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Say Hello To The iPad Air

Will Federman |
October 22, 2013 | 12:26 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

The new iPad Air is thinner, lighter and more powerful. (Photo/Apple)
The new iPad Air is thinner, lighter and more powerful. (Photo/Apple)

Apple announced two brand new additions to their best-selling iPad line to a packed house at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco earlier today. The press-only event comes just a few weeks after Apple shipped new iPhone models to retailers.

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Tim Cook took to the stage to reveal the all-new iPad Air, which will phase out the fourth-generation iPad. While the iPad Air will retain the same 9.7” Retina screen, the diminutive tablet weighs just 1 pound and is 7.6 millimeters thin – 20 percent thinner than the last generation model.

The new iPad Air also comes fully loaded with the latest technology developed by Apple’s corps of engineers in Cupertino.

SEE ALSO: Apple Releases New iPad Air, Free Software

Like the iPhone 5S, the iPad Air will ship with Apple’s proprietary A7 processor, making the wafer-thin tablet a 64-bit, desktop class device. The new processor promises an eight-fold performance increase over its predecessor and graphics performance 72 times over existing A6 architecture.

In addition to expanded LTE support, Apple announced that the iPad Air will be the first iOS device to ship with MIMO technology for increased Wi-Fi performance. Communication aficionados will also benefit from the inclusion of dual microphones and an updated FaceTime HD camera.

The iPad Air will ship to retailers on November 1st for $499, but Apple will continue to sell through existing iPad models at a $100 discount.

The oft-rumored iPad Mini with Retina display also made an appearance at the press event, elating fans of its 7.9” form factor. But Apple did a lot more than just increase the screen resolution (2048 x 1546) – the new iPad Mini with Retina display will ship with the same exact A7 processor found in the iPad Air.

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The stunning spec bump will make Apple’s new iPad Mini with Retina display arguably the fastest 7.9” tablet on the market.

Apple did not set a firm release date for the iPad Mini with Retina display, but promised it would ship to retailers sometime in November for $399.

The miniscule tablet will come in silver, white, gray and black. New covers and accessories for both iPad devices will range from $39, to more premium leather options at $79.

SEE ALSO: Is Apple Still Innovative?

So ready your wallets and save your pennies. And if you're one of the unfortunate owners in possession of an obsolete iPad model, take solace in the fact that Gazelle is still offering market value for used iPads through the end of the day.

Reach reporter Will Federman here or tweet him at @wfederman.



 

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