Among the many iPadOS 26 features Apple plans to unveil at WWDC next week, one curious addition stands out: Apple Pencil reed calligraphy, as reported by .But what does that actually mean? Last year, Apple introduced the Apple Pencil Pro, bringing squeeze gestures, barrel roll detection, and haptic feedback to its stylus lineup for the first time.Now, with iPadOS 26, it’s pairing those hardware upgrades with a new software feature that’s bound to resonate with Arabic users and calligraphy enthusiasts everywhere.
A few weeks ago, Mark Gurman reported on his newsletter that Apple had “been expanding its retail footprint” in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and India, and that Apple was on track to announce two features that would please users in those regions: The first is pretty self-explanatory, but the second caught many Western users off guard, especially those who’ve never dabbled in calligraphy.An Arabic reed pen, or , is a traditional writing tool used in Islamic calligraphy, known for its ability to create elegant, flowing strokes with varying thickness.And while the Apple Pencil has had pressure sensitivity support from the start, it has never natively offered a virtual brush that truly mimics the writing flow of a traditional qalam, until now.
If Apple gets the simulation right, this new brush will replicate the thick-and-thin strokes characteristic of Arabic calligraphy, expanding the Apple Pencil’s range to accommodate a much wider cultural and artistic spectrum.This angled-cut style is also widely used by calligraphy enthusiasts, enabling the bold, expressive letterforms that give many scripts their distinct visual rhythm.It’s still unclear whether this new virtual brush will be exclusive to the Apple Pencil Pro, or available on other models as well.
But with WWDC just around the corner, we’ll soon find out.Best Apple Pencil and iPad deals currently on Amazon Apple Pencil Pro: 23% off at $99 Apple Pencil (USB-C): 13% off at $69 Apple Pencil Tips (4 pack): $19 11th-gen iPad, 128GB, Wi-Fi, Blue: 14% off at $299 iPad Air 13-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray: 11% off at $799 iPad Pro 11-inch, 2TB, Wi-Fi, Space Black: 20% off at $1,599 You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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