Apple reveals new iPad tablet details

by Blaine Kyllo on October 16th, 2014 at 1:05 PM

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At a media event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California today (October 16), Apple revealed details of new models of its iPad tablet (along with software updates and a new iMac).

“iPad is everywhere,” Apple CEO Tim Cook told the crowd. “It’s transforming the way we work. The way we learn. The way we play. It’s transforming the way we communicate.”

Since the first iPad was released four years ago, 225 million iPads have been sold, and there are 675,000 iPad apps available to users, something Cook said was a “huge advantage”.

The new iPad Air 2 is only 6.1 millimetres thick, which is 18 percent thinner than the model released just last year. It is, according to Phil Schiller, the world’s thinnest tablet.

In addition to adding the fingerprint sensor to the home button on the iPad Air 2, the new tablet has an improved Retina display that is thinner and less reflective. It was built with a new A8X chip which makes the iPad Air 2 faster, and allows for faster Wi-Fi and LTE connections.

Both cameras have been updated, as well. The front-facing iSight camera is now 8 megapixel (MP) with the ability to shoot 1080p high definition video. New shooting modes include burst mode, slow motion, and time lapse. The improved FaceTime camera also has the ability to shoot burst selfies.

The iPad Air 2 will be available in space grey, silver, and gold, in six different configurations:

16GB Wi-Fi: $549
64GB Wi-FI: $659
128GB Wi-Fi: $769
16GB Wi-Fi and cellular: $689
64GB Wi-FI and cellular: $799
128GB Wi-Fi and cellular: $899

The smaller iPad form factor is also getting updated. The iPad mini 3 also includes the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and comes in the same three colours, in six configurations:

16GB Wi-Fi: $439
64GB Wi-FI: $549
128GB Wi-Fi: $659
16GB Wi-Fi and cellular: $579
64GB Wi-FI and cellular: $689
128GB Wi-Fi and cellular: $799

Preorders for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 begin on October 17 and start shipping by the October 24.

Meanwhile, pricing on older iPad models has dropped.

The first iPad Air is available starting at $439 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi model, and the iPad mini 2 is $329 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi version. The original iPad mini is as low as $279 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi model.