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A new, improved version of the Apple Pencil could be introduced alongside a new iPad Pro this year, according to rumblings from Asia's supply chain.

According to the Chinese website Wei Feng, the updated stylus and rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro could be announced as soon as March — just in time for an iPad refresh.

Apple last updated the iPad lineup with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro a year ago. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has yet to receive any update since it launched in 2015.

SEE ALSO:Critics be damned, Apple's AirPods are dominating wireless headphone sales

While the report doesn't provide any details on what an "Apple Pencil 2" would feature, the Apple blog Letemsvetemapplem, which has leaked Apple parts before, suggests the new stylus could include magnets to connect it to iPads, iPad covers or some kind of Smart Connector support (wireless charging?).

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Magnetic connectors wouldn't be completely out of the question. In 2015, Apple filed a patent for a a stylus that magnetically connects to the side of a tablet:

A patent illustration for a way to connect a stylus to a tablet using magnetic connectors.Credit: screenshot/Freepatentsonline

In August, Bloombergreported Apple was planning "improvements to the Apple Pencil," although those could be software-based. "Apple has considered allowing users to annotate objects in many applications across the whole operating system, including in Mail, the Safari web browser, and iMessage," the report said.

Moreover, prior to the iPhone 7's unveil, it was rumored Apple would bring Apple Pencil support to the iPhone. Could an updated Apple Pencil that works with the iPhone finally make us ditch our Moleskines?

Another direction Apple could take the Apple Pencil is MacBook support. Apple already owns a patent for a stylus that would work with a laptop's trackpad. Apple's new MacBook Pro's also come with extra large trackpads. Hmm...

One thing we hope the Apple Pencil 2 comes with? A lower price. $99 is still too much to drop on a stylus. Even if it's an amazing one.

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TopicsAppleiPad