The 2020 iPad Pro arrived at the beginning of a year-long (and counting) pandemic, back in mid-March 2020. It's likely due for an upgrade soon, maybe at next week's Apple event. But what can it add to make a difference this year? Think processors and accessories, based on recent reports that the hardware could get a new chip and a Thunderbolt port, and possibly a display boost too. But, what will be possible in the middle of a chip and display shortage?

That 2020 model didn't have much of a processor bump, and looked nearly the same as the model from 2018. It did introduce some new tech and accessories, though: It was the first Apple product to have a depth-sensing lidar sensor, and Apple introduced a trackpad-enabled Magic Keyboard case (that costs as much as an entry-level iPad).

Apple's recent Macs got massive performance boosts from Apple's M1 processors, which already feel like advanced versions of the chips that were already in the iPad Pro. 

2021 seems like a perfect time to give the Pro line processor boosts, and that's exactly what recent reports have indicated. But it's unclear whether the iPad Pro will get the M1 that recent Macs have used, or a different custom processor, like an A14X. The next iPads could also improve how accessories connect, possibly evolving the USB-C port to add Thunderbolt speed and connectivity. Display upgrades also seem overdue, and Mini LED seems like a lock for at least the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to the latest report from Bloomberg... if supplies aren't limited. Here's what we expect.

A better display

The iPad Pro display is great, and its 120Hz refresh rate still isn't available on any other iPhone or iPad. But a shift to OLED (or in the meantime, Mini LED) feels overdue. Especially since the iPad Pro is aimed at graphic designers, photo editors and people looking for perfect displays.

If the iPad Pro gets a Mini LED display, which should offer deeper black levels similar to OLED, it may only arrive on the 12.9-inch model, and could be in shorter supply for a while. But, while a nicer display would be appreciated, the existing iPad Pro display is still really, really good.

An M1 processor (or, something nearly as good)

The A12Z processor on the 2020 iPad Pro is, to be clear, still fast. But it wasn't much faster in benchmarks than the A12X processor from 2018, which points to an overdue chip upgrade. There could be an A14Z or A14X processor, that adds extra graphics cores and other boosts over the chip on Apple's recent iPhones and iPad Air. Or, maybe, Apple uses the M1 that's already in the MacBook Air. The M1 seems like the obvious choice, but it's possible Apple will choose to customize a chip more targeted at tablets, leaving out unnecessary M1 features geared towards Macs.

All indications suggest the iPad Pro will have its own A14X chip that will effectively be as fast as the M1 on Macs.

Either way, the results could end up offering an extra boost. But for what? I'd like the already-fast iPad Pro to start being capable of more advanced multitasking. Or, maybe, true second monitor support. 

An expanded Thunderbolt port

The USB-C port on the iPad Pro and iPad Air is a big improvement over Lightning: It works with standard USB charging adapters, and can connect to multiport adapters to get SD cards, or add a monitor or Ethernet. 

Yet there are limits to what the iPad Pro can do compared to a Mac. Thunderbolt would allow expanded and higher-speed external storage, improved monitor connection and more advanced docks.

That could suggest new Apple accessories. 

Will there be an Apple-made dock?

Apple's transformative keyboard case for the iPad Pro took advantage of new support for trackpads in last year's iPadOS update. If the new iPads gain Thunderbolt, maybe Apple will decide to make its own iPad Pro dock. I imagined some sort of turn-your-iPad-into-a-desktop-computer accessory a few years ago. The Kensington StudioDock for iPad Pro and Air shows how the USB-C iPads can already transform into exactly that desktop device with lots of extra ports. Would Apple try its own spin, but with Thunderbolt?

5G

The iPad doesn't have 5G... yet. Since the 2020 iPhones introduced 5G, the iPad Pro would make sense as the next on deck. Apple doesn't even have LTE on any of its laptops, but iPads have had that option almost from the start. That being said, I've found my local 5G to be lacking, and mobile data is an add-on option I don't tend to use. 

A better pencil, maybe

Recent reports claimed that Apple may have a newer version of the Pencil stylus, maybe one that's more compact or have additional touch-based controls (or a new tip?). The second-gen Apple Pencil debuted back in 2018 and there's already iPad stylus fragmentation, with differing levels of support in different iPads for the first- and second-gen Pencils. 

Apple's event invite does seem very squiggly, as if drawn by a Pencil...who knows?

Could Apple shift the front camera placement? (We hope so)

The iPad isn't great for landscape-based video conferencing, because the front-facing camera ends up sitting on one side and making conversations look like I'm staring somewhere else. It would make sense for Apple to change where the front-facing camera is this year. We're all working and schooling from home more than ever, and when we do, we usually do it with the iPad held sideways. Even the Magic Keyboard assumes you're using the iPad that way.

Why not make iPadOS even more expansive (and Mac-like)?

If Apple were to put the M1 in the iPad Pro, it also raises the question of whether Apple would unleash the iPad's software even further. Living with an M1 MacBook Air alongside an iPad Pro reminded me of the iPad's OS limitations, and how a more multitasking-focused, monitor-enabled iPad could feel even more like a full-fledged computer. Now that the iPad already supports trackpads, mice and plenty of peripherals, why not?

My biggest desire for the next wave of iPads isn't about hardware. It's about unleashing the software to make it as versatile as Macs already are. We might not get any closer to bridging iPad and Mac this spring, but I'd still like to see it happen. And we'll probably find out on April 20.

When's the last time you replaced your Wi-Fi router? If you're not totally sure, it might be time for an upgrade. CNET's experts recommend upgrading every five years at minimum, and even more frequently if you like to stay up to date with the latest phones, laptops and smart home devices. Right now's a great time to buy, with B&H offering $80 off this TCL Linkhub AC1200 mesh router three-pack, dropping the price down to just $50. This deal is only available until midnight on June 23.

The TCL Linkhub AC1200 is a mesh router system, which means that it features multiple hubs that can extend wireless service over a large area much better than a simple extender. This system comes with three different modules, and any of them can be configured to be the main router, or a satellite hub used to extend coverage. This system can provide coverage for an area of up to 4,300 square feet, so you can enjoy seamless streaming and low-latency online gaming in any corner of your home.

It boasts impressive data transfer speeds of up to 1,167 megabits per second (that's over 1Gbps) across both 2.4 and 5GHz wireless frequencies, though it uses the last-gen Wi-Fi 5 system, not the latest Wi-Fi 6. Nevertheless, it's a terrific deal -- a similarly specced Netgear system that we recommend will currently run you $200. The Linkhub can support up to 100 users at once, too, so it's a great pick for offices or small businesses. The smaller two-piece setup is also on sale for just $40 right now when you activate the instant coupon on the product page.

Read more: Best Mesh Routers for 2022

A new backdoor Trojan for OS X is making the rounds, attempting to set up a secure connection for a remote hacker to connect through and grab private information.

The malware, dubbed "Pintsized" by Intego, is suspected of using a modified implementation of OpenSSH to set up a reverse shell that creates a secure connection to a remote server.

The use of an encrypted connection makes it more difficult to detect and trace, especially since it uses the common SSH protocol. In addition, the malware attempts to hide itself by disguising its files to look like components of the OS X printing system, specifically the following:

com.apple.cocoa.plist
cupsd (Mach-O binary)
com.apple.cupsd.plist
com.apple.cups.plist
com.apple.env.plist

Intego does not state where these files are placed in the OS, but as with prior malware in OS X this requires an option to automatically launch the malware whenever the system is started or when a user logs in, which in OS X is the various launch agent directories in the system. Launch agents use a property list (plist) structure, and can be used to target a binary executable (such as the mentioned "cupsd" one above) to keep it always running on the system.

Therefore, to check for this malware, open the following directories in the system to check for the presence of any of the above files:

/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/System/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/LaunchAgents

NOTE: You can highlight each folder path above individually, right-click the selection, and choose "Open" from the Services contextual submenu to open it in the Finder.

Because malware developers use these folders as a means of running their malware in OS X, one easy way to detect any misuse of them is to set up an alert that will notify you whenever files are added to them. I outlined how to do this with tools and services that are included in OS X, and the Luxembourg CIRCL subsequently developed a standalone installer that sets up a similar monitoring routine.

In addition to monitoring these folders, you can also install a reverse firewall like Little Snitch, which will notify you whenever a program attempts to make a connection to a remote server.

Currently it is unknown how the malware initiates its attack, whether it uses a previously documented vulnerability or one that is yet to be disclosed; however, the malware is not known to be widespread and is primarily being discussed on various security mailing lists. Nevertheless, by checking for the presence of the above files in the system's Launch Agent and Launch Daemon folders you should be able to determine if your system is free of it.

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Just days after announcing plans to shut down its loss-making smartphone business, LG Electronics is offering new details on how long existing customers of its premium phones can expect software updates.

The South Korean electronics giant pledged Thursday to provide two to three years of software updates for existing customers of premium LG smartphones. The LG Wing, Velvet, G-series and V-series phone from 2019 and later should get three years of Android operating system upgrades, LG says, while select 2020 models such as the LG Stylo and K series are set to get two updates.

Read more: LG once out-iPhoned the iPhone. Now it's exiting the phone business completely.

Despite a bold history of innovation, LG plans to wind down its smartphone business by the end of July after years of losses. It had struggled to compete for market share against juggernauts Apple and Samsung, as well as Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Oppo that have aggressively expanded internationally.

LG said it will continue to manufacture smartphones through the second quarter to fulfill contractual obligations to carriers and partners, meaning interested customers can still buy LG phones currently in inventory. 

See also: The best TV for 2021: LG OLED, Samsung and TCL QLED, Sony and Vizio compared

This story is part of CES, where CNET covers the latest news on the most incredible tech coming soon.

The Asus ExpertBook B9450 is the "world's lightest 14-inch business notebook," Asus says, with a starting weight of 1.9 pounds (0.9 kg), but it's far from the only thing that makes it interesting. Co-engineered with Intel for its Project Athena program, the laptop is designed to deliver the same type of performance experience you get from your phone. 

Part of Intel's verification requirements is a battery life long enough to get you through an entire workday; the base model B9450 gets up to 12 hours, but you can get it with a larger battery that doubles that time. And it'll charge up to 60% in 39 minutes. 

The components are pretty much the same as what we're seeing from competitors in the category including processor options up to a 10th-gen Intel Core i7-10510. Where this Asus stands out is the design. Along with being light, the magnesium-lithium alloy body is tested to Mil-Spec 810G standards for drops, shocks, vibration, dust resistance and more. 

One thing you definitely won't find on others is the NumberPad 2.0, an LED-illuminated numeric keypad that appears on the touchpad when you tap an icon in its upper right corner. What's nicer is you don't have to turn it off to use the pad for cursor control because the software is smart enough to know the difference. 

The ErgoLift hinge is nice, too, which puts the spill-resistant keyboard at a more comfortable angle for typing on such a thin laptop. Also, just below the touchpad on the front edge is light that works with the integrated Amazon Alexa support letting you know when the digital voice assistant is active. 

Pricing wasn't announced, but Asus expects the ExpertBook B9450 to be available some time in Q1 of this year.