Apple may remove some functions from Apple Pencil in iOS 9.3 update

NEW YORK: 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. Critics actually loved the $99-Pencil.

But unfortunately, it looks like some of that accessory's important functions are going away pretty soon.

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. It’s not yet clear why Apple is choosing to remove these features from the Apple Pencil Stylus.