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.

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2022

Nour Nasir

Apple

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

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

apple tv 2022

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

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 To Help Climate Technology Startups

The initiative was announced at the COP28 summit and will help selected startups with a $200,000 cash injection and further incentives.

Published

21 hours ago

December 5, 2023

Nour Nasir

Hub71

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology system, has launched a new initiative to support climate technology startups backed by several of the UAE’s largest public and private sector organizations.

Known as the Hub71+ ClimateTech ecosystem, the program was announced at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, with funding commitments from 25+ local and international partners already in place.

A total of 342 startups have submitted applications so far, with the top companies being added to a shortlist that will be revealed shortly. Selected startups will receive Dh250,000 ($68,000) in incentives and an upfront cash support package of Dh250,000. In addition, the top performers of Hub71’s new initiative will also receive a top-up of up to Dh250,000 in exchange for additional equity.

Ahmad Alwan, deputy chief executive of Hub71, said: “This initiative aims to bring in different entities that have a shared mission towards climate tech […] Throughout the journey, we will support these companies, not only from being startups to becoming mature companies but also to facilitate their engagement with entities that would support them with access to capital, market, and talent”.

The Hub71+ ClimateTech ecosystem is backed by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company and the National Central Cooling Company, who have each pledged Dh500,000 to the initiative as anchor partners.

Also Read: Wisdom Motor Brings First Zero-Emission Bus To GCC

They are joined by corporate partners, including Abu Dhabi holding company ADQ, Aldar Properties, sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Masdar City, and Dubai’s Emirates NBD. In addition, Siemens Energy is also onboard as an anchor partner.

So far, Hub71 has helped 260 member startups and created over 1,000 jobs, according to the organization’s website. In addition, it has collectively raised around Dh5 billion since its foundation in 2019.