Compatibility —
The new Apple TV 4K remote won’t work for some Apple TV games, either.
Samuel Axon
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The Magic Keyboard with a 12.9-inch 2020 iPad Pro.
Samuel AxonThe iPad is suspended in air just above the keyboard.
Samuel AxonIt’s also a protective case that looks quite similar to the Smart Keyboard from this angle.
Samuel AxonIt’s a bit thick and heavy.
Samuel AxonHere’s the keyboard layout, which mirrors the latest MacBook keyboards. The device attracts smudges like crazy.
Samuel AxonThe iPad Pro and 13-inch MacBook Pro Magic Keyboards side by side.
Samuel Axon
Update on 4/29/2021: An Apple support document hosted on its website clarifies this somewhat, noting that the old Magic Keyboard will technically work with the new model. However, because of the slight size difference between the new devices, “the Magic Keyboard may not precisely fit when closed.” Apple’s new Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has changes that make it fit the new model appropriately, but if you’re not picky about the fit, both keyboards will be functional.
Original story:
Despite its apparently unwavering commitment to using the Lightning port in iPhones, Apple is not usually squeamish about ending support for old accessories and products when it heralds the latest, greatest version of something.
That’s especially apparent this week, as it has been revealed that the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro won’t work with the Magic Keyboard Apple made for its predecessor just one year ago.
French website iGeneration was the first to cover the news, explaining that although the 2020 and 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro are mostly similar, the new one is 0.5 mm thicker. The site claimed to have seen Apple documentation saying that the older Magic Keyboard would not be supported. AppleInsider later claimed to receive confirmation directly from Apple that this is the case.
It’s important to note, though, that the Apple Store website does claim that the new Magic Keyboard works with the older iPad Pro models. Also, this only affects the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro; the 11-inch model still works with the previous Magic Keyboard.
That’s not the only legacy support issue with Apple’s new products this week. While the divisive Siri remote for the 2017 Apple TV 4K included a gyroscope and accelerometer, the redesigned remote for the new Apple TV 4K lacks those features. This change would have no impact on the TV-viewing experience with that device, but it does matter for games. Certain Apple TV games used those sensors to enable iPhone-like inputs and gameplay experiences.
That said, Apple has added support for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series controllers to the Apple TV platform, and while all Apple Arcade games are required to run on Apple TV, a large portion of them require dedicated gamepads to do so. Apple may see efforts to make games playable with its own remote as a dead end and could be looking toward those more traditional controllers for support in the future.
Listing image by Samuel Axon