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APPLE HAS UNVEILED the latest editions to its iPad range as it aims to turn around stagnating tablet sales.
The iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 was revealed at an event in Apple’s HQ after both devices were accidentally revealed yesterday.
“What do you do when you make the best tablet in the world, how do you make it better?” asked Apple CEO Tim Cook. The answer was to give the Pad Air 2 a laminated screen with anti-reflective coating, which it claims reduces reflections by 56%, and bring console level graphics to the tablet.
The tablet will come with 10 hours of battery life, while the iSight camera is a 8MP and can capture 1080p HD video. The device also comes with burst mode, timelapse and slow-motion videos, as well as Touch ID.
The device also comes with Apple Pay, although it’s designed with online retail in mind instead of being used in-store.
The device starts at €509 for the 16GB version, €609 for 64GB and €709 for 128GB amd will come in silver, space grey and gold.
The iPad mini 3 was also announced although it was mentioned in passing by the company. It will also be available for pre-order tomorrow and both will start shipping at the end of next week.
It will cost €409 for the basic 16GB version, €509 for 64GB and €608 for the 128GB version.
Both devices are available to order from tomorrow.
Speaking about the company’s range, Cook called Apple’s current products “the strongest product lineup ever”, and revealed that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were the fastest selling devices in history, with the former being released in China in a few hours.
He also revealed that over 225 million iPads were sold in the past four years, and that 675,000 apps were designed for the iPad.
Also, Apple Pay, which was announced back in September, will officially launch in the US on Monday having signed up 500 bank partners to the service.
It also announced WatchKit, its developer kit for Apple Watch, which will allow developers to create apps for the device. The smartwatch will be released sometime early next year.
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Oh great more Apple hardware fantastic. Now if they could just fix the latest iOS 8 software for my iPhone 5 so all the little bugs I’ve been experiencing would go away and I’ll be happy. The list get ever longer think next time I’ll get a HTC.
iOS 8.1 will be released on Monday and should address most issues.
Brittle would be the best description of iOS 8. Hope iOS 8.1 renders it rock solid.
Coming soon – Apple toilet roll to wipe your arse with more technology… Their taking the piss at this stage!
They’ve some cheek alright! Don’t know how they get away with designing, producing and selling products that millions of people buy.
Going from 7.5 to 6.1mm and a camera their competitors have been using for years.
Apple are taking the p*** now. There’s no innovation here. Just a marketing scam.
Nice little stocking filler bonus to add to the iPhone 6.
Only if it bends
Yeah, for losers with no understanding of technology beyond aesthetics.
I have strong feelings about this product as it is made by the competitor of the product that I purchased recently. The people who buy said product are sheep and should follow my line of thinking.
Sure you could say that about any mass sold item. Don’t be spouting such nonsensical shite.
Bit low on spec versus the competition…only an 8MP camera. The gap is widening between Apple and the rest with the Appletonians falling further behind at an ever quickening rate. ‘Twas good while it lasted.
only an 8mp camera? dunno why they have cameras in the first place apart from the front one. I want to slap every single muppet I see with an iPad held aloft at some gig
Apple doesn’t race for specs. It races for user experience. And is still well ahead of anyone out there. Remember first iPhone, that blew everyone away? It was way behind the spec of competition. Poor camera, slow processor, very little ram. But performed better than any mobile device world have seen at the time.
It races for user experience? I must tell the lads that one. Racing for user experience? Racing no less? Racing…
For us that aren’t in the US of A Quinton, would you have any idea when it might be available in a little country where I live called Ireland?
Ire… land?
Terrible attempts at jokes aside, we don’t know yet. The event just ended there two minutes ago so they haven’t touched upon any other countries apart from the US, but when we get word of its release over here, I’ll update.
Thanks very much Q dog, I’ll just assume that’s what you’ll do from now on, so’s I won’t have to ask in future. Cheers.
Last year the iPad Air was available in Ireland on November 1st so I’d say around then. iPads don’t get delayed or like iPhones do.
Prices went up there on the Apple site. I’ve updated the piece above but here they are.
iPad Air 2
Starts at €509 for 16GB, €609 for 64GB and €709 for 128GB.
iPad mini 3
€409 for the basic 16GB version, €509 for 64GB and €608 for the 128GB version.
Both will be available to pre-order tomorrow, but no official release date just yet.
Thanks Ian.
Yawn
Apple release another product again
Not really news, I’ll stick to android
Why oh why do we get the dollar price? It will be two or three times more expensive here!
Because we pay 23% VAT.
In the US, depending on the state, they pay very little on Sales Tax.
They are in American company launching a product in the US so Dollar price is hardly shocking.
2-3 times more expensive price is a total exaggeration . Last year the iPad Air 32g was $599 and sold for €579 here which is approx €700 but don’t forget the US price excludes state and federal taxes whist the Irish prices include taxes so there is not that much difference.
Ian, there is only a local state sales tax on goods sold in the US. There is no federal tax.
It’s old news with Apple lately, everyone has their day in the sun
Impressed that the prices for the higher capacity Air 2 models are lower than the previous generation.
Disappointed with the mini 3. No real update apart from Touch ID. Same processor, camera, display etc.
have your say