Apple Pencil 3 may have new ‘squeeze’ gesture

Apple is preparing to launch new iPad Air and iPad Pro models soon. The new tablet range is expected to come with updated chipsets, larger displays, thinner bezels and more new features. The Cupertino, California-based company is also expected to launch new accessories alongside iPad models, including a Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and a new Apple Pencil. An upcoming Apple Pencil accessory will include a “squeeze” gesture, a new report claims.

The iPhone maker is said to be developing a third-generation Apple Pencil, which is expected to launch alongside new iPad models.9 to 5 Report It was claimed on Tuesday that the Apple Pencil 3 will feature a new “squeeze” gesture. Reports say evidence of the feature was found in iPadOS 17.5 beta code released to developers on Tuesday.

The “squeeze” gesture is likely triggered by pressing the Apple Pencil, the report said. This feature can be used for quick interactions, such as adding a signature, sticker, or text while using an accessory.

There is no “squeeze” gesture on the Apple Pencil 2 released in 2018. As a result, evidence found in iPadOS 17.5 beta code suggests the feature could be coming to the next-generation Apple Pencil, the report adds.

The Apple Pencil 3 is expected to feature magnetic interchangeable tips and support for the Find My app. A report last month said the pencil has a shorter barrel and a smoother surface than its predecessor. Multiple magnetic interchangeable pen tips can be used to sketch in different styles.

The Apple Pencil 3 will also get support for the Find My app, allowing users to find the accessory if it’s lost or misplaced. However, support for the precise positioning feature has not yet been confirmed. The next-generation Apple Pencil is expected to feature a USB Type-C port, just like the Apple Pencil launched last year.

Apple Pencil (2023) comes with USB Type-C port
Photo credit: Apple

Apple launched the new Apple Pencil in October last year as an economical alternative to the Apple Pencil 2. The accessory has a matte finish and flat edges, which help it magnetically attach to the side of the 10th generation iPad. The Apple Pencil (2023) has a USB Type-C port for charging and pairing, revealed through a sliding mechanism on the top.

The new iPad Air and iPad Pro models were expected to debut in March or April, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported last week that the launch of the next generation of Apple’s tablets has been delayed until May. The report claims that the M2-powered iPad Air and M3-powered iPad Pro models will be released early next month, ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.