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UPDATE: May. 7, 2024, 5:10 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with B&H Photo's preorder listing for the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Where to pre-order the new Apple Pencil Pro: The Apple Store Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now B&H Photo Apple Pencil Pro $129 Pre-order Now

May 7 marks the last leg of the Apple product drop trifecta that started in the fall of 2023. After getting new iPhones, new Apple Watches, and new MacBooks, just one major Apple product category was left ripe for a refresh this spring. And Apple went hard not only with a new iPad Pro and Air, but with the accessory that fuels the entire iPad experience: the Apple Pencil.

After almost a decade of existence, the Apple Pencil has finally been initiated into Apple's "Pro" club. Rather than the one or two small tweaks of Apple Pencil upgrades past, the Apple Pencil Pro has been entirely redesigned with a suite of new ways to bring ideas to life — and keep up with that M4 chip. It doesn't start shipping until May 15, but you can pre-order it now through the Apple Store and B&H Photo.

It's the next best thing to a magic wand. Credit: Apple

A light squeeze of the Pencil Pro pops up a palette to swiftly switch between tools, line weights, and colors, while a slight rotation while holding the Pencil Pro activates barrel roll: a built-in gyroscope that reacts immediately for intuitive, precise control of pen shapes, brush tips, or animation movements. Custom interactions can also be programmed.

Control of your project is taken even further with a hover feature that allows you to target actions without even touching the screen, like previewing a line before it's drawn or switching between a pile of layers in Final Cut Pro without making a wrong move. Haptic feedback has also been enhanced to tip you off when a new layer is, in fact, perfectly in the middle.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Pro 2024: Thinner and lighter than ever, with M4 chip inside

As always, the Apple Pencil Pro charges and stores magnetically to the side of your iPad. If it falls off in transit, no worries: it's the first Apple Pencil to support Find My.

Despite "Pro" being tacked onto the name, Apple isn't gatekeeping the Apple Pencil Pro just for iPad Pro users. iPad Air users can also opt to experience the magic of the Pro. And there's little reason to not make that bump: Despite so many revolutionary changes, the Apple Pencil Pro retails for $129, the same debut price as the second-gen Apple Pencil from several years ago.

UPDATE: May. 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with B&H Photo's preorder listing for the new Apple Magic Keyboard.

Where to pre-order the new Apple Magic Keyboard: The Apple Store Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now B&H Photo Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Starting at $299 Pre-order Now

If you couldn't quite justify buying one of the new MacBook Pros that came out in the fall, forget that FOMO — the 2024 Magic Keyboard pushes the iPad Pro experience closer to that of a MacBook than ever.

Apple announced a new Magic Keyboard during its iPad-centric event on May 7. You can now pre-order either the 11-inch or 13-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $299 or $349, respectively. (At the time of writing, listings were live in Apple Store and at B&H Photo.) The Pros themselves can also be pre-ordered now, and the whole setup can all be in your hands as soon as May 15.

The changes to the Magic Keyboard aren't as revolutionary on paper as the ones seen on the other Apple accessory upgrade, the new Apple Pencil Pro. However, they're certainly not nothing: First and foremost, the Magic Keyboard finally has a function row, and a 14-key one at that. That alone brings the iPad into real laptop territory.

SEE ALSO: iPad Air 2024: 3 new features that iPad Air 2022 doesn't have

The 2024 Magic Keyboard is also outfitted with a larger glass trackpad with haptic feedback and compatibility with Multi-Touch gestures, backlit keys, an aluminum palm rest, and a scissor mechanism with 1mm travel. No, it still doesn't need to be charged.

There's actually an argument to be made that the 2024 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combo create a more powerful experience than that of the MacBook Pro released a few months ago. That's because the new iPad Pros are the sole Apple devices (so far) to wield the M4 chip, coined (by Apple) as the most powerful neural processing unit of any personal computer on the market. With the immersive Apple Pencil Pro also on hand, the iPad Pro and its accessories form an intimidating laptop competitor.

PRE-ORDER NOW: The new Apple iPad Air (2024) is available for preorder through the Apple Store as of May 7. The 11-inch model starts at $599 and the 13-inch model starts at $799. Both will ship as soon as May 15.

Where to preorder the new iPad Air: 11-inch model Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 at the Apple Store Pre-order Now 13-inch model Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $799 at the Apple Store Pre-order Now 11-inch model Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $599 at B&H Photo Pre-order Now 13-inch model Apple iPad Air 2024 Starting at $799 at B&H Photo Pre-order now

The hotly anticipated iPad Air has arrived in two sizes with some shiny new features to power AI features. Previously available in just the 10.9-inch size, the iPad Air now comes in 11- and 13-inch models outfitted with the M2 chip, an upgrade from the M1.

SEE ALSO: New iPad Air announced — here's everything you need to know

Announced at Apple's "Let Loose" event on May 7, the updated iPad Air debuted alongside a new iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil Pro. In addition to the new sizes, the tablets are getting upgraded storage. The models now start with 128 GB of storage with 256 GB, 516 GB, and 1 TB options also available.

As we suspected, the front-facing camera on the new iPad Air moved to the landscape view and pairs with landscape stereo speakers for heightened sound quality. The new M2 chip gives the upgraded iPad Air faster CPU, GPU, and neural engine speed. The M2 also powers the iPad Air with machine learning. Now users can enjoy split view screens, subject lift, and live text features on the device.

Credit: Apple

The iPad Air comes in four different colors: Purple, blue, starlight, and space gray. The 11-inch model starts at $599 while the 13-inch model starts at $799.

The new Apple iPad Air is available for preorder now ahead of its May 15 release.

Apple iPad 2024: Price and preorder details Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 2024 $599.00 at Apple
The new iPad Air 11-inch model starts at $599. Pre-Order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Apple iPad Air 2024 $799.00 at Apple
The new iPad Air 13-inch model starts at $799. Pre-Order Here

UPDATE: May. 7, 2024, 4:35 p.m. EDT This story has been updated with B&H Photo's preorder listings for the new Apple iPad Pros (2024).

Where to pre-order the Apple iPad Pro (2024): 11-inch model Apple iPad Pro Starting at $999 in the Apple Store Pre-order Now 13-inch model Apple iPad Pro (2024) Staring at $1,299 in the Apple Store Pre-order Now 11-inch model Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 at B&H Photo Pre-order Now 13-inch model Apple iPad Pro (2024) Staring at $1,299 at B&H PHoto Pre-order Now

The rumor mill was cooking: Apple revealed a revamped iPad Pro with a fresh design, a new M4 chip, and an OLED display during its "Let Loose" event Tuesday. It's available in 11- and 13-inch sizes that start at $999 and $1,299, respectively, and preorders are now live. Shoppers can reserve one through the Apple Store and B&H Photo ahead of the official May 15 launch.

This update marks the powerful tablet's first refresh since 2022 — and arguably its biggest ever. For starters, the two variants are sleeker and lighter than any previous iPad Pros: The 11-inch version is 0.21 inches thin and weighs a mere 0.98 pounds, while the 13-inch model is 0.2 inches thin and 1.28 pounds. Apple said they're even slimmer than ye olde iPod nano, making the 2024 iPad Pro "the thinnest Apple product ever."

The new iPad Pros have also made the jump to a shiny new M4 chipset, skipping the M3 generation that powers the current Mac and MacBook lineups. It offers up to 50 percent faster CPU performance and up to four times faster GPU performance compared to the previous iPad Pro's M2 chip, according to a press release. Its new GPU architecture also brings support for hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing — an iPad first.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro

There's a zippier new neural engine in there, too: Apple claimed it's "more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today."

Both iPad Pro models come equipped with a new "Ultra Retina XDR" screen, which is billed as "the world’s most advanced display." It features two stacked OLED panels for rich, vivid colors and details (Apple is calling this "Tandem OLED technology"), and it can hit up to 1,600 nits of brightness. The Ultra Wide 12MP camera with Center Stage on the front of it has been scooted over to the landscape orientation.

The new iPad Pros will be available in two aluminum finishes (silver and space black) and four storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB. Shoppers have the option to upgrade them both with cellular connectivity and nano-texture glass (in the 1TB and 2TB models only).

Those who put in a preorder won't have to wait too long for their new tablet to arrive: The new iPad Pro starts shipping on Wednesday, May 15.

Featured Video For You Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 in the Apple Store Pre-Order Here

The U.S.'s major wireless carriers are preparing to challenge the FCC over a fine totaling $200 million.

In statements provided to Mashable, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile signaled their intent to appeal the FCC's fine, which was doled out to the companies for allegedly mishandling customers' sensitive location-based data. 

SEE ALSO: The FCC is reviving net neutrality. But what does that mean?

Earlier this week, the FCC announced that it was fining AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile for allegedly selling access to its own customers' location data to "aggregators." The aggregators then resold this access to other third-party, location-based service providers. 

In one specific case, one of these aggregators, a prison communication service company called Securus, provided access to a Mississippi sheriff who in turn used this data to track the location of people through their cell phones.

AT&T, Verizon, & T-Mobile challenge the FCC

According to the three big mobile carriers, the FCC is wrongly holding the big telecom companies responsible for the improper use of their customers' data.

"The FCC order lacks both legal and factual merit," said an AT&T spokesperson in a statement provided to Mashable. "It unfairly holds us responsible for another company’s violation of our contractual requirements to obtain consent, ignores the immediate steps we took to address that company’s failures, and perversely punishes us for supporting life-saving location services like emergency medical alerts and roadside assistance that the FCC itself previously encouraged."

Verizon echoed AT&T's statement in an email correspondence with Mashable.

"In this case, when one bad actor gained unauthorized access to information relating to a very small number of customers, we quickly and proactively cut off the fraudster, shut down the program, and worked to ensure this couldn't happen again," a Verizon spokesperson said. 

T-Mobile, which has since merged with Sprint, also provided a response to Mashable's inquiry.

"We take our responsibility to keep customer data secure very seriously and have always supported the FCC’s commitment to protecting consumers, but this decision is wrong, and the fine is excessive," T-Mobile said.

It should be noted that each of the companies did appear to confirm that a third-party misused the location-data that T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T had shared with aggregators. The disagreement on the part of the telecommunications companies seems to be over whether they should be held responsible. The FCC's decision clearly states that the government's position is that they should be.

In their statements to Mashable, both T-Mobile and Verizon also mentioned how they no longer run the program that FCC is fining them over. According to Verizon, "FCC's order concerns an old program that Verizon shut down more than half a decade ago." T-Mobile stated that the "industry-wide third-party aggregator location-based services program was discontinued more than five years ago."

AT&T also told Mashable that the program was "terminated in early 2019."

All three companies told Mashable that they intend to appeal the fine.

Where to preorder the Apple iPad Pro (2024): 11-INCH MODEL Apple iPad Pro Starting at $999 Get Deal 13-INCH MODEL Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $1,299 in the Apple Store Get Deal

The new iPad Pro got announced at the May 7 "Let Loose" event — and it's got the highly anticipated OLED display that Apple is calling "Tandem OLED" for an "Ultra Retina XDR" screen.

Why is it called Tandem OLED? It's got two OLED displays put together, which outputs a super high contrast screen for true, deep blacks. Plus, the Tandem OLED display yields incredible brightness, too (1,600 nits peak brightness, to be specific).

If you're not a screen snob, you may be wondering, "Why should I care about an OLED display?" That's a fair question, so let's run down the benefits of an OLED display so that you can make a decision on whether the new iPad Pro is right for you.

SEE ALSO: iPad Pro 2024 now has 'Tandem OLED': 5 reasons this is a big deal What is an OLED display?

OLED, which stands for Organic Light Emitting Diodes, consists of organic electroluminescent materials that glow when electricity passes through them. Each pixel on an OLED display has its own individual light source. In other words, as PCWorld puts it, each pixel can be turned off completely, "providing a deep, inky, perfect black level."

This is what makes an OLED display more advantageous than, say, the mini-LED display featured on the previous-generation iPad Pro. Instead of per-pixel lighting, mini-LED displays have about 3,000 lighting zones (compare that to the OLED's eight million).

TechRadar explained it perfectly:

"Imagine the whole screen entirely black, save for a single pixel out of eight million in pure, bright white – because that’s totally doable on an OLED. On a Mini LED set, it’s not even close: in a 4K panel with around 3,000 lighting zones, each backlight zone would actually drive around 2,700 pixels."

As you'll find out in the next section, this provides OLED displays with more benefits compared to the mini-LED screen on the last-generation iPad Pro (and the LCD panel on the iPad Air).

New OLED iPad Pro: 5 benefits

Streaming is one of the many reasons people purchase an iPad. It's a comfortable way to cuddle up at night and watch your favorite shows without an uncomfortable keyboard jutting out in front of you.

As such, if streaming is a use case for you, there's a good chance that having a tablet that's the equivalent of eye candy is important. If so, you'll appreciate the benefits of an OLED display on an iPad.

Featured Video For You Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro 1. No 'halo effect'

Some users of the iPad Pro 2022, which features a mini-LED display, experienced something called "blooming" or the "halo effect."

You can see it happening around the Apple logo in Josh Teder's X post below.

Tweet may have been deleted

To put it succinctly, blooming is light leakage. This phenomenon occurs when non-black UI elements are illuminated from behind via a backlight, causing the light to seep into the surrounding black UI, as 9to5Mac explained.

New iPad Pro with "Tandem OLED" display. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

However, with OLED, this shouldn't be an issue because, again, when something needs to be black, those pixels will be turned off entirely — not dimmed.

2. True blacks The new iPad Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As aforementioned, OLED displays can completely extinguish light from pixels, allowing the screen to achieve perfect black levels when it's appropriate — something mini-LED and LCD displays can't do.

3. Better contrast

Thanks to self-lighting pixels that, again, can be totally turned off independently, OLED displays should deliver better contrast than mini-LED screens.

New iPad Pro with the new Magic Keyboard Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

This provides a stark distinction between the true blacks and the other colors that are being emitted on the screen.

4. Better viewing angles

This won't matter much when you're using an iPad for yourself, but if your partner is peering over to see what you're watching, they may get a better viewing angle on an OLED display compared to mini-LED and LCD screens.

New 13-inch iPad Pro with Apple Pencil Pro. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Why?

According to PCWorld, an LCD screen, for example, can control specific pixels by using liquid crystals to block their light. This can cause images to look different from different angles because liquid crystals do not obstruct light evenly.

Plus, they "require a few milliseconds to respond to a charge, causing blur or ghosting in rapidly changing image."

5. Superior motion performance

With the new iPad Pro, we expect better motion performance. OLED displays offer smoother, more seamless transition between frames compared to LCD technology. As such, they're known for delivering zippier response times and better motion-blur management.

We don't know whether the OLED iPad Pro, indeed, has a leg up over its predecessor in these five areas, but we'll let you know when we get the tablet in for review.

One thing, however, we must warn you about when it comes to OLED displays is that they are known for causing burn-in, a permanent issue in which a faint image from the screen is "burned" into the panel — even though the image isn't being displayed anymore.

Let's hope that Apple has found a way to mitigate this risk by employing some clever techniques.

The new 2024 iPad Pro got unveiled at Apple's "Let Loose" event on May 7. Coming in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch models, the new iPad Pro made a splash with an M4 chip that jumps a generation (i.e., from the predecessor's M2 chip to the current M4 processor).

Apple boasted that the new iPad Pro is really thin — like "iPod Nano" thin. I got a chance to briefly play around with the new iPad Pro models — and yeah — these tablets are surprisingly slim. And they're very featherlike, too.

iPad Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

But what really caught my eye was the nano-texture glass model, but more on that later.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro The new iPad Pro's slimness blew me away

When Apple said that the iPad Pro is "impossibly thin," pointing out that the 11-inch and 13-inch variants are 5.3mm and 5.1mm thick, respectively, I couldn't wrap my mind around it — until I held them for myself.

While being showcased on display, I walked around the iPad Pro models and they seem to disappear as I looked at their sides.

You see that iPad Pro in the middle? You can barely see it. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

And then I held them in my hands. How could something so powerful be such a featherweight?

The new iPad Pro in my hands Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The 13-inch iPad Pro is only 1.28 pounds while the 11-inch variant is just under a pound (i.e., 0.9 pounds).

The new nano-texture glass model

If you're sick and tired of dealing with your iPad display not cooperating in challenging lighting situations, you can grab the nano-texture glass model for a nice matte finish.

I was standing in a brightly lit area and noticed that the nano-texture glass model, only available in the 1TB and 2TB storage options, significantly reduced glare.

Here are two iPad Pros, but the nano-texture glass model is on the right Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Keep in mind, though, that this model is best for users who need to have a highly visible screen at all times while they're on-the-go. As such, the nano-texture glass model targets professionals (hence why you'll have to shell out at least $1,699 for the 11-inch model and $2,099 for the 13-inch variant).

The nano-texture glass model is on the right in this shot. Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

As you can see in the photo, there are trade-offs with the nano-texture glass model. The one without it has a richer panel.

The 'Tandem OLED' iPad Pro is gorgeous

The iPad Pro has a new "Tandem OLED" display, which means that Apple layered two OLED displays on top of each other. The result? A super high-contrast, immersive display with top-notch brightness (1,600 nits peak brightness, to be exact).

11-inch iPad Pro on the Magic Keyboard Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Called an "Ultra Retina XDR display," the iPad Pro's screen was pure visual candy in person.

The 'Space Black' iPad Pro is stunning

When I saw the Space Black MacBook Pro in all of its glory last October, I was crossing my fingers that this gorgeous, rich onyx color would come to more Apple devices.

iPad Pro in Space Black Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Answering my prayers, there's now a "Space Black" iPad Pro. (Now, I just need Space Black to come to the iPhone 16.)

There's a "Space Black" Magic Keyboard, too, by the way, which now has a larger haptic trackpad, a full function row, and an aluminum palm rest.

The 11-inch iPad Pro starts $999 while the 13-inch model will set you back $1,299. As mentioned, they come in Space Black, but there's also a Silver colorway.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable iPad Pro $999.00 at Apple
Get Deal

TikTok fired back at the U.S. government's ban with a lawsuit.

Today, it was reported that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has sued the federal government to constitutionally block the new law from going into effect.

SEE ALSO: Here's how the TikTok ban will likely play out in the courts

TikTok's court filing says, "For the first time in history, Congress has enacted a law that subjects a single, named speech platform to a permanent, nationwide ban and bars every American from participating in a unique online community with more than one billion people worldwide." It calls the ban "unconstitutional" under the First Amendment.

The law requires ByteDance to divest TikTok within 270 days or face a ban in the U.S. App Store. It passed as part of a foreign aid package sending 95 billion dollars to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

The lawsuit argues that selling TikTok isn't "commercially, technologically, or legally feasible," saying that the law will result in a shutdown. It details how TikTok and its competitors are global in nature, how it's impossible to transfer the social media platform's "millions of lines" of code to a new owner, and that the Chinese app will not sell its recommendation algorithm.

Congress sees TikTok as posing a national security threat, arguing that its ties to the Chinese government put American user data at risk. TikTok denies that it shares American user data with the Chinese government. Ultimately, the lawsuit will require Congress to back up its claims.

It's time for an iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air face-off.

In the last couple of years, Apple's been strongly positioning its most powerful tablet as a capable laptop replacement. Now that the new iPad Pros are here, it's time to once again take a closer look into the inevitable comparison: iPad Pro or MacBook Air?

Before we begin, we need to set the stage a little bit. Yes, the iPad Pro is primarily a tablet, and by default, it comes without a mechanical keyboard. But Apple's Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro is getting better (more on that in a bit), and the iPad does have a touchscreen and Pencil, whereas the MacBook Air does not, which makes it a little more powerful in certain workflows.

Finally, the iPad Pro comes with Apple's new M4 chip, making it more powerful (in theory) than the MacBook Air.

Big caveat here: Until we thoroughly test the new iPad Pro, we won't know exactly how well it behaves as a laptop replacement. Keep in mind that this article merely compares specs based on publicly available data.

SEE ALSO: How to pre-order the new iPad Air

Regardless, the last iteration of the iPad Pro wasn't a good replacement for the MacBook Air, due to price, minor bugs, and numerous workflow issues. Has this changed with the new iPad Pro? Let's dive in.

iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Price

The MacBook Air is considerably cheaper than the new iPad Pro. It starts at $1,099, while the 13-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,299. The iPad comes without a keyboard, and for a fair comparison, we must add the Magic Keyboard, which costs an additional $299, bringing the total costs for the iPad Pro to $1,598. A pretty big win for the MacBook Air.

iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Specs

Here's where it becomes complicated. No matter what Apple or anyone else says, the MacBook Air is probably more suited for laptop tasks. But when it comes to pure processing power and display prowess, it's lagging behind.

Pfft, the keyboard doesn't even come off. Credit: Apple

This is because the MacBook Air comes with Apple's M3 chip, whereas the new iPad Pro has Apple's latest and greatest M4 chip. We can't be sure how it performs, though. Spec for spec, the M4 is more powerful. The 13-inch iPad Pro with 256 GB of storage (starting model) has an M4 chip with a 9-core CPU, with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural engine. The starting MacBook Air comes with an M3 chip with an 8-core CPU (with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores), an 8-Core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Starting storage is the same for both models, at 256GB.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro

The display on the MacBook Air is also a distant second here. The Air has a 13.6-inch IPS LED display with a 2,560x1,664 pixel resolution and 500 nits of brightness. The iPad Pro's display blows it away: It's a Tandem OLED display with a 2,752x2,064 pixel display and 1,000 nits of max brightness (1,600 nits when watching HDR content).

iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Design

Well, one is a tablet, the other one is a laptop. Easy, no?

In reality, if you deck the iPad with Apple's new Magic Keyboard, it's quite laptop-like. And here is where we have to give an advantage to the iPad Pro, which can be turned into a beautiful, uninterrupted slab of...well, content. It can also be had in Apple's cool new Space Black color, though MacBook Air does have a wider option of colors, with four on offer - Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver.

Could fool you for a real laptop...from a distance. Credit: Apple

If we dove into functionality, we'd probably get very different opinions from users: Some would prefer the iPad's versatility, while others (me included) like the fact that the MacBook is just a laptop that cannot be turned into anything else.

Still, based purely on aesthetics, we must give this one to the iPad Pro.

Oh, and you should also take into account just how lighter the iPad Pro is than the MacBook Air: 0.98 pounds vs. 2.7 pounds. We don't know the exact weight of the Magic Keyboard, which you must add to the weight of the iPad, but we're pretty sure it doesn't weigh 1.7 pounds.

iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Features

We're sorry, Mac lovers, but the iPad Pro wins this one, too. It has a touchscreen display, Apple Pencil Pro support, and a 12-megapixel camera on the back. The MacBook Air has...well, it has an attached keyboard.

iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Battery life

We don't have real-life figures for the iPad Pro, so we won't stray further than Apple's official figures: Up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing for the MacBook Air, and up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video for the iPad Pro.

iPad Pro 2024 vs. M3 MacBook Air: Which is best for you?

We'd like to give you a definitive answer, but for that we'd need to test the iPad Pro (we will), and we'd have to know what kind of user you are. If you need the touchscreen and if you like to jot things down with a Pencil, you should consider the iPad Pro (if you don't mind the additional cost).

For a lot of users, it boils down to one thing: Whether it has an always ready, attached keyboard or not. Oh, and the software. Credit: Apple

Based on specs, design, and features alone, the iPad Pro is a pretty clear winner here: It has a more powerful chip, more features, a far more advanced display, and is just overall a cooler device to have.

The elephant in the room when it comes to comparisons like these is always the software. So far, Apple's iPadOS isn't as good for most work-related tasks as the macOS. Maybe, just maybe Apple will change that with the next iteration of iPadOS...but we'll have to wait until June and Apple WWDC to find out.

My 2019 iPad Pro had a pretty good run, all things considered.

Outwardly, the nearly 5-year-old Apple tablet is in good shape. The Magic Keyboard still makes for a useful mini-laptop, especially with the magnetic Pencil. Yet on the inside, its heart seems heavier (literally heavier with that Magic Keyboard, compared to the 2019 iPad Pro keyboard). The battery is still functional, but drains out overnight if I don't plug it in, even with the power hog "background refresh" feature turned off.

This doesn't feel like planned obsolecence, not exactly. More like a tired workhorse whispering in my ear: "I've had a good life. It's OK if you put me out to pasture now. You'd probably get a good trade-in price, you know."

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro

And right on time, here comes Apple with its slimmest, lightest, most powerful iPad Pros yet (unveiled, mercifully, in the company's shortest event yet). Now here I am, lusting after the iPad Pro 13-inch, which just got significantly lighter than its 12.9 inch predecessor, and way faster. I'm wondering just how many digital comics I could store in a 2 TB version. I'm intensely curious about the new squeezable Pencil Pro. Who doesn't want to squeeze their Pencil?

Here I am, in other words, seriously contemplating an iPad Pro package that will top out at more than $3,000 (including Pencil Pro and the newer, lighter Magic Keyboard). For comparison, that's $2,000 more than you'd pay for a 13-inch Macbook Air, and $700 more than the last time we called Apple brilliant jerks for their high-end iPad package plan. Oh, and it's less than $500 away from Vision Pro territory.

Some owners might balk at such an upgrade, no matter what the trade-in credit. (For the record, Apple's trade-in estimator says I can have $285 for my old workhorse). But let us just say that creating and feeding such owners is not how Apple became the wealthiest tech company on the planet.

The iPad's best ally is and always has been aspirational creativity — what I described in that previous iPad Pro analysis as "living your best life." You may not actually use this tablet to make movies at a climbing gym, as we saw in that 40-minute Apple event, but you could. If you're using an audio editor like Logic Pro it probably makes more sense to do so on a Mac, but you'd look cooler walking around the home studio, editing your future hit track on a tablet.

You may not always use the top-notch art app that got star billing at the event, Procreate, but surely when you do, the Pencil Pro will squeeze the Picasso-like genius out of you. And you may not actually need that super-powerful M4 chip for a device most often used to read digital comics or magazines, or a new Magic Keyboard if you're already toting a Macbook Air in your bag, for Pete's sake. (No, I'm not calling myself out here, why do you ask?)

But you might! Maybe the extra screen real estate and faster load times will be all it takes to tip you over into finally finishing that novel, and wouldn't you feel bad if inspiration struck and all you had was your iPad and you had to type on an actual screen? The horror!

And there's the rub: Apple knows our income is always a little more disposable if it can appeal to our wannabe genius. Life is short; who doesn't want to unleash their inner artist/musician/climbing gym videographer? Credit card debt is nothing next to living your best creative life.

Whisper it low, but the old workhorse doesn't stand a chance.

Let's dive into an iPad Air vs. iPad Pro face-off. Apple showed off two new iPads on Tuesday at the May 7 "Let Loose" livestream, but you're unsure which is best for you.

We're more than happy to give you the deets to help you make a decision. The new OLED iPad Pro and the new iPad Air are different products that serve different audiences. However, the differences aren't that self-explanatory. One is more expensive with more features, and the other is cheaper, but also has a couple of benefits of its own.

Here's how the two new iPads compare to each other.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 2024: Specs and price The Air can do almost as much as the Pro. Credit: Apple

As I said earlier, these two device serve slightly different audiences, so their specs are going to look a little different. Before we get to that, though, let's talk about price. The iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model. The iPad Pro comes in the same two sizes, but at price points of $999 and $1,299, respectively.

Here are the iPad Air's basic specs:

• M2 processor

• LED Liquid Retina display with 2360x1640 resolution

• Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

• WiFi 6E

• 5G LTE support (optional)

And here are the specs for the iPad Pro:

• M4 processor

• OLED Ultra Retina XDR display with 2420x1668 resolution

• Up to 120Hz refresh rate

• Storage options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

And interestingly, the iPad Pro has a slightly hidden difference under the hood depending on how much storage you get, per Apple's specs page. The 256GB and 512GB variants have one fewer CPU core than the 1TB and 2TB variants. It's hard to say what, precisely, that means in a practical sense, but hey, it's worth noting.

Anyway, the iPad Pro clearly wins on specs, but that's because it's more expensive. You get what you pay for.

Winner: iPad Pro

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 2024: Design Look at how thin that thing is. Credit: Apple

There isn't a ton to say about the designs of these two iPads. They look like iPads.

If you want to get down into the nitty-gritty, though, there are a few things to comb through. For starters, the iPad Air has a more varied and frankly better selection of colors. Here's what's on offer for the Air:

• Blue

• Purple

• Starlight

• Space Grey

While iPad Pro customers only get the measly choice between silver and black. Boring!

One other thing worth pointing out here is that, despite the "Air" part of the iPad Air's name, both new versions of the Pro are actually thinner and lighter. Both new models of the Air are 6.1mm thick, while the 11-inch Pro is 5.3mm and the 13-inch Pro is even smaller at 5.1mm. The difference in weight is less than a tenth of a pound, though, so that doesn't matter all that much.

Oh, and both iPads got a repositioned front-facing camera. It now sits on top of the device when placed in landscape mode, for more natural video calls.

Winner: iPad Air for color choices

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 2024: Features Multiple cameras, one tablet. Credit: Apple

This category isn't super fair, but let's talk about it anyway.

Obviously, the Pro has more features than the Air. It's more expensive and has better hardware inside of it. That doesn't mean the Air doesn't bring anything new or interesting to the table, though. Apple's in-house M2 chip enables some AI features, like Live Text, which recognizes and even translates text in images.

The only problem is that the Pro can do all of that and more. A new version of the Final Cut Pro app for iPad Pro allows for seamless blending of multiple camera angles from different devices, for example. It can also use AI to more easily scan documents using the rear-facing camera. Neither of these devices blow the doors off the tech world with amazing new features, but the Pro can do a little bit more than the Air, so it wins.

Winner: iPad Pro

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 2024: Battery life

We can't definitively tell you which device has better practical battery life until they're in our hands, but we can at least look at the specs. Here are the battery sizes for each new iPad model:

• iPad Air: 28.93-watt-hour battery (11-inch model) or 36.59-watt-hour battery (13-inch model)

• iPad Pro: 31.29-watt-hour battery (11-inch model) or 38.99-watt-hour battery (13-inch model)

Those numbers tell us what we could have already guessed, which is that the iPad Pro generally has a bigger battery than the Air. However, Apple's specs pages rate both devices for "up to" 10 hours of general use, so it's hard to say which has a distinct advantage right now, if any.

iPad Air vs. iPad Pro 2024: Which should you buy?

It all comes down to cash.

Do you have money to spend on a new iPad Pro? Then you should get the Pro. It has a better display, a better processor, a bigger battery, and more features. That was always going to be the case, so no surprises here.

That said, maybe you have the cash but don't have the desire to do serious workflow stuff on an iPad. Maybe the iPad exists for doing crossword puzzles and watching YouTube videos in your life. If that's the case, go with the Air.

PRICE DROP: With the release of the 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro, the iPad 10th Generation now starts at $349. Shop the tablet at its new price today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (10th Generation)
The Apple iPad 10th Generation now starts at $349. Shop Now

At Apple's "Let Loose" event on Tuesday, May 7th, the company debuted their new iPad Air and iPad Pro in addition to an upgraded Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro. But among the exciting new product launches is the news that the Apple iPad 10th Generation now starts at $349. This is no temporary deal — the Apple iPad has a new affordable price.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced during its iPad event, including new OLED iPad Pro

The base iPad model comes with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It's outfitted with the A14 chip and a landscape ultra-wide front camera. It comes in four different color ways: Blue, pink, yellow, and silver. For $349, the iPad starts at 64 GB of storage but is also available in 256 GB for $499.

Our friends over at PC Mag (owned by Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis) tested the iPad 10th generation, saying it's an excellent model for most people. While the iPad Air and Pro may be the more suitable option for creatives with its superior processing speeds, the 10th generation iPad handles HD content for all your daily streaming needs.

PC Mag's managing editor Eric Zeman's main complaint about the iPad 10th generation was its price jump to $449 at its time of release. With its updated starting price of $349, the iPad solidifies itself as the best tablet under $500.

Google Pixel 8a preorders 128GB model Google Pixel 8a $499 at Google Store (Get $100 credit to the Google Store) Pre-order now 256GB model Google Pixel 8a $559 at Google Store (Get $100 Google Store credit) Pre-order now

It looks like Google isn't waiting for its I/O conference next week to make all its big announcements.

On May 7, the day of Apple's iPad event, Google swooped in and put the Pixel 8a up for preorder, starting at $499 for the 128GB model. Google has also released a 256GB Pixel 8a for $559, but at the time of writing, it was only available in the Obsidian colorway. Fans have been waiting for the more affordable phone to drop since the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro were released last fall, and once again, it looks like Google has made the budget Android to beat.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro: Every single thing we know so far

When the Google Pixel 7a hit the market in 2023, we thought the rumors that it could be the last of the A-Series Pixels made sense: it was a pretty darn close recreation of the Pixel 7 for about $100 cheaper. We're glad Google didn't decide to throw in the towel, and instead is offering even more of an attractive deal — while the Pixel 8's price increased $100 over its previous generation to $699, the Pixel 8a is available at the same $499 starting price as the Pixel 7a started at. Basically, the Pixel 8a gets you a similar product to the Pixel 8 for $200 less.

Price-wise, that's not the only exciting news. Google is offering $100 of Google Store credit through May 19 when you buy a Pixel 8a. The official release date for the 8a is May 14.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 8a (128GB) $499.00 at Google Store
Pre-Order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel 8a (256GB) $559.00 at Google Store
Pre-Order Here How the Pixel 8a compares to the Pixel 8

Based on its spec sheet, the Pixel 8a shares quite a bit in common with the Pixel 8, including:

• Tensor G3 chip

• 24+ hour battery life

• Magic Editor and Magic Take camera tools

• 128 and 256GB options for storage

• 8 GB RAM

• Up to 120Hz refresh rate (up from 90Hz on Pixel 7a)

The Pixel 8a will come with a slightly less powerful battery than the Pixel 8, one less microphone, and no spatial audio. It also comes in the same colorways as the Pixel 8 Pro: Obsidian, Bay, and Porcelain, plus one additional color, Aloe (there's less overlap with the Pixel 8, which comes in Obsidian, Rose, Mint, and Hazel).

SEE ALSO: New iPad Air announced — here's everything you need to know

The Pixel 8a is barely smaller than the Pixel 8, with just a 0.1-inch difference in the display size. It also houses the same 64 MP Quad PD wide camera, 13 MP ultrawide rear cameras, and 13 MP front camera that the 7a does. Considering the 7a marked a significant improvement over previous generations, it isn't surprising that Google didn't opt for big changes just one year later.

Best deals at Amazon Pet Day 2024 Best pet tech deal Tractive GPS tracker and health monitoring for dogs $29.99 at Amazon (save $20) Get Deal Best pet bed deal Furhaven cooling gel dog bed (iceberg green) $38.20 at Amazon (save $6.79) Get Deal Best pet toy deal Chuckit! dog ball launcher (sport, 25 inches) $8.69 at Amazon (save $5.30) Get Deal

It's hard to find something in life that's more enjoyable than spoiling our pets. Giving us unconditional love, pets deserve all the treats in the world all the time. And thanks to the Amazon Pet Day sale, you can spoil your furry friends for less.

When is Amazon Pet Day 2024?

While the name implies just one day of sales, Amazon Pet Day actually spans two days, May 7 and 8, with deals expiring at 11:59 p.m. on May 8. But keep in mind that some deals will be Amazon Lightning Deals which means they could be gone in a flash.

Amazon Pet Day deals are the perfect excuse to stock up on toys, pet accessories, tech, and treats. This could be an ideal time to pick up your pet's favorites.

What to expect from Amazon Pet Day

While this isn't a massive sale like Amazon Prime Day, you'll find tons of deals for pets like self-cleaning litter boxes, the Furbo dog camera + treat dispenser, dog food, and toys to keep your dog or cat entertained all day.

Unlike some Prime Day deals, Amazon Pet Day sales are open to all shoppers, even those without an Amazon Prime membership.

The best Amazon Pet Day deals

We've compiled our favorite pet deals below, and we'll continue updating this page as the sale continues.

Here are our top recommendations so far:

Best pet tech deal Opens in a new window Credit: Tractive Our pick: Tractive GPS tracker and health monitoring for dogs $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Mashable's top choice for a budget-friendly GPS dog tracker is the Tractive GPS tracker and health monitoring system. The tracker slips onto your dog's collar and through the associated app, you'll be able to keep tabs on your dog 24/7. With no distance limitations, the tracker gets about 15 days of battery life before it needs a recharge. You can also set up a custom area where your dog typically hangs out, like inside of the house and the backyard. If the dog leaves this area, you'll automatically be alerted, which can help give you peace of mind while you're not at home.

More pet tech deals:

• Petkit stainless steel cat water fountain — $52.99 $89 at Amazon (save $36.01)

• Petcube Play 2 Wi-Fi pet camera with laser for cats and dogs — $63.99 $79.99 at Amazon (save $16)

• PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Smart front-entry self-cleaning cat litter box — $249.95 $299.95 at Amazon (save $50)

• Petkit PuraMax self-cleaning cat litter box — $399 $596.99 at Amazon (save $197.99)

Best pet bed deal Opens in a new window Credit: FurHaven Our pick: FurHaven cooling gel dog bed (iceberg green) $38.20 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $6.79 Get Deal Why we like it

Soaring summer temps are just a few weeks away and if your pet tends to overheat, the FurHaven cooling dog bed could be perfect for warmer months. Designed for small or medium dogs, the bed has a removable and washable cover. While it's made for dogs, who's to say a cat wouldn't love to nap on the cooling gel foam too? It's designed for cushioned support in dogs that weigh up to 35 pounds while the L-shaped chaise design gives pets a cozy pillow to relax on.

More pet bed and furniture deals:

• Kitty City large cat tunnel bed (white) — $33.58 $39.50 at Amazon (save $5.92)

• Happy & Polly Fruit World cat tree — $87.77 $109.99 at Amazon (save $22.22)

• Bedsure XXL orthopedic dog bed — $92.79 $139.99 at Amazon (save $47.20)

Best pet toy deal Opens in a new window Credit: Chuckit! Our pick: Chuckit! dog ball launcher (sport, 25 inches) $8.69 at Amazon
$13.99 Save $5.30 Get Deal Why we like it

Some dog toys are absolutely essential, and the Chuckit! ball launcher is certainly at the top of this list. If your throwing arm is lacking, the Chuckit! turns almost every toss into an award-winning throw, giving your dog the ball-chasing experience they dream of. The 25-inch length of this model is said to be ideal for dogs between 20 and 60 pounds, and it includes a medium ball. Not only does the Chuckit! allow you to launch the ball like never before, its handy cup design means you no longer have to touch a slobbery tennis ball that's rolled through the dirt.

More pet toy deals:

• Chuckit! Paraflight Flying Disc dog toy — $4 $16.99 at Amazon (save $12.99)

• Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle — $8.38 $12.99 at Amazon (save $4.61)

• Disney for Pets Pixar’s Finding Nemo cat play tunnel — $15.99 $19.99 at Amazon (save $4)

• Petlibro Interactive Cat Toy — $18.99 $26.69 at Amazon (save $7.70)

More deals on essentials for dogs and cats:

• Save up to 21% on Fresh Step cat litter

• Save up to 40% on Frontline flea and tick for cats and dogs

• Save up to 48% on dog food and treats

• Save up to 54% on Purina cat food and treats

Look in on your pets when you're away with a reliable pet camera. Here are some of our top picks on sale during Amazon Pet Day as of May 7:

Best Pet Camera Deals Best Pet Camera Deal Eufy Security Pet Camera $129.99 at Amazon (Save $70) Get Deal Best Treat-Dispensing Pet Camera Deal Furbo 360° Dog Camera $69 at Amazon (Save $30) Get Deal Best Pet Camera with Laser Pointer Deal Petcube Play 2 $63.99 at Amazon (Save $16 ) Get Deal Best Budget Pet Camera Deal Petcube Cam 360 Camera $33.58 at Amazon (Save $8.41) Get Deal

What are your pets up to when you're away? If you leave your dog or cat to roam the house when you have to step out, that's probably a frequent question on your mind. Are the cats shredding the sofa cushions? Is the dog sneaking treats from the treat stash? Put all those questions to rest with a pet camera. Whether you want to check in here and there to let your pup know you're on your way home, or you need peace of mind that your pets aren't destroying your home, these cameras are absolute necessities for pet owners.

It's a great time to grab one right now, too. During Amazon Pet Day, you can save up to 35% off top pet camera brands to help you stay in the loop with what your furry friends are doing at any given time. We've chosen some of our favorites during the sale that you can bring home today without spending a paw or a tail. Below, find different pet cameras for different needs and budgets that you can shop through Amazon Pet Day depending on availability.

Best pet camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Security Pet Camera $129.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Eufy Security Pet Camera is a feature-rich camera that comes with on-device AI tracking, a 360-degree field of vision, and 1080p video quality. It also has plenty of local storage to keep all the footage of your pets on board should you need it for any reason. Fortuitously, it doesn't require a monthly fee for all of those goodies. It can follow your pet automatically so you don't have to deal with looking at the side of your fur baby or a sliver of them off-screen, and you can toss treats to them from time to time as well. Set up notifications when motion or noise is detected and get them on your phone via app, and you're set to keep track of every single move your pet makes.

Best treat-dispensing pet camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Furbo 360° Dog Camera $69.00 at Amazon
$99.00 Save $30.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Furbo 360° Dog Camera is a treat-dispensing camera that tosses treats like you would, far enough from the device so your dog or cat doesn't come sniffing around where they don't need to be. It also comes with a variety of other goodies, like a 360-degree wide angle lens, 4X HD zoom, selfie alerts, and more – though you do need a paid subscription for all of these extras, which starts at $6.99 monthly. But it's a sleek and simple pet camera that packs everything you need into one easy-to-use device, with motion and sound detection, app alerts, and more, including a video history to check what your pet was up to anytime during your absence.

Best pet camera with laser pointer deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Petcube Play 2 $63.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $16.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Petcube Play 2 is one of our favorite pet cameras, especially if you have cats. Its built-in laser toy will keep them busy when you can't, and that means a lot fewer opportunities for your feline friends to get into mischief. Beyond that, this affordable camera has built-in support for Alexa in its compact frame, so you have plenty of options when setting it up to align with your smart home devices. It records in 1080p with a 160-degree ultra wide angle view, and it also has night vision. It's the perfect mix of affordable and functional, and no subscription is required.

Best budget pet camera deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Petcube Cam 360 Camera $33.58 at Amazon
$41.99 Save $8.41 Get Deal Why we like it

The Petcube Cam 360 Camera is a budget-priced camera that you won't have to spend too much on to get quality out of – it offers full 1080p video and a 360-degree view with pan and tilt rotation. With its 8x zoom and night vision, there isn't much that'll get past you, either. It offers real-time AI alerts to your phone as well with an optional Petcube Care subscription if that's important to you, and its ultra-fast setup means you can be out of the house with a mechanical nanny for your pets in minutes.

In J.G. Ballard's 1962 story "The Garden of Time", a count and his wife reside within the walls of their extravagant villa, surrounded by flower-laden groves. Their verdant home appears to be an oasis from the outside world, but suddenly the couple waits with bated breath as a vast mob approaches. The prestige and glamour of the house and their own lofty social status then crumbles as the people sweep through the villa and destroy it.

Ballard’s story served as the theme and dress code for the 2024 Met Gala, which fell again on the first Monday of May and welcomed a throng of celebrities to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The event took place at a volatile and harrowing moment in history, bringing into question, for many, the significance of both the gala and its chosen theme: a dystopian story symbolizing a dystopian time.

SEE ALSO: Katy Perry and Rihanna's Met Gala looks went viral. But they weren't real.

That's why, perhaps, many people online have drawn parallels between this year's Met Gala and The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins' YA franchise that famously examines class divide, privilege, and the revolutionary fight for survival. It seems that social media users have harnessed, increasingly, the gist of The Hunger Games to capture the dystopian state of the world.

After all, facets of the series are not far from the reality in question. In the series' core republic of Panem, fashion functions as a socio-political weapon. It's used by the wealthy Capitol to distinguish itself from the state's oppressed, heavily surveilled, poorer districts. Powerful people wear extravagant outfits that intentionally outshine the more modest clothing worn by the masses. But this facade of glitz and glamour is also used to mask government-mandated brutality. Katniss Everdeen, the story's heroine, is made to wear a custom flaming gown in a public "tribute parade" before the titular Hunger Games, where she'll fight young people from other districts to the death. Here, pure spectacle mutes reality.

SEE ALSO: On TikTok, 'The Hunger Games' is a metaphor for our modern dystopia

The Met Gala drew comparisons to The Hunger Games quickly online on Sunday. As social media flooded with reactions to the spectacle of the red carpet, others were acutely aware of the scenes unravelling outside the prestige of the gala. Just about a mile away from the Met, hundreds of pro-Palestine activists demonstrated in protest of the war, with many blocked from entering the gala itself. And miles away, Israeli armed forces carried out an assault on the city of Rafah, resulting in dozens of casualties and injuries.

Simultaneously, the student movement across college campuses in the U.S. has resulted in thousands of arrests and cancelled commencements, as university goers protest in solidarity with Palestine, despite efforts to suppress their demonstrations.

The circumstances surrounding both the Met Gala and the ongoing devastation of violence in Gaza, and the subsequent link with between Ballard's story and the protests outside the event, was almost too clear. The Met Gala itself has not changed: it is always a chance for extravagance, an overt display of opulence, and a moment for the cult of celebrity. But the timing, this year, has raised different questions.

It's less surprising then, that users on X (formally Twitter), turned to The Hunger Games as an apt metaphor. The line between fiction and dystopian reality, say these users, has been blurred.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

It's unclear whether the Met Gala's organizers and attendees recognize the irony in this year's choice of theme, and in the lack of expression towards a harrowing humanitarian crisis. But it would be hard not to.

Apple showed off some iPads! Let's talk about them.

At its "Let Loose" event on Tuesday, Apple wasted no time getting into the next generation of its tablet line. Specifically, we got a couple new iPads Pro models and a couple new iPad Air models. On top of that, we even saw the debut of Apple's latest in-house silicon.

Here's everything Apple announced.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPad Event: 4 AI features announced New iPad Pro with OLED and M4 chips: Specs, price, release date Enter the void. Credit: Apple

Let's start with the show-stopper. I know you're not supposed to do that, but whatever.

Apple finally confirmed two new iPad Pro models, to follow up on the 2022 model. These new iPad Pros come in 11-inch and 13-inch models, and Apple wouldn't stop gushing about how thin they are. The 11-inch model comes in at 5.3mm of thickness, while the 13-inch model is just 5.1mm thick. According to Apple, it's "the thinnest Apple product ever."

The 11-inch model launches at $999 and the 13-inch model will run you $1,299. They come in just two colors: Silver and Space Black.

Apple focused heavily on two big enhancements for this next round of iPad Pros. Specifically, they have all-new OLED displays, with 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness. OLED offers deeper and truer levels of darkness and generally makes everything look snazzier and fancier than an LCD display.

SEE ALSO: OLED iPad Pro 2024: 5 new features that iPad Pro 2022 doesn't have

Aside from that, the new iPad Pros also mark the debut of Apple's latest in-house silicon, the M4 chip. This will enable things like hardware accelerated ray tracing, but generally speaking, it'll just make the new iPad Pro run faster and more smoothly than before. Apple claims it's four times faster than the 2022 iPad Pro, which used the M2 chip.

Other odds and ends include a repositioned front-facing camera so that it's on the tablet's landscape edge, and 256GB of starting storage, up to a total of 2TB. Truly, it is the most professional iPad you can get.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Pro (2024) Starting at $999 in the Apple Store Pre-Order Here New iPad Air: Specs, price, release date Colors! Credit: Apple

However, if you're not looking to edit feature films and/or Apple event livestreams on a tablet, the new iPad Air might be for you.

SEE ALSO: How to preorder the iPad Air (2024)

Apple confirmed what we basically knew going in, which was that there are two new iPad Air tablets, coming in at 11-inches and 13-inches in size. It's the first time Apple has launched the iPad Air in two different sizes. The 11-inch variant launches at $599, while the bigger iPad Air is $799. The color options here are a bit better: Blue, purple, Starlight, and Space Grey.

While the iPad Pro got most of the attention, Apple didn't spend as much time on the Air. It doesn't feature a new Mini-LED display, as was previously rumored. However, the new M2 chip should provide a boost in performance, and a repositioned front-facing camera (like on the Pro) should make video calls better. Apple also doubled the starting storage, bumping it up to 128GB.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad Air (2024) Starting at $599 in the Apple Store Pre-Order Here Magic Keyboard announced Yep, those are function keys alright. Credit: Apple

Of course, a new iPad Pro needs a new Magic Keyboard. As such, Apple is providing one.

Priced at $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 13-inch version, the new Magic Keyboard works the same as before, but with some new additions. Crucially, it has a full function row now, to go along with a bigger and more responsive trackpad. Apple also promised it's generally bigger but also lighter than before.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Magic Keyboard Starting at $299 in the Apple Store Pre-Order Here Apple Pencil Pro announced Very professional. Credit: Apple

Lastly, aspiring artists or casual doodlers got some good news at the Apple event.

Yes, there's a new Apple Pencil. It's called the Apple Pencil Pro and it launches at $129. Apple actually went and did a bunch of stuff to this new Pencil, including adding haptic feedback and a gyroscope for more accurate motion detection. It's also got a new squeeze gesture you can use to select shortcuts without touching the screen.

Oh, and Apple added Find My support to the Apple Pencil Pro, in case you lose it. You shouldn't lose it, though, because it magnetically attaches to and charges from the side of the iPad Pro. That's convenient! Oh, the Pencil Pro works with the iPad Air, too.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil Pro Starting at $129 in the Apple Store Pre-Order Here

On Tuesday, Google finally showed off the Pixel 8a. Of course, we've already lined up a comparison with last year's Pixel 7a for you.

On the surface, these two phones have a lot in common, as one would expect from a one-year iteration on Google's budget Pixel line. But to Google's credit, there have actually been some major changes under the hood between the Pixel 7a and 8a.

Here's how those changes (and every other difference between the two phones) stack up.

SEE ALSO: How to blur your home on Google Street View (and why you should) Pixel 8a vs. 7a: Price and specs The black one looks nice. Credit: Google

As of right now, both Pixel 8a and 7a cost the same amount: $500. That makes the rest of this category easy, as we can directly compare the specs of both devices without worrying about value.

Here are the Pixel 8a's basic specs:

• Google Tensor G3 chip

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 6.1-inch display with 2,400 x 1,080-pixel resolution

And here's how the Pixel 7a looks by comparison:

• Google Tensor G2 chip

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB storage

• 6.1-inch display with 2,400 x 1,080-pixel resolution

As you can see, the surface-level specs of the two phones are very similar. A couple of noteworthy differences jump out. The Pixel 8a has a newer Tensor G3 chip and an option for twice the storage, which admittedly bumps the price up to $559.

But even if you don't go for more storage, the Pixel 8a offers more for the same price.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Google Pixel 7a $499.00 at Google Store
Get Deal Pixel 8a vs. 7a: Design

When it comes to design, Google was probably never going to change things up too much with an A-series Pixel phone. That's definitely the case here.

All the colors are here. Credit: Google

Both the Pixel 7a and 8a share the same basic design language, with the horizontal camera bar near the top of the phone's backside. There's not much to talk about in terms of dimensional differences, either:

• Pixel 8a: 6.0 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches

• Pixel 7a: 6.0 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches

See what I mean? The two phones are practically the same in terms of size. They even have the same listed weight of 6.8oz.

Both have different colors, though. Pixel 8a's options include aloe, bay, obsidian, and porcelain. On the Pixel 7a, Google offers orange, light blue, black, and white.

Google Pixel 7a Credit: Mashable

This category is so subjective, since basically the only meaningful difference is color choices. I tend to prefer the 8a's options, but it doesn't matter that much.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Display

This category is easy. There's only one major difference between the displays on Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a. The former can go up to 120Hz,; the latter can only rise to 90Hz.

Porcelain looks like porcelain. Credit: Google

Everything else, from resolution to screen size, is the same. But scrolling will feel marginally nicer and smoother on Pixel 8a.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Performance

This is another slam dunk for Pixel 8a.

Google Pixel 7a Credit: Google

Put simply, a newer processor most likely equals better performance. This could change once we've had more time with the Pixel 8a in our hands, but performance was great in last year's Tensor G3-powered Pixel 8, and it should stay that way in the Pixel 8a.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Camera

Google Pixel phones are generally regarded as best-in-class when it comes to smartphone photography, but the A-series doesn't always push the envelope forward in that regard.

Google Pixel 7a Credit: Google

Without wasting too much time, both the Pixel 8a and 7a have the exact same camera arrays. Both phones have 64MP wide lenses, 13MP ultra-wide lenses, and 13MP front lenses. Even the apertures are the same across both devices. When it comes to pure, physical specs, there's no contest because the two phone are exactly the same.

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Camera features Tensor is back. Credit: Google

But when it comes to features, that's where things get a little more spicy.

Pixel 8a can do everything the Pixel 7a can do, offering Portrait Mode, Face Unblur, Night Sight, and Magic Eraser, among other odds and ends. But it can also do a bunch of other stuff that didn't make it into the Pixel line until the Pixel 8 came around, such as Magic Editor and Best Take.

Those AI-powered features are fueled by Tensor G3, so they just wouldn't be possible on Pixel 7a.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Battery life

It's difficult to say which phone's battery life is better without intense testing. But we can at least look at the numbers.

Google Pixel 7a Credit: Google

It's simple. Pixel 8a's battery size is 4,492mAh and Pixel 7a's is 4,385. That should give the Pixel 8a a leg up, but all sorts of other factors can change that. For now, this category goes to the newer phone, but we'll have to wait and see.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a: Which should you buy?

As expected, the newer phone comes out on top.

Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a are practically the same phone, just with different processors, (optionally) more storage, and more camera features. Considering they cost the same amount of money (unless Google does a price drop in the near future), it's hard to recommend Pixel 7a over Pixel 8a.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Google Pixel 7a $456.99 at Amazon
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Say hello to the new Google Pixel 8a. Last year, when the Google Pixel 7a dropped, it sort of seemed like maybe we wouldn't get a Pixel 8a. That couldn't have been more wrong.

Google lifted the veil off the Pixel 8a on Tuesday, and to no one's surprise, it seems like a cheaper version of the Pixel 8, with a few compromises that some users may not even notice.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 8 reviews are in — 3 things critics hate about the Android device All about the new Pixel 8a

Without doing a full comparison between the two right here and now, here's a basic rundown of what Pixel 8a buyers will get when the phone launches for $499 on May 14:

• 6.1-inch, Actua OLED display with 20:9 aspect ratio, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and 1080 x 2400 resolution

• Tensor G3 processor

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB or 256GB storage

• 4,492mAh battery

• 64MP main camera lens

• 13MP ultra-wide lens

• 13MP front lens

Aside from being a tenth of an inch smaller in display size, most of those specs are the same as on Pixel 8. While Pixel 8a's camera lenses have higher pixel counts, the aperture on Pixel 8 is wider, so the older, more expensive phone might still produce better-looking photos.

Those few differences aside, though, the Pixel 8a is a lot like the Pixel 8, only cheaper. Its Tensor G3 chip allows for most of the same AI features like Best Take and Magic Editor that graced the Pixel 8, even if we didn't like those features very much last year. Still, 'tis better to have iffy AI features than not have them at all, one could argue anyway.

Regardless, we're just glad the A-series lives on.

The Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8 is a face-off we decided to put together to help you understand the difference between the Pixel 8a and its pricier Pixel 8 sibling.

At first glance, they may seem similar, but when you dive into the nitty gritty details, they're a lot more different than you think.

Without further ado, let's pit the new Pixel 8a against the Pixel 8.

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8: Price and specs

The Pixel 8a starts at $499, $200 cheaper than the Pixel 8.

Pixel 8a Credit: Google

This configuration comes with the following specs:

• Google Tensor G3 chip + Titan M2 security co-processor

• 128GB of storage

• 8GB of RAM

• 6.1-inch, 2,400 x 1,080-pixel display

The Pixel 8 starts at $699:

• Google Tensor G3 chip + Titan M2 security co-processor

• 128GB of stage

• 8GB of RAM

• 6.2-inch, 2,400 x 1,080-pixel display

For both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8, you can upgrade your configuration to 256GB of storage, which will require you to shell out an additional $160 for both models.

Of course, price-wise, the Pixel 8a has the edge.

Winner: Pixel 8a

Opens in a new window Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable Google Pixel 8 $699.00 at Google Store
Get Deal Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8: Design

The new Pixel 8a has a familiar Pixel 8 design, featuring rounded corners and the distinctive tennis sweatband-like camera bar, an unmistakable characteristic of Pixel phones.

Google Pixel 8 Credit: Google Pixel 8

However, the dimensions tell a different story:

• Pixel 8a - 6.0 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches

• Pixel 8 - 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches

The Pixel 8a is a hair taller than the Pixel 8 as well as slightly wider. In terms of thickness, they have the same height (i.e., 0.4 inches).

As far as weight is concerned, the Pixel 8a is slightly heavier than the Pixel 8 (i.e., 6.8 oz vs. 6.6 oz), but not by much.

The Pixel 8 offers these colorways: Hazel, Mint, Obsidian, and Rose.

The Pixel 8a, on the other hand, comes in the following colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay and Aloe.

Google Pixel 8a Credit: Google

Keep in mind, though, that the Pixel 8 has IP68 dust-and-water resistance while the Pixel 8a has an IP67 rating. This means that, unlike the Pixel 8a, the Pixel 8 can survive being underwater for a longer period and a deeper depth. As such, if you tend to be the clumsy type, and you often go to the beach, I'd opt for the Pixel 8.

Winner: Pixel 8

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8: Display

Let's start with the display size. The Pixel 8 offers slightly more screen real estate at 6.2 inches compared to the new Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch display.

Google Pixel 8 Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Here are the display specs of both phones:

• Up to 120Hz refresh rate

• 2,400 x 1,080-pixel resolution

• Up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness

• OLED screen

• 20:9 aspect ratio

On difference worth pointing out, however, is that the Pixel 8a has a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display. The Pixel 8, on the other hand, has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus panel, which offers significant improvement to drop and scratch resistance.

Pixel 8a Credit: Google

In other words, the Pixel 8 will be less susceptible to scratches as well as wear-and-tear, so if you're looking for better durability, the Pixel 8 is your guy.

Winner: Pixel 8

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8: Performance

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a both have the same processors: Google Tensor G3 chip + Titan M2 security co-processor. They also have the same RAM (8GB).

As such, neither phone should have a significant advantage over the other when it comes to performance.

Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8: Camera

There are some marked differences between the Pixel 8a and Pixel 8 when it comes to their cameras. Let's break them down.

Pixel 8a Credit: Google Wide camera

Pixel 8a: 64MP

Pixel 8: 50MP

Ultra-wide camera

Pixel 8a: 13MP

Pixel 8: 12MP

Selfie camera

Pixel 8a: 13MP

Pixel 8: 10.5MP

The Pixel 8a's cameras are more pixel dense than the Pixel 8's shooters, but don't let this fool you. For example, yes, the Pixel 8 has a 50MP main camera compared to the Pixel 8a's 64MP main camera. But the Pixel 8's wide-lens sensor is much larger than the Pixel 8a (1/1.31" vs 1/1.73"), allowing the former to capture more light in photos.

On top of that, the Pixel 8's main camera has a wider aperture (f/1.68 vs. f/1.89), again, yielding better light gathering.

The same can be said for the other shooters. On paper, the Pixel 8a may appear to have the better camera set, but the aperture and sensor size say otherwise.

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8a: Camera features

The Pixel 8a has some features that the 7a didn't have, including Best Take and Magic Editor (utilities you can find on the Pixel 8).

For the uninitiated, Best Take analyzes a set of similar photos and delivers, well, "the best take," ensuring that everyone looks their best.

Magic Editor, on the other hand, lets you move objects around the scenery.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a share the following camera features:

• Magic Eraser

• Photo Unblur

• Real Tone

• Face Unblur

• Panorama

• Manual white balancing

• Locked Folder

• Night Sight

• Top Shot

• Portrait Mode

• Portrait Light

• Motion Auto Focus

• Frequent Faces

• Dual exposure controls

• Live HDR+

• Ultra HDR

One feature that the Pixel 8 has that the Pixel 8a doesn't is Macro Focus. Macro Focus lets you get extremely close to a subject and capture it in great detail.

Winner: Pixel 8

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8a: Battery life

The Pixel 8, packed with a 4,575 mAH battery, has a larger battery capacity compared to the Pixel 8a (i.e., 4,492 mAh).

Google Pixel 8 Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Still, Google rates the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a as having the same runtime: "31 hours" on a usage profile based on a mix of talk, data, standby and other features.

We'll have to get the Pixel 8a in for review to know for sure.

Unlike the Pixel 8, the Pixel 8a does not have a feature called "Battery Share," which lets you charge other devices on it wirelessly.

Winner: TBD

Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 8a: Which should you buy?

The biggest difference between the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 lies in the cameras. You should get better-quality photos with the Pixel 8 because the shooters are designed to let in more light compared to the Pixel 8a.

I'd also add that the Pixel 8 is designed to be more durable. As such, if longevity is important to you, and you want to reduce the risk of a cracked screen, get the Pixel 8.

If these aren't alluring to you, the Pixel 8a would be a perfectly good fit for anyone looking to snatch some flagship-caliber features at a more wallet-friendly price.

Google Pixel 8 $549.00 at Amazon
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