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The Sliding-Design Edition Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Apple Announces New Apple Pencil With Magnetic Storage And USB-C Port, by Dan Moren, Six Colors

This pencil is clearly designed for use with the tenth-generation iPad: while it attaches magnetically to the long edge of the iPad for storage, it still charges via a physical port. Unlike the old Lightning model, which had a removable (and easily lost) cap hiding its charging and pairing connector, the new Apple Pencil features an innovative sliding design that reveals a USB-C port into which you can plug a cable (which, naturally, is not included). Its design is otherwise very similar to the second-generation Pencil.

Apple Pencil Joins The iPad Confusion Zone, by Wes Davis, The Verge

A third, cheaper Apple Pencil now sits in Apple’s lineup of styluses, giving iPad owners more choice than ever. And yet, that choice is fraught with compromises and caveats. There’s still not one Apple Pencil to rule them all, and that’s a problem for shoppers.

The Price Of Apple’s Old-products Strategy, by Jason Snell, Six Colors

Still, it’s hard not to look at the shenanigans in the iPad product line over the last few years and not get the sense that things are kind of a mess. This new Pencil should’ve shipped last year with the 10th-generation iPad. The new iPad has features that higher-end models don’t. There’s insufficient differentiation between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro.

Stuff

Is Apple’s Translate App Still Getting Lost In Translation?, by Niléane, MacStories

The Conversation tab is unique in its well-thought-out design. Manually selecting the grammatical gender for gendered words sets it apart from a simple translation app you may use during your vacation abroad, perhaps transforming it into a daily work tool. But, like many of Apple’s built-in apps and services that are well integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, Translate truly shines when you realize that you’ve actually been using it this whole time without noticing.

Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera Review: Even Better With The Thermostat, by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge

This morning, my doorbell rang, and I answered it from my thermostat. An image of the FedEx driver appeared on the four-inch touchscreen, and I tapped the microphone icon and told him I’d be right there. Yeah, it was really cool.

Adonit Note+ 2 Review, by Tilly Lawton, Pocket Tactics

A solid stylus that offers a range of desirable features including pressure sensitivity, natural tilt support, palm rejection, and programmable shortcuts, the Adonit Note+ 2 is a sleek piece of kit with a solid battery, suitable for both casual use and digital art. While its supported apps are limited and there are some kinks with connectivity, it’s a strong and affordable competitor for the Apple Pencil.

Twelve South Debuts New TimePorter Apple Watch Band Wall-mounted Organizer, by Rikka Altland, 9to5Toys

The white build can hold six bands at a time, with a clever design that makes one-handed retrieval possible. Multiple units can be together to form a larger display for anyone with a more impressive Apple Watch band collection.

Develop

Apple Vision Pro Developer Labs Expand To New York City And Sydney, by Apple

We’re thrilled with the excitement and enthusiasm from developers around the world at the Apple Vision Pro labs, and we’re pleased to announce new labs in New York City and Sydney.

Notes

Apple Announces Updated iPad 10 With eSIM Support In China, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

China Unicom is currently the only supported eSIM carrier for the iPad in mainland China, according to a new Apple support document. eSIM support in mainland China requires a 10th-generation iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with model number A3162. All other iPad and iPhone models do not have eSIM support in mainland China.

Apple Investigating Display Flickering Issue Affecting Apple Watch Series 9 And Ultra 2, by Joe Rossignol, MacRumors

Apple is investigating an issue where the display brightness briefly flickers or "pulses" on some Apple Watch models when Always On mode is enabled, according to an internal service memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers today.

Apple’s Latest iOS Update Could Have A Big Impact On Podcast Downloads, by Amrita Khalid, The Verge

So, why does anyone care about what is functionally a storage issue? The problem is that these instances could have been distorting download numbers.

Bottom of the Page

Today is a work-from-home day, and it rained all day, and the temperature is cooling (for a place at the equator), and I am enjoying myself.

Tomorrow is a work-at-office day, and I am already dreading the commute.

~

Thanks for reading.