Apple had their Annual iPad event Yesterday, and although the secrecy and expectations where not as high as it was with the iPhone 5s event, Apple gave us a complete new line of iPads, MacBooks, Software updates and more.
Here’s a list of everything Apple announced:
1. The New iPad Air
The new iPad Air
- This is the lightest iPad ever. It’s the fifth-generation full-size iPad, re-branded for the new age to reflect its dramatically improved design.
- The device still has a 9.7-inch Retina display,
- It includes the 43% skinnier side bezel similar to the iPad mini.
- The iPad Air is 20 percent thinner.
- It is 28% lighter compared to its predecessor at just 1.0 pound versus 1.4 pounds.
- It also now boasts the new Apple-designed 64-bit A7 chip that just launched with the iPhone 5s and also contains the M7 motion coprocessor to track your movement in a battery-friendly manner.
- The iPAd Air has dual microphones for better reception and improved Siri performance.
- It comes in Silver and Space Grey finishes (No Gold on the way it seems)
- Pricing starts at the same $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi configuration. The 32/64/128GB Wi-Fi variants are $599/$699/$799. The 16GB iPad 2 Wi-Fi remains on sale for $399.
- Apple said the iPad Air will start shipping on November 1 in a few dozen countries, including China.
Here’s the Promo video, classic Jony Ive Apple style:
2. The New iPad Mini
The new iPad Mini
The new iPad mini recieved it’s expected massive bump in resolution, and a increase in pretty much every other area.
- The iPad Mini now has Retina Display giving it the same 2048 x 1536 resolution.
- It also now has the 64-bit A7 processor.
- This iPad Mini is up to 4x faster on CPU and 8x faster on the graphics.
- It also features 2x faster Wi-Fi, expanded LTE support, and the same 10-hour battery life.
- The new iPad mini will come in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB flavors, starting at the [more expensive] price of $399 for the Wi-Fi only model. Interestingly enough, Apple just says ‘November’ for availability.
- Apple will be keeping the first gen iPad mini around, though, and has slashed its price to $299.
First impression reviews are already rolling in, here’s what they had to say:
While Apple’s done an impressive job slimming the tablet down and taking off nearly half a pound, it doesn’t feel cheap — it’s an Apple product, after all. Naturally, iOS 7 looks really great on that Retina display — though you knew that already right?
What’s really notable here, however, is just how zippy things are, thanks to the inclusion of the A7 chip. You really notice that speed when launching apps like iMovie, which boots up in an an instant. That’ll get you around the new free version of iLife pretty swiftly. – Engadget
Long story short: it looks and feels like a larger (but not that much larger) iPad mini, and that’s mostly a really good thing. It’s really beautiful, with cleaner bezels, a much thinner profile, and sharper, boxier edges. The 9.7-inch device feels much better in one hand than it used to, though it’s certainly not as portable as the iPad mini — which now has a screen to match the Air.
They feel fast, though not noticeably different from the A7-powered iPhone 5S. Even despite a couple of surprising omissions, like a TouchID fingerprint sensor, this device deserves a new name: it feels completely different than the full-sized iPad once did. – TheVerge
3. New Macbook Pro’s
The two new Macbook Pro models
Two new MacBook Pros have been introduced. Both with a bump in specifications as expected, and a surprising reduction in price.
- The two new models come in a 13-inch and a 15-inch size.
- Both of them have been updated with Intel processing chips to increase performance and battery life.
- Both have received $200 price reductions.
- The new 13-inch model is thinner and lighter than before, measuring in at just 0.71 inches thick with a weight of 3.46 pounds. It’s also less expensive, starting at just $1299, though that comes with a smaller SSD drive than its predecessor.
- The 15-inch model now has the new Crystalwell integrated graphics chips and other performance enhancements. It’s also getting a significant discount, with a starting price of just $1999 ($200 less).
4. Apple also announced:
- iOS 7.0.3 is out with iCloud Keychain, iMessage fixes and more
- OS X Mavericks will be available from the 22nd for free
- Apple introduced updated iLife and iWork apps
- Previous app versions coming to Mac App Store, too
- New iWork suite goes live on the iOS and Mac App Store
- iTunes 11.1.2 is out with support for Mavericks and performance improvements
- Apple updates Trailers, Podcasts and Find My iPhone apps for iOS 7
- Safari 6.1 is out, brings Shared Links, Power Saver, Sidebar and more to Mountain Lion
- Apple quietly brings new iMovie Theater channel to Apple TV
- Free OS X Mavericks update now available in the Mac App Store
- Redesigned, enhanced and 64-bit optimized iLife suite now available on iOS and Mac
iPad Mini now with Retina Display
It seemed to be a normal day at the office with Apple. Nothing unexpected (no iWatch … yet!). Apple gave us pretty awesome upgrades to their top of the line products, which should see them remain at the top of the iPad wars for another year.
