News
Apple Just Announced Two New iPad Pro Devices
The Cupertino company has also updated the Apple TV and added new functionality to the Apple Pencil.
In a surprise product announcement yesterday, Apple revealed two new iPad Pro models. The 12.9 and 11-inch tablets have been updated with the company’s latest M2 chip, with support for new Apple Pencil functionality, plus other minor updates.
The announcement was much more low-key than the highly publicized iPhone launches, with CEO Tim Cook teasing the new products before the official press release was made public. The launch’s subtlety likely reflects that these new products are more refreshes than radical redesigns.
M2 iPad Pro
The two new iPad Pro models feature Apple’s M2 processors, which the company claims will make the tablets 15% faster overall, with a 35% improvement in graphics performance. Overall, the new iPad Pros have only minor updates over the older models, with USB-C ports replacing lightning connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E making an appearance.
One notable update comes in the form of updated Apple Pencil behavior. A new hover mode allows the stylus to be detected when it’s around a half inch (12mm) away from the screen. Hover mode is aimed at artists, as it allows the pencil to be used as a finely-tuned brush, with the iPad showing a dot where the tip will touch down, allowing artists to achieve new levels of precision.
Pricing & Availability
If you’re an owner of the outgoing iPad Pro, these updates probably aren’t going to be big enough to tempt you to upgrade. However, for anyone looking to pick up a new tablet, the 12.9 and 11-inch iPad Pros are available to preorder right now, with delivery and general release in stores happening on October 26th. Prices for the 11-inch model start at $799, with the bigger 12.9-inch device coming in at $1,099.
Apple TV
As for the new Apple TV, fans of the premium streaming device will be able to pick between two models on the November 4th release date: One with a Wi-Fi connection ($129) and another with Ethernet ($149). The Wi-Fi version comes with 64GB of storage, while the Ethernet model bumps this to 128GB. Both models offer 4K visuals and Dolby sound and use Apple’s A15 chip.
News
UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.