Apple has recently unveiled its latest addition to the Apple Pencil lineup, introducing an entry-level stylus equipped with USB-C charging. This new offering aims to provide a more affordable option for iPad users while retaining some of the essential features that have made the Apple Pencil a popular accessory.
Key Highlights:
- The new USB-C Apple Pencil is priced at $79.
- It features a sliding cap that reveals the USB-C port.
- The pencil can attach magnetically to the side edge of iPads, including the 10th-generation model.
- Unlike its predecessors, this model lacks pressure sensitivity, wireless pairing, charging, and the double-tap feature.
- It is compatible with a wide range of iPads, from the third to sixth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro to the sixth-gen iPad Mini.
- The USB-C Apple Pencil will be available for purchase in early November.
A Closer Look at the New Apple Pencil:
Apple’s decision to introduce a more budget-friendly Apple Pencil comes as a response to the diverse needs of its vast user base. The new pencil, while priced lower than the $129 second-generation pencil, offers a unique USB-C charging feature. Users can easily reveal the USB-C port by sliding the cap, allowing for convenient charging.
Interestingly, this new model can magnetically attach to the side edge of an array of iPads, even the 10th-generation model released in the previous year. However, the reduced price does mean that users will miss out on some advanced features. The new pencil does not support functionalities like pressure sensitivity, wireless pairing and charging, or the double-tap feature that facilitates tool switching. Nevertheless, it still supports hover with M2 models of the iPad Pro.
Historical Context:
The original Apple Pencil utilized a lightning connector for charging, protruding out to be plugged into the iPad’s port. In contrast, the second-generation model adopted wireless charging and was not compatible with the 10th-generation iPad. This left users of that particular iPad model with limited stylus options. The introduction of the USB-C Apple Pencil aims to address this gap, offering compatibility with a broad spectrum of iPads.
In 2018, Apple launched the Apple Pencil 2, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. It introduced features like wireless charging, magnetic attachment to iPads, and gesture controls for app usage. However, these enhancements came with a price hike, costing users $129, a $30 increase from the original Apple Pencil.
Summary:
Apple’s introduction of the USB-C Apple Pencil marks a strategic move to cater to a wider audience by offering a more affordable stylus option. While it may lack some of the advanced features of its predecessors, its unique USB-C charging capability and compatibility with a range of iPads make it a noteworthy addition to the Apple Pencil family. Users can look forward to its release in early November.