iPadOS 17.4, which is now available to developers, includes references to the new iPad Pro model with a horizontal Face ID camera, as well as the new Apple Pencil 3. The new Apple Pencil will come with Find My. For the first time, an Apple pencil will have the Find feature like other Apple devices.
Apple Pencil 3 will come with Find My
Apple is expected to unveil a new Apple Pencil model that works with the Find My app. Apple Pencil 3's new feature will help users find their lost pencils, similar to what they can do with AirPods and AirTags. At this point, it's unknown whether the new Apple Pencil will have UWB technology for precise locating or whether the app will only show the last location on the map, but it's certain that a new Apple Pencil with some kind of integration with the Find My network will be introduced.
The iPadOS 17.4 beta introduces a new version of the PencilKit API that developers can use to make their apps compatible with Apple Pencil. Version 2 came with iPadOS 17 and introduced new tools such as monoline, fountain pen, watercolor, crayon and more, but there's no word on what's new with PencilKit 3. PencilKit 3 may gain new features that require new hardware.
New iPad Pro and accessories on the way
Meanwhile, Apple is working on redesigned accessories for the next generation iPad Pro. Last year, rumors surfaced that the Apple Pencil 3 would have interchangeable magnetic tips. Apple is also working on a new iPad Pro model with OLED display, M3 chip and MagSafe technology. According to a new developer beta, the new iPad Pro will have a horizontal Face ID camera. We will probably see the new iPads at the March event.