iPad Pro 2022 might not be compatible with your Magic Keyboard

Date:
Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:30:22 +0000

Description:
The iPad Pro 2022 could have a pair of mysterious new connectors. Bad news
for existing accessories?

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Theres a high chance that well see a new iPad Pro 2022 before the year is done, but the main upgrade might not be to the screen or chipset. Rather, it might be to the connectors, with the current three-pin Smart Connector possibly being replaced with a pair of four-pin connectors.

Thats according to reliable sources in China, speaking to Macotakara , in a report spotted by 9to5Mac . Apparently, the upcoming iPad Pro 11 (2022) and iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) will both have the same housing designs as the current models, but with 4-pin connectors on the top and bottom side edges.

That wording is slightly ambiguous, especially as this isn't primarily an English language site, so were not certain whether they mean the top and bottom of the back when held in portrait or when held in landscape, but it sounds like one or the other.

The report also doesnt specifically state whether these new connectors would be instead of or as well as the existing three-pin Smart Connector, but we imagine theyd be used instead. Otherwise, thats a whole lot of connectors.

Wed take this with a pinch of salt though, as its an odd claim, especially when wed previously heard the iPad Pro 2022 might support MagSafe which itself could seem like overkill if there are also two Smart Connectors. And with MagSafe using a five-pin connector, thats not what theyre talking about here.

What the extra pin could be used for is uncertain as well, though the report speculates that it could be used to assist in powering peripherals. The existing Smart Connector already does this, however, so perhaps they mean
more power could be provided.

Were also not sure how useful it would be to have two of these connectors, given that its mostly just keyboards that make use of the current Smart Connector, so there arent a whole lot of use cases where two accessories
could usefully be attached at the same time unless Apple has new kinds of accessories planned.

This rumor really raises more questions than it answers, and wed therefore refrain from putting a lot of weight behind it, but its certainly intriguing. Though it comes with one very big potential downside. An iPad Pro 11 (2021) (Image credit: Future) Analysis: old accessories could be incompatible

The biggest potential issue with this move is that it could render
accessories like the current Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard incompatible with the new iPad Pro.

Thats something you expect to happen when the sizes change, but with these upcoming models reportedly being the same as their predecessors, it would be
a shame if all-new accessories are needed especially given how expensive these peripherals can be.

Of course, even if this rumor is right which is a big 'if' it doesnt guarantee that current Smart Connector accessories wont work. They might remain compatible with this new four-pin version, or perhaps the old
three-pin connector will remain as well, but incompatibility is definitely a worry.

With Apple also rumored to be switching from Lightning to USB-C on the iPhone , perhaps as soon as next year, we could see Apple fans having to replace almost all of their accessories in the space of a year, assuming both rumors pan out. So this could be an even more expensive period for iDevice users
than usual.

Still, many of the best iPads arent iPad Pros, meaning you could always save some money by upgrading to a cheaper model.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/ipad-pro-2022-might-not-be-compatible-with-your -magic-keyboard/


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