Hasta La Gadget!

Well, hello there, the worst-kept secret in tech. Apple’s iPad mini is the company’s newest device, a 7.9-inch tablet that’s designed to go toe-to-toe with Google’s Nexus 7. For now, it’ll sit alongside the iPad 2 and fourth-generation iPad, and as it packs the same 1,024 x 768 display as the second-generation slate, apps will carry across without any resizing. While Phil Schiller didn’t mention Google or the Nexus 7 by name, the rival slate (and Google’s app library) was compared to the newest iOS device. On stage, he claimed that the screen, which is .9-inch larger than the Nexus 7, gives the iPad mini 35 percent more display area than Google and ASUS’ collaboration.

On the hardware size, the 7.2mm thick, .68 pounds device has been manufactured with an “all new” process that gives it the same anodized edges as you’ll find on the iPhone 5. If you were hoping for equal specifications to the big-daddy iPad, you may be mildly disappointed. While it will pack a 5-megapixel camera and an LTE modem (if you opt to buy a cellular model), it’s running the last-generation A5 CPU. However, the slower internals and less potent display may account for how the company has been able to squeeze out a claimed 10 hours of use despite the constrained space for a battery. Pre-orders for the $329, 16GB WiFi-only model begin on Friday (October 26th) and will begin shipping on November 2nd. The cellular-equipped models will begin shipping a few weeks afterward on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, with the 16GB base model costing $459, running all the way to $659 for the 64GB unit.

For more coverage, visit our Apple Special Event hub!

Continue reading Apple announces 7.9-inch iPad mini with a 1,024 x 768 display, A5 CPU and optional LTE for $329

Filed under: Tablets, Apple

Apple announces 7.9-inch iPad mini with a 1,024 x 768 display, A5 CPU and optional LTE for $329 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today at Apple’s press event, the company announced that the iPad would receive an update. In order to harmonize the product line, the iPad will now come with a Lightning port. A6X and expanded LTE will be added to the iPad as well.

The Lightning port is a good addition for iPhone 5 customers who are going to buy an iPad before the holidays. It will help Apple simplify the product line for accessories and reduce costs related to the supply chain.

Apple surprised us with a couple of other changes. The A6X was added to the iPad as well as expanded LTE support. The “X” means improved graphic capabilities compared to the A6 — something needed for the bigger screen. The company has kept the same design and the same price. When it comes to battery, the new A6X system-on-a-chip plays an important role.

As iPhone 5 teardowns have proven, the new A6 is completely redesigned and much more energy efficient. Apple claims that the improved processor and LTE connectivity don’t come with a drawback, users will enjoy the same 10-hour battery life.

Even though Apple calls it the fourth generation iPad, changes are merely internal upgrades and a new port. The front-facing camera has been updated from VGA to HD. The screen and design remain the same. Yet, Apple makes a smart move right before the holiday season. Those iPads will probably sell well.

It remains to be seen whether Apple will change its update cycle for that device. The iPad unveiled today may be the sign of a new release cycle with new models coming out every year right before the holiday season.

Apple CEO Tim Cook just announced here at the company’s iPad mini event that 100 million iPads have already been sold. The company ended up selling its 100 millionth iPad two weeks ago, just two and half years after the tablet first debuted. That’s quite impressive for a new product that started its own category.

Cook also mentioned that Apple has sold more iPads in the June quarter than any PC manufacturer sold of their entire lineup. We’ve heard versions of this story before, but it’s no surprise that Cook wanted to reaffirm that tidbit of information in front of the crowd today — we certainly can’t blame him.

Cook said that the iPad makes up 91% of all tablets when it comes to web traffic. That means out of everyone who uses a tablet for web browsing, 91% of those users are iPad users. Of course, Tim wanted to as why this was. His response? “People love their iPads.” Cook says that education use has a lot to do with that statistic.

Apple has sold 100 million iPads is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s not quite what we expected, but Apple has just introduced us to a new, 4th generation iPad at its event in San Jose, California today. It’s essentially a hardware refresh for Apple’s 3rd gen slate, as it packs new A6X silicon with quad-core graphics that the company claims provides double the performance of the old A5X chip. The new iPad also gets dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, expanded LTE compatibility (including Sprint and KDDI), a 720p FaceTime camera on the front and the new image processor first seen in the iPhone 5. Of course, it also gets the reversible Lightning port that debuted on on the iPhone, and will be available in both black and white. Pricing stays the same as its predecessor, with a 16GB WiFi version for $499 and a 16GB model with cellular data on board costs $629. Interested? You’ll be able to pick one up through Apple’s online and brick and mortar stores or Apple Authorized Resellers in a host of countries — listed in the PR after the break — on November 2nd.

For more coverage, visit our Apple Special Event hub!

Continue reading Apple announces 4th generation iPad packing an A6X CPU, Lightning connector and FaceTime HD camera

Filed under: Tablets, Apple

Apple announces 4th generation iPad packing an A6X CPU, Lightning connector and FaceTime HD camera originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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