The countdown to Apple’s highly anticipated ‘There’s more in the making.’ event on October 30th has begun. The event is expected to see the introduction of new, fully redesigned iPad Pro models with Face ID, as well as upgrades to the Mac line, and possibly even the introduction of AirPower and Apple’s wireless charging case for AirPods… but we’re not holding our breath.
Apple is hosting its October event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Howard Gilman Opera House in New York City, kicking off at at 10 am EDT, hours ahead of previous Apple events which are usually held in California.Apple is hosting its October event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Howard Gilman Opera House in New York City, kicking off at 10am EDT, hours ahead of previous Apple events which are usually held in California.
iPad Pro
iPad is expected to be the star of Apple’s October event. This year, Apple is said to be giving iPad an iPhone X-style overhaul, removing the Home button from the tablet and introducing Face ID and slim bezels around the edges of the device. Unlike the iPhone X, Apple will apparently opt for a notch-less design on the new 2018 iPad Pro models, building the device so that Face ID can be used in both landscape and portrait orientation.
Alongside Face ID and the edge-to-edge display which will undoubtedly be the flagship features of the device, Apple is also said to be bringing USB-C connectivity to the iPad, making it the first iOS device to support this type of connection, allowing iPad Pro to output 4K HDR video to external displays and fast data transfer, not to mention fast charging.
iPad Pro – Concept by Álvaro Pabesio
Apple’s new iPad Pro models will likely launch alongside an updated version of the Apple Pencil. As reported by 9to5Mac, the new Apple Pencil will be paired with iPad Pro by proximity, much like AirPods or HomePod, meaning switching between devices will be possible without connecting the Apple Pencil to the charging port of the tablet.
Apple’s new iPad models will be the first to see the 3.5mm headphone jack be removed according to reports from supply chain sources. According to reports, Apple will keep the new iPad Pro models using an LCD displays rather than OLED, with production leaks claiming the 10.5-inch iPad Pro will measure in at 247.5mm tall, 178.7mm wide, and 6mm, compared to the current size of 250.6mm x 174.1mm x 6.1mm. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is said to measure 280mm tall, 215mm wide, and 6.4mm thick, compared to the current measurements of 305.7mm x 220.6mm x 6.9mm.
Fingers crossed, Apple is expected to include an 18W power adapter with the new iPad Pro models, which would allow for fast charging. – Apple will likely run the models from an “A11X Bionic” chip, a boost from the A11 Bionic chip that comes with the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus.
AirPower, MacBooks & More
Apple’s October event would be the perfect opportunity for Apple to update us on AirPower, the wireless charging mat which it promised would be available during 2018, but has since been forgotten about, and even removed completely from Apple.com. Alongside the slight possibility we’ll hear about AirPower, Apple is expected to give its Mac line a refresh, potentially killing its ageing MacBook Air line and introducing new, lower-priced MacBook models to fill its place.