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The best stylus for your iPad or other touchscreen device
By Serenity Caldwell This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer's guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After testing 18 styluses in five categories for over 20 hours to find the best touchscreen stylus for sketching, writing, and navigation, we think the Adonit Mark is the one most people should buy, thanks to its unmatched combination of accuracy, comfort, and price.
Pressur is a simple barometer app
The iPhone 6, 6 plus and the iPad Air 2 added a barometer sensor. Ostensibly it is supposed to help the device better track your steps for the health app by knowing when you've gone up and down stairs. But there is no reason it can't also be used for weather purposes. That's exactly what Pressur does. It reads the data from the sensor and displays it on your screen. The app is simple enough. The main screen shows you the current reading. And the Log shows you a list of the most recent readings. I haven't completely figured out how they are supposed to work. Sometimes I see a lot of recent readings and sometimes it acts like I've just run it for the first time and it only shows me the most recent one. So, often the Trends diagram only shows me one or two data points making for a very boring graph. The app offers an in-app purchase to remove ads and adds some additional options (and maybe the ability to track more than a few data points?). It also allows you to add a trend graph as a Today widget. Pressur is a free app with ads or $0.99 to remove ads as an in-app purchase. It requires the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or an iPad Air 2 and iOS 8 and up.
Booqpad gains iPad Air 2 compatibility, still has a magnetic personality
Last April, TUAW reviews a very unique iPad Air case - the Booq Booqpad - that melded a magnetically-attached agenda case with a paper notepad. At the time it garnered a 4-star rating thanks to its flexibility and that paper notepad. Today I'm looking at the BooqPad for iPad Air 2 (US$60.00) and we'll see if that changed. Specifications Exterior dimensions: 7 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches (178 x 242 x 24 mm) Weight: 0.88 lbs (0.4 kg) Compatible with: iPad Air 2 only Color: Gray only Comes with removable/replaceable 50-sheet paper notepad Design Like the previous iteration of the Booqpad, the new version consists of a slim folio that, when opened, features a paper notepad on the left side and a magnetically-attached tray for the iPad on the right side. A slender magnetic catch keeps the cover closed while you're in transit. Around the outside of the paper notepad side are slots for business cards, and you can get refills for your notepad in blank, lined, or graph paper formats ($10 for 3 pads). That catch is different from the one on original iPad Air version of the Booqpad, which was rather wide and could actually hold a Pencil by FiftyThree stylus. The case also acts as a stand, with the section of the folio that the polycarbonate iPad tray attaches to folding to accommodate a variety of angles. Should you decide that you'd like to use the iPad Air 2 on its own without the folio, just give it a pull and the tray/iPad combo comes out. Just bring that tray back to the folio and hold it near, and it snaps right back into place. Functionality While I still like the idea of the Booqpad, I'm not sure that I'm quite as enthusiastic about it as I was last year after seeing dozens of other iPad case/stands. It definitely fills a specific niche, but it doesn't have the adjustability of some competing folio-type cases. In addition, Booq used to include a screen protector with each Booqpad. That's no longer the case, which is a little odd - perhaps the company found that nobody was using the screen protectors? Maybe the idea of having a paper notepad alongside your iPad excites you, and if it does, then the Booqpad is just the case for you. Otherwise, it might be worth your while to just grab any old folio type case and slap in a Post-it® 5 x 8 inch notebook pad. Conclusion About a year after the first Booqpad arrived on the scene, we're seeing the new model for iPad Air 2. Booqpad is still unique, but we're wondering if that's because no other manufacturer really thinks a combo paper notepad/iPad case is worthwhile. It's a well-done case; it's just that the idea seems a bit less exciting than it did a year ago. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway OK, if you're just dying for a Booqpad, hold onto your hats because we're giving one away. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before January 16, 2015 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Booq Booqpad for iPad Air 2 valued at $60. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Test driving the ClamCase Pro keyboard case for iPad Air 2 (Updated)
With the arrival of the iPad Air 2 last fall, many case manufacturers went back to the drawing board to produce new products that would accommodate the slightly thinner tablet. One of the favorite keyboard cases for those of us here at TUAW has always been the ClamCase Pro (US$169.00), and that case has recently been updated for the latest member of the iPad family. Specifications Dimensions: 9.74 x 7.30 x 0.74 inches (247.4 x 185.4 x 18.8 mm) Weight: 1.2 lbs (.544 kg) Battery life: 100 hours uninterrupted use time, 6 months standby time, recharges in 120 minutes Previous Reviews ClamCase Pro for iPad (May 14, 2013) ClamCase Pro for iPad Air (August 6, 2014) Design When it comes to iPad keyboard cases that stand up to a lot of abuse, the ClamCase Pro is the hands-down winner. The case features an aluminum body to hold the keyboard and battery, while the iPad Air is securely surrounded with tough polycarbonate. While it may not be the lightest or thinnest keyboard case on the market, the ClamCase Pro is certainly one of the most versatile. The case features a special hinge that lets the iPad be used in landscape orientation just like a laptop similar to other keyboard cases. But the amazing part of this design is in how the iPad can be flipped a full 360° for tablet use. The keyboard has a great feel with good feedback, and there are separate rows for the number keys and iOS function keys. Those keys include a "home" key, Spotlight search, cut, copy and paste, Siri, switch to alternative keyboards, and music and volume controls. There's also a lock key, a full arrow pad, and one special key to tell you how much of a charge is remaining in the ClamCase Pro battery. A single LED is used to provide users with initial Bluetooth pairing status, caps lock, and the battery level. There's an external power switch on the left side of the keyboard to turn the power on and off. Functionality As with previous models of the ClamCase Pro, the iPad Air 2 version pairs quickly with your tablet, requiring no 4-digit code to be entered. As much as I love the classic ClamCase Pro design, there are several things about the case that are beginning to seem dated in comparison with newer keyboard cases. For example, many of the new cases automatically power on and off and don't even have a power switch. That feature is quite useful, as I often found myself closing the ClamCase Pro "cover" -- which turns off the iPad Air 2 -- but forgetting to power down the keyboard. That's not all bad, as the ClamCase Pro does shut off your iPad Air 2 when the lid is down. However, if you're planning on watching a movie in the configuration shown below or you're holding the case in the "flipped" configuration seen above, you should probably use the power switch to turn the keyboard off or you may find you're inadvertently pushing buttons. Update: the ClamCase Pro does shut off the keyboard power automatically when it is in tablet mode. The design of the keyboard case also provides a nice palm rest below the keyboard, which is not only helpful when typing with the iPad Air 2 and ClamCase Pro in your lap, but almost necessary at any time. As light as the iPad Air 2 is, pushing the "screen" back out of the default position or typing on an angled surface can result in the keyboard lifting up. That makes it important for users to keep their palms on the keyboard in those conditions to ensure that the case and iPad don't take a tumble. After using some other keyboard cases for a while, there's one other thing I noticed about the ClamCase Pro -- the space bar is a bit noisy. I've really become accustomed to typing in complete silence on some competing keyboards. This, however, may be specific to the particular test case I was trying. Conclusion All things considered, the ClamCase Pro for iPad Air 2 is probably the most robust keyboard case I've had the pleasure to test. In my opinion, it really protects the iPad better than any other keyboard case on the market. On the negative side, it's still one of the more expensive keyboard cases available, and is also quite heavy in comparison to many competing cases. It's up to the buyer to determine if the protection and flexibility of the design outweigh the premium price and added weight. For anyone who wants to use their iPad to do laptop-type work, there's no better keyboard case to use. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible.
The year in reviews: a look back at the best gadgets of 2014
It's been quite a year in products here at the Engadget offices. Not only have we looked at the latest flagship phones and hottest laptops, but our reviews have run the gamut from VR headsets to WiFi Crock-Pots. We've worn lots of smartwatches and fitness wristbands on our arms, tried out an ultra-secure phone and looked at more Chromebooks than we can count. And while we reviewed plenty of average and mediocre devices (and even a few bad ones), there are a handful that emerge at the top of the heap. Some come out as clear winners, while others are good, but don't quite break away from the pack, leaving us with a rather perplexing six-way-tie for seventh place. Thus, we present to you not our top 10, but top 12 highest-scored products of 2014.
Jimmy Fallon gifts his audience with iPads
Everybody in the studio audience last night for NBC's Tonight Show got a little something last night from host Jimmy Fallon: a sparkling new iPad Air 2. Fallon is a huge fan of Apple products, with a MacBook on his set desk and iPad doo-wop duets with Robert Plant and Billy Joel to his credit. What a lot of people may not know is that he and Justin Timberlake are the voices for those iPhone 6/6 Plus ads that you've been watching the past few months. We don't know the specs of the iPads given away, like how much storage or whether or not they're Wi-Fi + Cellular models, but each iPad Air 2 at a minimum cost Mr. Fallon or NBC US$499... unless he got 'em as payment for the ads. Fallon does refer to them as "iPad 2s" during the giveaway hoopla, but he wouldn't be playing The Grinch by giving away an old iPad now, would he? Enjoy the video over on the NBC site, since their video embed didn't want to play nice with TUAW.
Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2: Review and giveaway
The transformation of the iPad Air into the iPad Air 2 forced case manufacturers to go back to the drawing board, but that's not always a bad thing. With each iteration of case, the product usually gets better. That's the situation with Belkin's Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 (US$149.99), which has emerged from a redesign truly deserving of the name "Ultimate Pro". Let's take a look, then enter for an opportunity to win a Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for your iPad Air 2. Specifications Dimensions: 9.72 x 7.09 x .71 inches(24.7 x 18 x 1.8 cm) Weight: 17.28 ounces (490 grams) Bluetooth Pairing: Bluetooth Smart pairing with up to 2 devices Battery Life: Up to one year Design The Qode Ultimate Pro looks like a pretty standard iPad keyboard case until you examine it closely. The iPad Air 2 is encased in a polycarbonate shell (white or black) for protection, and that shell can be removed from the keyboard by simply pulling the iPad away - magnets hold the two together. Bring the iPad Air 2 back in the vicinity of the "hinge" and they stick together, either in landscape or portrait orientation. The magnets that are built into the iPad Air 2 are used to keep the tablet in one of several positions. The keyboard/screen protector is made of aluminum, and there are rubber "feet" that keep the keys from touching the iPad screen. Inside the case is a battery that's designed to give you almost a year between charges in normal usage. One thing that I was happy to see is that there is no power switch on the keyboard as it's designed to turn on and off automatically. This seems to be a feature that is becoming common with the better keyboard cases on the market. The keyboard has all of the keys in the traditional locations, but does not use a separate row for the iPad function keys - instead, those keys share space with the number key row. The caps lock and tab keys are rather small and may be an issue for some users. The keyboard is backlit, with three possible brightness settings. I found the feel of the keyboard to be acceptable, but a bit more "springy" than other keyboards with less of a positive feedback. As with all keyboards, you may wish to try out the Qode Ultimate Pro for yourself prior to purchase since everyone has their own take on what the "perfect" keyboard feels like. Functionality Unfortunately, I don't have an iPad Air 2 nor is my employer going to purchase one for me, so I had to do all of my testing with an ancient, fat and heavy iPad Air. The Qode Ultimate Pro Case can be used as a standalone Bluetooth keyboard simply by removing the device, then folding the "hinge" flap under the keyboard. That made it quite easy to try out the keyboard with my original iPad Air. One thing I find interesting is that if you decide you don't need to use the keyboard and you happen to have an Apple Smart Cover, you can pull the keyboard off and replace it with the Smart Cover. I like the fact that the case can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation. I've often thought that writing in apps like Pages or Microsoft Word for iPad in portrait mode would be much more "natural looking". The Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case is a bit heavier than other keyboard cases for the iPad Air, so if carrying a few more ounces is an issue for you, it might be a good idea to look into some of our other keyboard case reviews to find a lighter model. The dual pairing feature is definitely a nifty idea - I found it fun to switch between iPad Air and iPhone 6 Plus with the push of the function key and one of two Bluetooth keys. Conclusion The Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2 provides amazing battery life, dual device Bluetooth pairing, the ability to type in either landscape or portrait orientation, and backlit keys. It's a bit heavy, though, so those who are concerned about carrying extra ounces might want to peruse other keyboard cases before buying. Small caps lock and tab keys may also be an issue for some users. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Have a nice new iPad Air 2 that you'd like to pair up with a Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case? TUAW and Belkin want you to have one. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before December 12, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Belkin Qode Ultimate Pro Keyboard Case valued at $149.99 Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Apple kicks off new "Change is in the Air" advertising campaign for iPad Air 2
Apple on Sunday released a new advertising campaign highlighting the iPad Air 2. Unlike the earlier "YouVerse" ads that focused on one person, the new "Change is in the Air" campaign provides a montage of all the different ways people are using the iPad in work and play. iPad Air 2 isn't just the thinnest and lightest iPad we've ever created. It's the most powerful. From the studio to the classroom, the field to the garage, it's helping people discover new and better ways to do the things they love. Imagine what you'll do with it. Apple created a new web page for the marketing push and released a one-minute video clip that aired during Sunday's lineup of football games. The ad, available on Apple's YouTube channel, features the song "Who Needs You" by The Orwells.
Logitech's AnyAngle case: Just the angle you want for iPad Air 2, iPad mini
Logitech continues to outpace most accessory manufacturers in coming out with a variety of very useful products for the iPad. Today's announcement is for a very adjustable iPad case for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini called the AnyAngle (US$59.99). As you can see in the video below, AnyAngle uses a unique hinge mechanism to adjust to, well, just about any angle. I can see the AnyAngle being a good companion to Logitech's recently-released Keys-To-Go Bluetooth Keyboard, a standalone keyboard equipped with Logitech's splashproof FabricSkin. It's the perfect combo for people who want to use a keyboard with their iPads, but don't necessarily want that keyboard to be attached to the tablet. AnyAngle comes in a variety of colors - Black, Red/Blue, Violet, Grey, Teal, and Yellow. We hope to have a review item in hand soon.
Best Buy Black Friday deals: $100 off iPad Air 2, $150 off MacBook Air and much more
It's still early November, but with Thanksgiving about 2+ weeks away, the Black Friday deals have already started rolling in. Per usual, Best Buy will have some solid deals that may very well warrant trekking over to the store once you're finished stuffing yourself with turkey and mashed potatoes. Best Buy recently published its upcoming Black Friday deals online. Below are just a few of the Apple items of interest. iPad Deals Starting on Thursday, November 28 at 5PM and running through November 29, shoppers at Best Buy will be able to purchase Apple's new iPad Mini 3 for US$324.99, a solid $75 off the normal list price. Even better, all models -- from 16 GB to 64 GB -- of the iPad Air 2 will be available at a $100 discount. Essentially, you'll soon be able to pick up the new iPad Air 2 for the price of an iPad Mini 3. Notably, the deals will also be available online. MacBook Deals Not to be outdone, there are also some great savings to be had across Apple's MacBook line. Specifically, shoppers will be able to save $150 off of the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and $120 off of the 11.6-inch MacBook Air. With respect to the MacBook Pro, the 13.3-inch model with Retina display will come with $150 worth of savings while the non-Retina model will come with $200 worth of savings. The final pricing looks like this: MacBook Air 13.3-inch - $1049.99 MacBook Air 11.6-inch - $779.99 MacBook Pro Retina Display - $1349.99 MacBook Pro non-Retina - $899.99 iMac Deals The base model 21.5-inch iMac will be available at a modest $20 discount while the 21.5-inch iMac with 8GB of RAM and a 1 TB hard drive will be available at a $100 discount. Beats Deals With Beats now officially under the Apple umbrella, it's worth mentioning what types of deals are to be had there. Beats by Dre Studio headphones will be available for $199.99, representing $100 in savings. Meanwhile, the Beats by Dre portable speaker will be available for $249.99, representing $150 in savings.
IHS teardown: Apple nets $224 on each 16GB WiFi iPad Air 2 it sells
Despite its upgrade, the iPad Air 2 shares a nearly similar bill of materials as its predecessor, claims IHS following its teardown analysis of Apple's latest tablet device. According to the analysis, the entry-level $499 16GB WiFi-Only iPad Air 2 costs Apple $275 to manufacture as compared to $269 for original iPad Air. The biggest difference between the device generations is the Air 2's increased storage options, which saw Apple replacing the previous 16/32/64 configurations with 16/64/128GB. Apple kept the pricing constant, which means these higher capacities are biting into Apple's profit margins. "The Air 2 delivers a series of refinements compared to the original Air but features nothing earthshaking," said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director, cost benchmarking services for IHS. "With largely identical display specifications and minor improvements in most other areas, Apple continues to offer evolutionary upgrades to the iPad lineup. It's interesting to note that by offering the consumer a 128GB model for the same price as last year's 64GB iPad Air, Apple actually has taken down our estimated margins a bit on both the 64GB and 128GB models. The increased memory configurations to 64GB and 128GB are some of the key upgrades here." The most expensive component is the 9.7-inch IPS display, which is estimated to cost $77. Following in price is the mechanical and electro-mechanic components at $44, the touchscreen at $38 and the wireless components (BB/RF/PA) at $33. The cheapest parts are WLAN/BT/FM/GPS modules and the box contents which cost $5.
iFixit teardown of iPad Air 2 reveals 2GB of RAM, smaller battery
As soon as Apple's iPad Air 2 started landing in retail stores on Wednesday, the teardown experts at iFixit got a hold of Apple's newest tablet to examine its internal hardware. According to iFixit, the Air 2 sets a new bar for thinness with a 6.1mm profile that measures even less than the iPhone 6. The iPad Air 2 also includes a Touch ID sensor that is similar to the iPhone and a new 8-megapixel iSight camera that shares similar specifications, but is different from the module in the iPhone 6. As mentioned in reviews, battery life in the iPad Air 2 is decreased due to a smaller battery. The iPad Air 2 ships with a 27.62 Whr and 7,340 mAh battery, while last year's iPad Air included a 32.9 Whr/8,827 mAh module. The teardown also confirmed the presence of Apple's new A8X processor and 2 GB of Elpida RAM, which is split across two 1 GB modules. The iPad Air 2 is available now from Apple with a starting price of US$499 for the 16 GB WiFi-only model. Options include cellular for $129 more and capacities of 64 GB and 126 GB, each of which adds $100 to the price of the device.
iPad Air 2 review roundup
iPad Air 2 reviews started making the rounds yesterday and, as one might expect, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Below is a quick roundup from some of the more notable hands-on reviews. Brad Molen of Engadget: Strap on your seat belts, kids -- the iPad Air 2 is speedy. The irony is not lost on me as I say it, given that we seem to say the same thing with every new iPad. Indeed, the Air 2 fits that bill perfectly: It's predictably more powerful than its predecessor, thanks to the A8X chipset inside, but there's a bit more to the tablet's oomph this time around. Apple's making a jump from a dual-core processor to one with three cores; the CPU is clocked at 1.5GHz, a 100MHz bump from the original Air; the L2 cache doubled from 1MB to 2MB; and it also comes with 2GB of RAM, twice as much as the last few iPads. It's no surprise, then, why the company is boasting a 40 percent boost in CPU performance and an increase in graphics prowess by a factor of 2.5. Nilay Patel of The Verge: Inside the iPad Air 2 lies Apple's new A8X chip, which is a variant of the A8 found in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with additional graphics capabilities. It's ridiculously fast - noticeably faster to load web pages and launch apps than my iPad Air, and it has so much graphics headroom that I'm eager to see how game developers take advantage of it. ... You'd expect a thinner device with a more powerful chip to take a hit on battery life, but the Air 2 lasted just as long as any of my other iPads - I went a full weekend of using it on LTE and Wi-Fi without charging it, finally plugging it in at 34 percent. Chris Davies of Slashgear On the iPad Air, the LCD, cover glass, and the touch sensor are all separate. The iPad Air 2 fuses them into one, doing away with the gaps in-between. That means a big reduction in internal reflectance - where light bounces between the reflective surfaces of each layer - and the result is a step up in clarity. It's subtle: you don't necessarily clock that there's been an improvement in color quality, or contrast range, but simply that the screen seems clearer and more lively. At times, it almost feels like graphics are popping out, or floating just above the surface of the cover glass. Walt Mossberg of Re/Code liked the device overall, but had one minor gripe: The problem was this: I couldn't tell the difference between the Air and Air 2 while doing these things. The new model didn't seem faster or smoother while running all my apps, perhaps because - like most people - I don't use my iPad for the most demanding video-editing apps or high-end games. It registered pretty much the same network speeds as my Air. The Air 2 didn't allow me to hold or carry the tablet longer and more comfortably than the Air. Its weight of 0.96 pounds isn't discernibly lighter than the Air's weight of one pound. And its thickness of 0.24 inches is a barely noticeable reduction from the Air's 0.29 inches. And for your viewing pleasure, here are a few more iPad Air 2 reviews from David Pogue, John Gruber, Harry McCracken of Fast Company, and Joanna Stern of the Wall Street Journal.
T-Mobile offering iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 for $0 down
T-Mobile has announced it will begin to take pre-orders of the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 starting on Wednesday, October 22. Using T-Mobile's Simple Choice plan T-Mobile customers will be able to get a 16GB model of either device for $0 down and $26.24 a month after that for the iPad Air 2 and $22.08 a month for the Mini 3. Both of those payment plans last for 24 months. Users with the Simple Choice plan can also add a data for their iPad to their existing plan for $10 a month. That $10 gets you up to 5GB of data per month, depending on your current plan. If you're looking to get a model with slightly more storage a little more money is required when you pick up the device. According to TMO News different models have different upfront pricing. While the 16GB model is available for $0 down, the 64GB version of each model requires $99 down, while the 128GB model demands $199 down. That's on top of the $26.24 or $22.08 a month payment plan. The good news for people considering these plans is you're not paying more than a cellular-equipped iPad Air 2 or Mini 3 would cost anyway buying them new.
When autocorrect goes adorably wrong during the iPad Air 2 presentation
Autocorrect comes for us all someday, telling our loved ones they're petty instead of pretty or removing the righteous fire from a angry text when it censors your profanity. Autocorrect comes for us all, even when we least expect it. Like during a high profile presentation for the iPad Air 2, as happened yesterday. You can see the looks of frustration on Jeff Boudier and François Lagunas faces as the iPad's autocorrect turns "Utah road trip" into "It's road trip." Enjoy below. We've even included a gif version of the moment under the video for you Tumblr fans out there. Remember autocorrect happens to all of us. Just roll with it, and smile.
Apple iPad Air 2 and Retina Mini 3 now available for pre-order
Apple unveiled its new iPad Air 2 and Retina iPad mini 3 during yesterday's October press event. The pair of tablets will go on sale next week, but Apple is accepting pre-orders for those who want to reserve their unit ahead of time. After going offline briefly this morning, Apple's online storefront is back up, and pre-ordering now is available for both models. Though the Retina iPad mini 3 saw only the addition of Touch ID from the previous generation model, the iPad Air offers significant improvements, including an A8x processor optimized for the tablet device, an 8-megapixel iSight camera, an anti-reflective display and more. Pricing for the WiFi iPad Air 2 starts at $499 for a 16 GB model with a $100 jump for 64 GB and $200 for 128 GB storage options. The Retina iPad mini is available in similar configurations with the 16 GB WiFi model starting at $399. A cellular version of each model is available for $129 more.
iPad Air 2 includes multi-carrier One SIM option for easy switching between providers
Apple today announced the iPad Air 2 with a new A8X processor, anti-reflective display and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. One unannounced feature highlighted on Apple's website is a universal SIM card that ships with the device and is compatible with a variety of US and UK carriers. Unlike early models, which required you to purchase a model specific to your carrier, the new Apple SIM in the iPad will work with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or EE. Verizon Wireless is not a participating carrier and customers will have to contact VZW in order to activate their cellular iPad. iPad owners can select this One-SIM model and then choose the most suitable carrier short-term plan for their needs. There are no long-term commitments, which presumably allows you switch carriers in the fly. This flexibility is useful for travelers who can choose a data plan from the carrier with the best coverage in their location.
Apple announces the iPad Air 2
As part of its October press event, Apple today unveiled its sixth generation tablet -- the iPad Air 2. The Air 2 features an even thinner device, 6.1 mm, 18% thinner than the previous model. Phil Schiller noted that two new iPad Air 2s are still thinner than the original iPad. The new iPad Air 2 uses 2nd generation 64 bit architecture, with the equivalent of 3 billion transistors, resulting in a 40% faster CPU and 2.5 times faster GPU. Like the new iPhone 6 models, the new iPad Air 2 features new motion sensing and a barometer. The camera is also updated, with an 8MP iSight camera, ƒ2.4 aperture, and faster processing in the M8 chip. Features that are on the new iPhones also get added, like time-lapse and slow motion. The iPad Air 2 also has a new front facing camera, with HDR, improved face detection, and HDR photos. Wi-Fi has been pumped up as well, and faster LTE has been added to the cellular radios, as we saw in the iPhone 6. Touch ID is on board too, letting this new iPad work with Apple Pay (but no NFC) and the iTunes and App Store. How much for all these goodies? The iPad Air 2 starts at $499 for 16 GB, $599 for 64 GB,and the 128 GB model is $699. Cellular versions are 629/729 and 829.
Apple accidentally leaks details on the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3
Apple's next big product announcement was expected to be on October 16, but thanks to an accidental leak in iBooks, we know about the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 today. Spotted by Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac in the iOS 8.1 iPad user guide, the screen shots were presumably accidentally uploaded in advance of tomorrow's event. The user guide also contained some details about each device. Both will feature a TouchID sensor, while the iPad Air 2 will gain the ability to take burst photos. We will be covering all of tomorrow's Apple event live starting at 12:55 PM ET (9:55 AM PT) tomorrow, with the actual livestream from Apple scheduled to start at about 1 PM ET (10 AM PT). You can go ahead and bookmark our live blog for the day here.
Apple leaks iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 ahead of official announce
Well, this is a bit unlike Apple -- the company appears to have accidentally spilled the beans about the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, which are expected to be announced tomorrow. Representations of both devices showed up in a screenshot of the iPad User Guide for iOS 8.1, which we're also expecting new details about tomorrow. We can't tell much from the image, but it does confirm that Cupertino's tablets will be getting Touch ID. A later screenshot also details burst shooting mode, which will be coming to the iPad Air 2, but not the mini 3, according to the document. However, downloading the book didn't reveal any additional info. In fact, there's no trace of the content leaked via the preview screenshots at all. While the leak may seem like a careless mistake, the more cynical out there will note that this happened just moments after Google announced its latest Nexus devices. It might be a coincidence, or the notoriously media savvy company might be trying to push the competition out of the news cycle as fast as possible. [Image via 9to5Mac]
