Seven reasons why the Apple Pencil rules. Review of the Apple Pencil for iPad Pro, who needs it and why

Apple Pencil is a drawing device for iPad tablets. Initially, the appearance of this gadget caused a mixed reaction among fans of Apple technology. After all, the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, promoted purely manual control of equipment produced by the legendary company, and the stylus, in his opinion, is a relic of the past. Therefore, Apple promised not to produce this, in their opinion, unnecessary accessory.

In support of styluses, it is still worth saying that people of certain professions really need this tool, so the founder of Apple may have been deeply mistaken when making such statements. Since Apple lost its key figure, Steve Jobs, from its leadership team, their views have clearly changed somewhat. They did see a certain category of people in the market who would be interested in the appearance of the Apple Pencil for the iPad Pro.

Specifications

Apple Pencil has the following parameters:

Contents of delivery

The standard set includes:

• Apple Pencil
• Lightning adapter
• Extra tip

Standard equipment, price and description of Apple Pencil

So, the company has released a standard stylus that comes with:

• Reserve cap for Apple Pencil;
• Adapter for charging from a cable.

By and large, the Apple Pencil is just an additional accessory for the iPad Pro series tablets, which can be purchased separately. Apple tablets do not come standard with a stylus. Of course, most people can quite successfully operate touch screens with their fingers, and, nevertheless, the new product has found its buyer and has already gained popularity in certain circles, for example, designers, planners and people of other professions never tire of singing the praises of Apple Pencil for iPad Pro .

Some are confused by the cost of the Apple Pencil; in Russia its price tag is close to 8,000 rubles, but do not forget that, for example, styluses for Wacom tablets cost about 10,000 rubles, so the issue of price is moot.

As for the appearance, like other equipment from the company, the Pencil looks excellent. The design of the Apple “pencil” is kept in a laconic style, has a uniform, smooth, glossy surface, only on the rim, under the magnetic cap you can see the inscription (manufacturer’s name), under this cap there is actually a hidden connector that allows you to charge the stylus. The Apple Pencil case is made of durable white plastic.

The reliability of this product has been confirmed by numerous tests. The device is quite light in weight, only 20 grams, which is important for people who constantly use it at work.

Many people know that Apple produces high-quality equipment, where everything is thought out to the smallest detail, and the new gadget is no exception. The engineers designed it in such a way that even if the stylus rolls across the desk, and this will definitely happen, because it has a round shape and is absolutely smooth, the device will stop on its own, while the manufacturer’s logo will always look up.

Interestingly, the Apple Pencil does not have a battery charge indicator; you cannot track the charge level through the tablet. Most likely, the developers divided the calculations into high charging speeds. So, after just 15 seconds of charging, the device can work for half an hour, and to fully charge the device it will take about 10 minutes. A full charge will last for 12 hours.

When describing the Apple Pencil, one cannot help but mention the question that interests many: what devices does it interact with? Apple engineers did not deviate from the company's policy and created a gadget that is suitable only for use in tandem with Apple equipment. Apple Pencil is compatible with:

• iPad Pro,
• iPad Air,
• iPad Mini,
• iPhone.

Now it’s worth returning to the issue of charging again, since the Apple Pencil only works in conjunction with released Apple tablets, then there should be no problems with fully charging the battery. After all, you can connect a pencil to an existing device.

Apple's new product “understands” over 2000 degrees of pressure. Simply put, by increasing or decreasing pressure on the Apple Pencil, you adjust the thickness of the lines, and by tilting the gadget, you get shading. With these features, the Apple Pencil is very similar to a regular pencil, which certainly adds points to it. In addition, the high accuracy of the stylus reproduction is achieved due to the signal reading frequency, namely 240 times per second.

Using Apple Pencil, you can easily work on devices from the Cupertino company. It easily reproduces the simplest commands, movements on the screen, moving icons, etc., but if you need this gadget for creativity, then in order not to draw with your fingers you will have to master programs that can work with the Apple Pencil. Fortunately, there are many such products on the market today, so no one should have any difficulties with this.

Principle of operation

Most often, this gadget is used for drawing. The nuances of its operation can be seen using the standard Notes application as an example. There are three modes here, in each of which the Apple Pencil identifies the angle of the pen and the pressure applied, simulating drawing on real paper. For example, by selecting the “pencil” mode, you can make a sketch, and then, increasing the angle of the device, shade the necessary details of the drawing.

There is another interesting “trick” here - a ruler. With its help you can easily draw straight lines. Simply use your Apple Pencil to draw a line next to this makeshift ruler and the app will reproduce it on the screen. At the same time, at first, when using this technique, a person usually waits for contact from the pencil touching the ruler, and experiences some inconvenience when this does not happen, but after several attempts, users adapt to this.

There are other programs for your iPad that are better suited for drawing and drawing. They have “pens” that allow you to create lines of different thicknesses, “watercolor brushes”, layers and transparency settings.

Comparison with analogues

The main competitor of this stylus is the Adonit Pixel from Adonit. Only professional designers can evaluate the convenience of each option, and the technical components are described in the table below.

Who needs an Apple Pencil?

Initially, Apple released a stylus for people in technical and creative professions, such as planners, designers, and artists. This tool greatly simplifies their work and saves time.

However, later, in addition to people of these professions, Apple Pencil for iPad Pro became a good solution for the management team of companies. Now managers can easily and quickly make the required adjustments to layouts, without writing out all the amendments point by point, working with documents, making comments on them, crossing out individual words or phrases. It’s much more convenient to do all this not using a keyboard and mouse, but using an interesting accessory – the Apple Pencil.

Apple Pencil can be used not only for drawing, but also for full control of the operating system. However, there are some tasks that the iPad Pro cannot handle.

You can open apps and links, scroll and navigate

Obviously, you can use the Apple Pencil to launch programs, follow links, scroll content, and navigate the system. This works in all applications, including those not adapted for the use of a stylus. In this case, you use the Apple Pencil in a similar way to your finger. The system recognizes long presses, so you can delete applications or open links in new tabs.

You can't open Action Center or Control Center

It is impossible to swipe from the top or bottom of the screen using the Apple Pencil. To access the relevant sections of the system, you must use your finger. It's just a matter of Apple's decision, not any technical limitations.

iOS 9 multitasking features are not available for Apple Pencil

The stylus cannot be used when calling Slide Over or Split View modes. Swiping on the right side of the screen does not bring any results.

If you have an app open in Slide Over, you won't be able to remove it from the screen using the stylus. Apple Pencil will not allow you to control the call and position of windows in Split View mode.

You can type on the keyboard, enter your password on the lock screen, and bring up Spotlight

If you're used to typing with one finger, you can use the Apple Pencil with the iPad Pro's virtual keyboard when typing in Safari, Spotlight, App Store searches, and any other app.

If you don't want to unlock your device using Touch ID, use the stylus to enter the password.

Third party keyboards work great with Apple Pencil

The regular Apple keyboard doesn't offer the fastest typing experience, so using third-party solutions that support gesture controls can speed up your typing experience.

The system does not respond to palm touch

Want to give your hand a rest while using Apple Pencil to scroll in Safari? This works great.

You can rest your hand on the iPad Pro display while navigating, typing, or taking handwritten notes. The Apple Pencil works great with apps that haven't received a special update to interact with the stylus.

You can charge your Apple Pencil using a Lightning cable

Although you can charge the stylus battery directly using the iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil can be charged via a standard Lightning cable using a special adapter from Apple.

You can draw through a piece of paper

If you place plain paper on top of the iPad Pro's screen, the display will recognize your pen movements. Depending on the thickness of the sheet, you can change the brightness level to view the resulting pattern. The display also does not respond to palm touches through the sheet.

You can't use the opposite end of the stylus as an eraser

Despite its name and the presence of a round cap, the Apple Pencil does not have sensors for working in eraser mode. Although instinctively you may try to erase the excess.

In adapted applications, to erase something, you must programmatically select the eraser mode.

You can't use multi-touch gestures (obviously)

There's no way to return to the home screen or switch to another app in iOS 9 using the Apple Pencil.

If you use gestures to control the system, you must use your fingers. Of course, a pencil cannot replace four or five fingers at once.

But if you want, then press the Home button with the stylus to return to the home screen.

Apple Pencil won't work with other iPads or iPhones

This accessory was designed specifically for the iPad Pro and only works with Apple's new 12.9-inch tablet.

iPad Pro has a low-latency display by reading pen position 240 times per second. The device absolutely accurately recognizes the moments when the Apple Pencil or fingertip is used for control.

These technologies aren't included in the iPhone 6s or iPad Air 2, so you don't have to worry about buying a $100 Apple Pencil if you haven't splurged on the iPad Pro.

I decided to review the Apple Pencil separately from the iPad Pro, since there is something to tell and show about this iGadget. At the same time, the Apple Pencil is not some kind of serious gadget, it is just an accessory for the iPad Pro. Although how to look at it. The Apple Watch is also considered an accessory, but the watch performs much fewer useful functions with the iPhone than the iPencil with the tablet. What are the main questions that interest us regarding the new device:

Apple Pencil review and specifications

Apple Pencil is a pencil for drawing on the iPad Pro tablet. This is a stylus with a built-in mechanism that makes the Apple Pencil work. The mechanism is located at the end of the pencil and reads touches with great accuracy and minimal delay. This is because the built-in mechanism reads the signal at a frequency of 240 times per second and the display captures twice as many points as when touched by a finger. On the stylus market, Apple Pencil for iPad Pro is the best solution today. With it you can draw various lines quickly and easily. Apple Pencil was specially created so that it can be used to draw and write normally on the iPad Pro tablet. The pencil is equipped with a Bluetooth 4.1 module with which it is synchronized with the iPad Pro.

How long does Apple Pencil last?

The Apple Pencil's battery lasts a long time and charges quickly, so there are no problems with autonomy. Apple Pencil lasts 12 hours on a full charge in use mode. And if it is discharged and urgently needed, then in 15 seconds you can charge it for half an hour of work.

You need to charge the Apple Pencil through the Lightning connector, which is located on the back under the cap. It must be inserted into the iPad Pro, which in turn can charge devices connected via Lightning. Not just Apple Pencil. Moreover, even if you have an iPad Pro in a silicone case, the Apple Pencil will fit in easily, because its connector is elongated and can go deeper.

How to find out the charge of iPad Pro?

The fact that the Apple Pencil charges quickly and lasts a long time is all very good. But now you will find out how to find out how much the stylus is charged.

iPad Pro can see the battery charge of Apple Pencil if it is connected to iPad Pro via bluetooth. To do this, you need to activate the widget that allows you to see the battery level of the pencil in the curtain (notification center). Call up the curtain, tap on “Edit” under the calendar and select the “Batteries” widget. After this, you will be able to observe the charge level of the Apple Pencil in this place.

You can connect your iPhone or Apple Watch to the iPad Pro and also see the battery level of these devices. It is noteworthy that the widget for viewing the charge level of connected devices via Bluetooth can be called up not only on the iPad but also on the iPhone.

Compatibility of Apple Pencil with other tablets

Can I use Apple Pencil with iPad Mini or iPad Air? Will the Apple Pencil go to the iPhone? The main question that plagues many consumers of Apple products today. Apple Pencil only works with iPad Pro. Air, Mini, iPhone, android devices do not support Apple Pencil. This is because the Apple Pencil interacts with the iPad Pro screen, i.e. in other words, this iPad Pro supports Apple Pencil. Other devices do not.

Apple Pencil price

This cunning stylus costs quite a bit – $100. Well, I rounded that up; at Apple, as always, all prices end in 9. The price of the Apple Pencil in the USA is $99, and in Russia it is 7,790 rubles. In Ukraine, an Apple Pencil costs about three thousand hryvnia, which is unthinkable for any stylus. Although, as Apple assures us, this is not just some kind of stylus, but a full-fledged gadget.

You can buy the Apple Pencil stylus on the official Apple website or in stores that sell Apple equipment. Apple Pencil prices vary by country. Somewhere more expensive, somewhere cheaper. For Americans, 100 bucks is not very expensive, but for us the same 100 bucks at today’s exchange rate is 25 UAH per 1 dollar, this is an absolutely unthinkable price! For 2500-3000 UAH you can buy a used iPhone 4 or iPad 2.

How to Draw with Apple Pencil

Instructions on how to use, draw, write Apple Pencil for beginners.

In principle, everything is extremely simple. You need to remember the main points and that’s it. The Apple Pencil stylus for iPad Pro responds to pressure and angle. Well, then, act as your imagination pleases. If you want to make the line bolder, then simply press harder with the stylus on the screen and you will get a bold line. If you want a thinner line, then press easier. If you need to make a line with a fade, tilt the Apple Pencil a little and you will get the effect of a real pencil.

Repairability of Apple Pencil

The guys from iFixit took apart the Apple Pencil to find out how repairable this pencil is. Well, at the same time we’ll look at the structure of the Apple Pencil. The cap that covers the lightning connector on the pencil is held on by a magnet, so it can be easily lost. Be careful if you buy. The tip is removable. Apple included another one in the kit, so if anything happens, you can easily replace it manually. He gets out.

Overall, the Apple Pencil is not repairable. Getting to the insides to repair something is not possible without mechanical damage. You'll have to cut the pencil and take everything out. The battery cannot be easily replaced either. So you work with the Apple Pencil until your battery dies. Well, she won't die soon. But after 3 years, the Apple Pencil will wear out faster than a new one. Therefore, the only solution is to bury it in the yard and buy a new one.

What impressed me most was the board built into the Apple Pencil. It weighs only 1 gram - it's amazing! There’s so much stuff placed there and it all works clearly – that’s progress!

Introducing Apple Pencil

Video: general introduction of Apple Pencil. Original video with voice acting by Jony Ive.

Are you going to sit down at your iPad and brainstorm on the next brilliant idea, but notice that Apple Pencil stopped working. There are several possible reasons why your Apple Pencil isn't working. Below are some troubleshooting ideas to get your Apple Pencil back to work.

Check the battery

Is your Apple Pencil not charging? Could the battery on your Apple Pencil be dead? To check if your pencil is charged, follow these steps:

1. Check the view widget on the iPad and look at the battery status. Widgets can be found in the " Today" To get there, swipe right from home screen, lock screen, or while you're looking at your notifications.

2. You should see the widget " Batteries" If not, make sure you have it enabled. pencil setting with Bluetooth.

3. If the battery shows 0%, plug it in, recharge and try again.

Bluetooth is turned off

As mentioned in the "Checking the Battery" section, if your Apple Pencil doesn't appear in the list of devices under the battery widgets, or if the Battery widget is missing altogether, Bluetooth is likely disabled. To check this, follow these steps:

1. On iPad, tap " Settings».

2. Touch Bluetooth.

3. Touch the switch to turn on Bluetooth.

4. If you can't get it to turn on, or you see a rotate/download icon, restart your iPad and then try again.

Note: This is also a great way to troubleshoot Bluetooth problems.

5. That's all.

Bluetooth not connected

If your Apple Pencil won't pair, or your iPad hasn't lost pairing, repeating the Bluetooth pairing process may solve your Apple Pencil problems.

1. Make sure your iPad is turned on, unlocked, and Bluetooth is turned on.

2. If you see your Apple Pencil, you may need to re-pair.

3. Tap Apple Pencil, then select Forget this device».

4. Release your Apple Pencil and plug it into the iPad's lightning port.

5. Request Bluetooth Pairing A dialog box should appear. Click " Create a pair" to begin the pairing process.

6. If the dialog box at the top does not appear, continue searching for additional problems.

Pencil tip worn out

If your Apple Pencil is acting erratically or not working at all, the tip of the pencil may be worn out. Replacing the tip is easy.

Note: Although the pencil tip does not have an exact wear time, many owners replace it when the feel, finish, or functionality begins to diminish. If the finish or feel is rough or sandy, you should replace the pencil tip as it may scratch the surface of your iPad.

1. Unscrew the tip counterclockwise until it stops.

2. Replace the old tip with the new one by screwing the tip clockwise until it feels secure in your pencil.

The app does not support Apple Pencil

Not all apps fully support Pencil. To make sure your Apple Pencil is working, open a known supported app. The Notes app is a reliable and great choice for testing your Pencil and should be on your home screen. If it doesn't, you will need to download and reinstall it.

Unsupported iPad model

If your Apple Pencil still doesn't work, make sure your iPad supports it. Apple Pencil works with the 9.7-inch iPad 2018 and all . If your iPad is not one of these models, your iPad does not support Apple Pencil and will not work.

AppleCare Contact Time

If you've completed all of the troubleshooting steps above, it may be time to contact AppleCare; Apple Pencil comes with a one-year limited warranty. If your pencil is no longer covered by warranty, the battery cost is $29 for Apple. You can either buy it at your local store or call AppleCare by phone. You can also visit Apple's website for repairs or replacements.

The downside is that after drawing in this application, the vector has to be cleaned up quite a bit, since a lot of extra points are formed. On the plus side, you can drag a picture from your iPad directly into Illustrator with the press of one button, and it’s incredibly convenient!

There is also a very cool drawing application called Procreate - it is also free, it costs about $6, and, unlike Adobe Draw, you can only draw a raster, which then needs to be converted into a vector. There are a lot of settings, brushes and other nice things, but for me personally, drawing there, as they say, didn’t work out, I don’t know why (but I know that many people adore it).

#2 PROCESSING CONTOURS

However, for this method to work, you will need an additional application, which is called Astropad and costs money. With this application you can “cast” your computer screen to your iPad. That is, by launching Illustrator and the Astropad application, you can turn the iPad Pro into a kind of Syntic (for those who don’t know, this is a graphics tablet from Wacom that allows you to draw “directly on yourself”).

If you already have Syntik, again, this cleaning method will not surprise you. But since my role is played by the Wacom Bamboo, which lies on the side of the computer and does not have its own screen (that is, it essentially works as a more convenient semblance of a mouse), I really liked being able to edit “directly on the screen” using the iPad Pro.

In theory, you can draw just the same way - right in Illustrator, but when working through Astropad, there is still a slight delay in the appearance of lines, and therefore I prefer to use this application for “finishing” pictures. I open the image after the trace in Illustrator, connect the iPad via a USB cable (this makes the connection more reliable), launch Astropad and use the pencil tool to edit the lines. On the downside, in the CC version the selection is constantly canceling itself, so you have to keep one hand on the keyboard to press CMD + A (and who came up with the idea of ​​canceling the saving of the selection when working with this tool? Obviously some evil person)

#3 RECORDING THE DRAWING PROCESS

Nowadays, videos are trending, showing how quickly, easily and coolly you draw. Well, or even not cool, but you draw - everyone likes to watch the accelerated process. Therefore, if you are thinking about how to promote yourself on social networks, then recording a video of the drawing process is it. I must admit, I’m ignoring this trend for now - not because I don’t understand its importance, but rather because in my current habitat it’s too dark to shoot decent videos (and it’s already a little cold to draw outside). Well, I have a terrible habit of hanging over the drawing, which greatly complicates the process of shooting top view (one top of my head is visible, which, as I found out, is not very photogenic for me :)).

And yes, you can record the process without an iPad Pro. But it’s cool when I drew a picture and recorded a video :)