Apple lead into today’s iPad announcement with a few new interesting insights into how Apple is leading the tech industry as of 2014. Of course, the iPad announcement eclipsed most of the revelations, such as the iPad being the number one tablet worldwide, yet again, boasting 100% customer satisfaction on the original model iPad Air, as well as a total of 225 million iPads of all models being sold as of now.
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So, the main event. The well-leaked iPad Air 2 was announced, following a quick video showing how the new iPad Air 2 will be thinner. Tim Cook produced one of the new tablets, proudly displaying the side of the device to the audience, “Can you even see it?” he asked, before announcing that the Air 2 now holds the record as the world’s thinnest tablet, so thin that two Air 2’s on top of each other are still thinner than first iPad.
The device’s screen is a labor of love from Apple, with an all new layered method designed to reduce internal reflection. Combined with a mysterious anti reflective coating, the new layered screen reduces reflections by a whopping 56%.
Inside the Air 2 is the new A8x chip, Apple’s processing powerhouse designed to handle the extraordinary power of this new tablet. As such, the A8x provides a 40% faster CPU than the original iPad Air, as well as a 2.5x faster GPU. The iPad Air 2 is 12x faster than iPad 1 CPU wise, as well as providing 180x better graphics. The tablet will ship with iOS 8.1, fixed and finalized thanks to customer feedback.
Sensory devices include the new M8 accelerometer, barometer, and motion sensor chip, as well as the new iSight camera, and 8mp rear camera that takes 1080p photos and videos whilst the A8x chip takes charge of image signal processing, enhancing images with digital technology.
SEE ALSO: Apple Store down ahead of iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 announcement
The camera also features auto HDR, low noise and high detail macro shooting. Included is the feature to shoot 43 megapixel panorama images, burst mode and timelapse images. A brand new Facetime camera includes HDR, burst selfies and an aperture designed to let in 81% more light – all functions are A8x supported.
Connectivity is key with the new generation of Apple devices – 802.11AC wifi comes to the Air 2, as well as faster LTE at 150mbps on 20 bands.
Hailed as the most wanted feature by customers, touch ID has been added, including the much loved fingerprint to unlock features, as well as bringing Apple Pay authorization through Touch ID for online purchases.
The iPad Air 2 is priced at $499 for the 16GB version, $599 for the 64GB and $699 for the 128GB. There’s no 32GB version sadly. The more expensive 4G LTE version comes in at $629 for 16GB, $729 for 64GB and $829 for 128GB.
There’s also a smaller version of the Air 2, packed with the same features, which has come out as the iPad Mini 3. It includes Touch ID, and goes for $399, $499, and $599 for 16/64/128GB versions and $529, $629 and $729 for 16/64/128GB 4G LTE versions.
Previous versions of the iPad have been dropped in price by 100 dollars since the new models have been released, and if you’re looking to get the iPad Mini 3 or iPad Air 2, they go for pre-order now, with items ordered shipping soon.
Source: Apple
Via: ExtremeTech