Even though Apple CEO Tim Cook vowed to “double down” on secrecy and leaks last year, it seems as though informational leaks on unreleased Apple products have actually become more prolific. Products like the iPhone 5, iPad mini, iPad 4, iPhone 5S, and iPhone 5C have all been given an “early reveal” thanks to plentiful leaks from parts suppliers.
So it should be no shock to our readers that today sees the launch of the new iPad and the second generation iPad mini. And predictably the early leaks were, for the most part, correct.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the new iPad has gotten a new name. It’s not the iPad 5; instead, it’s called the iPad Air. The new tablet is 7.5mm thin versus 9.4mm (20 percent thinner) and the screen bezels are 43 percent smaller. Weight has also been trimmed down to an even one pound, making it the lightest full-size tablet on the market.
Like the iPhone 5s, the iPad Air features an A7 processor and M7 co-processor inside. Other features include a 5MP iSight rear camera, FaceTime HD camera up front, and dual microphones. What you won't see, however, is TouchID or 802.11ac support. Battery life is still pegged at 10 hours.
It will be available in White/Silver and Black/Space Grey. And unfortunately, Apple still hasn’t upgraded its base storage capacity configuration since the original was introduced in 2010. That means that $499 will still only get you 16GB of storage. The iPad Air will be available November 1.
The iPad mini has also been updated with an A7 processor and a Retina display. It also gets 2x faster Wi-Fi and expanded LTE compatibility in cellular versions. Like its big brother, the new iPad mini will be available in White/Silver and Black/Space Grey. Unfortunately, price has jumped to $399 in the base/16GB configuration and jumps to $529 for an iPad mini LTE with 16GB of storage.
However, the first generation iPad mini sticks around at a lower price point of $299.
