Apple has announced its next product event for the morning hours of Tuesday, May 7th. During the event, which will be streamed online starting at 7 a.m. Pacific/9 a.m. Eastern, the company is expected to unveil new, next generation members of its iPad lineup.
The introductions could shake up the iPad in a big way. In his Power On newsltter, Apple scoopster and Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says Apple will launch new iPad Pros, adding that there is a “strong possibility” that these new Pro models will mark the introduction of the next generation of Apple Silicon: the M4 system on a chip (SOC).
This would be a rather interesting move for Apple to make as in the past, iPad Pro models featuring the M1 an M2 models were only released after a Mac bearing the same chip was announced. Plus, it’s not like the M3 is long in the tooth. Apple only announced that chip six months ago.
Gurman says the reason Apple could be using this chip in the new iPad Pros is that the M4 chip boasts an improved Neural Engine that improves performance on AI-related tasks. Gurman believes AI features will be at the core of Apple’s marketing for the new iPad Pro lineup.
Gurman also expects Apple to introduce a first-ever 12.9″ iPad Air alongside some key new accessories: redesigned Magic Keyboards and the third generation Apple Pencil. Rumors suggest that the new Magic Keyboard design will incorporate aluminum in some way. Meanwhile the new Apple Pencil is expected to feature haptic feedback for the first time.
You’ll be able to watch the iPad event on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, or on YouTube.
What do you think of these rumored changes to the iPad lineup? Would you be surprised to see the M4 launch first on iPad? What are you hoping to get out of your next iPad? Let us know if the comments below.
