WWDC 2024 may be Apple's big software event, but it's not the only announcement the company is making this spring. It turns out that Apple is also planning to host an event in May, and while there are no official details, the theme of this event seems obvious: iPad.
When is Apple's iPad event?
Apple's new event, called "Let Loose," will begin on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET). It's an early start for the Cupertino-based company, which typically hosts events at 10 a.m. Pacific time or 1 p.m. Eastern time.
However, this isn't the first time in recent memory that the company has strayed from this timing. For its "Scary Fast" Mac event launching the M3 series in October, Apple kicked off a pre-recorded event at 5pm PT (8pm PT). I think 10am PT is now reserved for major events, like WWDC and iPhone launches.
Like "Scary Fast," the "Let Loose" event will be pre-recorded and hosted on apple.com.
What will Apple reveal at the iPad launch event?
Apple has yet to confirm any event details, but it looks likely that it will be all about the iPad. The event is marked by someone taking an Apple Pencil and "drawing" the iconic Apple logo. Not to mention, iPad rumors have been circulating for the past few months.
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As for specific details, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that Apple will update the iPad Pro series with the latest M3 chip, a larger iPad Pro display, and a new OLED display, a first for the iPad. Apple may also launch a new Magic Keyboard, specifically with a larger trackpad.
If you're a fan of the iPad Air, you're in luck: Gurman says Apple is also updating the Airs, this time with an M2 chip and two size options: 10.9 inches (the standard option on the iPad Air), and 12.9 inches ( The current larger iPad Pro). It's unlikely Apple will bring OLED to the iPad Air (I guess they consider OLED a "Pro" feature), but rumors suggest the company is equipping the Air with mini-LED, which is really the next best thing to OLED.
Mini-LED displays feature thousands of local dimming zones that provide fine control over the display's contrast, so darker areas of the image appear pitch black. It's not comparable to OLED, which allows all pixels to be turned off when needed, and the technology does suffer from "blooming" issues, where some light bleeds around elements on the screen, but it produces better contrast than traditional LED The display on the current iPad Air.
Regardless, now is probably not a good time to buy an iPad.
