When presenting the new iPads, Apple boss Tim Cook could not resist a dig at the competition: “The competitors are trying to turn tablets in...
A few data should prove Apple's success: the company sold 170 million iPads by the end of September 2013. There are 475,000 real iPad apps in the App Store. However, the market share of the tablet pioneer has fallen sharply in recent quarters, while the competition, especially with inexpensive Android products, has increased. The new iPad models are now supposed to stop this process.
Compared to its predecessor, the new "big" iPad has a 43% smaller frame around the display and is significantly thinner at 7.5 mm.
That's why the 9.7-inch device is also called the iPad Air – similar to Apple's laptops. Something has also changed in terms of weight. Instead of 635 grams, the iPad Air only weighs 454 grams. Apple has thus defused one of the main criticisms of its tablets. As expected, an A7 processor with 64-bit technology works inside, which also does its job in the iPhone 5s. The M7 co-processor is also on board. The device is said to be 8 times faster than the first iPad and provides 72 times faster graphics performance. The dimensions and the resolution of the retina display have not been changed.
In addition to improved LTE support (also for German frequencies), the iPad Air supports MIMO technology for better WLAN reception. The iSight camera has a resolution of 5 megapixels and shoots Full HD videos. According to the manufacturer, the battery life is up to 10 hours.
The iPad Air went on sale on November 1st, 2013. The device is available in silver, white, gray, and black. The wireless version costs €479 for the 16 GB model, €569 for the 32 GB model, €659 for the 64 GB model, and €749 for the 128 GB top version. The iPad Air with an additional LTE module is offered for a surcharge of €120. The iPad 2 remains in the range and is available as a 16 GB version for €379 and with an additional 3G module for €499.
Apple has also revised its compact model, the iPad Mini: It has the same performance data as its big brother and is now on a par with it in terms of display resolution.
The new iPad Mini has a 7.9-inch Retina display with 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. With 7.5 instead of 7.2 mm, it has become slightly thicker. It will be available in German shops from the end of November.
The WLAN models will be available for €389 (16 GB), €479 (32 GB), €569 (64 GB), and €659 (128 GB). With the LTE-capable mobile phone module, €120 more is due again. In addition, the previous iPad Mini is now available for €289 as a 16 GB WLAN variant and for €409 with mobile communications.
Accessory specialists such as Logitech and Belkin have already announced various covers and QWERTZ keyboards for the iPad Air.
