Here is the iPad Pro Availability for the November 21st, 2018. The delivery time for the iPad Pro and the accessories has not changed, however delivery is mid-december, so ordering soon is advised.

Changes for Apple

• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• 11-inch Smart Keyboard Folio has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• 12.9-inch Smart Keyboard Folio has changed from Dec 3 - Dec 6 to Dec 10 - Dec 13
• Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) has changed from Dec 4 - Dec 7 to Dec 11 - Dec 14
• 11-inch Pink Sand Smart Folio has changed from Mon, Nov 19 to Tue, Nov 27
• 11-inch Charcoal Smart Folio has changed from Mon, Nov 19 to Tue, Nov 27
• 11-inch White Smart Folio has changed from Mon, Nov 19 to Tue, Nov 27
• 12.9-inch Charcoal Smart Folio has changed from Mon, Nov 19 to Tue, Nov 27
• 12.9-inch White Smart Folio has changed from Mon, Nov 19 to Tue, Nov 27

I have released a series of bug fixes for wwrite and wwriteLite that surround the 11-inch iPad Pro and 3rd Generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro. But there was one change that I made with the latest version, 4.1.4.

I have removed the option to "Always Hide File List". This has been replaced by a way to always show or hide the file list by tapping on the left button on the text view. The updates, like usual, are free updates and they are available now.

As usual, if you have any problems or feature requests contact me via twitter @waynesworkshop or by going to "Tools" -> "Contact Support" within either of the apps.

Here is the iPad Pro availability for the iPad Pro. Availability has slipped from 7 to 10 days to approximately 2 to 3 weeks for all iPads Pros. The Accessories have also slipped to the same amount of time. The Smart Folio is generally 3 to 5 days.

Changes for Apple

• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 5 - Dec 10
• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 64GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 256GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 7-10 business days to Dec 4 - Dec 7
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to Dec 4 - Dec 7

When Apple held their “There’s More in the Making” event on October 30th, it was widely anticipated that they would release new iPad Pros, and they were not disappointed. The thing that most did not expect is that they would be available for ordering on the same day.

Many people ordered new iPad Pros, myself included. I ordered a 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro Wifi + Cellular model. Along with the iPad Pro, I also ordered the new Apple Pencil. Both items were delivered on November 7th, as expected. I also ordered the Smart Folio case, which arrived before the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. I thought I would provide my initial thoughts on the new items.

Form Factor

The screen size of the larger iPad Pro screen has not changed, however the bezels have changed. The bezels have been reduced and they are now the same size all the way around the front of the device. This reduction means that the physical size is smaller, which makes it much easier to hold, as compared to the 2nd Generation iPad Pro.

The iPad Pro is now a uniform depth all the way around. This is contrary to all other iPads, which have had tapered edges, but it is not the first time that this form factor has been used on Apple Products. It is quite reminiscent of the iPhone 4/4s/5/5s, which all had the same look, but with bigger bezels.

Even though the iPad Pro has larger bezels than iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max, the new iPad Pro does have a common feature with the iPhone, Face ID. The bezels on the iPad Pro house the Face ID camera, which means there is no notch on the iPad Pro, unlike the iPhoneX, XS, and XS Max.

Face ID

One of the biggest changes, besides the bezels is the inclusion of Face ID. Unlike on the iPhone, Face ID works in any orientation. With the bezels being the same size around the device, you may not immediately know where the Face ID camera is. Luckily, if you hand is covering the camera, the iPad Pro will let you know that it is covered, so you can move your hand. This is a nice touch.

Apple Pencil

The 2nd Generation Apple Pencil, or as I call it, the No. 2 Apple Pencil, is a solid update. The Pencil now magnetically attaches, using the flat side of the Apple Pencil, to the iPad Pro. Specifically, it is the the “East Side” of the iPad Pro when the Face ID camera is at the top.

With the Pencil being magnetically connected, it automatically charges and is automatically paired whenever it is connected. The Apple Pencil still requires Bluetooth to be enabled in order to operate.

Smart Folio Case

Beginning with the iPad 2 Apple created a cover that would protect just the iPad’s screen. They called this the “Smart Cover”. What made is “Smart” was that it could detect when it was covering the iPad and when it was opened through the use of magnets. This has been the case (no pun intended), until now. The 3rd Generation iPad Pro reverts back to the original iPad with a case that covers the front and back, but still includes the “smarts” from the Smart Cover. the new name is the "Smart Folio". It is nice to have full protection of the entire iPad, particularly since there is now a very prominent camera bump on the back.

Closing Thoughts

I have owned an iPad since 2010. I have owned the following iPads:

• Original iPad
• iPad 2
• iPad 3
• iPad Air 2
• 1st Generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• 2nd Generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro

My usage of the iPad has not been as much as I would have expected. It has mostly been games, application development, and taking notes during meetings at work. While these activities will still continue, I am hoping to expand beyond that.

With the 3rd Generation iPad Pro, I am going to attempt to increase my usage. I am going to try and use the iPad Pro for more than I have in the past. In particular, for many of the things that I may have previously grabbed my laptop.

Part of the idea behind this is that I have an early 2015 MacBook Pro. While it still works well, it is inevitable that it will stop working at some point and I want to see if I can replace most of the functions of the MacBook Pro with the iPad Pro.

Yes, there are some things that the iPad Pro cannot do, like app development, but I still have an iMac that I can use for that. I am not sure how this is going to go, but I am going to try and give it a shot. I am not going to put a time limit on it.

I will do a more comprehensive review of the 3rd Generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro after I have had a lot more time with it.

Here is the iPhone availability for the morning of November 10th, 2018. This will likely be the last iPhone availability post because the phones are all generally in stock. If availability changes dramatically, I will do another post.

Changes for Apple

• AT&T - 256GB Blue iPhone XR has changed from 3-5 business days to 1 business day
• Sprint - 128GB Black iPhone XR has changed from 3-5 business days to 1 business day
• Verizon - 256GB Coral iPhone XR has changed from 3-5 business days to 1 business day

Changes for the Carriers

• AT&T - 64GB Silver iPhone XS has changed from Nov 6, 2018 to Nov 15, 2018
• Sprint - 256GB Silver iPhone XS has changed from Available Now to 11/16
• Sprint - 256GB Space Gray iPhone XS has changed from Available Now to 11/7
• Sprint - 64GB Coral iPhone XR has changed from Available Now to 11/8 - 11/16
• Verizon - 64GB White iPhone XR has changed from Available to 11-14-2018
• Verizon - 128GB White iPhone XR has changed from Available to Unavailable
• Verizon - 128GB Black iPhone XR has changed from Available to 11-12-2018
• Verizon - 64GB Yellow iPhone XR has changed from 11-21-2018 to Available
• Verizon - 64GB Coral iPhone XR has changed from 11-05-2018 to Available
• Verizon - 256GB Coral iPhone XR has changed from 11-02-2018 to Available
• Verizon - 256GB (PRODUCT) Red iPhone XR has changed from Available to 11-21-2018

wwrite and wwriteLite 4.1.0 have been released. These are minor updates that includes the following features:

• Support for the 11-inch iPad Pro, and 3rd Generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• New Haptic options. You can adjust the options by going to Tools -> App Settings.

The haptic options you have are for:

• Saving a file
• Creating a file
• Emailing a file
• Creating an archive
• Switching app icons
• Locking and unlocking files

and wwriteLite 4.1.0 are available as free updates.

If there are any feature requests please let me know by email or via @waynesworkshop on Twitter.

Here is the iPad Pro availability for the evening of November 9th, 2018. It has been two days since the iPad Pro has been available in stores. Availability has improved for some models. They have improved from 2 to 3 weeks to 7 to 10 days.

None of the accessories have changed availability.

Changes for Apple

• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi Only - 1TB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 1TB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi Only - 512GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Silver 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 256GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 512GB Space Gray 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changed from 2-3 weeks to 7-10 business days

Since Apple's "There's More in the Making" event additional details have come out about some of Apple's products. Alongside the new information there were some details I did not include within my post about the event, but that were announce during the keynote. Let us start with Apple and Recycling.

Recycling

It should be no surprise that Apple is focused on creating environmental-friendly products. During the keynote Apple provided some information about the MacBook Air and the 2018 Mac mini. The information provided is that the cases for these two products are now made from recycled Aluminum. Apple indicated that the recycled aluminum is from the shavings made during the manufacturing of the iPad. What this means is that by recycling aluminum, it does not have to be mined.

Apple is able to do this because their metallurgy team is able to create an alloy from these shavings that is just as tough and still meets the visual standards that users have come to expect from Apple.

Alongside this, the plastic within the Mac mini is highly recycled. Again, this means new plastics do not need to be created just to build the products. And with the expectation that there will be a large number of new Mac minis ordered, this is good news for the environment.

iPad Pro Memory

The 2018 iPad Pros all have at least 4GB of memory, with the exception of the 1TB models. The 1TB models have 6GB of memory. From what can be derived, the extra memory in the 1TB models are needed for the T2 chip to be able to manage the 1TB of storage.

iPad Pro and Apps

The new rounded Liquid Retina display on the 2018 iPad Pros means that developers will need to update their apps. Specifically, developers will need to link their apps against iOS 12.1. If you have been using iOS for any length of time, you have likely noticed that not all applications get updated immediately. In most cases this is not a problem, however the new rounded corners means that apps that have not been updated will be presented with black bars around the app. This technique is similar to how any screen change has been handled in the past.

There is something in particular to note about the 2018 iPad Pros and Split Screen. If you are using two apps that have been updated to support iOS 12.1, it will look normal. However, if you are using one app that as been updated and another that has not, both apps will be shown with black bars above and below the applications. While this may be annoying, particularly for those applications that may take a bit longer to update.

Microphone Security

All portable Macs with the T2 Chip, which include the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air there is a new security feature with the microphone. When you portable Mac is asleep the T2 chip will cut off the microphone. This is not just a software switch, but instead it is a physical hardware switch. The same is not done for the FaceTime camera, because when your Mac is closed the view is obscured enough so that nothing is visible. Here is a quote from the "T2 Security Chip Overview", quote

"All Mac portables with the Apple T2 Security Chip feature a hardware disconnect that ensures that the microphone is disabled whenever the lid 
 is closed. This disconnect is implemented in hardware alone, and therefore prevents any software, even with root or kernel privileges in macOS, and even the software on the T2 chip, from engaging the microphone when the lid is closed."

This is a great security measure and no matter what your microphone will not be useable by anyone while the lid is closed.

iOS 12.1

iOS 12.1 was also released last week. The update includes a slew of new features, most notably Group FaceTime. With Group FaceTime you can chat with up to 32 people simultaneously. Video capabilities are limited to the iPhone 6s and later, and the iPad Air 2 and newer. Even though FaceTime Video is only available on these devices, audio-only Group FaceTime is available on all devices that support iOS 12.

Along with Group FaceTime, is something that users are more likely to use, Emoji. iOS 12.1 has 70 new Emoji. Some of the new Emoji include a bagel, additional hair colors, and additional faces.

Apple Pencil

With the 2018 iPad Pros, a new Apple Pencil was released. Many new products do not work with older products, and the No. 2 Pencil does not work with the older 12.9-inch iPad Pros. However, it is common that older products work with thew newer products. This is not the case with the first Apple Pencil and the 2018 iPad Pros. The 2018 iPad Pros will only work the No. 2 Apple Pencil. This will add some additional cost to those buying a new iPad Pro, if they want to use the Apple Pencil.

Closing Thoughts

Those are the additional items that have been discovered. It is likely that even more will be discovered as time goes on. I have ordered a new iPad Pro, and once I have had enough time with it, I will provide my review of it.

Here is the iPad Pro availability for the morning of November 3rd, 2018. This version now includes the availability of Accessories as well. Most iPad Pro models are 7-10 Business Days while others are 2 -3 weeks.

Changes for Apple

• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Silver 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from by Nov 6 to 7-10 business days
• Wi-Fi + Cellular - 64GB Space Gray 11-inch iPad Pro has changed from by Nov 6 to 7-10 business days

Earlier this week Apple announced the 2018 iPad Pros. They have been available to order since Tuesday. As with the iPhones, I have decided to provide the availability for the iPad Pros. Here is the initial iPad Pro availability. The only model available for shipping by November 6th is the 11-inch 64GB Wifi + Cellular models.