Apple event - live: New iPads, Pencil and Keyboard launched at company’s first event in months

Apple has held its first event of the year – unveiling a new range of iPads, as well as major updates to its Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

After more than a year of silence, the company held a livestreamed launch, titled “Let Loose”, screened at events in London and the US.

Both the iPad Air and iPad Pro received major redesigns, with repositioned cameras and much more powerful chips.

There was also a significant screen upgrade for the iPad Pro with a new Ultra Retina XDR display that Apple claims is “like holding a cinema right in your hands”.

The new Apple Penci Pro and Magic Keyboard feature new hardware, including extra keys on the top row of the keyboard and squeeze-sensitive sensors for the stylus.

There were no big updates for the Vision Pro, with Apple still yet to reveal when the mixed reality headset will be available outside of the US.

Read more about the iPad Aid, iPad Pro, and watch the Apple event live stream

15:55 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Thanks for joining us!

You can read more about the new iPad Air here:

Apple launches new and bigger version of the iPad Air

And the new iPad Pro here:

Apple just released its thinnest ever product

If you missed the full live stream of the Apple event, you can watch it here:

Goodbye from Apple

15:51 , Anthony Cuthbertson

That’s all for today’s event - we’re back with Tim Cook for some farewells.

We’ll be seeing him again soon for WDC next month.

Apple iPad, Keyboard and Pencil prices

15:42 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Here’s how much everything will cost:

Apple iPad Pro specs

15:39 , Anthony Cuthbertson

And everything you need to know about the new Apple iPad Pro:

“This is the iPad we’ve always deamed of building,” Apple says.

New Apple Pencil specs

15:38 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Apple Pencil Pro:

Onto the Apple Pencil...

15:36 , Anthony Cuthbertson

We’re now moving onto the Apple Pencil, which features “magical capabilities”.

The new pencil now includes a squeezable sensor and gyroscopes.

James Cuda, the CEO of Procreate, is showing how the new hardware can be used to transfrom digital paintings and illustrations.

iPad Pro gets camera updates

15:31 , Anthony Cuthbertson

The front-facing camera on the iPad Pro is heading to the landscape side of the tablet, just like the iPad Air.

The back-facing camera also gets some upgrades:

There is also a new Magic Keyboard with a function row and a larger track pad.

“The entire experience feels just like using a Mac Book,” Apple says.

App updates for iPad Pro

15:29 , Anthony Cuthbertson

There’s a bunch of new app updates, including Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Pro Camera for film makers using the new iPad Pro.

“With the new iPad Pro and M4, it absolutely screams,” says Apple’s talking head for this segment.

The Logic Pro app for music producers also has loads of new tools that work “super fast” with the new iPad Pro.

iPad Pro features new display and chip

15:22 , Anthony Cuthbertson

The new Ultra Retina XDR display “is like holding a cinema right in your hands”.

Pictures of space and colours come up on the screen, which apparently look amazing, though it appears you’d need a new iPad Pro with an Ultra Retina XDR display to actually appreciate them.

There is also a new chip to replace the previous M2. It’s called, you guessed it, the M4. Wait...

The name might not be linear, but it has 50 per cent faster CPU performance than its predecessor. It is also capable of 38 trillion operations per second.

Here’s all the specs:

Apple announces new iPad Pro

15:16 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Apple describes the Pro model of its iPad range as a “magical sheet of glass”. It is “impossibly thin”, “incredibly powerful” and capable of delivering an “outrageous performance”.

Despite the bluster, it is remarkable how thin they’ve made the thing. It’s thinner than the iPod Nano.

All the specs for the new iPad Aid

15:12 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Here’s everything you need to know about the specs and price of the new iPad Air.

Pre-orders open today, with shipping and in-store purchases next week.

New iPad Aid coming in four colours

15:09 , Anthony Cuthbertson

These are the four colours the new iPad Air is coming in:

It will also feature the powerful M2 chip, making it nearly 50 per cent faster than its predecessor.

New iPad Air announced

15:08 , Anthony Cuthbertson

We’re on the move, with a break down of everything the iPad is used for - playing games, drawing, etc. - before the unveiling of the new iPad Air.

There’s a new 13-inch model and the front-facing camera has now moved to the landscape edge.

Apple Vision Pro news, but still no UK release date

15:05 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Tim Cook starts with some updates about Apple Vision Pro, revealing how the headset is being used by everyone from film makers to automotive manufacturers.

Doesn’t look like we’re getting any news about when it might be available in the UK unfortunately.

“Now let’s turn our attention to iPad,” he says. “There’s no other device like it.”

Apple event underway!

15:02 , Anthony Cuthbertson

After some Apple logo animations, the first Apple event of the year is underway.

Tim Cook is at Apple Park, telling us it’s “the biggest day for iPad since its introduction”.

Watch Apple event live stream

14:55 , Anthony Cuthbertson

You can watch the full live stream of today’s Apple event here:

Tim Cook says ‘take note’

14:52 , Anthony Cuthbertson

Finally making his customary pre-event post, Apple chief executive Tim Cook writes on X: “Take note!”

Build-up to Let Loose event is quieter than usual

14:25 , Anthony Cuthbertson

There’s less than an hour to go until Apple’s Let Loose event gets underway and the space is beginning to fill up.

Unlike other major product events, Apple’s online store is yet to go dark in the build up. It is one of several indications that there might not be any major news or unveilings today - beyond what we’re already expecting.

Another clue is that the ‘Apple Event’ hashtag on X (formerly Twitter) doesn’t have a custom animation, while CEO Tim Cook also hasn’t posted his customary greeting in the hours leading up to the event.

When will the event start?

12:26 , Andrew Griffin

The event begins at 7am Apple’s local pacific time. That’s very early – they usually start at 10am pacific. Apple hasn’t said why it has changed the schedule. It might have something to do with ensuring people can watch in Asia (where sales have been flagging) or it might be because it is hosting international events including in London (where we’ll be reporting from, live, later).

7am pacific time is 10am eastern time, or 3pm here in the UK.

How to watch launch live

12:24 , Andrew Griffin

Apple hosts the Apple event on platforms including its own website. But YouTube is often the best place to watch – it’s compatible with everything, and you can set yourself a reminder for when the launch will kick off. You can find the video below.

Everything to expect at Apple’s big event

12:23 , Andrew Griffin

It’s going to be iPads – and lots of them. But there might also be some surprises in store. Here’s everything we expect to be announced today.

Hello and welcome...

12:20 , Andrew Griffin

... to The Independent’s coverage of Apple’s “Let Loose” event.