Earth without “art” is just “eh“: Apple’s new iPad Pro “Crush!” ad is … disturbing. It shows a hydraulic press squashing symbols of human creativity — musical instruments and art supplies. Then, voila — a new, super-thin iPad Pro appears. The message? Tech trumps all. Apple apologized: “We missed the mark … we’re sorry.” Ya think?
Review: This dock turns your iPad into a desktop computer - sort of
As new tablets continue adding features commonly found on traditional computers, you might wonder if you even need that laptop anymore. That depends.
When it comes to portability and overall convenience, you can get by with a tablet — especially since many also let you connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. For power users who prefer a desktop computer over a laptop anyway, then there’s probably not a tablet that’s going to cut it.
That is unless you add a docking station, such as one that debuted last year that’s designed to work with certain iPad Pro and iPad Air models. Its goal is to bridge the gap by basically turning your tablet into a compact iMac desktop computer of sorts. But is it worth the price?
The Kensington StudioDock
Meet the Kensington StudioDock iPad Docking Station, which adds bonus functionality to recent iPad Pro and iPad Air models, including the ability to charge your other Apple gadgets. More on that part later, but for now, check out the highlights:
- Compatible USB-C iPads magnetically attach to the docks
- Easily switch between portrait and landscape mode
- Single 4K HDMI and four USB (three USB-A and one USB-C) ports
- Other ports include an SD card reader, 3.5mm audio jack and gigabit Ethernet
- Includes two Qi wireless pads to charge your iPhone and AirPods
- StudioDock ranges from $379.99 to $3.99.99 depending on iPad
- Apple Watch charging attachment sold separately for $69.99
A luxury to be sure, and you have to make sure to choose the right one. In early 2021, Kensington released two versions of the StudioDock:
- iPad Pro 11-inch (2018/2020/2021) / 2020 iPad Air
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2018/2020)
Seems pretty straightforward, right? It was until last fall when Apple released the all-new 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
While it looked just like the previous generation, the new one was 0.5 mm thicker. That might not sound like much, but it was enough to make it incompatible with the StudioDock.
That had to be frustrating for Kensington, but even worse for consumers who upgraded to the latest iPad only to find out it won’t work with the $400 dock they bought a few months before. Financial part aside, it didn’t take long for Kensington to announce a StudioDock compatible with the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch model.
This upcoming feature will make your iPhone even more useful
If you’re an Apple fan, you’re in store for a very big year. The company has been teasing a bunch of new devices that will be released later this year, including a new iPad Pro.
Not only that but there will finally be an affordable iPhone available that you won’t have to shell out over a grand for. Tap or click here to check out the soon-to-be latest and greatest release from Apple.
Weird Apple bug renders your key fob useless
Apple’s devices are no strangers to glitches. Remember Antennagate? Well, a new glitch plaguing iPad Pro owners is sweeping the nation. The weirdest part: the glitch doesn’t affect the iPad itself. Instead, users are finding themselves locked out of their cars — and their iPad is to blame!
Apple announced a larger 13-inch iPad Air with an M2 chip, its first iPad Pro with an OLED display and a 10th-generation iPad that starts at $349. Plus, they teased the AI-compatible M4 chip, a new Pencil Pro with haptic feedback, and an upgraded Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and a row of function keys. You can pick them up beginning next week.
Apple’s AI play: On May 7, Apple will announce (Bloomberg, paywall link) its first truly AI device: An OLED iPad Pro powered by their own M4 chip. This smart move sets up Apple to be all in on AI, just in time for its June developers conference. This fall, the new iPhones will have AI baked in, too. Hopefully, they fire Siri.