Bigget iPad yet
Up until now, the iPad came in two sizes -- 9.7 inches (iPad Air 2) and 5.3 inches (iPad mini 3). That changes with the introduction of the iPad Pro, a 12.9-inch slate that aims to offer users the ability to get work done, not just play Angry Birds.
Apple also introduced an iPad mini 4 tablet, though it's the new iPad Pro that warrants a discussion. It's built around Apple's new custom A9X chip, a 64-bit SoC with performance "rivaling most portable PCs." Taking it a step further, Apple says the A9X's third-generation 64-bit architecture combines desktop-class CPU performance with console-class graphics.
“iPad Pro is the most advanced and powerful iPad we have ever made. Its beautiful and large 12.9-inch Retina display (2732x2048 resolution; 264 ppi) has 5.6 million pixels and provides an immersive experience for content and apps. The iPad Pro is far and away the fastest iOS device we have ever made — its A9X chip beats most portable PCs in both CPU and graphics tasks, but is thin and light enough to hold all day,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
Those are some bold claims, and in time, we'll find out if the iPad Pro's performance lives up to the hype or not.
In the meantime, let's talk about the iPad Pro's purpose. This isn't just another content consumption device, it's essentially Apple's version of the Surface Pro. The difference here is that it's not running Mac OS X, but iOS 9, which Apple also unveiled today.
To go along with the iPad Pro, Apple announced a stylus accessory called Apple Pencil and a new Smart Keyboard. Apple said it retooled the multi-touch subsystem in the iPad Pro to work with the Apple Pencil with "dramatically" reduced latency and "incredible accuracy." There are advanced sensor in the Apple Pencil to measure both pressure and tilt, along with a built-in Lightning connector for easy charging and pairing. On the productivity side, Apple says it works with popular apps like Office 356 for iPad, Mail, Notes, and Procreate.
As for the keyboard, it's a full-size plank that attaches to the iPad Pro's Smart Connector port. Going this route eliminates the need for a battery, on/off switch, or Bluetooth pairing. It's also foldable and can transform into a Smart Cover.
Other features of the iPad Pro include a 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera, 8MP iSight camera with f/2.2 aperture and 4K recording, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, four speakers, and dual microphones. Noticeably absent is the amount of RAM, which Apple didn't disclose at this time.
The iPad Pro will be available in November starting at $799 (32GB) for the Wi-Fi model and $1,079 (128GB) for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. Color options will include silver, gold, and space gray. The Apple Pencil for iPad Pro will go for $99, and the Smart Keyboard will sell for $169. That means going all-in will set you back $1,067 for the Wi-Fi model or $1,347 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version.
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From maximumpc
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