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Apple is killing off some of the functionality of its Pencil stylus, and it's not clear why

When Apple introduced its newest, biggest iPad in September — the giant 12.9-inch iPad Pro — the company also introduced a special stylus (sold separately) that could be used for writing, drawing, or navigation.

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Critics actually loved the $99 Apple Pencil. But unfortunately, it looks like some of that accessory's important functions are going away pretty soon.

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The $99 Apple Pencil. Tech Insider/Antonio Villas-Boas

According to Macrumors, Apple has actually removed functionality from the Apple Pencil in the latest beta versions of iOS 9.3, an upcoming update that will bring lots of changes to iPhones and iPads this spring.

In iOS 9.2, the current version of iOS, you can use Apple Pencil to swipe across the screen, swipe between apps, tap and select text, scroll, and more.

In iOS 9.3, however, you can no longer use the Apple Pencil to scroll, select, or manipulate text. As iMore’s Serenity Caldwell points out, it also means the Apple Pencil can’t be used for cutting and editing video or audio. You can still use the Apple Pencil to write and draw within apps, however.

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It’s not yet clear why Apple is choosing to remove these features from the Apple Pencil. Customers clearly would not be happy to see features they’ve come to use, or even depend on, suddenly disappear for no reason. Removing functionality from a $99 accessory doesn't look good on Apple, but it would also be a hit to the iPad Pro, a product meant to reinvigorate the shrinking iPad business. Apple is trying to differentiate the giant tablet with its accessories — the Apple Pencil, and the $170 Smart Keyboard — but making the Apple Pencil less useful is not a great way to sway potential iPad customers.

We’ve reached out to Apple. We’ll update this story when we learn more.

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