because the happy user of an iPad Air 2, I simply can’t find a great deal of a reason to take the bounce to the iPad seasoned. sure, there’s the bigger screen size, and that i admit that I’ve been tempted by means of the Apple Pencil support, but basic it’s now not the sort of big development that I’m salivating at the possibility.
I also discover myself a chunk at a loss for words with the aid of the smart Connector. This new connector, which could switch each facts and energy, receives utilized by the Apple smart Keyboard—and similar 0.33-birthday party keyboards—and a couple different add-ons, like the Logitech Base charging station.
And that’s approximately it.
Frankly, that doesn’t appear to be a whole lot to warrant the addition of a completely new port, in particular given Apple’s tendencies towards decreasing connectors. in order that has me wondering what else Apple would possibly have up its sleeve for the clever Connector?
Pencil holder
the primary thing that struck me changed into the Apple Pencil. Critics—and even those who just like the Pencil—have made a lot of hay out of the Lightning connector at the device’s eraser cease, which makes it stick out of an iPad or iPhone port like a vestigial antenna. Likewise, the fact that there’s in reality no manner to shop the Pencil along with the iPad, unless you put money into a few type of case that comprises both.
ipad pro nine.7 pencil stockAPPLE
The Pencil needs a home.
appears to me like Apple may want to have hit a double via the usage of the clever Connector as a charging factor and as a magnetic attachment for the Pencil. that might remedy each the awkward charging difficulty and the storage issue. Of route, the problem with that is that if you attach a smart Keyboard or different magnetic cover, you may’t get admission to the smart Connector. So possibly no longer the right situation. but you have to disconnect the magnetic covers to apply another clever Connector-based totally peripheral besides, so perhaps it wouldn’t be so terrible.
Watering down
One advantage of the clever Connector over the Lightning port is that it looks as if its lack of ingress into the iPad’s case would possibly assist with waterproofing that device—or as a minimum making it extra water resistant. The Apple Watch, of direction, takes it a step similarly with no exposed contacts at all, but it also makes use of that for charging handiest, not information.
could the smart Connector update the Lightning port? well, it’s without a doubt able to charging the iPad, albeit extra slowly, it seems, than charging through the Lightning port. And because it handles data, it appears as although that could appease any who desire to plug their iPad into their Mac or laptop. but I’d guess that the records throughput is a lot extra restrained than Lightning, too.
furthermore, having already switched ports once inside the previous few years, i can’t believe that Apple is eager to tell clients that they once again have to reinvest in new peripherals and cables. So it doesn’t appear extraordinarily probably.
Keyboard catechism
So perhaps all Apple clearly desires out of the clever Connector is what the agency bills it as: a simple, hassle-unfastened way to connect a small, skinny keyboard. Bluetooth keyboard guide has, of route, been on the iPad for some time now, however it often way a clunky pairing process and having to address a separate battery.
ipad seasoned primaryAPPLE
The smart Connector is a brilliant keyboard port, but what else could it do?
however for all of that, I nevertheless can’t assist feeling that the addition of the smart Connector is a piece wasteful. Over at the Mac facet, the MacBook is hurting for added ports, in any case!
it’d surely be thrilling to see third-party carriers come up with greater thrilling ways to apply the port—heck, even simply greater keyboard alternatives could be a pleasing addition. thus far the clever Keyboard and Logitech’s Create look like the only video games on the town. What about some thing with a drawing-style pill on it? (A lately granted Apple patent details some thing very just like this.)
Rumor also has it that the clever Connector should make a leap to the iPhone as nicely—perhaps as soon as in this 12 months’s version. whilst I’m certain a clever Keyboard-style cowl isn’t quite inside the works, possibly we’d sooner or later see a few form of magnetic case for the iPhone—I sort of like the idea of a smart cowl for my iPhone.
in the end, it’d be a shame if the smart Connector ended up being for nothing greater than keyboards and chargers. Given the care and attention Apple takes to designing its products, even though, I’d be quite taken aback if that’s the (pun meant) case. with any luck the smart Connector stands to get a lot more clever.