As Apple’s legions of followers stay up for the launch of the iPhone 16 subsequent Monday, one leaker has slipped out a stunning prediction a couple of totally different (and probably very fashionable) product: the iPad Magic Keyboard.
Apple sells a variety of Magic Keyboards for the iPad Air and Professional, and whereas these are extremely rated for his or her consolation, ease of use, and enticing and practical cantilever design, they’re additionally extremely costly: the 11-inch fashions are $299, whereas the 13-inch fashions value a startling $349, as a lot because the Tenth-gen iPad. (There is a less expensive various for the low-end iPad, the Magic Keyboard Folio, however this doesn’t have the cantilever design and nonetheless prices $249.)
In different phrases, even those that can afford an iPad Air or Professional often balk on the additional expense of a Magic Keyboard… which is a disgrace, as a result of it’s among the finest equipment for turning an iPad into an efficient work machine.
Effectively, if that describes you, prepare for some (potential) excellent news. Within the of his Energy On e-newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman mentions virtually in passing that Apple is engaged on a less expensive model of the Magic Keyboard.
“I’m advised that Apple suppliers are onerous at work on a brand new iPad keyboard for subsequent 12 months,” he writes. “This accent might be a low-end model [of the Magic Keyboard] which may be designed for an entry-level iPad or the brand new iPad Airs.”
The important thing issue right here is that it feels like the brand new keyboard will get the cantilever design, or at the least Gurman doesn’t specify in any other case. He notes that it’ll differ from the higher-end keyboard in its lack of “pricier parts just like the steel palm relaxation” however mentions nothing a couple of basically totally different design.
The opposite query this prompts, in fact, is how “low-end” are we speaking? Gurman doesn’t provide a determine, however we are able to take an informed guess by pondering when it comes to higher and decrease bounds. It would clearly value lower than the $299 of the present 11-inch Magic Keyboard; however equally, it’s onerous to think about that it’ll dramatically undercut the $249 presently charged for the Magic Keyboard Folio. My expectation is that Apple might be seeking to promote the Magic Keyboard ‘Lite’ (it positively received’t be known as that, by the way in which) for someplace between $219 and $249, and concurrently give the Folio a value minimize, or discontinue it fully.
As for its launch date, Gurman says to anticipate the brand new product by the center of 2025, “if all goes to plan.” So it’s debatable whether or not potential iPad patrons ought to take this into consideration when mulling a purchase order. And naturally, like all “funds” Apple merchandise, keep in mind that, as we’ve mentioned, it in all probability received’t be particularly low-cost.