Apple Unveils Next-Gen iPads in London: OLED Pros and Updated Airs
Today marks the presentation of the latest iPad models. Last year, Apple chose Cupertino for this event; this year, it's London's turn. The showcase will feature four new products: two models of the iPad Air and two iPad Pros. Will experts' predictions prove accurate?
6:09 PM EDT, May 7, 2024
The Apple event starts at 10:00 AM Eastern Time and introduces four new iPad models—two from the Air and two from the Pro series. The presentation is set in Battersea, a delightful South-West London district known for Battersea Park and the historic Battersea Power Station, the largest brick building in Europe.
What products will Apple present?
What can we expect at the Apple Let Loose conference? Analysts predict the unveiling of four new iPad models alongside accessories tailor-made for them, including the Magic Keyboard and the newest Apple Pencil model.
What will the iPad Pro feature?
The iPad Pro tablets will be the first in Apple's lineup to come equipped with OLED displays, promising enhanced image quality and extended battery life compared to their predecessors. These models will also feature ProMotion technology for adaptive image refresh rates. The iPad Pros will be available in two sizes – 11.1 inches and 12.9 inches – and boast a sleek design, with thinner profiles and narrower bezels than earlier models. An interesting design tweak is the repositioned camera, which is now on the tablet's longer side to improve the video call experience when using a keyboard.
There's speculation about which processor the iPad Pro will utilize. Some analysts suggest the Apple Silicon M4 chip, known for its advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, while others believe the M3 chip, currently used in the MacBook Air and Pro, will be chosen.
iPad Air in two versions
The iPad Air will be unveiled in two variants. One will succeed the current model with a 10.9-inch screen, and the other will feature a larger 12.9-inch display. Both will use LCD technology.
These new models will closely resemble the fourth-generation iPad Airs but with a few distinctions, including relocating the front camera to the longer edge and reshaping the rear camera module into a "pill" shape, similar to the iPhone X. The new iPad Air models will be powered by the Apple Silicon M2 chips.
What accessories for iPads will Apple present?
Apple is also expected to reveal new accessories at the conference, including an updated Magic Keyboard with an aluminum frame, moving away from the previous polyurethane construction. Its design will include a silicone cover, and the trackpad will be upsized to match those of MacBook laptops.
A new stylus, possibly named Apple Pencil 3 or Apple Pencil Pro, is also anticipated. It will feature squeeze gesture capabilities for activating functions and providing haptic feedback.
How to watch the Let Loose conference broadcast?
Head to Apple's website using mainstream browsers like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox to catch the Let Loose presentation. The broadcast will also be streamed live on YouTube. The Apple TV app also provides another viewing option on devices like iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, the Apple TV set-top box, and selected Smart TVs.
