I know, I know: popcorn is better suited to the cinema than the circus. But we’re talking about Apple, which doesn’t even care what things go together.
The new iPad 10.9 was the latest tablet representative to get a USB-C port. The process of moving to this standard began in 2018 with the Pro model, and then included the Air and mini series, to finally close the list of the cheapest tablets.
It seems that at this stage the transfer should be the least painful for users, right? After all, the whole process took 4 years, so Apple had time to prepare solidly.
Meanwhile, Apple has prepared problems for new iPad buyers that no one has faced before.
Do you want to use an iPad and a stylus? You MUST use an adapter
The new iPad is compatible with Apple Pencil (1st gen.). The stylus ends with a plug that must be inserted into the power port of the tablet to pre-pair and then charge it.
Apple Pencil (1st gen.) Has a Lightning socket
There is only one problem: the iPad has a USB-C port and the Apple Pencil has a Lightning socket. To connect the two devices together, you need to use an adapter.
One thing should be emphasized: it’s not that Apple offers users other options, even more expensive ones, and the adapter is just one of them. The company hasn’t even sold a new version of the stylus with a different plug.
Also, it’s not like the Apple Pencil is some kind of niche accessory. It is recommended to use the tablet to its full potential. Even in promotional photos, the iPad is presented with a stylus.
Apple recommends using an accessory that requires an adapter
Meanwhile, you need to use an adapter to pair the Apple stylus with the Apple tablet. And then you have to take it with you to charge the stylus. And be careful not to lose it, because these are no small things.
Apple adds an adapter to the new stylus, but not to the iPads
The Apple Pencil (1st gen.), Which costs PLN 599, will now be sold with an adapter. So if someone is just going to buy a stylus, they will have to deal with the complications of using it, but at least they won’t be exposed to additional costs.
Worse with people who bought the stylus earlier for previous iPad generations. So the adapter must be purchased separately and its price is PLN 55. For a piece of plastic that will allow you to use the set.
Apple loves adapters
To make it not too easy, the adapters aren’t even available out of the box. At the time of iPad release, the declared delivery time is 2-3 weeks.
iPad 10.9 is the only Apple tablet that suffers from these problems
How is it possible that we haven’t heard of such complications before? After all, the move to USB-C started 4 years ago and covered all the other iPad lines, right?
Well, iPad Pro, Air and mini are compatible with the new version of the stylus: Apple Pencil (2nd gen.). In this version, communication with the tablet and charging takes place wirelessly, after connecting the stylus to the edge of the tablet.
The iPad Pro stylus charges wirelessly
Meanwhile, the iPad 10.9 – probably due to the desire to reduce production costs – does not support wireless communication with the stylus, so it is only compatible with the Lightning version.
Nobody has a problem with loaded standards like Apple
It’s true that all iPads have already switched to USB-C, but the iPhone and some accessories are stuck on the Lightning standard. We add Apple Watche, which uses yet another technology, and we have an unimaginable mess.
Let’s assume you’ve heard a lot of good things about Apple’s ecosystem. How it all works together and runs smoothly. So you bought the latest iPhone, the latest iPad with stylus, and the latest Apple Watch. Now it is like this:
- You can’t charge your iPad with an iPhone cable;
- You can’t charge your iPhone with an iPad cable;
- you need to use an adapter to connect the stylus to the iPad;
- You can’t charge your Apple Watch with the Qi charger you use to charge your iPhone.
As I said. Circus.
Miron Nurski, editor-in-chief of Komórkomania
