Apple usually holds spring events. This year won’t be different. With several new products to be introduced in 2024, Apple will begin its first keynote of the year highlighting the new iPad models. With WWDC 2024 just around the corner, we might get to see a glimpse of what iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 might offer a month earlier. Here’s everything we know about Apple’s Let Loose event.
Is Apple holding an event this spring?
Yes, Apple will hold a special event on May 7. Although this one is a little further away from the usual spring events, the company has announced a keynote focused on iPads.
Here are the last times Apple held an event in the past five springs:
- 2023: No keynote. Apple announced new high-end MacBook Pro models in early January.
- 2022: Event on March 8. Apple announced a 5G iPhone SE, new iPhone 13 colors, a new iPad Air, and the Mac Studio with the Studio Display.
- 2021: Event on April 20. Apple announced a new iPad Pro, the M1 iMac, an Apple TV 4K, AirTag, and a new color option for iPhone 12.
- 2020: No keynote.
- 2019: Event on March 25. The company announced Apple News+, Apple Card, Apple Arcade, and Apple TV+.
When is Apple holding its first event of 2024?
Apple is holding its first event of 2024 on May 7 at 7 am PT. The event will be held online but some media and influencers were invited for a demo day in New York, London, and other cities across the globe.
What will Apple announce at this May event?
After unveiling the M3 MacBook Air in a press release, the company has so much more to introduce
OLED iPad Pro
The most anticipated announcement can’t come soon enough. Reports about the OLED iPad Pro have been spreading for a few years. Apple is expected to unveil its biggest redesign for the iPad Pro since the arrival of the 2018 model.
In addition to an OLED display, this tablet will likely get the M4 chip, a rearranged front-facing camera, better main lenses, and revamped Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories.
BGR has compiled the latest rumors about this iPad in a guide.
M2 iPad Air
After a year without new iPads, Apple is expected to launch new iPad Air models (10.9-inch and 12.9-inch versions) in 2024. If rumors are accurate, this is the first time Apple has released two sizes of a non-Pro iPad. This iPad should feature the M2 chip and camera upgrades.
Magic Keyboard is getting a revamp
In a Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman said Apple is redesigning the Magic Keyboard. “The new accessory makes the iPad Pro look even more like a laptop than the current setup and adds a larger trackpad.”
Currently, Magic Keyboard users complain it’s bulkier and drains the iPad’s battery really fast. In addition, its extra USB-C port has slow tech compared to the iPad Pro’s Thunderbolt port. Since this accessory is expensive, we hope Apple makes it lighter and less power-consuming.
In addition, a larger trackpad could help users navigate through the system. At the moment, it’s unclear if a new Apple Pencil is in the works. The journalist corroborated this report in December.
Apple Pencil 3 could be the best update to this accessory ever
According to X leaker Majin Bu, Apple is readying the Apple Pencil 3 with interchangeable magnetic tips. They say Cupertino will bet on a tip for drawing, one for technical drawing, and one for painting.
It’s unclear if this accessory will solve an issue where the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil drains the battery of the iPad Pro when placed on it, but interestingly, Apple might be planning to update this five-year-old accessory.
In October, Cupertino unveiled a USB-C Apple Pencil. It’s not as good as the 2nd-gen model, but Mark Gurman believes a third-generation is also in the works for the new iPad despite this release.
In addition, Filipe Espósito discovered that Apple is working on enabling the Find My feature for this accessory. Although it’s unclear at this moment if this Pencil will work like a MagSafe Wallet or AirTag, at least iPadOS will always remind you when you attach the Pencil from your iPad.
With iPadOS 17.5 beta 1, the journalist also discovered that Apple is working on a squeeze feature. He writes that the function “can be used for quick interactions such as adding shapes, signatures, stickers, or a text field.” it’s possible that pressing the Apple Pencil surface might trigger these actions.
That said, Apple Pencil 3 needs this upgrade to be a better iPad accessory.
New iPhone 15 color
During the spring event, Apple could announce a new iPhone 15 color. Rumors of a red iPhone 15 Pro were spreading before the launch last fall. The company behind (PRODUCT)RED has also teased a possible iPhone 15 in that color.
At this moment, it’s unclear what new color Apple might announce, although, in past years, the company has always offered a new spring color for either the base or Pro models.
Wrap up
BGR will keep updating this article as we learn more about Apple’s upcoming spring event. If the company decides to announce these new products via press releases instead of a live-streamed event, we’ll also let you know.
