New iPad requires USB-C Apple Pencil adapter for pairing & charging
William GallagherThe required new first-generation Apple Pencil adapter
Apple's new 10.9-inch iPad comes with USB-C instead of Lightning, and that means users can't charge or pair that Apple Pencil without an adapter.
While the new iPad has adopted both USB-C and the flat-edge design of the iPad Pro and iPad Air, it will not work with the same second generation Apple Pencil that those models do.
Instead, it is limited to the original, or first-generation Apple Pencil, which Apple continues to sell four years after introducing its successor. Apple is now making a change to the original Apple Pencil, but only in that new ones will be sold with a USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter.
"A new USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is required for pairing and charging and is included in the box with a new version of Apple Pencil (1st generation)," says Apple. "For existing owners of Apple Pencil (1st generation), the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter is sold separately."
The Apple Pencil first generation still costs $99. The USB-C to Apple Pencil adapter costs $9.
Malcolm Owen
Mike Wuerthele
