Apple took the wraps off of its new line of iPads, the first considerable update to the tablet since 2010, as well as well as a new iMac screen that significantly enhances its high-definition video capabilities.
The new products include the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3.
The iPad Air 2 features a new A8X processor and M8 chip, providing 40% faster computing performance and 2.5 times faster graphics performance. An improved 8 megapixel camera(boosted from 5 megapixels) enables video to be recorded in 1080p.
Device also includes Touch ID fingerprint scanning, and new anti-reflective coating that cuts down on glare by 56%, a first for the tablet market. It’s also 6.1 mm thick — 18% thinner than last year’s model and 12% thinner than the iPhone 6, making it “the world’s thinnest tablet.” When two are stacked together, they’re still thinner than the first iPad, the company touted. The battery life lasts for around 10 hours.
Pricing will remain the same as the current versions, with a $599 model to offer 64 GB of storage instead of the previous 32 GB. Gold will be a new color offered.
The iPad mini 3 will also be enhanced with more storage but add gold as a new color, as well. Pricing for the iPad mini, iPad mini 2 and iPad Air 1 will be reduced.
Apple also unveiled a new iMac with a 5K display featuring 14.7 million pixels — “the world’s highest resolution display,” that’s also 30% more power efficient than previous models, it said.
A new 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display will cost $2,499.
Apple is giving its popular tablets a refresh as more consumer are starting to snatch up larger smartphones, which is starting to impact iPad sales.
The tablets were introduced by Apple CEO Tim Cook at a press event at its Cupertino, Calif. headquarters on Thursday.
It is the company’s second such event in over a month after hyping new iPhones and its Apple Watch in September.
The press event comes just hours before the iPhone 6 goes on sale in China for the first time.
Cook said the new iPhones have been the fastest-selling in Apple’s history.
Its new mobile payment service Apple Pay also will go live on Oct. 20.
“We can deliver something no one sell can do: a simple, intuitive and yes, a magical experience for our customers,” Cook said toward the close of the event. “This is our vision of personal technology. And we are just getting started.”
