Apple to introduce new iPad Pro features, refreshed Mac lineup

Apple is reportedly doubling down on its iPad Pro lineup, as a new report from Bloombergclaims the Cupertino company is developing features designed to expand the high-end tablet’s capabilities. Apple is also reportedly working on some big Mac upgrades, too, along with a new 5K standalone monitor, according to the report.

Among the upgrades, Bloomberg claims Apple is building software that will include “wider operating-system support” for the Apple Pencil, the stylus used for tasks such as drawing and navigation. One possible scenario is supporting the stylus across more apps, including iMessage and Safari, for things like annotations. Bloomberg says Apple is also entertaining hardware upgrades for the iPad, such as faster display technology, for next year.

The larger upgrades are coming to Apple’s Mac lineup, which could arrive as early as October. Among the updates, Apple is expected to introduce a MacBook Air equipped with a USB-C port, and an iMac with new graphics chips. Additionally, Apple is rumored tointroduce a new MacBook Pro with an OLED display above the keyboard, something that’s internally known as a “Dynamic Function Row,” Bloomberg reports.

Here’s how that might work, according to people briefed on the new Macbook Pro:

For example, if a user is on their desktop, the screen will show a virtual representation of the standard function row, which includes brightness and media controls. When in an application, the virtual row will show options specific to the task at hand, but volume controls and a switch to show the default functions will always be present. The Safari web browser would enable controls for finding and defining terms, while the iMovie video editor would offer controls for cutting clips and a more-precise volume slider, the people said.

It’s unclear if Apple will open up the functionality to third-party apps, such as Chrome and Spotify. We do know, however, that macOS Sierra will be a requisite, software that’s currently expected to be released in September.

You can read more over at Bloomberg. The above concept, from artist Martin Hajek, is based on rumors and speculation.