References In iPadOS 17.5 Suggest An Impending Apple Pencil (3rd Generation) Launch

Along with the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, the Cupertino-based tech giant Apple is also expected to unveil a new Apple Pencil soon. While the USB-C variant launched last year sits between the first and the second generation Apple Pencil, the upcoming accessory should be the rightful successor to the device that came out in 2018. Most recently, a publication has spotted evidence of the Apple Pencil (3rd Generation) in the code of an upcoming iPadOS version.

iPadOS 17.5 Beta Contains References To A New Squeeze Gesture For Apple Pencil

According to a report by 9To5Mac, “multiple pieces of evidence found in the code of iPadOS 17.5 beta, which was released to developers on Tuesday, point to a new gesture squeeze for Apple Pencil.” The gesture can help users add shapes, signatures, a text field, or stickers by simply squeezing on the stylus’ chassis.

Currently, the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) supports only a double-tap gesture that helps users switch between different input tools, such as the pencil and the eraser. Further, the device has no pressure sensors on the chassis; only the tip has a sensor to enable different levels of darkness for the pencil or pen being used. Hence, the publication concludes that the squeeze gesture in the iPadOS 17.5 beta is for an unreleased stylus version, perhaps the Apple Pencil (3rd Generation).

Apple Has Also Made Other Changes That Suggest An Impending Launch

In addition to the squeeze gesture, Apple has updated the stylus’ pairing interface for the first time to support “non-existent hardware.” Earlier this year, the publication also found references to Apple Pencil support in the Find My network, even though no input device currently supports the feature. Some rumors suggest that the upcoming input device will support interchangeable magnetic tips. Nonetheless, a recent Bloomberg report suggests the company plans to introduce new iPad models at the start of May. It is most likely that the company will release a new Apple Pencil along with these iPads.

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