Summary Keynote “Let Loose”: iPad Air 12.9″, iPad Pro M4, Apple Pencil Pro and other new features

On Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. PST, Apple held a keynote called “Let Loose”. We followed it for iPhon.fr. You were able to discover the announcements throughout the event in briefs published in near real time on the site and in the i-nfo.fr app, but also as part of the liveblog that we held at the same time.

If you missed part of the conference and/or if you want to find a complete report of the announcements, you're in luck:here is our traditional post-keynote summary article!

There you will find, after a short introduction, all themajor points to rememberconcerning what Tim Cook and his acolytes were able to reveal during the event. We obviously invite you to discuss the new features in the comments. Finally, know that we will not fail to provide you with more in-depth details of each of the new features in the hours and days to come.

• To watch or rewatch the conference:

Introduction

From the start of the event, Tim Cook directly announced the color:today's topic is the iPad. This is what many rumors had predicted until then. Before moving on to the announcements, the CEO of the Californian firm still takes a detour to recall the recent release of the Apple Vision Pro headset, and the MacBook Air and Pro M3. After not even 5 minutes, the iPad took the leading role in the conference with the first revelations.

Apple has unveiled a new generation of iPad Air. This consists, for the first time, of 2 models, one with a screen diagonal of 11 inches, the other with a screen diagonal of 13 inches. Below, more details about them.

What's new

• SoC :Apple silicon M2 (Apple announces a 50% performance gain compared to the previous generation)
• Design :no major changes compared to the previous generation
• Screen sizes:two versions, one at 11 inches, the other at 13 inches
• Others: the front camera is located along the length and no longer the width
• Basic storage and options:128 Go / 512 Go / 1 To
• Finishes:4 total, Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Gray

Prices and availability

• Prices for the 11-inch version:719 € (128 Go) / 849 € (256 Go) / 1 099 € (512 Go) / 1 349 € (1 To)
• Prices for the 13-inch version:969 € (128 Go) / 1 099 € (256 Go) / 1 349 € (512 Go) / 1 599 € (1 To)
• Option Wi-Fi + Cellular :+170 €
• Pre-order date:from today
• Release date and in-store availability:from Wednesday May 15

iPad Pro

The second chapter of the conference concerned the iPad Pro. Expectations were high for this tablet, as rumors announced an Apple silicon M4 chip inside. Here is the detail.

Notable points of the technical sheet

• SoC :Apple silicon M4. For the first time, a new Apple silicon chip is coming directly to the iPad without going through the Mac. Apple justifies this exception for a simple reason, the new OLED panel requires power and energy. The M4 chip is capable of supporting these needs without too much impacting the autonomy of the machines
• Design :the new generation is gaining finesse (Apple announces the new iPad Pros as the thinnest Apple products ever released)
• Ultra Retina XDR display:OLED screen technology is required, with Tandem OLED dual panel technology
• Camera:the front camera is positioned lengthwise, like on the iPad Air
• Screen sizes:two versions, one at 11 inches, the other at 13 inches
• Others :new nanotextured glass option
• Basic storage and options:up to 2TB 25
• Finishes:2, Silver and Space Black

Prices and availability

• Prices for the 11-inch version:1 219 € (256 Go) / 1 469 € (512 Go) / 1 949 € (1 To) / 2 429 € (2 To)
• Prices for the 13-inch version:1 569 € (256 Go) / 1 819 € (512 Go) / 2 299 € (1 To) / 2 779 € (2 To)
• Option Wi-Fi + Cellular :+250 €
• Nano-textured glass option:+130 € (only for 1 and 2 TB versions)
• Pre-order date:from today
• Release date and in-store availability:from Wednesday May 15

Apple Pencil Pro

The Californian firm has indeed lifted the veil on a new stylus, once again, as rumors had predicted. Surprise: the latter is calledApple Pencil Pro.

What's new

• Pinch:The stylus supports finger pinching, which can enable you to activate a shortcut, change brushes while drawing, etc.
• Haptic feedback:the Pencil Pro incorporates a haptic feedback engine for a better feeling when performing certain actions
• Rotation :it can change brushes when you turn it on itself
• Compatibility:all iPad Pro M2 and iPad Pro M4

Prices and availability

• Tariff:149 €
• Pre-order date:Today
• Release date and in-store availability:from May 15, 2024

Magic Keyboard

What's new

For the new iPad Pros, Apple is releasing a new version of its Magic Keyboard for iPad. The latter now contains a row of function keys and an improved trackpad.

Prices and availability

• Tariff:399 €
• Pre-order date:Today
• Release date and in-store availability:from May 15, 2024

One more thing ?

Apple has unveiled two major new software features: a new version of Final Cut Pro editing software and a new version of Logic Pro audio creation software.

Final Cut Pro

The new version of Apple video software:

• is faster for exporting video
• supports the new Live Multicam function, for videos taken with the new iPhone and iPad Final Cut Camera app
• can work more efficiently on files stored on external hard drives

Logic Pro 2

The new version of Logic Pro is available on iPad (and Mac), with these new features, among others:

• Drummers :new drummers for the function
• Chromaglow :a new effect mimicking the effect of analog equipment
• Stems Splitter :new function to separate instruments from an audio file to mix them separately

Finally, Apple also announced a price drop for the iPad 10. Previously priced at €589, it is now sold439 €.

What do you say about these announcements?

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.