes of
Microsoft to develop bespoke software that works with the tablet's hardware.
So
what are the best new features the iPad Pro has to offer?
Draw with the Pencil stylus
Despite
Steve Jobs once saying "If you see a stylus, they blew it", the iPad
Pro offers Apple's first - in the Pencil.
Apple
The Pencil offers a way to interact
with that larger screen that both lay folk and professionals can take advantage
of. So how does it work?
The
Pencil features sensors that offer feedback to the tablet as it scans at
twice the speed when in use. The Pencil can detect angle, position, force and
tilt. The result is an ability to use pressure for darker lines or angle the
stylus for thicker lines.
The
Pencil will work with Microsoft Office for quick drawing of objects or
annotations of documents.
Thanks
to a built-in Lightning connector the Pencil can also charge directly from the
iPad Pro, on the move.
The
Pencil is available separately for $99.
Type using the Smart Keyboard
Despite
having a huge screen to offer a decent touchscreen keyboard, Apple has
introduced its Smart Keyboard case.
The
case-cum-keyboard is very similar to Microsoft's Surface tablet offering. It
acts as a magnetically sealed case, a fold up stand and a physical keyboard.
The
Smart Keyboard connects to the iPad Pro using a magnetic link-up which allows
for data transfer as well as power. iOS 9 uses a new Quick Type feature to
recognise when the keyboard is connected to work with it instantly.
The
Smart Keyboard is available separately for $170.
Watch movies and multi-task
better
Not
only is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro Apple's largest screen but it has the most
pixels of any iOS device at 5.6 million.
Apple
The resolution is 2732 x 2048 meaning
264ppi which, on a screen that size, is pretty decent.
This extra screen real estate should mean
greater ease with multi-tasking as well as a better movie and TV show viewing
experience. Multi-viewing apps side by side should be like having two iPads
next to each other so dragging and dropping between apps can be made a lot
easier.
Use the native powerful speakers
Another
first for Apple has happened by cramming fours speakers into the body of the
iPad Pro with their own shielded sections.
The
result, claims Apple, is the best sound yet with over double the power of the
iPad 2. This should mean you'll be able to watch movies, listen to music and
watch TV right there on the iPad without needing to connect a speaker or
headphones.
The
speakers also fire out in four different directions so it could be used for
group viewings and even when held should churn out sound without hands blocking
all the speakers.
Work on anything with more power
The
new 64-bit A9X processor in the iPad Pro puts it on a par with portable PCs,
claims Apple. This is 1.8 times faster than the iPad Air 2 making it really
powerful.
Combined
with the stylus and keyboard, plus specialised Office suite and Adobe apps,
this should make for a mobile PC alternative. Apple says even editing videos is
simple thanks to the power this is kicking out.
On
top of that the tablet has a 10-hour battery. We doubt that's the case when
video editing but that's still impressive with a screen that size.
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