Apple Pencil is a line of wireless stylus pen accessories designed, and developed by Apple Inc. for use with supported iPadtablets. The first-generation Apple Pencil was unveiled alongside the first-generation iPad Pro on September 9, 2015. The Pencil is supported by the first and second generation iPad Pro models, the sixth-generation iPad released in 2018, and the 2019 releases of iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad. It communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth, and has a removable cap that conceals a Lightning connector used for charging. A second model was unveiled in 2018, which is used on the third and fourth generation iPad Pro models. It uses a magnetic connector on the side of the tablet for charging rather than a physical connection, and includes touch-sensitive areas that can be tapped to perform actions within supported apps.
Specifications
The Apple Pencil has pressure sensitivity and angle detection, and was designed for low latency to enable smooth marking on the screen. The Pencil and the user's fingers can be used simultaneously, while rejecting input from the user's palm. One end of the device has a magnetically-fastened removable cap. Underneath this cap is the Lightning connector, which allows the Pencil's battery to be recharged via an iPad's Lightning port itself. The initial charge lasts about 12 hours, but 15 seconds plugged into the Lightning connector of the iPad provides sufficient power for 30 minutes of use. Apple has promoted the Pencil as being oriented towards creative work and productivity; during its unveiling, the pen's capabilities were demonstrated using the mobile version of Adobe Photoshop, and its document annotation capabilities on several Microsoft Office apps. The Apple Pencil uses an STMicroelectronics STM32L151UCY6 Ultra-low-power 32-bitRISC ARM-based Cortex-M3MCU running at 32 MHz with 64 KB of flash memory, a Bosch Sensortech BMA280 3‐axis accelerometer and a Cambridge Silicon Radio CSR1012A05 Bluetooth Smart IC for its Bluetooth connection to the iPad. It is powered by a recyclable rechargeable 3.82 V, 0.329 Whlithium-ion battery.
Second-generation model
In October 2018, Apple unveiled an updated model of the Pencil alongside the third-generation iPad Pro. It is similar in design and specifications to the first model, but without the detachable connector, and having part of the stylus flattened to inhibit rolling. It contains tap-sensitive zones on its sides that can be mapped to functions within apps. Custom laser engraving is available when purchased via the Apple Store online. Rather than a physical Lightning connector, the second-generation Pencil is paired and charged using a proprietary magnetic wireless charging connector on the tablet instead. As such, it is only supported by the third-generation and fourth-generation iPad Pro. These models had also switched to USB-C connectors in lieu of Lightning, making them incompatible with the first-generation Pencil. Subsequent non-Pro iPad models, including the third-generation iPad Air, fifth-generation iPad Mini, and the 2019 10.2-inch iPad, have only supported the first-generation Pencil model. In April 2020, Apple started selling refurbished Apple Pencil accessories at US$109.
