When Apple released the first beta of iOS 9.3, iPad Pro users quickly discovered that the update essentially crippled the Apple Pencil’s functionality with the device. Since its release, the Apple Pencil had been able to be used to navigate throughout iOS, in addition to the oft-touted drawing capabilities. The 9.3 betas, however, removed the accessory’s ability to be used to navigate iOS. Apple has confirmed to The Verge, though, that the capability will return in the next beta.
With iOS 9.3, users are able to tap icons with the Apple Pencil, but are unable to scroll or perform any other navigation tasks. In the statement, Apple explained that it is working on better ways to implement the ability to use the Pencil as a navigation tool:
“We believe a finger will always be the primary way users navigate on an iPad, but we understand that some customers like to use Apple Pencil for this as well and we’ve been working on ways to better implement this while maintaining compatibility during this latest beta cycle,” a spokesperson said. “We will add this functionality back in the next beta of iOS 9.3.”
When we reviewed the Apple Pencil last year, we noted that Apple Pencil is unable to activate things like Notification Center, Control Center, and Multitasking while drawing. At the time, this seemed like a decision on Apple’s part to remove any stress of accidentally activating those features while in the middle of a project.
This change almost feels like a reversal on Apple’s part after much outcry from iPad Pro users. Given that Apple has released four betas of iOS 9.3 without Pencil navigation support, it certainly seemed like it was the company’s intention to remove the capability, especially given its stance on using a stylus in the past.
Nevertheless, Apple says that the ability to navigate iOS with Apple Pencil will return with the next beta of iOS 9.3.
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I just sold my iPad pro and waiting for the iPad air 3. The size factor was a big issue for a person who reads a lot on his iPad. I Will keep the pencil and see if the air 3 supports it (hopefully).
Thank goodness. If using a drawing app and web browser or other document browser app at the same time you want to be able to quickly write in the drawing app and scroll the browser. having to change the hold of the pencil each time you quickly want to scroll further down the webpage as you reference it would be annoying.
Just limiting the ability of the pencil because they *believe* you should use your finger is ridiculous. Give the users the choice to navigate their devices how they like and develop workflows that suit them.
Yes yes yes and yes
Right on Apple for your quick reaction and bringing back the full functionslity !
Hats off for listening
I can’t believe a reputable Apple blog like this (one of the few) would STILL link back to Steve Jobs’ quote about a stylus, when we all know exactly what Jobs meant, and it has nothing to do with using a stylus with a tablet.
Ha! I clearly haven’t had enough rest today. I’ll take a mulligan! Ignore me today…
Yes… 👍
Re your comment regarding reputable apple blogs. …and one of the few……….i agree.
Mac Daily News… Has started censoring my posts and holding them in indefinite ‘ awaiting moderator approval’ status when i disagreed with the views they hold on the fbi/iphone case…
Many discussions got heated . I was called many names… Yet i stuck by and continued my discussion with othere and expressed my view and counterpoints .. ( kind of in between the the extremes views)
MDN… Chose to block my responses to others with this ‘awaiting moderation’ trick… Its been 24 ours now… Some are waiting to hear my response..yet they dont know why i have disappeared.
They are even blocking my posts about other issues… Even tough i had some good following on some of these topics… specially the pencil issue and in general.
They just choose to cencor me… Lol… And apple reversed course today.
I wrote them about this and they say…” Forums are for everybody , not for one person to take over.’
My response to them was forums are for discussions … I am responding to others.. Im not flooding threads for no reason randomly .. They are all responses to others..
I told them that what they are doing is so wrong in so many levels… Its an open forum for discussions yet they cencor me when i present an argument which compromises their view.
They are not responding.
I dont even know if its legal for them to cencor like that.. Just becouse my views dont support theirs.
Thats MDN .. Pathetic if they dont correct this blatent cencoring.
Lets see how it unfolds.
That’s interesting because I think I generally agree with what you post over there. I haven’t been over there in a few weeks so I’ve missed all of the good Apple/FBI stuff, so I’ve missed the latest kerfuffle.
I suspect I might disagree with you on that, but so what? Some people take themselves way too seriously.
Very few decent Apple blogs left.
Yes Shizzle..
The idea is discussion. Not dictation, ….
As u said , so what if we dont agree.. Just the process of the discussion itself is a learning process..It broadens the scope of the mind on whats out there. . It does not have to be an agreeing process.
But MDN chooses to censor me and leave my responses unfinished or hanging up in the air in the middle of a conversation. … And yet they cry constitution day in and day out……Massive hypocrisy.
P.s. My view is not much different from Tims.. If one has read his open letter.
Cheers
Update
MDN and i had a little discussion… We have an understanding now and all my hanging posts have gone through.
👍MDN
I don’t like that they’re doing that. Steve always said he hated styluses. Turning off functionality except for drawing or writing was a way of getting around calling it a stylus.
This is the future we are sleepwalking into. Everything seems to work, and things might even be getting better—it’s just that we don’t know exactly why or how.” According to Hayek, this has been a good description of society for about 200 years, possibly longer.
An interesting and thoughtprovoking article.
http://www.thediverge.com/technology-comes-with-a-privacy-price-42572
Does anyone actually use an iPad pro? Not trying to troll here but…No one I know has one.
I do… For about 2 months with the pencil.
Its great.. The problem is lack of full fledged comprehensive applications. And some ios file managment limitation..
Otherwise its an awesome product…..
So Glad Apple listened and changed course on limiting navigation with the pencil …
Thanks again Apple .
I have one, it replaced my iPad3. I love it.
9.3 releases March 15 to coincide with new iPhone and IPad?
Apple still hasn’t fixed the linegate bug they have from 2 years ago. What’s up with the programmers? There is a test page here if you wanna check http://a4jp.com/info.html
a4jp.com/info.html shows an Apple bug that hasn’t been touched by the Apple programmers in 2 years! Linegate!
Has the Apple linegate bug been fixed yet? 2 years without a fix… Why can’t Apple fix the tiny little hairlines that show up in Safari?