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It feels like a long time since we last spoke about the iPad.
In fact, it feels like a long time since I spoke about anything apart from Vision Pro, new Android smartphones, and AI.
It’s nice to get back to basics – and that’s what the iPad feels like. This isn’t a slight on Apple’s tablet, either; it remains one of the company’s most loved, yet, weirdly, least understood products. No one but a select few ultra iPad users appears to have worked it into their lives in a ‘must not leave home without this thing’ kinda way.
I certainly haven’t. And I’ve really tried, promise.
However, as the trees start to blossom and March rears its head, it seems like we’re almost certain to see a Spring Apple event very soon, and one that comes with the prospect of some new iPad hardware.
This is what I’d love to see next month.
1. A new iPad mini
It’s time, Tim. It really is time.
The iPad mini 6 hit the shelves in September 2021. That makes it over 800 days old. Granted, that isn’t old in iPad terms, but for a device which is so dearly loved by its fans, it’s far too long.
I have one very big – and I think legitimate – concern about the iPad mini. Will it go the same way as the iPhone mini? That too appeared to have an incredibly passionate fanbase that would flock to any video published about Apple’s tiny smartphone, alas the numbers didn’t stack up for Apple.
The iPhone mini was, therefore, taken around the back of the shed and, well… you can picture what happens next. Sorry.
I don’t want this to happen to the iPad mini. Of all the iPads I have (and there are a lot), it is the one iPad that sees constant use. This is for two reasons – it remains the best companion for the Apple Pencil thanks to the convenience of note-taking on that smaller display, and it is just so handy to use for referencing stuff while filming (again, due to that brilliant form factor).
In March, I want to see a new iPad mini, with updated internals (chuck an M2 in there, Tim), a ProMotion Display, a mini Magic Keyboard (no, really), the selfie camera moved to the correct position on the side of the frame, and some funky colours.
That’s it.
Please don’t let the iPad mini die, Tim.
2. An OLED iPad Pro
I need the spark reigniting between myself and the iPad Pro. We’ve been flirting for years, but have never fully hit it off.
We came close in 2023. After caving in and buying the M2 iPad Pro (the big one – I still don’t see the point in the smaller one while the iPad Air exists) I used it consistently for blog writing, and for exploring the wonders of Logic Pro. The latter is something I still think about a lot but rarely find the time to get stuck into.
The same can’t be said for Final Cut Pro on the iPad which remains a no-go until Apple introduces full external SSD support.
This is frustrating. I want to use that iPad Pro more. I know my audience wants me to get more involved with music production. I know the iPad Pro can do far more beyond the use cases with which I’ve flirted.
The prospect of the widely-rumoured OLED-based iPad Pro does feel like it could reignite that spark, though. I have no idea why – this would be nothing more than new display technology, but you can bet your bottom dollar Apple will do something else to make it ultra-wantable. I’m here for that.
And, yes, please move the selfie camera to the correct position, Tim.
3. A big iPad Air
As noted earlier, while the iPad Air exists, the 11-inch iPad Pro makes zero sense. A slightly better display, beefier chip, Face ID, and better camera system don’t make up for the premium you’re asked to pay for the latter, I’m afraid.
We never see the numbers, but I bet the iPad Air is a big seller for Apple. This is why I wouldn’t put it past them to launch a bigger version of it – once again, for those who just can’t bring themselves to spend a small fortune on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. There’s also some interesting competition from Huawei in that neck of the woods, with the brilliant MatePad Pro 13.2.
This is a rather exciting prospect. If you’ve never entered Big iPad Territory but have always fancied having a super-sized tablet, you’re missing out – particularly if you desire to use the iPad as a laptop replacement. The iPad Air’s marriage of price and performance is unmatched in the tablet space. We’re just missing a ‘big one’.
Last year, Apple introduced the 15-inch MacBook Air, which means if they can supersize their beloved mid-range laptop, they can do the same for its iPad namesake.
Oh, and while you’re there, pop that selfie camera in the correct position would you, please, Tim?
4. Integration with Vision Pro
I’ve been using Vision Pro for nearly a week now and there are many problems, which I’ve covered in detail recently.
However, there are also lots of exciting elements to Apple’s expensive mixed reality headset. For instance, Vision Pro’s integration with the Mac is superb (if a little buggy). The ability to ‘detach’ your MacBook’s display and place it anywhere within the volumetric visionOS operating system is genuinely useful for deep work and getting stuff done.
I want to do the same with the iPad. Imagine being able to throw your iPad’s display into visionOS and place it anywhere within the room – or imaginary environment – in front of you. Better still, imagine detaching iPad apps from that floating display and having them turn into visionOS apps, complete with their own window controls. You can’t do that with the Mac on Vision Pro, but it’s something that feels ideally suited to the iPad given how similar native visionOS apps feel to their iPad counterparts.
That’s all I can think of for now regarding integration between Vision Pro and the iPad, but this is Apple – they’re rather adept at dreaming up stuff which I could never personally conceive.
Wrapping up
That’s it. I’ve searched high and low in the nether reaches of my brain for more iPad goodies that Apple could potentially throw our way in March, but there’s nothing to be found.
The iPad does feel like one of Apple’s most complete products. I think it’s clear that Apple has no desire for it to overtake the Mac, and I definitely wouldn’t want the job of coming up with new ideas for the iPad.
What are you waiting for iPad-wise? Get involved below!
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