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Are Apple iPads worth it? Here’s your complete 2024 guide

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Apple iPads: 2024 Buyer's Guide

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Apple iPad tablets are remarkably versatile tools for everyday tasks and processor-intensive creative projects alike. But with so many iPad models on the market, all at vastly different price points, it can be tricky to pick the right Apple tablet for your needs in 2024.

Confused about all the differences between the iPad, iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPad Pro models? Not sure about what memory and connectivity options? Well, keep reading. Compiled by our in-house team of consumer tech experts, this buyer’s guide focuses on all of the current Apple iPad models and will help you choose the right one for you or the person you’re buying a tablet for. But, if you’re seeking a tablet for a child, be sure to check out our separate guide on best tablets for kids.


Popular iPad models and configurations

Here are some of the popular iPad models and configurations, although as you’ll discover, many more options are available:


Apple iPad (9th Generation)

Apple iPad 9th Generation

Amazon


Display Size: 10.2-inches | Display Type: Retina Display | Processor: A13 Bionic | Internal Storage Options: 64GB or 128GB | Casing Color Options: Space Gray, Silver | Port: Lightning | Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 | Apple Pencil Support: 1st Gen. | Keyboard Support: Apple Smart Keyboard | Security: Touch ID | Size: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches | Weight: 1.07 pounds

This is Apple’s starter iPad. It offers all of the core features that people love about these tablets, but none of the more advanced features. It’s ideal for kids (elementary through middle school age). We also recommend it for adults who need just basic tablet for web surfing, email, streaming video and audio, and video calling. 

Like all current iPads, this 9th Generation version allows users run two apps at once in split-screen mode. It also offers up to 10 hours of battery life per charge, and it’s compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st Generation). This means users can write or draw on the display or annotate files. For note taking, we recommend the optional Goodnotes app, although there are plenty of others to choose from.

This iPad is equipped with a 12MP ultra-wide, front-facing camera and an 8MP wide camera on the back. And while this is Apple’s lowest-end version of the iPad, it runs iPadOS 17 (or later) and comes with the same impressive collection of preinstalled apps as every other iPad model. It’s also compatible with all of the same apps from the App Store, as well as all of Apple’s services, including AppleTV+, Apple Music and Apple Arcade. 

For older students (or any adult who’s on a budget), we recommend the iPad (10th Generation) over this one, because it offers more up-to-date technology and a slightly more powerful processor. But for younger users and people who need just basic tablet functionality, this iPad (9th Generation), which was first released back in 2021, is a solid option. 

With a usual starting price of $329 (it’s on sale now for $250), it offers a really good value. If you give a younger child access to this tablet, we strongly recommend a screen protector film, which you can find for as little as $7 on Amazon. This will help protect the display from scratches and cracks. A sturdy, kid-friendly iPad case will also guard the iPad against accidental drops.


Apple iPad (10th Generation)

Apple iPad (10th Generation)

Amazon


Display Size: 10.9-inches | Display Type: Liquid Retina | Processor: A14 Bionic | Internal Storage Options: 64GB or 256GB | Casing Color Options: Silver, Blue, Pink, Yellow | Port: USB Type-C | Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 | Apple Pencil Support: 1st Gen or USB-C version | Keyboard Support: Apple Magic Keyboard Folio | Security: Touch ID | Size: 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches | Weight: 1.05

Thanks to its slightly newer and more advanced technology versus the 9th Generation, we recommend this version for high-school students and adults who want all of the benefits of an iPad without having to spend a fortune. With this model, you get a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina touchscreen display, along with the processing power of the A14 Bionic chip.

The 10th Generation also comes in a nice selection of colors and works with the Apple Pencil and/or an optional keyboard, which can extend its capabilities. This iPad’s display and processor allow users to stream 4K resolution video or edit their own 4K videos. And when it comes to customizing the tablet, users get access to almost 2 million apps from the App Store, plus the preinstalled apps that come with iPadOS 17 (or later).

This version of the iPad is a step up from a starter model, but is not as powerful as the newer iPad Pro versions. It can easily handle all of the most common tasks people use their tablet for. 


Apple iPad Air (5th Generation)

iPad Air (5th Generation)

Amazon


Display Size: 10.9-inches | Display Type: Liquid Retina | Processor: M1 | Internal Storage Options: 64GB or 256GB | Casing Color Options: Space Gray, Blue, Pink, Purple, Starlight | Port: USB Type-C | Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0  | Apple Pencil Support: 2nd Gen or USB-C version | Keyboard Support: Apple Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard Folio | Security: Touch ID | Size: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.24 inches | Weight: 1.02 pounds

Originally, the iPad Air was introduced to provide a thinner, lighter tablet that still offered a good-size display. But over the years, the iPad Pros also got lighter and thinner. These higher-end iPads use a higher-end display and a more powerful processor. With this in mind, the current iPad Air (5th Generation) falls somewhere in the middle when comparing it with later iPads.

This model can easily handle common tasks. It does a wonderful job streaming video and audio and can be used for video calls. It takes advantage of Apple’s M1 processor, so it’s really good for gaming, too. It’s certainly a higher-end alternative to the iPad 9th and 10th generations.

Choosing the iPad Air (5th Generation) becomes a matter of personal preference — whether you like how it feels in your hands. The tablet’s support for Wi-Fi 6 ensures fast connectivity to the internet. If you wind up purchasing the iPad Air, we highly recommend spending a bit more to get 256GB of internal storage; for even an average user, 64GB usually doesn’t cut it these days, unless you plan to rely heavily on cloud-based storage.


Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation)

iPad Mini (6th Generation)

Amazon


Display Size: 8.3-inches | Display Type: Liquid Retina | Processor: A15 Bionic | Internal Storage Options: 64GB or 256GB | Casing Color Options: Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | Port: USB Type-C | Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0  | Apple Pencil Support: 2nd Gen or USB-C version | Keyboard Support: Any Bluetooth keyboard | Security: Touch ID | Size: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches | Weight: 0.65 pounds

When it comes to reading e-books or other tasks that require holding the tablet for a long time, the iPad Mini is the perfect. It’s more compact and lighter than any of the other iPad models, yet still offers the processing power needed to run iPadOS17 (or later) and any apps. 

The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers a maximum brightness of 500 nits and provides an impressive 2,266 x 1,488 pixel resolution. Apple’s A15 Bionic processor is powerful enough to handle everyday tasks and multitasking (but it’s not as powerful as Apple’s newer M1 or M2 processors). And because the tablet is lightweight and easy to hold with one hand, it’s ideal for video calls. In fact, the tablet’s two microphones and stereo speakers do an excellent job ensuring that you’ll be heard, and that the speakers sounds good.

Since the 6th Generation limits your internal storage options to either 64GB or 256GB, again we highly recommend going with the higher capacity. And since Wi-Fi is so readily available these days, unless you have a very specific need for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version of this tablet, most users will do just fine with the less expensive Wi-Fi only version. 

Unlike traditional e-readers that have an e-ink or Paperwhite display, the iPad Mini offers a vibrant, full-color display. This makes reading photo-heavy e-books enjoyable. Plus, you can read digital editions of newspapers and magazines in full color. Of course, the iPad Mini also does a great job streaming video and audio. And with an Apple Pencil, it can be used as a feature-packed note taking tool. But that just scratches the surface of what this tablet can do, because it’s fully compatible with iPadOS 17 (or later) and all compatible apps. So, if you’re looking for a full-featured iPad with a lighter and more compact design, the iPad Mini is the option for you.


11″ iPad Pro (4th Generation)

11

Amazon


Display Size: 11-inches | Display Type: Liquid Retina | Processor: M2 | Internal Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB | Casing Color Options: Space Gray, Silver | Port: USB Type-C | Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple Pencil Support: 2nd Gen or USB-C version | Keyboard Support: Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Smart Keyboard Folio | Security: Face ID | Size: 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 inches | Weight: 1.03 pounds

The iPad Pro tablets represent Apple’s highest-end and most powerful iPad models. You can choose between this version, with an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, or go with the larger 12.9-inch touchscreen version that features an even more vibrant Liquid Retina XDR display. 

This 11-inch version’s display offers a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits. You also get a 120Hz refresh rate and use of the entire P3 color gamut. Combine all that with more than 2,500 local dimming zones, and what you get is vividly detailed photos, video content and graphics with life-like realism and color accuracy.

The main thing that sets the iPad Pro models apart is the powerful M2 processor. This allows the tablets to crush tasks that require a lot of power, like video editing or playing high-action and graphic-oriented games.

Designed for people who need more out of their tablet, the iPad Pro models can take up to 2TB of internal storage. And when you connect a keyboard to an iPad Pro or use it with an Apple Pencil, its capabilities begin to rival that of a MacBook laptop. 

For wireless connectivity, the iPad Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, so you’ll enjoy fast connections. The M2 processor features an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU and 16-core neural engine, so it can easily handle just about any task. What we like about this iPad is that it offers four speakers (instead of just two), so when you’re watching movies or TV shows, or streaming music that supports Dolby Atmos, the audio will sound as if it’s surrounding you. This works even when you’re not using wireless headphones or earbuds. And if you’re someone who does high-end video editing on the go, using the iPad Pro with Final Cut Pro gives you access to top-level tools. Likewise, Logic Pro for iPad transforms the tablet into a pro-level, mobile audio recording studio.

For the average person, the 11-inch display and the overall size and weight of the 11-inch iPad Pro offers everything you need to be productive from just about anywhere. For power users, we recommend purchasing this iPad Pro with the Apple Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (2nd Generation). You’ll maximize your productivity and take full advantage of everything iPad has to offer, including a 10-hour battery life. 

Most people find 256GB or 512GB of internal storage to be more than adequate, especially if they plan to use storage options with Apple iCloud. But for power users who need to edit longer videos or store a vast content library, the iPad Pro models offer a 1TB or 2TB internal storage option.


12.9″ iPad Pro (6th Generation)

12.9

Amazon


Display Size: 12.9-inches | Display Type: Liquid Retina XDR | Processor: M2 | Internal Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB | Casing Color Options: Space Gray, Silver | Port: USB Type-C | Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple Pencil Support: 2nd Gen or USB-C version | Keyboard Support: Apple Magic Keyboard or Apple Smart Keyboard Folio | Security: Face ID | Size: 11.04 x 8.47 x 0.25 inches | Weight: 1.5 pounds

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th Generation) is currently Apple’s top-of-the-line and most powerful tablet. It’s got the proprietary M2 processor and is the only iPad to offer a Liquid Retina XDR display with a 2,732 x 2,048 pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Thanks to mini-LED technology, the touchscreen offers a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. In a word, the display is gorgeous.

This iPad Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity and gives you the option to have up to 2TB of storage within the device. This version of the iPad offers everything iPadOS 17 (or later) is capable of, so whether you’re doing pro-level video editing or audio editing; streaming content; crunching numbers, doing basic word processing; sitting in virtual meetings or playing games, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro rivals a MacBook. 

Anyone will enjoy using the iPad Pro, but we recommend it for power users who will make the most of a 12.9-inch display and the processing power of the M2 (which offers an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine). The tablet is also equipped with five studio-quality microphones and an four-speaker sound system. If you have the budget, you won’t be disappointed with the performance of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, especially when you compare it to all of the other current models.


6 decisions to make before buying an iPad

Since the Apple iPads can not be upgraded after purchase, it’s essential that you understand your needs and choose a solid configuration based on how you plan to use the tablet. While many Android-based tablets offer an integrated microSD memory card slot that can expand internal storage, this is not an option with any iPad. 

Let’s focus on the key decisions you’ll need to make when choosing an iPad:

Model: If you choose an older version of any iPad, it will typically have a slower processor than the latest model and could feature a different size and type display, as well as other differences. While current iPads periodically go on sale, you can often save money on the latest iterations if you’re willing to purchase a “renewed,” “refurbished,” “open box,” or “pre-owned” iPad. Since each retailer defines these terms differently, read the fine print so you understand exactly what you’re getting. Information about Amazon’s renewed products can be found on the company’s website.

Color: iPad models comes in an assortment of casing colors. The color you choose is a matter of personal preference and has no impact on the operation of the tablet. If you plan to purchase one of Apple’s iPad keyboards or Smart Folio covers, these will cover the back of the tablet, so you won’t even see its casing.

Storage: Depending on the iPad model, you’ll choose between two and five internal storage capacities. As a general rule, most people will find 64GB or even 128GB too small, especially if you plan to store a bunch of photos, video clips, TV shows and movies. Unless you know you need 1TB or even 2TB of internal storage, most people will find either 256GB or 512GB adequate, especially if they plan to use Apple iCloud or another cloud-based service.

Processor: Depending on what you plan to use your iPad for, you may require a higher level of processing and graphics power than what the core models are capable of. If this is the case, your options are limited to iPad Pro models with Apple’s M2 processor, as opposed to the A14, A15 or M1 processor.

Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + cellular: A Wi-Fi-only iPad connects wirelessly to the internet using any network you have access to (at home or at work) or any public Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also connect to a personal hotspot on your phone. The iPad configurations that support Wi-Fi with cellular cost a bit more upfront (usually around $100), but you’ll then need to active cellular data service through a provider. This will typically cost between $5 and $30 per month, depending on the provider, how much data you need, and whether you’ll use a 4G LTE or 5G cellular data network. A cellular data plan for an iPad does not require a long-term contract.

Subscription to AppleCare+: An iPad is an advanced device with a touchscreen and other components that can suffer damage. (An iPad is not waterproof, or even water resistant.) To protect your investment, Apple offers AppleCare+ for iPad. This plan covers repairs and gives you priority access to technical support 24/7. Depending on your model, a two year AppleCare+ plan will cost between $69 and $149. If you choose a month-to-month AppleCare+ plan, you’ll pay between $3.49 and $7.99 per month and can keep the coverage going for as long as you like. If you want AppleCare+ coverage for your iPad, you need to buy it within 60 days of the initial purchase. Without AppleCare+, the cost to repair a scratched or cracked display, for example, could cost you hundreds of dollars, versus a deductible of around $50 per incident.


Must-have iPad Accessories

One of the great things about any iPad is that you can add apps and accessories to greatly expand its capabilities. There are countless third-party companies that make compatible iPad accessories, but here’s a roundup of the genuine Apple iPad accessories we believe are the most useful. Before you buy an iPad accessory, make sure it’s designed for your model and generation number.

Keyboard

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

Amazon


Each model supports at least one optional Apple keyboard, which makes typing and data entry faster and more accurate. It also provides an experience closer to a laptop. We’re huge fans of the Apple Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro tablets, but any iPad will work with any Bluetooth-compatible keyboard.

What’s particularly great about the Magic Keyboard, however, is that when it’s folded up, it serves as a protective cover. Plus, it offers a nice range of angle adjustability and is powered by the iPad itself, so you never need to worry about charging the Magic Keyboard separately. And even with the Magic Keyboard connected, it does not require too much power, so the tablet’s overall battery life is barely impacted.

When choosing any genuine Apple keyboard, these are iPad model specific, so be sure to choose a compatible version. 


Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

Amazon


The optional Apple Pencil is a stylus that looks and feels just like a traditional pen, but it can write, draw or paint on an iPad’s display with great accuracy. And the 2nd Generation is also pressure sensitive. 

Many apps for the iPad are now compatible with Apple Pencil, so you can use your tablet as a virtual notepad for taking handwritten notes; easily annotate and sign documents (including PDF files); or using virtual paintbrushes to create works of art.

There are three versions of the Apple Pencil. Some of the older and lower-end tablets only work with the 1st Generation, while the higher-end and newer tablets support the 2nd Generation. 

Most recently, Apple introduced the scaled-down and more affordable Apple Pencil (USB-C) version, which is compatible with all current iPad models except the iPad 9th Generation. This latest Apple Pencil charges using a USB Type-C cable and magnetically attaches to the side of an iPad for storage. 

Also, Apple Pencil (USB-C) version does not support the convenient magnetic charging feature, like the 2nd Generation. This Apple Pencil also does not support pressure sensitivity or the double-tap gesture (used for changing virtual writing and drawing tools) that people like about the 2nd Generation. 


Apple Smart Cover

Smart Cover for iPad Mini

Apple


When it’s closed, Smart Cover protects an iPad’s display. When it’s open, it’s a stand. What makes it “smart” is that as soon as it covers the display, the tablet goes into sleep mode. It then automatically wakes up when the cover is removed or folded back to serve as a stand.

Every iPad model has its own version of the Smart Cover, so choose the appropriate size for your tablet. All of the Smart Covers come in a variety of colors. 

The Smart Cover attaches to the iPad using integrated magnets. It stays firmly in place while being used, but it’s very easy to remove. 


Apple Smart Folio Cover

Smart Folio for iPad (10th Generation)

Apple


Smart Folio Covers and Smart Covers look the same from the front. However, what sets them apart is that the Folio Cover protects both the display and back of the tablet. Otherwise, it works exactly the same as the Smart Cover in terms of doubling as a stand.

Keep in mind, because the Folio Cover protects both the front and back of the iPad, it does add a slight amount of extra thickness, but it also offers a higher level of protection. 

Smart Folio Covers are available in a variety of colors. Be sure to purchase the Apple Smart Folio Cover that’s designed specifically for your iPad model.


Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Amazon


The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) represent the most powerful earbuds in Apple’s AirPods lineup. Top selling points are the spatial audio with a dynamic head tracking feature, and support of Dolby Atmos. Their noise cancelling technology also works exceptionally well. 

The design of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 is fairly similar to the previous generation, but Apple has introduced touch controls to the stems of the earbuds. You can also now choose between a USB Type-C or Lightning compatible charging case. Battery life is up to six hours per charge, or up to 30 hours with multiple charges from the wireless charging case. These earbuds offer an IP54 rating for dust, sweat and water resistance.

They’re ideal for listening to any type of audio generated by an iPad, or for enjoying clear conversations on video calls or virtual meetings. The regular price of the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) wireless earbuds is $249, but we often see them on sale at Amazon, Walmart, Target and other online retailers (like B&H Photo) for $200 or less.

Keep in mind, any wireless (Bluetooth) headphones or earbuds will work any iPad. We recommend the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) as the ideal audio companions for the iPad because they’re designed for use with Apple gear and generate high quality audio with active noise cancellation and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. To learn about other headphones and earbuds that offer spatial audio, check out our coverage of the 11 best spatial audio headphones and earbuds for 2024.


Are Apple iPads worth it? 

Apple offers two versions of the iPad — the iPad Air, the iPad Mini — and two versions of the iPad Pro. Each model has a variety of configuration options. iPad prices range from $329 to $2,399, depending on model and configuration. 

What all Apple iPads have in common

All current iPad models have a few similarities, as well as a variety of things that set each apart. Here are 15 important features and functions that all of the current iPad models have in common:

  • The iPadOS 17 (or later) operating system: iPadOS 17 is the current version of Apple’s tablet operating system. The same version of iPadOS runs on all current models. All iPad models also get the same collection of preinstalled apps, which include everything from Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Safari, Notes and News, to Reminders, Files, Maps, Messages and more.
  • Multiple storage options: All iPad models offer at least two options for internal storage. The more advanced iPad models give you five options. The iPad (9th Generation), iPad (10th Generation), iPad Air and iPad Mini each provide two storage options. Since you can’t upgrade later, we recommend going with the 256GB option, since 64GB won’t be enough storage for many users. For iPad models where you’ve given more extensive storage choices, we suggest a middle option (like 256GB or 512GB), unless you need to a massive amount of storage, such as 1TB or 2TB. The more storage you choose, the more expensive the iPad will be.
  • Up to 10-hour battery life: All current iPad models offer up to 10 hours of battery life. But this often decreases based on how you use the tablet. For example, if you purchase a Wi-Fi + cellular model and rely heavily on the cellular connection, or play the speakers at a high volume for a long time, battery life will drain faster. Apps that require a lot of processing power will also shorten an iPad’s battery life. The easy fix for this is an optional power pack.
  • Choose between a Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular configuration: An iPad with a Wi-Fi only configuration will only be able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. When youre using their iPad outside of your home or office, you can often rely on your smartphone to create a personal Wi-Fi hotspot for the tablet to use. Alternatively, you can use a public Wi-Fi hotspot. When using public Wi-Fi hotspots, we recommend having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) running on your iPad for added security and privacy. Meanwhile, if you opt to go with a Wi-Fi + Cellular model and activate cellular connectivity, you’ll need to pay for a cellular data plan from a cellular service provider. For an unlimited data plan, this will cost anywhere from $10 to $30 per month. 
  • Face ID or Touch ID support: The higher-end iPads use Face ID with the tablet’s front-facing camera as an unlocking option. Face ID uses the tablet’s front-facing camera to scan your face to confirm your identity. If the iPad model you choose doesn’t offer Face ID, it will use Touch ID. This security method uses a fingerprint scanner built into the power button or home button. Or you can unlock any iPad using a six-digit passcode.
  • Siri smart assistant: When the iPad has internet access, the Siri digital assistant responds to voice commands and provides answers to questions.
  • Front and rear-facing cameras: All of the iPads have at least one front-facing and one rear-facing camera, although several of the higher-end models use a more advanced multi-camera setup. The front-facing camera works with FaceTime and other video calling services and can take selfies. Rear-facing cameras can capture still images or video. The resolution of the cameras varies between the models. Several models capture 4K-resolution video.
  • USB Type-C port: With the exception of the iPad (9th Generation), all of the currently available iPad models now offer one USB Type-C port on the bottom. This can be used to charge the tablet or connect optional accessories.
  • Integrated microphones and speakers: All iPads have at least one microphone and two stereo speakers built in. More advanced models offer multiple microphones and up to four integrated speakers.
  • Apple Pencil support: All iPad models either support the Apple Pencil (1st Generation), Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) or the latest (and least expensive) Apple Pencil (USB-C) stylus. This accessory is used to handwrite, draw or annotate files directly on the tablet’s screen. 
  • External keyboard support: Any of the iPads can connect (via Bluetooth) to an external keyboard to make data entry and touch typing faster and more accurate. A keyboard can also help the iPad perform more like a traditional laptop. Apple offers at least one specially designed keyboard for each of its tablets. The iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets support Apple’s Magic Keyboard (which also doubles as a smart cover to protect the screen when the tablet is not in use). The Magic Keyboard Folio is designed specifically for the iPad (10th Generation), while the Smart Keyboard works with the iPad Air and Pad (9th Generation).
  • App Store access: Beyond the collection of free apps that come preinstalled, you also get access to the App Store. You’ll find almost two million optional apps — some free and some you pay for — that allow you to customize and greatly expand the functionality of your iPad. 
  • Integration with Apple iCloud: The iCloud cloud-based service allows all compatible Apple devices (including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac and Apple TV) to automatically sync and share app-specific data, photos and other content between all of your Apple equipment. iCloud can also store files. Most iCloud services are free. You just need to set up one free Apple ID account to access iCloud features from any of your compatible Apple gear, including your iPad.
  • Bluetooth connectivity: Thanks to the Bluetooth wireless capabilities built into all iPads, it’s easy to pair the tablet with wireless headphones, earbuds, external speakers, printers and a wide range of other devices.
  • Compatibility with Apple services: In addition to iCloud, Apple now offers a variety of online services that all iPads can access (but a paid subscription is typically required). These services include Apple Music, AppleTV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Podcasts (free) and Apple Books.



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DOC NYC documentary film festival showcases real life on screen

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DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary film festival, returns Wednesday for its 14th edition in New York City, with films available for viewing both in-person and online.

The festival showcases an international lineup of more than 200 feature-length and short films, including many world, North American and NYC premieres. Held in-person Nov. 13-21 at venues in Manhattan, the festival also streams many features online through Dec. 1. (For tickets and streaming passes click here.)

The festival also includes filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, master classes and workshops with notable documentarians and industry insiders.

The full lineup may be viewed here.

Special events

The festival’s opening night feature is the U.S. premiere of “Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story,” Sinéad O’Shea’s revealing portrait of the defiant Irish novelist. O’Brien’s sexually-infused stories of women pushing against societal expectations, beginning with “The Country Girls,” raised the ire of Catholic sensibilities and censors, but won her fans for her clear-eyed depictions of youth and innocence being shattered.

Cleverly piecing together archival footage and TV appearances, recent interviews with O’Brien (who died in July at age 93), and clips from films adapted from her works, with actress Jessie Buckley voicing the novelist’s books and diaries, O’Shea gives voice to a woman, inspired by the writings of James Joyce, who sought her rightful place at the table of Irish literati. (Screens Nov. 13, online Nov. 14-Dec. 1.)

The centerpiece selection is the world premiere of “All God’s Children,” Ondi Timoner’s story of a rabbi and a pastor working to bring their Brooklyn communities together amid rising racial and religious tensions. (Screens Nov. 14, 16, online Nov. 15-Dec. 1.)


ALL GOD’S CHILDREN trailer by
Interloper Films on
YouTube

The closing night feature is the world premiere of Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn’s “Drop Dead City: New York on the Brink in 1975,” about how Gotham cratered in the 1970s, thanks to a budget crisis, rising poverty, and a political and banking establishment that was ready to cut the city loose. Still the greatest city in the world, though! (Screens Nov. 21.)

Special presentations include: “2073,” Oscar-winner Asif Kapadia’s fictional documentary from the future about what we might expect to happen, given the way things are going now; “Architecton” examines mankind’s relationship with architecture, from ancient ruins to contemporary cityscapes; “The Ride Ahead” follows a young man with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder navigating the challenges of life; and “Thom Browne: The Man Who Tailors Dreams” profiles the iconoclastic fashion designer.

World premieres

Other notable world premieres include the Alex Gibney-produced “The Bibi Files,” Alexis Bloom’s expose into the corruption investigations involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that led to his 2019 indictment. (An Israeli judged rejected Netanyahu’s demands that the film be blocked from public screenings. The corruption case against the prime minister is still ongoing.)  


THE BIBI FILES | Official Trailer by
Jolt Film on
YouTube

In the HBO documentary “Surveilled,” Ronan Farrow investigates companies that sell spyware and hacking tools to governments, which use them to surveille political activists, watchdogs and journalists. Farrow talks with software developers who explain why you’ll never know your phone has been compromised.

“Isla Familia” follows independent journalist Abraham Jiménez and his wife, producer Claudia Calviño, whose harassment by Cuban authorities leads to their living in exile in Spain. In “Mothers of Chibok,” families in a Nigerian village contend with the kidnapping of their daughters by Boko Haram.  

Can comedy be therapeutic? “Anxiety Club” showcases comedians who channel their unease, agitation and apprehension into their acts. 

The standup comic Gallagher became famous for smashing watermelons with a giant sledgehammer, and then seemed to fall off the map. Josh Forbes, a longtime fan, traces the path taken by Leo Gallagher, who was still trying to shake off the label “prop comic” in the years before his death in 2022, in the film “Gallagher.” 

“Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse” follows the graphic artist and culture critic acclaimed for his Holocaust-themed “Maus,” who became a leading voice against book bans and Trumpism.

In “Front Row,” the United Ukrainian Ballet Company, engaged in an international tour as their country is gripped by war, offers comfort to a wounded Ukrainian soldier, who learns to dance with prosthetic legs. “After The Rain: Putin’s Stolen Children Come Home” examines the recovery of Ukrainian children, rescued following their abduction by Russian forces, and the healing they receive, among horses and dogs, at an animal therapy retreat.  

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A Ukrainian soldier with prosthetic legs dances with the United Ukrainian Ballet Company in “Front Row.” 

DOC NYC


“Spacewoman” profiles astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command the Space Shuttle. “Facing the Wind” follows the overwhelming difficulties faced by two women, Lida and Carla, who are each caring for spouses living with Lewy body dementia. Director Justin Schein takes a personal view of his father, Harvey Schein, a record company CEPO with an obsession about the estate tax, in “Death & Taxes.”

During World War II, Bruno Lohse, Hermann Göring’s art agent in Paris, facilitated the theft of masterpieces owned by French and Dutch families. But the end of the war didn’t end his work in the international art market. “Plunderer” looks at how he got away with stealing for the Nazis.

In “Yalla Parkour,” filmmaker Areeb Zuaiter takes a unique perspective among the ruins of Gaza, through the athleticism of parkour.


Yalla Parkour | Official Trailer 2024 by
Kinana Films on
YouTube

“Looking for Simone” explores the ramifications on feminism from the publication, in 1949, of Simone de Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex,” and the journey she took across America during the research of her manifesto.

“Nature of the Crime” follows three incarcerated men facing the bureaucracy of the parole process.

Satish Bhaskar, the “Turtle Walker” of the title, traces the Indian coastline to document the nesting areas of endangered sea turtles, and the threats to their survival.

In “Unearth,” local and Indigenous residents of the Bristol Bay area of Alaska fight the proposed development of mining near their homes.

Stories of resilience

Natalia Zubkova, a citizen journalist and mother in Russia, fields threats and harassment as she investigates corruption involving Russian authorities and the coal industry, in “Black Snow.” “Afterwar” is a coming-of-age story of children who grew up in war-torn Kosovo.  


My Sweet Land | Official Trailer 2024 by
Sareen Hairabedian on
YouTube

In “My Sweet Land,” director Sareen Hairabedian follows 11-year-old Vrej, an Armenian boy, whose family and village are disrupted when the neighboring country of Azerbaijan invades. Women in the Republic of Artsakh fight for their land in “There Was, There Was Not.” In “Forest,” a Polish family living an idyllic life in a remote cabin is confronted with the political implications of Europe’s migrant crisis.

“Sudan, Remember Us” follows young activists during the Sudanese revolution. In “All The Mountains Give,” two Kurdish men smuggle goods across the Iran-Iraq border. In “Flavors of Iraq,” French-born journalist Feurat Alani uses animation to tell the story of his complicated connection to his parents’ homeland.

The debilitating effects of PTSD on Navy SEAL veterans, and an experimental, hallucinogenic drug treatment, is examined in “In Waves and War.” Actors from Haiti and the Dominican Republic recreate the traumas of a 1930s genocide in “Twice Into Oblivion.”

Music

Profiles of musicians include documentaries about the rock group Steppenwolf (“Born to be Wild: The Story of Steppenwolf”); the absurdist counterculture band “Devo”; The Black Keys (“This Is A Film About The Black Keys.”); keyboardist and songwriter Billy Preston (“Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It”); songwriter Diane Warren (“Diane Warren: Relentless”); trans singer Jackie Shayne (“Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story”); punker Harley Flanagan (“Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos”); singer-songwriter Janis Ian (“Janis Ian: Breaking Silence”); and the world of Steely Dan, Toto and Christopher Cross (“Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary”). And then, there is “Disco’s Revenge,” which traces the fall of the ’70s dance beat and its rebirth as house music.

Sports and Endurance

“Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott” looks at the remarkable life and career of the New York Yankee pitcher born without a right hand. “Moses – 13 Steps” tracks how Olympian Edwin Moses used physics to triumph in the 400-meter hurdles.


76 Days Adrift Trailer: 2024 Documentary by
Joe Wein on
YouTube

Based on the New York Times bestseller, “76 Days Adrift” tells the story of Steve Callahan, who was stranded on a life raft in the Atlantic Ocean for nearly three months after his sailboat met with disaster. Aerial cinematographer and skydiver Joe Jennings is the subject of “Space Cowboy,” in which he attempts to film a car loaded with passengers as it hurtles towards the ground.  

Profiles

“Beyond The Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue” explores the history of Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue and the editor behind it. The Iranian singer and actress Googoosh, whose career was stifled when she was placed under house arrest, made a comeback internationally, and now speaks out against the regime in Tehran, in “Googoosh – Made Of Fire.”

The fashion designer’s business success and activism are explored in “A Man With Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole.” “Man From Pretentia” profiles Paul Bridgewater, a gay NYC art dealer with an impeccable eye and a less-impeccable grasp of money.

“Petra Kelly – Act Now!” tells the story of the co-founder of German Green Party. “Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter” is a portrait of the journalist, activist and White House advisor.

“We All Bleed Red” examines the relationship New York photographer Martin Schoeller has with his subjects, from celebrities to those living on the margins. “What’s Next?” is the question posed to Dr. Howard Tucker, who at the age of 100 is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest practicing doctor.

Georgina, a transgender woman in her early seventies and a member of the indigenous Wayúu tribe, travels across the Colombian desert to the family that rejected her, in “Soul of the Desert.” Filmmaker Rachel Elizabeth Seed delves into the archives of her late mother, journalist Sheila Turner Seed, to reconnect with her, and her legacy, in “A Photographic Memory.”

Other festival entries

A blind Anglican priest, after living without sight for nearly four decades, becomes one of the first people to receive an experimental bionic eye implant, in “Light Darkness Light.”  In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, three Minneapolis women work to continue fighting injustice in “The People’s Way.” During COVID, millions of Indian farmers protested exploitative farm laws by marching to New Delhi, in “Farming the Revolution.”

Eddie Huang takes an irreverent tour of the rise and fall of the Vice media empire, which he watched fall into bankruptcy, in “Vice Is Broke.” “Balomania” enters the Brazil’s favelas to explore the world of baloeiros (men who create and compete with hot air balloons), a sub-sculture that doesn’t let its illegality get in the way. A group of Rhode Island artists who lost their living space to the developers of a shopping mall takes action by creating an illicit living space within the mall. Their secret, four-year residency is documented in “Secret Mall Apartment.”

Following a month-long ordeal when their village was occupied by Russian forces, the residents of Yahidne, in northern Ukraine, try to come to grips with a less-than-normal life in “The Basement.” “The Sing Sing Chronicles” goes inside the New York correctional facility.

Michael Premo’s “Homegrown” follows three Trump supporters who zealously join the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. A monument to the values of the Confederacy – a giant stone carving of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson – looms over Stone Mountain, Georgia, and over America’s current conversation about race and history, in “Stone Mountain.”

Parents of children with dyslexia, finding little support in New York City public schools, create the Literacy Academy Collective to help further their children’s education, in “Left Behind.” The war between renters and landlords/developers, with the outcome of unsafe housing and gentrification, is documented in “Slumlord Millionaire.”

Two aging artists — photographer Joel Meyerowitz and artist-writer Maggie Barrett — try to enact the lessons learned from previous relationships as they face the last chapter of their lives, together, in “Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other.”

“G – 21 Scenes From Gottsunda” tells the stories of immigrant families in a suburb of Uppsala, Sweden, a community that has suffered from drugs and gang activity. In “Roleplay,” college students create a play based on their campus experiences involving sexual identity and power.

The Negev Desert in Israel was used as a location for the 1988 Sylvester Stallone action film “Rambo III.” Daniel Mann looks at the desert’s importance over time as the tribal home of Bedouin, in “Under A Blue Sun.” “Welcome Interplanetary and Sidereal Space Conquerors” recounts the unique role that Colombia played for NASA during the Cold War Space Race.

“The White House Effect” looks back at how past administrations, from those of Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, responded to the growing climate crisis. In “The Battle for Laikipia,” Kenyan nomads and ranchers are both devasted by drought, stirring tensions that have existed for generations.

Years after having given up their baby for adoption, a Korean couple tracks down the young woman, raised in the Netherlands, in “Between Goodbyes.” Poet Stacyann Chin struggles with the fallout of being abandoned by her mother as a baby, while raising her own child in New York City, in “A Mother Apart,”

The son of a 60-year-old Chilean gold miner creates a machine to spare his father from the toil of labor in “The Fabulous Gold Harvesting Machine” 

A Chinese woman, upon discovering her husband is having an affair, hires an agency to rescue her marriage in “Mistress Dispeller” “Bad Reputation” follows a Uruguayan activist fighting to establish a union for current and former sex workers.

Armed with 8mm archival footage, filmmaker Farahnaz Sharifi creates an alternative reality for life lived under the oppressive government of Tehran, magnifying how Iran’s Islamic Revolution affected the public and private lives of women, in “My Stolen Planet.” Native Hawaiian mothers and daughters fight to stop construction of a massive telescope on the sacred slopes of Mauna Kea in “Standing Above the Clouds”

Dancer-choreographer Hadar Ahuvia explores the Palestinian-Israeli relationship through dance in “Everything You Have Is Yours.”

Los Angeles Times journalist Rosanna Xia investigates the dumping of half a million barrels of DDT waste in the ocean in “Out Of Plain Sight.”

Also showing are episodes of the limited series “Conbody vs Everybody,” from director Debra Granik (“Leave No Trace”), and “Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest.”

The festival also showcases recent acclaimed documentaries from Sundance, Tribeca and other festivals, including “Black Box Diaries,” “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin,” “Dahomey,” “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” “Porcelain War,” and “Eternal You.” 


‘Black Box Diaries’ – Trailer (MTV Documentary Films) by
MTV Documentary Films on
YouTube

There are also numerous programs of short films, available in packages. 


Screenings are held at the IFC Center, SVA Theatre, and Village East by Angelika theaters.

For complete program descriptions, schedules and ticket/streaming information, visit docnyc.net.



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What is a recess appointment, the power Trump wants from the next GOP leader?

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Congressional Republicans are preparing to carry out President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda. This weekend, he took to social media saying that the next Senate Republican leader must “agree to recess appointments.” CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion breaks down what that is, and what else the next leader will be tasked with.

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President Biden sat down with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Tuesday. During the meeting, Herzog praised Mr. Biden for his ongoing support of Israel since the war with Hamas broke out in 2023. CBS News’ Elizabeth Palmer and Willie James Inman report.

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