At $79 the new Apple Pencil USB-C might have crossed from optional add-on to a "must buy" peripheral enabling the full iPad experience.

The original Apple Pencil model was an impressive extension of the Apple iPad experience, giving artists and designers a responsive tool that evoked the satisfying tactile experience of a real writing instrument or brush equipped with pixel perfect precision. Unsurprisingly it became very popular amongst the creative set. But like many first adopters, we found the Lightning connector charging cumbersome, if not a bit awkward when plugged into the iPad while recharging, a setup marring an otherwise elegant design. Like many Apple designs, the Apple Pencil went onto undergo iterative improvements, culminating in the magnetic $129 2nd generation stylus with wireless pairing and charging. And now Apple’s third rendition, the Apple Pencil USB-C, seems to hit a sweet spot: an iPad peripheral that exceeds its entry-level $79 price tag. Noting the “ultimate Apple Pencil experience” of the 2nd generation Apple Pencil requires a $129 entry fee, Apple recognized the peripheral’s price might kept many users from complementing their new iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, or 11-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro model with their stylus. Thus, this 3rd generation USB-C Apple Pencil is priced at a more welcoming $79.
Like its 2nd generation predecessor, the new Apple Pencil also attaches magnetically to the iPad, but this time on...