12.9-inch iPad Pro Release Imminent This Year: Sharp, Samsung To Build Display Panels For Apple
12.9-inch iPad Pro Release Imminent This Year: Sharp, Samsung To Build Display Panels For AppleApple

Apple is one of the mainstay names when it's innovation we are dealing with. Sure, the late Steve Jobs may have said time and again in his Walter Isaacson-composed biography that Apple would never go into making phones. But, here we are in 2015 already reaping the sweet fruits of Apple via its new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

There are not many mysteries left to solve with both the phones now very much a reality. And as it goes without saying with each of the devices Apple launches in the market, there are healthy bits of rumors attached to each of them. This was same before the new iPhones came, and it's again walking the same route with the newly-rumoured iPad Pro with a supported stylus.

Wait! An iPad with support for a stylus? As surreal as that may sound, this is what the latest reports are stating. And it's even more difficult to digest the rumour since it heavily contradicts Steve Jobs' earlier "if you see a stylus, they blew it" comment. But then again, it's indeed Apple and it is on top of the charts for a reason.

Nonetheless, as it seems, Apple is all about exploring avenues and crevices heading deep into 2015. And that means leaving no stones unturned in the quest to hold on to the top spot that's always at threat from the likes of Samsung. But, is a stylus-supported iPad Pro the newest way out of it? Well, reports are indeed claiming so.

As far as the reports are concerned, it is being said the Apple is likely to introduce a larger version of the iPad with a 12.9-inch display with a stylus in support of it. This comes from an analyst who is said to have a solid track record in matters as complicated and extraordinary as these.

KGI Securities' Ming-chi Kuo, in a note brought forward by AppleInsider, has revealed that his own research, alongside a number of Apple patent filings, have made him come to conclusion that the stylus-supported iPad Pro could arrive in the second quarter of this year.

Kuo is also of the opinion that the stylus will come as an optional accessory so as not to rack up the base price of the new iPad Pro. However, Kuo also expects the first version of the stylus to be simple enough in terms of technicality. He expects additional sensors that would enable "3D handwriting" in days to come.

Kuo also believes that the stylus pen will be charged with a Lightning connector. But, it's not clear if the stylus will also be compatible with other iPad models. "Given that it's more precise than a person's fingers, a stylus can be more convenient to use than the combination of keyboard and mouse in some cases," Kuo wrote. "Therefore, we believe Apple's stylus will improve the user experience of 12.9-inch iPad."

"We don't foresee significant sales of an optional stylus in 2015 and forecast unit shipments of 2-2.5 million," he added. "But we believe that the stylus could improve the experience of users, however, and will likely help Apple develop specific customer groups such as the corporate sector and educational institutions."

But even if the analyst thinks that a new iPad Pro is coming with a stylus, what makes him think that we will believe him? Well, it's down to the fact that Kuo maintains a healthy track record when it comes to predicting Apple products from the distance. And strangely enough, most of these features or gadgets from Apple arrive as predicted. So there's no real reason why Kuo's latest claim shouldn't be treated with equal seriousness.

While details about this new stylus-supported iPad Pro is out of reach, for the time being, even if Kuo's claim hit home run going ahead, it shouldn't be that much of a shock. After all, the man does have the golden tongue, when it comes to Apple products and features.

Stay tuned for more updates!