Use Ipad As Keyboard Software Update Tuesday

A new Magic Keyboard that works with the iPad and has a trackpad with all those features built in wont launch until May, and I cant wait to try it.

Apples new added mouse support for iPads makes these, and other iPads, much more powerful work machines that really can replace your laptop.

You dont need to upgrade if you have the 2018 iPads Pro, however, since the upgrades probably wont be needed by most people.

The 12.9-inch 2020 iPad Pro with Apples Magic trackpad accessory.

Todd Haselton CNBC Apple announced its new 11- and 12.9-inch iPads Pro last week.

There are a few big changes, including a more powerful processor, new cameras and a 3D sensor for more accurate augmented reality applications.

Use Ipad As Keyboard Software Update Tuesday

With a software update Tuesday for all iPads, it now supports mouse input, a huge change from Apples previous suggestions that the iPad was built around touch-only interaction.

The new 11- and 12.9-inch iPads Pro look and feel like the previous models launched in 2018.

And if you own them, you probably dont need to upgrade unless you want slightly faster speeds and the 3D sensor camera.

But, if you havent owned an iPad Pro before, these are great machines that are more and more capable of replacing your laptop entirely.

But, as I said in my 2020 MacBook Air review, its a tough time for Apple to launch new products.

Apple stores are closed indefinitely outside China, so you cant try them out in person.

And people may be more concerned about the economy and might not have a lot of disposable income right now.

Apple will charge 299 for the keyboard that fits 11-inch iPads and 349 for the version that fits 12.9-inch iPads.

On the other hand, millions of people around the world are being asked to stay indoors.

And the iPad is a heck of a device that can help you get work done, stay in touch over video chat, keep you entertained with movies and games and help you stay up on the news.

Theres finally real mouse support I bought the 2018 11-inch iPad Pro, which I still use pretty much every day.

A couple of years ago, I argued that this still wasnt quite a device that could replace your computer.

Aside from a proprietary system we use for entering articles for CNBC.com, and while using Apples 179 keyboard, I can do everything I normally do from a laptop.

Over the last several years, Apple has added lots of multitasking capabilities that makes it easier to run apps side by side, so I can have my work Slack up next to the web browser, and a small box running CNBC live on TV down in a corner.

Its great, and I know other colleagues of mine can use the iPad for most of their work, too.

This wasnt enough for me, though: I still didnt like the need to use the screen to maneuver.

Todd Haselton CNBC The latest update to the iPads operating system makes it even more powerful: It finally supports a mouse.

I tested it with Apples 129 Magic Trackpad, which supports gestures that let me close apps, see all open apps, move with accuracy through text, scroll through websites and more.

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