The May 7 Apple Event is more important than you think

Luke Miani
23 Apr 202408:11

TLDRThe May 7 Apple Event is anticipated to focus on iPads, which haven't seen a significant update since the M1 iPad Pro in 2020. With over 18 months since the last update and more than three years since a major overhaul, the event is crucial for Apple to address the stagnation in iPad innovation. The current iPad Pro from 2018 remains highly capable, leading to a lack of consumer urgency to upgrade. Despite hardware rumors suggesting OLED displays and design changes, the real challenge lies in software advancements. The event's timing, one month before WWDC where new iPadOS features will be unveiled, raises questions about the integration of new hardware with upcoming software. The potential for a trickle-down effect of features, such as the mini LED display moving to the iPad Air, is also discussed. Concerns about increasing iPad prices are highlighted, especially as the Mac has improved while maintaining a more affordable price point. The summary calls for significant software features to make the new iPads truly compelling for both die-hard and casual users.

Takeaways

  • 📅 Apple's new event is scheduled for May 7th, which is expected to focus on iPads.
  • 🖥️ The iPad is in need of attention, with the last significant update being the M1 iPad Pro over three years ago.
  • ⏱️ It's been over 18 months since any iPad model was updated, which is the longest stretch without an update.
  • 📊 A poll indicates that more than half of the respondents are not planning to upgrade their iPads, regardless of the new releases.
  • 💻 The iPad's longevity and quality are so high that even the 2018 iPad Pro models are still considered very capable.
  • 🎨 Apple seems to be positioning the iPad as a tool for creativity, with a heavy emphasis on the Apple Pencil for artists.
  • 📈 There are hardware rumors suggesting new features such as OLED displays, thinner design, matte screen options, and mag safe wireless charging.
  • 🔍 The software is seen as the biggest obstacle to making the iPad truly great, and improvements are eagerly anticipated.
  • 📱 The Mac has evolved to incorporate features initially unique to the iPad, making the iPad's role less distinct.
  • 📈 The iPad Air is expected to receive the mini LED display technology, previously exclusive to the iPad Pro, and may come in a larger 13-inch size.
  • 💰 There is concern that the prices for iPads may increase, especially for the Pro models, as the technology trickles down to other models.

Q & A

  • When is the Apple event mentioned in the transcript scheduled to take place?

    -The Apple event is scheduled to take place on May 7th.

  • What is the primary focus of the May 7 Apple event according to the transcript?

    -The primary focus of the event is expected to be new iPads.

  • How long has it been since the last significant update to the iPad line?

    -It has been more than 3 years since the iPad received a major update.

  • What is the current state of the iPad market according to the speaker?

    -The iPad market is in a weird place, with many users feeling that the current iPads are too good, leading to less incentive to upgrade.

  • What is the longest stretch of time that the iPad has gone without an update?

    -The longest stretch of time the iPad has gone without an update is more than 18 months, since the announcement of the M2 iPad Pros in October 2022.

  • What is the speaker's concern regarding the timing of the Apple event in relation to WWDC?

    -The speaker is concerned that the event is happening one month before WWDC, which may affect the unveiling and delivery of new features for iPadOS.

  • What are some of the hardware rumors associated with the new iPads?

    -Rumors include new OLED displays, a thinner enclosure with a new design, thinner bezels, a matte screen option, a landscape-oriented front camera, and potentially mag safe wireless charging.

  • What is the speaker's view on the iPad's current position in the market compared to the iPhone and Mac?

    -The speaker believes that the iPad is in a unique position because it's almost too good, with older models still performing well, unlike the iPhone which often prompts more frequent upgrades.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on the iPad's niche market?

    -The speaker acknowledges that the iPad has a niche market for artists and creative professionals, where the Apple Pencil and iPad's capabilities are highly valued.

  • What feature is expected to be introduced to the iPad Air from the iPad Pro?

    -The mini LED display is expected to be introduced to the iPad Air, marking a significant feature trickle-down effect.

  • What is the speaker's apprehension regarding the pricing of the new iPads?

    -The speaker is apprehensive that the prices for the iPad Pro models might increase, especially with the introduction of new features and the larger display size for the iPad Air.

  • What does the speaker emphasize as the most crucial aspect for the iPad's success in the market?

    -The speaker emphasizes that significant new software features are crucial for the iPad's success, as hardware improvements alone may not be enough to drive sales.

Outlines

00:00

📅 Anticipating Apple's iPad Event on May 7th

The video discusses the upcoming Apple event scheduled for May 7th, which is widely expected to be focused on the iPad lineup. The host expresses excitement about potential new iPad releases, noting that it's been over 18 months since the last update to the iPad line, specifically since the M2 iPad Pros were announced in October 2022. The iPad's current state is described as being in a 'weird place,' with many users, including the host, feeling that the iPad needs significant attention. The video highlights the longevity of iPad models, with the host mentioning their still-functional 2018 iPad Pro and the general sentiment that iPads are 'too good' for their own sake, leading to less frequent upgrades. The host also ponders the importance of software updates, as the event precedes WWDC by a month, where Apple typically unveils new features for iPadOS.

05:01

💡 The Future of iPads: Hardware and Software

This paragraph delves into the expectations for the new iPads, focusing on both hardware and software advancements. The host mentions various hardware rumors, including OLED displays, a redesigned thinner enclosure, smaller bezels, a matte screen option, a landscape-oriented front camera, and possibly magsafe wireless charging. However, the host emphasizes that hardware improvements will be less impactful without significant software updates. The video acknowledges the iPad's strength in the creative niche, particularly among artists who use the Apple Pencil. The challenge for Apple is to enhance the iPad experience for both die-hard and casual users. The host also discusses the potential 'trickle-down' effect of features like the mini LED display moving from the iPad Pro to the iPad Air, which is rumored to be offered in a new 13-inch display size. Concerns are raised about the increasing price points of iPads, which now start at $499 and can become much more expensive when additional accessories are included. The video concludes with the host expressing curiosity about the upcoming event and inviting viewers to share their thoughts in the comments.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Apple Event

An Apple Event is a product launch or announcement made by the technology company Apple Inc. These events are significant as they often introduce new products or updates to existing ones. In the context of the video, the Apple Event on May 7 is expected to focus on iPads, which is a crucial moment for Apple's tablet line, as it has been over 18 months since the last major update.

💡iPad

The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. It is a key product in Apple's ecosystem and is known for its sleek design and user-friendly interface. The video discusses the need for an update to the iPad line, as it has been a long time since the last significant innovation, which is unusual for Apple's product cycle.

💡Apple Pencil

The Apple Pencil is a stylus designed for use with iPads, particularly for drawing and note-taking. It is highlighted in the video as a key accessory for the iPad, suggesting that the event might introduce new features or improvements related to the Apple Pencil, which could enhance the creative capabilities of the device.

💡M2 iPad Pro

The M2 iPad Pro refers to the iPad Pro models that were announced in October 2022 and are equipped with Apple's M2 chip. The M2 chip is a successor to the M1 chip and represents a minor specification bump rather than a major update. The video mentions that the M2 iPad Pro was not a significant update, indicating a desire for more substantial advancements in the upcoming event.

💡iPad OS

iPad OS is the operating system that runs on iPad devices. It is a version of iOS specifically optimized for the larger screen and different use cases of iPads. The video script suggests that software updates and new features for iPad OS will be crucial for the iPad's success, as hardware improvements alone may not be enough to drive sales or satisfy user expectations.

💡OLED Displays

OLED, which stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode, is a display technology that offers superior contrast ratios and more vibrant colors compared to traditional LCD displays. The video mentions rumors about new iPads featuring OLED displays, which would be a significant upgrade and could make the devices more attractive to consumers.

💡MagSafe Wireless Charging

MagSafe is a magnetic attachment system used by Apple for charging and connecting accessories to their devices. The video speculates that the new iPads might include MagSafe wireless charging, which would be a new feature that could improve the convenience and versatility of the iPads.

💡iPad Air

The iPad Air is a more affordable version of the iPad Pro, offering many of the same features at a lower price point. The video discusses the possibility of the mini LED display technology, currently exclusive to the iPad Pro, being introduced to the iPad Air, which could make it an even more appealing option for consumers.

💡Software Features

In the context of the video, software features refer to the applications and functionalities that run on the iPad's operating system. The speaker emphasizes that without significant new software features, even the most advanced hardware updates may not be enough to make the iPad truly great or to convince users to upgrade.

💡WWDC

WWDC stands for Worldwide Developers Conference, an annual event held by Apple where the company often announces new software and updates. The video points out that the timing of the Apple Event, one month before WWDC, is unusual and raises questions about what software innovations might be unveiled alongside the new iPads.

💡iPad Pro 12.9

The iPad Pro 12.9 refers to the larger model of the iPad Pro line, known for its larger display size. The video mentions the iPad Pro 12.9 in the context of discussing the high price point of the iPad lineup and the potential for price increases with new features or models.

Highlights

Apple's new 'Let Loose' event is scheduled for May 7th, focusing on iPads.

The iPad is in a peculiar position, with many users not seeing a need to upgrade from older models.

It has been over 18 months since any iPad model was updated, with the last update being the M2 iPad Pros in October 2022.

The M1 iPad Pro introduced significant advancements like mini LED and a powerful M1 chip.

The iPad's durability and quality have led to a situation where even the 2018 models are still considered good enough by many users.

Apple has never gone an entire calendar year without updating an iPad until now.

A poll on Twitter showed that more than half of respondents are not planning to upgrade their iPads.

Software is seen as the biggest obstacle to making the iPad truly great.

The event comes just a month before WWDC, where Apple will unveil new features for iPadOS.

Rumors suggest new hardware features such as OLED displays, a thinner design, and mag safe wireless charging.

The iPad Pro's mini LED display is expected to be featured in the new iPad Air with a 13-inch display size.

Concerns that the prices for iPad Pro models may increase as Apple introduces new features.

The starting price for an iPad has significantly increased from its initial launch 14 years ago.

The iPad's high pricing is compared to the more powerful and similarly priced Mac.

The success of new iPads will heavily depend on significant new software features to accompany hardware improvements.

The general public will have to wait until September for new iPadOS features announced at WWDC to become available.

The author is curious to see how Apple will address the needs of both die-hard and casual iPad users with the new updates.

There is anticipation for the event's coverage and how Apple will play out its strategies for the iPad lineup.