Out of the product announcement from the Apple Event, the new iPad Pro with the M1 chip is probably what I'm most excited about. Between my personal MacBook Pro (13", spring 2011) that is definitely due for an upgrade and the 12.9" iPad Pro (gen 1) I use for work, I am definitely leaning towards buying a new iPad Pro (+ Magic Keyboard + Pencil = cha-ching!) as a replacement. However, with the lack of native apps for common design tools (like Sketch and InDesign), it's still more of a nice-to-have than a MBP replacement.

Remember when we were taught to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? Well, this new update from Samsung will allow you to reuse older phones as smart home sensors. I think that's pretty clever and I hope it catches on. Maybe from there, we can reuse them for other things like… a wifi AP or a security camera or… you get the picture. And maybe other OEMs will join in as well.

As an avid traveler myself, I have long predicted (long = since last summer) that it will be one of the first industries to see a major boost in the post-COVID world. And brands like Expedia are preparing for that boost by positioning themselves around mobile. Very few user journeys lend themselves to mobile the way that travel does and leveraging that is just smart design.

And as we wrap up last week's Spring Loaded event from Apple, we're now starting to see leaks about what will be announced in this year's WWDC. And if there is any truth to the rumors, then more control over my notifications is a change I welcome. More specifically, in the evening when my priorities change and I want less noise without muting everything wholesale via Do Not Disturb. Also, I… don't think I knew that widgets weren't available on iPadOS. Considering the larger screen size, seems like a missed opportunity.

Also, your app icon is your brand. That's it. That's the tweet.

P.S. Be sure to check out the events and resources down below (especially the eBook from Monotype — yum!)

Articles

• The new iPad Pro features Apple’s M1 chip via TechCrunch
• Samsung will help you turn your old Galaxy phone into a smart home sensor via The Verge
• Expedia centers rebrand around mobile as post-COVID travel planning arrives via Marketing Dive
• iOS 15 may revamp notifications and the iPad home screen via Engadget
• How to Design a Great App Icon: What You Need to Know via Shopify

Events

• [May 4 @ 10am CDT] BOPIS: A Deep Dive Into the Mobile Strategies That Really Work via Airship
• [June 16] VOICE Global 2021 via VOICE

Resources

• [Video] The Visual Principle of Contrast in UI Design via NNg
• [eBook] 2021 Type Trends via Monotype
• [Review] The Best Tablets for Work and Play via Wired
• [Case Studies] App Fuel 30 via App Fuel