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Take two tablets: Will the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini cure Apple's market share slide?
Apple put up some impressive numbers today: 170 million iPads sold to date. 475,000 iPad apps available. $13 billion paid to app developers. Yet those numbers only tell part of the story. While the iPad may continue to be the top-selling tablet line, it no longer dominates the market the way it once did. A year ago, 60 percent of all tablets sold were iPads, according to numbers from IDC. By this summer, that number was down to 32 percent, with Android models soaring from 38 percent to 63 percent. Even Windows models jumped from just 1 percent of the market to 4 percent -- and that was before Microsoft slashed the prices of older Surface models and released its second-generation tablets.
You can now stream Apple's iPad Air event online
Did you miss Tim Cook and co. deliver all of Apple's latest and greatest software and hardware updates this morning? Fear not, for you can witness the revelation of the iPad, OS X, MacBook and other news all over again on Apple's website, as it's streaming the event for all to see. Well, what are you waiting for? Head on down to the source for the show.
The iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display: what's new?
Apple took care of the cycled iPhone refresh last month at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, and thus it was logical for the company to move on to the iPad lineup next. As such, Tim Cook and Co. today revealed a new generation of tablets, including a redesigned, thinner and lighter iPad Air and the long-rumored, much-awaited iPad mini with Retina display. Of course, there are more changes under the hood, so join us after the jump, where we'll break down the spec sheets of each and see how they stack up against last year's models.
iPad Air hands-on (update: video)
It's the iPad that's so light, they needed a whole new name. At first glance, there's not a heck of a lot new about the Air (though the more discerning amongst you may well notice the new dual-mics at top). There's a brushed metal backing (which is awfully shiny under these bright lights), a power switch and volume buttons on one side and that lighting port and speaker grilles on the bottom. And while the new tablet is, in fact, around 20 percent slimmer than its predecessor, it's not immediately apparent until you put the iPad up against its older sibling. What is apparent, however, is the weight. As its name implies, this guy is light -- impressively so at one pound (down from 1.4). And while Apple's done an impressive job slimming the tablet down and taking off nearly half a pound, it doesn't feel cheap; it is an Apple product, after all. Naturally, iOS 7 looks great on that Retina display -- but if you've used the previous-gen iPad, you knew that already, right? What's really notable here, however, is just how zippy things are, thanks to the inclusion of an A7 chip, the same one introduced on the iPhone 5s. You really notice that speed when launching apps like iMovie, which boots up in an an instant. With a chip like this, you should be getting around the new free version of iLife pretty swiftly.
Apple announces iPad Air, an all-new iPad
Apple just revealed the next evolution of the iPad, the iPad Air. It's 43 percent thinner than the current model -- which was already pretty thin. It's also a lot lighter, weighing in at a staggering 1.0 lb. The most noticeable change is the new iPad's thinner bezel. Rather than the thick edge that the larger iPads have always sported, the iPad Air's side bezels are noticeably smaller. The Retina display itself remains 9.7 inches and features upgraded backlight illumination. The iPad Air also includes the new A7 chip that debuted in Apple's recently released iPhone 5s. It boasts graphics processing power that is up to 72 times as fast as the original iPad. The new iPad features upgraded WiFi as well, utilizing MIMO (multiple antenna) technology for the first time. This means WiFi speeds could double, depending on your setup. The rear camera remains a 5-megapixel module, with 1080p video recording, while the front-facing camera gets a slight pixel upgrade. The iPad Air comes in silver/white and space gray/black color schemes, and will be available on November 1 for the same pricing tiers as the current iPad: 16GB WiFi-only for $499, 16GB WiFi+LTE for $629.
Apple announces new covers for the iPad Air and iPad mini, prices start at $39
New iPads means new accessories, right? Hot on the heels of announcing the new iPad mini and the ridiculously thin iPad Air, Apple revealed two new cases to go with each. These include a standard cover (similar to what's available now), which is priced at $39. There's also going to be a leather version for $79. Additionally, Apple will be selling a Product Red version, though it's unclear how much that will cost, if there is in fact a premium.
Apple unveils the 1-pound iPad Air with a 9.7-inch Retina display: shipping November 1st for $499
Speaking at today's launch event in San Francisco, Phil Schiller announced the next iteration of the company's tablet. It's thinner, lighter and more powerful -- hence the new name: the iPad Air. (No more of that "new iPad" nonsense.) And Cupertino takes that moniker seriously; this slate weighs just one pound (down from the fourth-gen model's 1.4 pounds). It also boasts a 43-percent thinner bezel and a 20-percent thinner profile; it's just 7.5mm thick this time around. As expected, the new iPad Air sports a 9.7-inch Retina display. 64-bit architecture is on board with more than 1 billion transistors, and there's an A7 processor under the hood along with an M7 motion chip. Schiller says this guy is eight times faster than the first-gen iPad (we'd hope, to be honest -- that was three years ago!), and graphics are 72 times faster. Thanks to MIMO, you should enjoy faster WiFi, and look for expanded LTE support from international carriers as well. The 5-megapixel iSight camera is capable of shooting 1080p video, and the FaceTime camera on the front includes "larger pixels" and a backside-illuminated sensor for better image quality. Additionally, the iPad Air sports dual mics. As far as battery life goes, expect about 10 hours. Finally, as many have been quick to point out, the iPad Air does not include the Touch ID fingerprint sensor that debuted on the iPhone 5s. That feature was met with plenty of backlash; it's unclear if this is why Cupertino opted to leave it out. The Air will ship on November 1st to several countries, including the US, UK, China and Japan. Notably, this is the first time China will get the iPad on launch day. When the tablet is available, you'll have your choice of silver, white, grey and black color options. Of course, the Air isn't the only new iPad shown on-stage today; Apple also introduced the iPad mini with retina display. Stay tuned -- we'll be back with hands-on impressions shortly!
Apple: 170 million iPads sold to date
Pointing out that it was once mocked as something that would "never replace netbooks," Apple CEO Tim Cook boasted that the company has sold 170 million iPads since the device's launch. "Remember netbooks?" He quipped. According to Cook, there are 475,000 iPad apps, and they're not those "stretched out" apps you may see on other platforms. Of course, Apple faces continued competition from those other platforms, and, has seen its market share drop from 60 percent of all tablet sales a year ago to 32 percent by this summer, according to IDC. However, iPads, according to Cook, are used up to four times as much as competing tablets, and are ranked first in customer satisfaction (presumably by J.D. Power).
iPad Mini, 4th generation iPad hit Sprint retail stores in limited quantities, (update: Verizon and AT&T, too!)
Eager to size up Cupertino's latest tablets on the Now Network? Better call your local retailer -- Sprint is now offering the iPad mini and Apple's 4th generation revision at select brick and mortar locations. Existing smartphone customers who make the trek down to their local mini-mall will be able to add the slates to their account at a discounted rate, scoring a 1GB data plan for $15 per month or 100MB for $10. Sprint will also be enacting a waitlist system for customers who miss out due to the company's admittedly limited stock, asking customers to purchase a $50 gift card in exchange for a guaranteed device when the next wave of tablets hit stores. Check out the official press release after the break for Sprint's full announcement. Update: Looks like Verizon and AT&T have the mini on shelves starting today as well.
iPad mini coming to Verizon, AT&T and Sprint in mid-November starting at $459
Today, Apple finally announced its highly anticipated iPad mini. This 7.9-inch "little tablet that could" will be available from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint with shipping starting "a couple of weeks after" WiFi models go on sale on November 2nd. Available in black and white for $459 (16GB), $559 (32GB) and $659 (64GB), the company will begin accepting pre-orders on October 26th. So, if you plan on calling dibs on one of these little guys, we suggest that you plan accordingly.
Apple October 2012 Event Metaliveblog
Join us on October 23rd at 10:00 AM Pacific (1:00 PM Eastern). TUAW will be metaliveblogging Apple's Media Event. We're looking forward to seeing you then! Got some predictions? Drop them in the comments!
Join us on 10/23: TUAW metaliveblog of Apple's October Event
Join us here tomorrow at 10AM PT (1PM ET) as TUAW metaliveblogs Apple's October Event. As the invitation says, Apple has a little more to show us. Is it a new mini iPad? Updated Macs? We'll all find out together. Please accept TUAW's invitation for fun, live blogging and lots of product coverage. We can't wait to see you tomorrow!
