I don’t get this move at all, what’s the point? Do we need an apple pencil SE tho?
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Apple Pencil USB-C. I don’t get it….
- Thread starter Southernguy
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It’s a budget version, but I think it’s pointless. No pressure sensitivity makes it worse than the 1st-gen Pencil for the iPad 10th-gen, only advantage is the convenience of not having a dongle. Every other USB-C iPad user is better off buying the 2nd-gen.
The only users this is geared towards, I think, is iPad 10th-gen users, and even then, like I said, its worth is... debatable, at least.
The only users this is geared towards, I think, is iPad 10th-gen users, and even then, like I said, its worth is... debatable, at least.
It makes sense given the need to move off of lightning… granted the 1st generation is still available, but I doubt it will be there long.
I can see them moving off the 2nd generation as well when they release a new Apple Pencil for the 2024 iPad Pros (supposedly that’s getting a redesign)… that way it simplify the product line with only two Apple Pencils to choose from.
I can see them moving off the 2nd generation as well when they release a new Apple Pencil for the 2024 iPad Pros (supposedly that’s getting a redesign)… that way it simplify the product line with only two Apple Pencils to choose from.
I think it would be far better with pressure sensitivity. Make it a like-for-like replacement in terms of features with the 1st-gen and it would be nice.
No argument with you there. But to ask Apple to do the nice thing… when they are seeking any edge to make a buck and I’m not knocking them.
There is a reason why they are a trillion dollar company… they make great business decisions. I’m just offering my thoughts on why went this route…
Yeah, agreed, from that point of view it makes sense. As a customer, unless you have a 10th-gen iPad and don’t care about pressure sensitivity, I’d just recommend the 2nd-gen Pencil.
The lack of pressure sensitivity is a huge mistake IMO, it's not even a 1st gen replacement. The Apple Pencil 'lineup' is a mess
There are probably a good number of users of all iPad models who don’t care about pressure sensitivity, so this is a cheaper option for all of them. It’s not a replacement for the 1st gen. The 1st gen is still being sold purely for compatibility with Lightning iPads, not because it’s a cheaper option—you don’t actually have a choice which Pencil to buy, it’s dictated by your iPad model, until now (technically you might be able to use a 1st gen with any iPad model using an adapter, but I don’t know that would make much sense considering the small difference in price and the bigger difference in functionality/convenience). The 1st gen just happens to be a little cheaper because it’s older. But yes I think it will be discontinued as soon as the 9th gen iPad is discontinued or soon after. The Pencil lineup will be simplified soon to just a flagship and a cheap version.
The real question is whether users will find enough value in the cheaper Pencil compared to third party options.
It is unfortunate 10th gen iPad users will no longer be able to buy a Pencil with pressure sensitivity (although they now get
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It just seems weird. Like it’s not even required. Why not release a new 3rd gen pencil with the same wireless charging as gen 2 and discount the 2nd gen and retire the 1st gen lightning one. Makes sense.
Probably the EU mandate unless the Pencil is somehow exempt from needing to be USB-C. I'd bet they drop the First Gen as the new one is compatible with all USB-C iPads. Which the 9th Gen iPad is the last Lightning iPad, right?
It’s a very thin, artificial finger. Great for note-taking and sketching, not so much for any detailed drawing. Certainly cheaper, but… heck, if that’s all you’re doing with it get a 3rd party pencil for $20 or less instead.
Entry level iPad isn’t compatible with gen 2 Pencil though, and I doubt the entry iPad will be compatible in any near future generation, since it exists to be as cheap as possible. So they need a USBC Pencil for that model. They could make the next gen 3 Pencil with both wireless and USBC charging/pairing, we’ll see. But for now this is the Pencil for that model (as well as older models with a Lightning adapter?). But also the cheaper Pencil just serves as a cheaper option for any model iPad. A true cheaper option, because the 1st gen Pencil isn’t really much cheaper, because again, it isn’t really meant to be the cheap option, but just for legacy Lightning iPads.
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I strongly get the feeling that pressure sensitivity will be a Pro only feature going forward. Prepare yourself
This is such a consumer-hostile thing to do. I'm a diehard Apple sysadmin who can recite the lineup since about 1998, and this is confusing as hell.
How hard would it have been to have put a USB-C connector on the end of the 1st gen pencil and call it a damn day?
How hard would it have been to have put a USB-C connector on the end of the 1st gen pencil and call it a damn day?
True, but they're still selling the 9th Gen iPad, and it's priced aggressively for EDU customers. The 1st gen Pencil is still very relevant and will be for years to come.
It’s what Apple retroactively wished the Pencil 1 to be, but also removing pressure sensitivity to upsell to the more expensive iPads and the Pencil 2. And subtly telling Lightning iPad owners that they don’t matter anymore.
It should remain there for a while as long as Lighting iPad owners may need a replacement pencil.
The 9th isn't a new device and they probably introduced the new Pencil to replace the First Gen when they replace the 9th. The First Gen might still be relevant but not from a manufacturing and sales position when your goal is moving forward with tech. At some point you have to stop producing the old thing and move to the new thing. I bet we're seeing the transition period of phasing out the First Gen.
The problem is, if you want pressure sensitivity, you still only have the choice between the iPad 9 or 10 with the Pencil 1 or a significantly more expensive iPad Air/Pro (or the smaller mini) with Pencil 2. The new Pencil changes nothing there. It also means the Pencil 1 can’t be considered obsolete, creating a confusing lineup with the three Pencils. That’s just awkward.
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Existing products are exempted, and wireless-only charging remains allowed, so there was no pressure for Apple to change anything.
But this new Apple Pencil will work on all iPads… including Lightning iPad owners. Once Apple switch the entry level iPad to USB-C, which I believe next year… I see no reason the 1st generation should be available to purchase.
And that‘s why I brought up… removing the 1st generation from the lineup.
Edit. I’m wrong.. new Apple Pencil will not work on lightning iPad owners. My apologies.
I don't think they'll stop production for at least five years. Once the 9th gen iPad becomes "obsolete" in 2028 or thereabouts, we'll see the first gen Pencil cancelled.
Apple doesn’t list it as compatible with Lightning iPads. It’s not impossible that it works nevertheless, but we don’t know that, and knowing Apple I’ll assume that it doesn’t, until proven otherwise.
Yeah, I edited my post. However, I don’t see why the new Apple Pencil isn’t compatible... seems strange.