New sleeker, aluminum Magic Keyboard makes iPad Pro even more Mac-like
Macworld One of Apple’s best accessories is its keyboard case for iPad Air and Pro, called Magic Keyboard. To go along with the newly-designed, thinner iPad Pro, Apple introduced a new sleeker Magic Keyboard. It’s got almost everything we loved about the old Magic Keyboard like pass-through USB-C charging and quality backlit keys (sadly the high price tag comes with it), but makes the following improvements: It’s thinner. There’s a half-height function row to control quick settings like brightness, volume, and media controls. The trackpad is larger and has haptic feedback. The keyboard deck is aluminum. Apple Apple Apple Between the aluminum keyboard deck, larger trackpad with haptic feedback, function row, and all-around thinner package (together with a thinner iPad Pro), the whole thing feels more like a MacBook than ever before. Of course, the price is still sky-high: The new 13-inch iPad Air starts at $1,299 and the Magic Keyboard at $349. So you’re up to $1,650 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage before you even begin looking at Apple Pencil Pro or other accessories. That’s a lot more than a 13-inch MacBook Air and even a little higher than a 14-inch MacBook Pro. The new Magic Keyboard supports only the new M4 iPad Pro; the slimmer design is made to fit the new slimmer iPad Pro specifically. If you have the new M2 iPad Air, you’ll have to use the older Magic Keyboard. Accessories, iPad

Read more »

Apple’s theatrical movie strategy may soon start to shift, says report
In the last year, Apple has significantly ramped up its movie offerings with a string of high-budget, big-name films receiving wide theatrical releases and long exclusivity windows before hitting Apple TV+. While the earlier days of Apple-funded movies focused on smaller-budget indie films, like the Oscar-winning CODA, over the past half a year or so, Apple has turbocharged its offerings. The company recently debuted massive projects like Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, and most recently, Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle. All three films came not only with prestigious directors behind them, but also massive financial backing to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Now, according to a new report, it sounds like Apple’s leadership is reassessing its ambitions for film, including the role of theatrical releases as part of its strategy. more…

Read more »

Apple reveals new AI-enhanced versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro
Macworld Along with new iPad hardware at its Let Loose event, Apple announced new versions of its professional media creation apps, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The iPad versions are updated to version 2, while the Mac versions get AI enhancements. Final Cut Pro for iPad and Mac Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 now has a new Live Multicam feature that allows users to connect and preview up to four cameras at once. Apple also announced Final Cut Camera, a new iPhone and iPad app that works with Live Multicam and provides adjustable settings such as white balance, manual focus, ISO, shutter speed, and zebra monitors and audio meters. Final Cut for iPad 2 can now work on projects saved to an external drive, and those projects can be brought into Final Cut Pro on the Mac. Other features include 12 new color-grading presets, eight basic text titles, 20 new soundtracks, and the ability to add additional dynamic backgrounds to create effect overlays and title sequences. The new Final Cut Pro 10.8 for Mac has new AI-based features. The new Enhance Light and Color feature offers one-step color improvement on SDR, HDR, RAW, and Log-encoded media. The new Smooth Slo-Mo feature blends frames together to create high-quality slow-motion effects. Other features include custom naming of color corrections and video effects, the ability to search clips with missing media or effects in the timeline, and text-based timeline search with information on reels, scenes, and camera angles. Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 is free to current users of the app. It’s free for a month to new users and then $4.99 per month. It’s also available for a $49 annual fee. Final Cut Camera will be available for free later this spring. The 10.8 update for Final Cut Pro for Mac is free to current users; new users can get a 90-day free trial, after which the app is $299.99 (one-time fee). Both the iPad and Mac apps will be available later this spring. Logic Pro for iPad and Mac Logic Pro for iPad 2 and Logic Pro for Mac 11 boasts new AI features to assist in the music-making process. The announced new features are in both the iPad and Mac versions. The new Session Players feature uses AI to create a backing band that “responds directly to feedback,” according to Apple. It implements the current Drummer and adds a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player. Stem Splitter allows the producer to take any audio file and separate it into four parts: Bass, Drums, Vocals, and Other Instruments. Then the producer can edit and apply effects to each track. ChromaGlow uses AI to adjust the tone “with five different saturation styles to add ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch to any track.” Logic Pro for iPad 2 is a free update to current users, while new users get a free trial for a month and then pay $4.99 monthly or $49 annually. Logic Pro for Mac 11 is free for current users, while new users get a free 90-day trial. After that, it’s a one-time purchase of $199.99. Both new versions of Logic Pro will be available on May 13. Learn more about the products announced at Apple’s May 7 “Let Loose” event. iPad, Mac, Professional Software

Read more »

Apple teases new AI features coming to Final Cut Pro for macOS
Apple on Tuesday announced new iPads at its “Let Loose” event, but the company also took the opportunity to unveil a major update coming to Final Cut Pro for iPad. However, what the company didn’t mention at the event is that there’s also an update coming to the Mac version of Final Cut, which will introduce new AI-based features. more…

Read more »

All 48 iPad models in the 2024 lineup
Apple has refreshed the iPad line for 2024, and there are more choices than ever. In addition to the usual hardware upgrades, Apple has added a larger iPad Air to the lineup. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro has a nano-texture glass option for the first time.  more…

Read more »

Not just iPad — Mac gets AI-Enhanced Logic Pro & Final Cut Pro updates
Apple has updated its Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro creative software suites, enhancing their functionality with new AI-driven features for Mac users.Apple boosts Mac creativity with AI-Enhanced Logic Pro & Final Cut ProAt the iPad event, Apple highlighted new versions of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro for iPad — but they sneakily updated the Mac versions too.The latest version of Final Cut Pro for Mac enhances editing speed through AI. Likewise, the updated Logic Pro, driven by artificial intelligence, introduces studio assistant tools that enhance the music production process, offering artists assistance precisely when it's required. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple's iPad upgrades march Lightning one step closer to death
After 11 years, 6 months, and 5 days of valiant charging and data service, the Lightning port is no longer on any iPad that Apple sells.You'll never see it again — a Lightning port on an iPadIt's easy to be glad about the move to USB-C for Apple devices, because it's (usually) faster, and because now USB-C is in the iPhone, the iPad, and a MacBook Pro can be charged over USB-C. Even the Siri Remote for Apple TV 4K is now USB-C.That has taken a long time — the iPad Pro moved from Lightning to USB-C in October 2018. It's possible that Apple would have kept the Lightning port for even longer, at least on the iPhone, if it were for the EU introducing laws mandating USB-C. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple Pencil Pro adds ‘squeeze’ gesture, haptic feedback, Find My and more
The new Apple Pencil Pro introduces a new squeeze gesture, an internal gyroscope, haptic feedback and Find My support. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Final Cut Pro adds live multi-camera recording on iPad and AI on Mac
Final Cut Pro has been updated with live multi-camera recording on iPad and powerful new AI color correction on Mac.  (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Read more »

Apple announces the M2 iPad Air with a larger 13-inch screen
Macworld At its Let Loose event on May 7, Apple announced an all-new version of the iPad Air. As expected, the update includes a larger-screen model and an upgrade from the M1 to the M2 processor. The new Air comes in four similar colors: blue, purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. But there’s a lot more to this upgrade than appearances. Upgraded screen The eye-catching change for the 2024 generation is the new larger screen option. Ahead of the event, pundits predicted that the iPad Air would match the Pro and offer a mid-size (11-inch) and large (12.9-inch) display spec. But Apple went a little further than expected and bumped the Air to a full 13 inches, matching the M4 iPad Pro. Tech-wise, this is essentially the same screen as we got last time (there’s no mini-LED as was predicted at one point, just LED, and no ProMotion), only bigger. Whereas the 11-inch model has screen specs of 2360×1640 at 264ppi, the same as the 5th-gen iPad Air from 2022, the 13-inch model is bumped to 2360×1640, also at 264ppi. The larger screen also gets a higher brightness rating, at 600 nits max compared to 500 on both the new 11-inch model and the 2024 Air. Finally, both of the new Air models have displays that support the Hover feature (introduced in 2022 on the iPad Pro only) with the new Apple Pencil Pro. Note that they’re not compatible with the Apple Pencil 1st gen or 2nd gen, but they do work with the Apple Pencil USB-C. Yes, it’s confusing. Apple Apple Apple Camera setup The little-used rear-facing camera on the iPad Air is largely the same as before, other than a predictable bump from Smart HDR 3 to Smart HDR 4 for those awkward lighting conditions you’re unlikely to be tackling with an iPad. It’s still a 12MP wide lens with a f/1.8 aperture and 5x digital zoom. The real fun happens at the front. After shifting the camera from the short to the long edge on the 10-gen iPad back in 2022, Apple has finally decided to do the same thing on its more expensive tablets, including the Air. The landscape camera will make video calls far more natural and intuitive. We knew this was coming, but it’s still good to see. Apple Apple Apple Tech specs At the heart of the new Air sits an M2 processor, with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, in an obvious step up from the M1 in 2022’s Air. With the iPad Pro jumping this year from the M2 all the way up to the M4, this seems a little less impressive, but it’s still a speedy and worthwhile chip. And as Apple repeatedly said in the keynote, the Air is supposed to be a cheaper Pro for people who don’t need as much power and high-end features. Apple boasts that the M2 delivers 15 percent faster CPU performance than the M1, 25 faster GPU performance, and a 40 percent faster Neural Engine. (Of course, we’ll need to make our own tests when we get a review sample but those numbers match previous testing.) If you’re upgrading from two generations ago, the 4th-gen Air with its A14 Bionic chip, Apple says you’ll see a performance boost that’s a whopping 3x faster across the board. Storage capacities have been bumped, too. The 5th-gen iPad Air came with 64GB or 256GB, but the new models offer far more choice, including a top tier of 1TB. You pay for the privilege at those upper ends, of course, but the entry-level 11-inch gives you twice as much storage for the same price. 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB Other than this, the Air has been upgraded from Bluetooth 5.0 in the 5th-gen model to Bluetooth 5.3, and from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 6E. And the 13-inch model only gets what Apple describes as “2x bass” in its stereo speaker setup. Don’t worry, we’ll test this too. Release date and availability The 2024 iPad was announced at Apple’s Let Loose event on May 7, and can be ordered right away. It will ship to customers, and appear in stores, on Wednesday, May 15. Prices The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599. The 13-inch model starts at $799. Here’s the full pricing for the smaller model: iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 128GB, Wi-Fi): $599 / £599 / A$999 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi): $699/ £699 / A$1,179 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 512GB, Wi-Fi): $899/ £899 / A$1,529 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 1TB, Wi-Fi): $1,099/ £1,099 / A$1,879 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 128GB, cellular): $749 / £749 / A$1,249 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 256GB, cellular): $849/ £849 / A$1,429 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 512GB, cellular): $1,049/ £1,049 / A$1,779 iPad Air 2024 (11-inch, 1TB, cellular): $1,249/ £1,249 / A$2,129 And here’s the price list for the new big-screen model: iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 128GB, Wi-Fi): $799 / £799 / A$1,299 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi): $899/ £899 / A$1,479 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 512GB, Wi-Fi): $1,099/ £1,099 / A$1,829 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 1TB, Wi-Fi): $1,299/ £1,299 / A$2,179 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 128GB, cellular): $949 / £949 / A$1,549 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 256GB, cellular): $1,049/ £1,049 / A$1,729 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 512GB, cellular): $1,249/ £1,249 / A$2,079 iPad Air 2024 (13-inch, 1TB, cellular): $1,449/ £1,449 / A$2,429 iPad

Read more »

Apple has tragically killed off its last device that still had a headphone jack
Macworld As the Let Loose event wound down Tuesday, Tim Cook had one last announcement before the stream ended: the 10th-gen iPad now starts at $349, an impressive $100 price drop. What he didn’t say is the move also means the 9th-gen iPad is gone. Apple hasn’t updated the 9th-gen iPad since September 2021, so it’s not a huge surprise to see it go away. It still had Apple’s old iPad design with a Home button and Lightning port, tapered edges, and A13 Bionic chip, with a starting price of $329. It was definitely showing its age and unless you got it on sale, wasn’t the great bargain it once was. It was rumored that the 9th-gen iPad could get an update later this year with a new processor, USB-C port, and updated design, but it appears those rumors won’t come to pass. Instead, Apple will push entry-level buyers to the 10th-gen model, which is clearly a superior machine. For an extra $20, you’re getting a far better iPad with a Liquid Retina display, USB-C support, newer A14 processor, and more color options. We struggled to recommend it at its original $449 price, but with a $100 price drop, it’s fantastic value. Still, it’s sad to see the last callback to the original iPad leave this world so unceremoniously. iPad

Read more »

PSA: Upgrading to an M4 iPad Pro? You’ll need a new Apple Pencil too
Today the Apple Pencil lineup got more confusing than ever. When Apple introduced the new Apple Pencil Pro, it chose not to remove any of the three existing models from sale. This means there are four Pencil options for new customers. However, what if you already have an existing Apple Pencil and simply want to upgrade your iPad to the enticing new M4 iPad Pro? We have some bad news for you. more…

Read more »

New iPad Pro drops 5G mmWave support as carrier rollout stumbles
As well as losing an ultra-wide camera, the new iPad Pro has also dropped support for 5G mmWave. As seen on the iPad Pro specs page, the M4 iPad Pro supports 5G cellular on sub-6 GHz spectrum only, and LTE on 31 bands. The older cellular iPad Pro could do mmWave and supported one additional LTE band. more…

Read more »

Roundup: Hands-on with the new M4 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard
Apple today officially unveiled the future of its iPad product category with new iPad Air and iPad Pro lineups. Apple invited influencers and members of the press to New York City and London to go hands-on with the devices. Head below for a roundup of everyone’s first impressions. Find all the announcements from Apple’s ‘Let loose’ event in our news hub more…

Read more »

Apple Pencil Pro vs USB-C, 2, and 1: What’s different?
Last fall Apple launched an Apple Pencil with USB-C and a mix of features from the premium while holding some back to keep the price tag at $50 below the high-end model. Now the Apple Pencil Pro has arrived. Here’s how Apple Pencil Pro vs USB-C, 2, and 1 compare. more…

Read more »

MacBook Pro M3/M3 Pro configs now up to $200 off, Apple Pencil 2 $79, and more
While we are scouring the interwebs for upcoming pre-order deals on all of the new gear that debuted during Apple’s Let Loose event, there are still plenty of offers to check out today. Apple’s latest MacBook Pro M3/M3 Pro configs are up to $200 off alongside ongoing offers on AirPods Pro 2 and some Apple chargers. But we also have discounts on current-generation Beats workout buds and clearance pricing on the Apple Pencil 2 as well. Everything is waiting below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.  more…

Read more »

New Apple Pencil Pro adds a fourth stylus option for iPads
Macworld For some reason, Apple sells three accessories all named Apple Pencil, each with different features and compatibility. The solution? A fourth Apple Pencil! The new Apple Pencil Pro may seem like an unnecessary complication to a stylus lineup for an accessory that shouldn’t need a lineup, but there’s no arguing that it doesn’t deliver the features everyone wants. Apple Pencil Pro looks just like the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, and it supports all the same features including magnetic charging and pairing, double-tap, and tilt and pressure sensitivity. But it also adds four new features we’ve wanted in an Apple Pencil for a long time: A gyroscope that lets you “roll” the pencil to change the orientation of shaped brushes and tools. A taptic engine for haptic feedback. Find My support. Squeeze sensitivity, to open palettes or change tool options like weights or colors. All this and it costs the same as the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil: $129. The difference is compatibility: The 2nd-gen Apple Pencil is supported by the last few years’ iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but not the new M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro. Apple Pencil Pro supports only the new M2 iPad Air (both sizes) and M4 iPad Pro (both sizes). It stands to reason that Apple will soon reduce its Apple Pencil line from four to two—when older iPad Air and Pro models are no longer available. Apple has already stopped selling the 9th-generation iPad with a Lightning connector, so it stands to reason that the original Apple Pencil is no longer needed, but Apple will presumably still sell it until the 10th-gen iPad gets an update. For now, the stylus situation is confusing enough that Apple had to produce a features chart: Apple Apple Apple Accessories, iPad

Read more »

Apple’s Final Cut Pro transforms video creation with Live Multicam on iPad and new AI features on Mac
Apple today introduced Final Cut Pro for iPad 2, bringing huge updates that unleash the remarkable capabilities of the new iPad Pro and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

Brand new Final Cut Camera app for iPhone and iPad enables pro recording workflows
Today at the iPad-focused ‘Let loose’ event, Apple not only introduced compelling new iPad hardware, it also had a first-party software story to tell. The main highlights of that story were Final Cut Pro 2 and Logic Pro 2 for iPadOS. These major updates to Apple’s iPad-exclusive versions of its pro software suite seem set to take great advantage of advancements like the iPad Pro’s M4 chip. Included in that announcement, though, was news of a brand new app coming to the iPhone and iPad: Final Cut Camera. more…

Read more »

The 'Let Loose' event was the first to be edited on iPad using Final Cut Pro
For the first time, Apple has used the iPad to edit some of the footage of one of its Apple Events to showcase the powerful capabilities of its tablet lineup.Shot on iPhone, edited on iPadOn Tuesday, Apple held its 'Let Loose' event, which largely served to introduce its new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. During the event, Apple touted the filming and editing capabilities of the iPad Pro.The company showcased how the iPad Pro, paired with Final Cut Pro, can be used for both filming and editing. Final Cut Pro now allows up to four individual iPhones or iPads to be synced to an iPad Pro via the new Final Cut Camera app. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »