Kobo’s latest ereader has just been announced – the Clara 2E is the successor to Kobo’s mid-range Clara HD tablet and maintains all its bells and whistles, plus adds some new ones to enhance your reading experience. Its selling point, however, is its eco-conscious attitude.
For the first time, Kobo has made an ereader built mostly out of recycled plastics. The Clara 2E’s chassis is, the company promises, made from 85% recycled plastic, which includes 10% of ocean-bound waste. Kobo is keen on doing its part for the planet and we applaud the effort.
That’s not all, though. Not only does it retain the Clara HD’s clean design with a 6-inch screen, the display has been updated to the latest E Ink Carta 1200 tech. That means it’s going to be faster and more responsive than its predecessor. It’s the same display used in the Kobo Libra 2 – our pick of the best ereaders around – and increases contrast by 15% for better text clarity and bumps up the screen response time by a very significant 20%.
The Clara 2E also gets Bluetooth connectivity so you can listen to audiobooks via a set of wireless headphones or a portable speaker, plus doubles the internal storage at 16GB. USB-C charging is now the norm on Kobo ereaders, and the Clara 2E is no different. Most importantly, though, it’s also waterproof – something the Clara HD was noticeably lacking.
Picking one up will set you back $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 making it $10 / £10 / AU$40 more expensive than its predecessor. However, you're getting a whole array of new features with this model. You can already preorder one directly from Kobo’s online store in your region, but you’ll have to wait until late September to have it in your hands.
This also means it's still cheaper than the latest 11th-gen Kindle Paperwhite in the US and Australia (by $10 / AU$10), though both ereaders are the same price in the UK (£129.99). You're getting twice the memory with the Clara 2E, so it could be worth considering if you've been looking to grab the Paperwhite, especially if you'd rather use that additional saving on some new ebooks.
(Image credit: Kobo)
Eco-friendly reading
This will be Kobo’s first ereader made under its new environmentally conscious scheme. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the Clara 2E is made of 85% recycled plastic, with 10% of that being ocean-bound waste. That’s things like water bottles and CDs that have been salvaged and transformed to create this new device. This changes nothing about its design, as it’ll still look like the Clara HD, but it’s a nice thing for readers who are looking for more eco-friendly options.
This outdoes what Amazon has done with its latest Kindle Paperwhite models (including the Signature Edition). The 11th-generation Paperwhite is a Climate Pledge Friendly product too, but only 60% of its body is made from recycled plastic.
One improvement we’re really glad about is the waterproofing. Unlike the Clara HD, if you drop the Clara 2E in the bath or pool, you’ll have nothing to worry about thanks to its IPX8 rating, which is in line with its competitor, Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite, and other Kobo models such as the Sage, Libra 2 and Forma. For those who don’t know what that rating means, the Clara 2E can remain submerged in two metres of fresh water for up to an hour without damage.
Kobo already offers a fantastic range of supported file formats, but access to audiobooks in the Clara 2E is another welcome addition that was also missing from all the older models prior to the Libra 2. Paired with the a set of wireless headphones or a speaker, you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite books on this device regardless of whether you prefer to read or listen to them. If Kobo hasn’t changed its audiobook policy yet, then the only caveat is that all audiobooks you can listen to on the Clara 2E will be those purchased from the Kobo Store – this is the case with the Libra 2 and the Sage.
We’ll be putting the Clara 2E to the test soon, so check back with us to see if it really is worth the higher asking price.
I'm leaving TechRadar, and that means I have to return the iPad Pro 12.9 I've had on loan and – against the advice of my bank account – buy my first new tablet since I was in university several years ago.
Having used iPad Pros for years, I'm used to a tablet with a big screen, powerful processor and futuristic-looking design - none of those thick bezels, physical Touch ID buttons and rounded rears of the iPads of yesteryear (like the one pictured above).
However, given how much premium iPads cost, I'm cowering from buying one. Even used, even on offer, iPad Pros are exorbitantly expensive and I simply can't justify buying one.
Even the iPad Air costs a lot for a 'budget take' on the iPad Pro. Yes, it has a smaller display, less storage and a lower price, but it's still incredibly pricey. I've also been looking at the iPad Air (2020) since it's a bit older, but the base version only has 64GB storage and when you increase that to 256GB the tablet gets horribly expensive again.
I was considering opting for an Android tablet (even though many of my most-used apps are iOS-only), and then the rumors about the new iPad (2022) started.
A 'new' new iPad?
Apple generally introduces a new entry-level iPad each year, with an older design, smaller screen, and weaker chip (yet lower price) compared to the Pro or Air iPads.
It's one of these that I bought many years ago for university, but thanks to the many foibles they have, I hadn't considered buying one this time.
However, recent rumors suggest that Apple could be planning to completely redesign its most affordable range of tablets, bringing them in line with the Pro, Air and Mini lines.
(Image credit: Future)
Such a redesign would likely mean moving the front Touch ID button to the edge of the device, a USB-C port instead of a Lightning one, thinner bezels between the screen and the edge of the device, and a flatter edge.
The move could also bring an increase to the screen size, or perhaps it would have the same display dimensions as on the 2021 model, but a smaller tablet overall.
A worthy (and tempting?) change
This move would solve some of my biggest issues with the entry-level iPad.
A USB-C port would mean faster charging. I'd also be able to use peripherals like my external storage without needing to buy an adaptor. Presumably, this change would also mean that the Apple Pencil 2 and newer keyboard accessories would be compatible with the slate.
If there was a screen size increase, I could better use the tablet for sketching and note-taking with a stylus. Sure, I wouldn't have the 12.9 inches of real estate that I'm used to, but every inch counts.
Hopefully, this redesign wouldn't be accompanied by a price hike. I'm not convinced on that front, though, as the iPad Air's upgrade to a newer design came with a higher cost.
I'm not saying that a new and improved entry-level iPad would be a must-buy for me, as I'd need to see what's changed and how much it costs. But with the incredibly high price of Apple's other tablets, I'm hoping that the base model could be my savior.
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Based on the latest from the rumor mill, we're still going to get brand new iPad Pro tablets from Apple for 2022 – but the jump forward in specs and performance might not quite be as significant as it could have been.
The well known (and usually well informed) Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the new iPad Pro models are going to go into the mass production stage in the last quarter of 2022 (so that's October, November and December).
However, Kuo also states that Apple supplier TSMC isn't going to have its 3nm chips ready before 2023, so the iPad Pro will be sticking with a 5nm chipset. That number is a size in nanometers, and the smaller it is, the more performance can be packed into a processor.
Crunching the numbers
While Kuo says the iPad Pros will indeed be getting new chipsets inside – the current models currently run the M1 chip – they'll stick to the current 5nm architecture. The recently launched M2 chip is a 5nm processor as well, and may well feature in the next iPad Pro tablets.
It's a similar story for the refreshed MacBook Pro models we're hoping to see before 2022 is out. Updated M2 Pro or M2 Max chipsets look set to launch at some point in 2023, and then after that we'll have another wave of Apple computers to look forward to.
All of which means that while this year's iPad Pros will be faster than last year's, the performance jump won't be quite as massive as a switch to 3nm would have been (see also the iPhone 15). Another improvement the drop to 3nm should bring is better battery life, as the chips should be significantly more efficient in terms of power draw.
Analysis: what we think we know so far
It was way back in April 2021 that the fifth generation iPad Pros were announced: the 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021. Since then there's been a lot of rumor and speculation around what Apple might be planning as a follow up.
As mentioned in the article above, improved performance is to be expected – but it remains to be seen whether Apple will go with an upgraded M1 Pro or M1 Max processor, or the newer M2 processor. We might also see a bump in terms of the internal RAM and the internal storage options.
Aside from the core specs, it would appear that the connectors used to attach peripherals are changing as well, which might mean you have to go out and buy a whole new Magic Keyboard. We wouldn't be surprised if Apple also introduced MagSafe charging technology to the iPad Pro line, as it has done with its iPhones.
There's still some time to wait before this all gets revealed, however. While the iPhone 14 is set to be unveiled in September, most reports are saying that the iPad Pros won't get shown off until October – when iPadOS 16 should finally be ready.
If you're looking for an inexpensive tablet connected to a fast cellular data network there are shockingly few options available. The new TCL Tab 10 5G will cost $300 and run on T-Mobile’s 5G network, making it a great value option if you want a backseat tablet for travel with its own connectivity. The ten-inch display is much bigger than the next cheapest option, and the battery is large enough that it should last through long trips.
The only tablet less expensive than the TCL Tab 10 is the Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite tablet, which uses only an eight-inch display but costs $100 less. For only $100 more, you get quite a step up with the TCL Tab 10. You get a larger screen, the 10.1” full HD display made by TCL’s NXTVISION group. You also get a much larger battery, an 8,000mAh cell compared to the 5,100mAh battery on the smaller Galaxy Tab.
The TCL Tab 10 has an 8MP camera on the back and a 5MP camera on the front for selfies. That front camera can also handle face unlocking for security measures, a very nice option for quick access to a tablet, especially for young ones.
This new Tab 10 runs Android 12 but includes a scant 4GB of RAM with only 32GB of storage space (after the system software), but that should be just enough for basic movies and Web browsing. Faster gaming and multitasking would be more difficult since it's running on the MediaTek Kompanio 800T processor.
Analysis: It's cheaper than what?
TCL also makes a Tab Pro tablet, available on Verizon’s network, for $100 more, but that tablet has very similar specs. You get a potentially more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor, but a similar screen size and resolution, and the same 4GB of RAM and 8,000mAh battery. The cameras are a bit higher resolution, but it ships with Android 11, and TCL is unproven with Android system updates. The Tab Pro also gives you 64GB of storage, a fingerprint reader, and microSD card expansion, for more professional use.
For much more power than this, you’d have to take a major step up in price. Apple’s cheapest iPad costs $160 more for a cellular-connected option. A Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE connected to T-Mobile starts at $669, more than twice what this tablet costs. For that price, you get a device that can replace a small laptop or Chromebook.
We’ve asked for a closer look at the TCL Tab 10 5G to see if it could be our favorite bargain tablet that you can connect to a superfast network. Check back for our full review.
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If you were hoping to pick up a new iPad 2022 or an iPad Pro 2022 alongside the iPhone 14 then you’ll probably be out of luck, as it looks increasingly likely that Apple’s upcoming tablets will land later.
The latest evidence of that is a comment from Apple to TechCrunch, with the company saying “This is an especially big year for iPadOS. As its own platform with features specifically designed for iPad, we have the flexibility to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. This Fall, iPadOS will ship after iOS, as version 16.1 in a free software update.”
The key point there being that iPadOS 16 – or iPadOS 16.1 as it’s set to be called - will ship after iOS 16, rather than at the same time. It’s likely that Apple would want to launch its new iPads with this software on them out of the box, so there’s a good chance therefore that Apple’s upcoming tablet hardware will also launch after iOS 16 – and therefore after the iPhone 14.
The wait shouldn’t be much longer though, as Apple’s comment says iPadOS 16 will land this “fall”, which typically means between September and November.
The iPhone 14 for what it’s worth is expected to land on September 7, and it’s likely that iOS 16 will land alongside it. So where does that leave iPadOS 16 and the new iPads? Our best guess is October, as not only does that occur within the “fall” window, but a recent leak also pointed to that month.
Analysis: an iPadOS 16.1 beta is out now, but you should probably wait for the finished version
Apple’s comment above was delivered alongside the launch of an iPadOS 16.1 developer beta. The numbering is unusual as it means that Apple will be skipping iPadOS 16 and going straight to 16.1.
This also means that you can try the latest version of Apple’s upcoming tablet software now, but we wouldn’t recommend it. For one thing, you need a developer account to access this beta, which means jumping through more hoops than for a public beta.
For another, as with any beta this won’t be completely stable or polished, and there are probably good reasons that Apple is delaying the final release. We noted during an earlier beta that the headline Stage Manager feature is in desperate need of work, so experiencing the current version might not be that pleasant.
October isn’t far away anyway, and in the meantime, we’ll soon see the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which should sate most Apple appetites for a while.
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Right now there's a lot of focus on the new iPhones that Apple is due to unveil in September, but we're also expecting a new entry-level 10.2-inch iPad 2022 and two new iPad Pro 2022 models in the coming months – and we just got some more information on the upcoming slates.
As per well-known tipster Mark Gurman at Bloomberg and sources speaking to 9to5Mac, Apple is planning an October event to launch its three new tablets, which may well appear alongside new and updated M2 versions of the Mac Mini, Mac Pro and MacBook Pro.
The most affordable iPad in the range, the 10.2-inch model, is apparently getting some pretty major upgrades: the port will switch from Lightning to USB-C (to match the other Apple iPads), and the screen could get a boost in resolution as well as increasing in size to 10.5 inches or 10.9 inches. Internally, it should get upgraded to the A14 Bionic chip.
For the professionals
As for the two iPad Pro models – replacing the iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9 launched last year – the rumor is that these slates are going to get upgraded to the latest M2 processor, with mini-LED screens for both models (previously exclusive to the larger one) and the introduction of the MagSafe charging and battery tech to match the iPhones.
That's quite an impressive list of updates and should ensure that there's plenty of interest in the new models. Gurman also reports that iPadOS 16 has been delayed while problems with Stage Manager get ironed out, but it will be ready to go by October.
We have seen some reports suggesting that these new iPads will launch in September with the iPhones, and while Apple has previously unveiled new tablets in September, this time around it's looking more likely that there will be another event in October.
Analysis: the high bar for hardware ecosystems
If we needed another reminder of just how good Apple's hardware ecosystem is, then the next couple of months should provide it. First up we've got the iPhone 14 range, arguably the best smartphone line-up in the business right now, with some interesting new upgrades apparently on the way.
As we've reported here, tablets and computers should follow. Again, these are devices at the very cutting edge of their respective fields. We should also see the Apple Watch 8 before too long, the smartwatch that other smartwatches want to be.
Phones, tablets, wearables, computers... it's an impressive series of products, and one that the likes of Samsung and Google are trying to match. As yet though, no one has come close to Apple in terms of its hardware and software ecosystem setup.
If there is one weakness when it comes to Apple's offerings, it's in services: think Apple Mail versus Gmail for example, or Apple TV Plus versus Netflix. It's here that Apple is lagging behind the competition, which is why the company has been investing so much into these digital services in recent years.
If you cast your mind back to May of this year, it was announced that older Amazon Kindle ereaders will be losing a key feature in the future; we’re sorry to say that this ‘future’ date has finally come to pass.
This key feature is the ability to buy books on the device – yeah, it’s a pretty major feature – though you are still able to send files over to the ereader, so it doesn’t make your Kindle totally redundant.
Affected Kindles are the fourth- and fifth-generation models, which came out in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Keyboard and International models. You can check your Kindle model number in the Settings menu of the device, under Device Info, though it may be easier simply to check whether you can still buy an ebook.
However you don’t need to consign your Kindle to a dumpster straight away – like we said, there are still ways to get digital files onto your Kindle, and keep reading them. In fact, we’d imagine that some people don’t even use the on-device Kindle Store, as it’s a lot slower and clunkier to use than the website and app.
If you buy books on the Kindle Store on your computer browser, you can immediately send them over to your Kindle, so the book will be accessible when you next connect the ereader to the web. Alternatively, you can send PDFs and other files to your Kindle and this still works fine.
The Kindle Store workarounds mean your ereader is still fine to use for reading books on the go. However if you do have an ancient Kindle, there might be other reasons to upgrade.
Devices can lose their battery life over time, meaning you’re not getting the weeks of reading that you’re used to. And your gadget may have been bashed or damage from the normal wear and tear of use, particularly in the port department as that’s where haphazard cable insertion can cause damage – bear in mind, the devices losing onboard Kindle Store are at least 10 years old.
So if you have an affected ereader, you may be considering buying a new one, and upgrading to a newer model for the recent features they’ve brought.
If that’s you, we should probably highlight Amazon’s trade-in program for older devices, which lets you trade in an aging gadget to get money off a new one. That’s if you don’t want to pass your Kindle to a friend who could use it, of course.
Whether or not you’re opting for a trade-in, there are often some good deals on ereaders, and we’ll share the best ones in your region below:
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With every new generation of iPhone, Apple generally also uses their launch event to showcase a new iPad too; taking the opportunity of everyone’s attention to show off the upgraded entry-level offering in its tablet family, however, that might not be the case in 2022.
That’s because a new report thinks the iPhone 14 launch event, which we expect to take place in mid-September, won’t feature any new tablets. Rumors previously pointed to a new low-end iPad as well as the anticipated iPad Pro 2022, but apparently, these are wrong.
This report comes from reputable leaker yeux1122, who operates on Korean blog website Naver. According to the information, the new iPads aren’t canceled though – instead, they’re said to debut at a follow-up event in late October.
Some extra information about the new entry-level iPad is provided, though it’s nothing we haven’t heard before. Apparently the slate will get a USB-C port for charging, a redesign to look more like the Mini, Air and Pro iPads, with a thinner bezel and flatter design, no headphone jack and a 5G connection.
Analysis: and what about the watches?
Notice the use of the word ‘generally’ in the first paragraph of this story – there are sometimes exceptions to the rule.
A key one was in 2020, which was likely the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, a month before the iPhone launch, Apple hosted an event for various other devices, including multiple Apple Watches and the iPad Air 4.
So we don’t know for now if these devices will all show up alongside the iPhones, or the iPads, or at a third event.
The middle option sounds most likely though, to emulate the way the shows were organized in 2020, and to avoid fans losing interest over three different live streams. Apple could show off the two new iPads and three Apple Watches in one big lifestyle-focused event, perhaps with some of its other services, like Fitness Plus and Arcade featured too.
This is just speculation though, and we’ll have to wait to find out what products are showing up at the iPhone launch – there’s a real possibility that we’ll only know once the event ends with or without the iPads showing up.
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We're quickly closing in on this year's Labor Day sales, with only a few weeks left until a wide range of retailers kick off the biggest sales event this side of Black Friday. Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe's are just a few of the big names we're expecting big things from this Labor Day - which falls on Monday, September 5th for 2022.
Whether you're going to be shopping home appliances, furniture, mattresses, and grills or TVs, laptops, and tech, we'll have all the best deals right here on this page as soon as they land. While it's still early days yet, we're in full preparation mode here at TechRadar updating this page with everything you need to know about the upcoming Memorial Day sales, including what types of products you'll find on sale and who has the best deals on the big day.
The majority of this information can be found just below in our FAQ section, which covers all the basic questions you may have. Just below that, you'll find more detailed retailer-specific information with a quick A-Z of the best brands to check out, alongside when we expect their Labor Day sales to begin. As we draw closer to the event we'll be packing this page full of the deals as soon as they land, so don't hesitate to bookmark and check in again closer to the big day itself.
Labor Day sales 2021: FAQ
When do the Labor Day sales begin?
Labor Day falls on Monday 5th of September this year, although we expect plenty of retailers to start their sales ahead of this date. It's generally assumed these days that with any big retail event - the Labor Day sales included - that you'll get plenty of deals upwards of a week in advance, although this isn't a hard and fast rule. Still, if you're looking to shop early, it's worth keeping an eye out from late August onwards.
Competition is going to be stiff across the board, but the best retailer for you is going to depend heavily on what's featured on your Labor Day shopping list. For appliances, furniture, grills, or other 'end of summer' items', then you'll definitely want to check out Home Depot, Lowes, or Overstock. These retailers have inventories of literally thousands of home and garden items, so they should be your first stop.
If you're looking for electronics in general then Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy are likely to have the biggest sales this year. Amazon's particularly good for headphones and Apple products, while Walmart and Best Buy are fantastic for cheap 4K TVs and entry-level laptops. Speaking of laptops, both Dell and HP should have awesome own-brand sales across their sites over Labor Day too, which will be particularly good if you're spending a bit more.
Lastly, if you're looking for mattress deals over Labor Day, then Nectar, Sealy, Saatva, and Purple to all have excellent promotions running at their respective sites.
Does Amazon do Labor Day sales?
Yes and no. It's unlikely that Amazon will run its own event that's specifically labeled a 'Labor Day sale', but it is likely it'll be participating in some form or another. It's a big day for online shopping in general so you can expect Amazon will be offering up plenty of price cuts - especially if rival retailers like Best Buy or Walmart are running big events on the day. Put simply, if you're looking for cheap laptops, TVs, headphones, or anything electronic then you should have plenty to check out at Amazon on Labor Day. We'll also be including Amazon's best deals on this page when the time comes.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
What items get discounted for the Labor Day sales?
The Labor Day Sales traditionally cover things like appliances, both outdoor and indoor furniture, and home items in general. You'll also find awesome sales on things like mattresses as well as end-of-summer items like BBQ grills. As you'd expect, it's also a great time to pick up clearance patio furniture for next year at places like Lowes and Home Depot - which normally have free delivery too.
As with any online shopping event, the Labor Day sales will also have a ton of cheap tech deals to check out too. We expect retailers like Best Buy and Walmart to come out the gates with some really cheap laptops and 4K TV deals - which are always favorites for our readers in particular. We should also see discounted headphones and smart hubs too - especially if Amazon joins in as sales on its own devices are pretty much a given on any sales event.
Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and Amazon tend to have the widest selection of deals in the Labor Day sales covering pretty much all the bases. Last year we did see quite a few more specialized retailers like Dell, Lenovo, and HP join in too, which were particularly good for laptop deals. If you'd like to see a full run down of last year's top Labor Day sales, we've preserved some just below.
How did Labor Day start?
Labor Day itself started as a way to celebrate the efforts and contributions of the American Labor movement and everyday workers, from its inception in 1894 all the way to the present day. In recent years, like many federal holidays, it's been used as an opportunity by many retailers to offer big discounts on a whole array of items. Subsequently, it's often regarded as the best time for shopping in between the earlier Memorial Day sales and the Black Friday sales in November.
Expected Labor Day sales 2022
Amazon: Expected start date - 5th of September Amazon doesn't tend to launch a specifically labeled 'Labor Day sale' each year but that won't stop its store pages from being full of deals come early September. Expect tons of price matching and daily deals on everything from super cheap 4K TVs to expensive Apple products. As always, Amazon is particularly good for cheaper consumer electronics as well as various back-to-school essentials. Browse today's latest deals
Bed Bath & Beyond: Expected start date - 3rd of September Bed Bath & Beyond will be a great place to stop by on Labor Day if you're on the hunt for homewares and furniture. While deals are available all year round from this retailer, it's likely to launch a big Labor Day sale close to the big day itself - probably a few days earlier, if not a full week ahead. Browse today's latest deals
Best Buy: Expected start date - 29th of August Best Buy will be a great choice for cheap laptops, TVs, and home appliances this Labor Day if any of these items are on your shopping list. As with the other big retailers (Amazon, Walmart), Best Buy may not launch a sale specifically branded for Labor Day itself but you can expect some sort of big retail event during the Labor Day week, possibly even as soon as the weekend prior. Browse today's latest deals
Casper: Expected start date - TBC The Labor Day sales are likely to be the best time this side of Black Friday in November to bag a great deal on a new mattress. Casper is one of the many big names that usually holds a big annual sale for Labor Day, including discounts on its premium mattresses and plenty of bundled extras - including pillows, duvets, and protectors. Browse today's latest deals
Dell:Expected start date - TBC Dell always has fantastic prices on cheap laptops and we expect the retailer to roll into this year's Labor Day sales with a ton of great options - even if it doesn't launch a campaign specifically targeting Labor Day. For huge discounts on everything from super cheap Chromebooks to premium XPS ultrabooks, Dell is highly likely to be one of the best options for picking up a bargain this September. Browse today's latest deals
Dyson: Expected start date - TBC As well as the obvious discounts on Dyson vacuums, you can expect reductions on hair care and air treatment products at Dyson this Labor Day. Products to look out for with discounts are the excellent AirWrap and Air Purifier. Browse today's latest deals
Emma Mattress: Expected start date - TBC With the biggest discounts are usually reserved for Black Friday in November, you'll want to check back in once the sales have begun. We've seen reductions of at least 35% in the past, so expect that to return plus the possibility of free pillows, sheets, and other extras. Browse today's latest deals
Home Depot: Expected start date - 29th of August
No Labor Day sales event would be complete without Home Depot, which traditionally holds one of the biggest and most 'complete' events of all retailers. If you're looking to pick up a few things for the house or yard then it's highly likely the retailer will kick things off a little early this year - most likely the beginning of September. Overall, expect the usual staples here - appliances of all types, decor, smart home, and plenty of power tools. Browse today's latest deals
HP: Expected start date - TBC Alongside Dell, HP is one of the best options for affordable laptops, desktops, monitors, and various other PC peripherals. We're expecting the HP Labor Day sale to offer all the usual discounts on Chromebooks, laptops, desktops, and monitors - including some limited-time doorbusters. HP usually kicks off its retail events a little earlier, so be on the lookout from around the 1st of September onwards. Browse today's latest deals
Lenovo: Expected start date - TBC Another top destination for laptop deals of all shapes and sizes, Lenovo should offer some fantastic Labor Day sales this year - even if it doesn't brand its website with Labor Day specifically. Expect great reductions throughout the week with deals on more Lenovo laptops, tablets, and smart home gear as well. Browse today's latest deals
Lowe's: Expected start date - 29th of August Has a little bit of everything you need for around the home: whether you want a bit of new tech or something for your next DIY project. As with Home Depot, we expect the Lowe's Labor Day sale to be vast and most likely launched a little early - possibly a week in advance. If you're looking for big savings on appliances, home goods, and power tools then definitely check in with Lowes. Browse today's latest deals
Microsoft: Expected start date - TBC Microsoft probably won't launch a Labor Day sale specifically, although a range of deals on its own-brand tech is highly likely over the course of the week. If you're looking for superb premium tablets and laptops then it'll be well worth checking in with Microsoft's deals on the excellent Surface range of devices. Browse today's latest deals
Nectar Sleep: Expected start date - TBC Nectar is another fine premium mattress brand that will be offering fantastic discounts come Labor Day. Usually, we see a saving of $100 on its premium memory foam mattresses and up to $399 of accessories included for free. Browse today's latest deals
Newegg: Expected start date - TBC Newegg will likely hold some sort of big retail event over Labor Day, even if doesn't specifically brand its store pages accordingly. Newegg has dozens of PC components, peripherals, and other tech items discounted at any one time and we expect it to ramp things up for Labor Day since it's the biggest retail event this side of Black Friday in November. Browse today's latest deals
Nike: Expected start date - TBC Nike is another retailer that likely won't hold a Labor Day sale specifically. Rather, it'll ramp up its usual season sales to compete with the other brands out there. Usually, you can find discounts of up 40% off a range of Nike shoes, fashion, and accessories - often on clearance items. Browse today's latest deals
Samsung: Expected start date - TBC Samsung is quickly becoming one of our favorite retailers to check out at any given retail event - namely because it's just so damn generous with its promotions. This year we've not only seen amazing bundle deals on appliances, huge price cuts on tablets and computers, but a ton of exceptional promotions on some of the best smartphones money can buy. Also, if you're on the hunt for TV deals this Labor Day, don't forget to check in with Samsung's excellent range of QLED displays - highly likely to be on sale over Labor Day. Browse today's latest deals
Target: Expected start date - TBC
Mega-retailer Target has a far-reaching Black Friday sale that features discounts of up to 60% across toys, electronics and fashion. Top picks include a 65-inch TV for $499, the Apple AirPods Pro for $189 and NERF blasters from $20. Browse today's latest deals
Verizon: Expected start date - TBC Verizon's always got a number of great deals at any one time over at its store page - most of which we expect to carry on throughout the Labor Day sales period. Realistically, it doesn't tend to swap out its deals that regularly (especially its trade-in rebates), but we might be in for a few surprises over Labor Day with a bit of luck. Browse today's latest deals
Walmart: Expected start date - 29th of August No surprises here - Walmart will definitely have one of the biggest Labor Day sales this September, both in the quality and the sheer amount of deals on offer. Generally speaking, you can get everything from Walmart at any one time although we'd single it out as a particularly good choice for cheap 4K TVs, windows laptops, and small appliances like air fryers. Browse today's latest deals
Wayfair: Expected start date - 29th of August With furniture for every room and accessories for every interior, you'll find some excellent decor deals over at Wayfair this Labor Day. Generally speaking, this retailer holds sales all year round but ramps things up when a specific event takes place. Labor Day is highly likely to be the biggest this side of November so definitely don't miss it. Browse today's latest deals
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There’s a high chance that we’ll see a new iPad Pro 2022 before the year is done, but the main ‘upgrade’ might not be to the screen or chipset. Rather, it might be to the connectors, with the current three-pin Smart Connector possibly being replaced with a pair of four-pin connectors.
That’s according to “reliable sources in China,” speaking to Macotakara, in a report spotted by 9to5Mac. Apparently, the upcoming iPad Pro 11 (2022) and iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) will both have the same housing designs as the current models, but with 4-pin connectors on the “top and bottom side edges.”
That wording is slightly ambiguous, especially as this isn't primarily an English language site, so we’re not certain whether they mean the top and bottom of the back when held in portrait or when held in landscape, but it sounds like one or the other.
The report also doesn’t specifically state whether these new connectors would be instead of or as well as the existing three-pin Smart Connector, but we imagine they’d be used instead. Otherwise, that’s a whole lot of connectors.
We’d take this with a pinch of salt though, as it’s an odd claim, especially when we’d previously heard the iPad Pro 2022 might support MagSafe – which itself could seem like overkill if there are also two Smart Connectors. And with MagSafe using a five-pin connector, that’s not what they’re talking about here.
What the extra pin could be used for is uncertain as well, though the report speculates that it could be used to assist in powering peripherals. The existing Smart Connector already does this, however, so perhaps they mean more power could be provided.
We’re also not sure how useful it would be to have two of these connectors, given that it’s mostly just keyboards that make use of the current Smart Connector, so there aren’t a whole lot of use cases where two accessories could usefully be attached at the same time – unless Apple has new kinds of accessories planned.
This rumor really raises more questions than it answers, and we’d therefore refrain from putting a lot of weight behind it, but it’s certainly intriguing. Though it comes with one very big potential downside.
An iPad Pro 11 (2021)(Image credit: Future)
Analysis: old accessories could be incompatible
The biggest potential issue with this move is that it could render accessories – like the current Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard – incompatible with the new iPad Pro.
That’s something you expect to happen when the sizes change, but with these upcoming models reportedly being the same as their predecessors, it would be a shame if all-new accessories are needed – especially given how expensive these peripherals can be.
Of course, even if this rumor is right – which is a big 'if' – it doesn’t guarantee that current Smart Connector accessories won’t work. They might remain compatible with this new four-pin version, or perhaps the old three-pin connector will remain as well, but incompatibility is definitely a worry.
With Apple also rumored to be switching from Lightning to USB-C on the iPhone, perhaps as soon as next year, we could see Apple fans having to replace almost all of their accessories in the space of a year, assuming both rumors pan out. So this could be an even more expensive period for iDevice users than usual.
Still, many of the best iPads aren’t iPad Pros, meaning you could always save some money by upgrading to a cheaper model.
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We were expecting iPadOS 16 to land in finished form in September, alongside iOS 16, but while the latter probably will land in September, sources now claim that iPadOS 16 has been pushed back to October.
This is according to according to “people with knowledge of the matter” speaking to Bloomberg, who claim that the delay is at least in part because iPadOS 16 is so ambitious, and could benefit from the extra development time.
Key to this update is Stage Manager, a feature which is already available in beta versions of the software, and which aims to transform multitasking on iPads, with the goal of improving productivity and bringing the tablets closer in functionality to a Mac. So it’s a big change, and something Apple isn’t including in iOS 16, so the iPhone software likely needs less work.
But that’s not the only reason put forward for the delay. Apparently, it would also allow Apple to focus more on iOS 16 in the coming weeks, so even though that might be in less need of extra attention, both operating system updates could receive more attention as a result of this delay.
Plus, this delay would reportedly also mean that iPadOS 16 lands closer to the launch of the iPad Pro 2022 and iPad 2022, which suggests that these new slates won’t land until or October or later.
We’d take these claims with a pinch of salt for now, but the article was penned by Mark Gurman, who has a solid track record for Apple information.
Analysis: iPadOS 16 needs this extra polish
While this rumor of a delay is unconfirmed, it would certainly make sense, as in our hands-on impressions of the iPadOS 16 beta, we noted that Stage Manager is an exciting but currently quite flawed feature.
We found that it could be surprisingly clunky and unintuitive, so it could definitely benefit from some additional development time to get it more polished.
iOS 16 meanwhile seems to be in much better shape, going by our iOS 16 beta hands-on, so that should be relatively simple for Apple to get finished up by September.
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If you're looking to buy the best iPad, there's a very good chance that you've also been considering buying a Magic Keyboard. This iPad Pro accessory, pictured above, holds the tablet high and gives you a keyboard as well as a trackpad, providing lots of extra functionality for your tablet.
However, the Magic Keyboard isn't perfect, and Apple clearly knows this, based on the fact that it's been filing patents for a new version (via Patently Apple).
The newest patent is a biggie, as it shows two really useful upgrades that a new Magic Keyboard could bring – perhaps this will launch alongside the anticipated iPad Pro (2022).
The first of these upgrades regards the Apple Pencil. Usually, you have to store this on the top of the tablet, balancing it on a magnetic strip on the tablet's frame – here, it's easy to knock off, especially if you put your slate in a bag.
The new Magic Keyboard patent shows a hinge (between the keyboard, and the raised part that connects to the iPad) that's hollow, allowing for an Apple Pencil to actually slot inside; meaning you could hide it away and make sure it was held in a safe spot.
This presumably wouldn't actually charge the stylus, but it's good that Apple knows about our Apple Pencil annoyances.
The other upgrade shown in the patent is about the suspension angles of the tablet. On current Magic Keyboards, you can move the tablet between a range of angles, but they're startlingly limited – you can't be too high above, or on a level with, the tablet if you want to see the screen.
The new Magic Keyboard seems to accommodate a much wider viewing range, though – an image shows the iPad facing much higher than it can with the current Magic Keyboard, so we're hoping this makes it to market.
Not only that, but a different sketch shows that you can use the new Magic Keyboard as a stand to move the iPad even higher, in what's called 'Clipboard Mode' – though doing it this way does mean you can't actually access the keyboard itself.
Analysis: a Magic Keyboard fix that won't be perfect
Apple hasn't truly cracked the iPad keyboard accessory yet.
The Magic Keyboard has limited suspension angles, as we've said – it also has an overly sensitive trackpad that's easy to hit with your wrist when you're typing, and actually pressing the keys doesn't really feel satisfying either.
However, its predecessor (which is still on sale), the Keyboard Folio, isn't perfect either. It's more fragile, so can get damaged in your bag easily, and again only supports two different angles (though they're further apart than the Magic Keyboard's two extremes).
Both keyboards have strengths and weaknesses, and we'd love to see Apple combine the best parts of both to create one super-slate accessory. That doesn't seem to be what Apple's doing here, though – it's mainly adding some extra fixes to the Magic Keyboard – but these are still useful additions.
Perhaps, if the iPad Pro launches alongside this new accessory, it'll find a way onto our list of the best tablets.
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