Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ event today: OLED iPad Pro, bigger iPad Air, updated accessories and more

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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After an 18-month hiatus, Apple is finally going to update its iPad lineup — the longest break since the late Steve Jobs debuted the product in 2010.

The May 7 event, dubbed “Let Loose”, will reportedly be 35 minutes long and strictly online. In India, the livestream will start at 7.30 pm and can be accessed through Apple’s official website and its YouTube channel.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this time Apple is looking to primarily refresh the iPad Pro and the iPad Air with major updates. New accessories, including the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, are also expected at the event.

Here is everything you can expect on May 7

iPad Pro: The star of the show is the new iPad Pro, featuring an updated design and an OLED display, a first for the iPad lineup. The introduction of OLED not only makes the display crisper but also allows for a sleeker device design. Both the 10-inch and the 12.9-inch models are expected to be updated and, rumours suggest that they will be powered by Apple’s first AI-enabled M4 chips. Those chips will help power artificial intelligence tasks — part of a broader push into AI that Apple will explain further in June.

iPad Air: Apple is also set to unveil an updated iPad Air, introducing a larger 12.9-inch option, aligning it with the size of the iPad Pro. This move provides consumers with a more affordable entry point to the large-screen tablet experience. Both the new 12.9-inch and existing 10.9-inch models are expected to boast 2022’s M2 chip.

Upgraded Accessories: The event will also showcase refreshed accessories, including the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. The redesigned Apple Pencil is speculated to feature haptic feedback and enhanced functionality, while the updated Magic Keyboard aims for increased durability with an aluminium build and a more laptop-like appearance.

While these announcements are sure to generate excitement, some developments are slated for a later date:

Future Releases: Apple is rumoured to be working on a cost-reduced version of its 10th-generation iPad, expected to debut towards the end of the year. Additionally, new AI capabilities for the iPad Pro could be teased on Tuesday but nothing can be expected before the iPadOS 18 in unveiled at WWDC in June. The iPad mini could also get an update later this year

Beyond iPads: While the iPad Pro may introduce the M4 chip, new Macs are not slated for release until later in 2024. Similarly, revamped low-end AirPods are on the horizon but will most likely be launched alongside new iPhones in the fall.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow