Apple has quietly pulled the wraps off two new upgraded iPads (an in a very un-Apple way).
The Cupertino-based company generally goes all out on new product launches – there’s usually no shortage of bells-and-whistles at an Apple event – but this time it chose to release the news quietly via email.
The two new iPads are upgrades for sure. The iPad Air now sports a 10.5-inch display and support for Apple Pencil. It now sits between the iPad Pro and larger iPad. The new model packs Apple’s A12 Bionic chip, which makes it somewhat faster than the standard 9.7-inch iPad. The new model also gets support from Apple’s Smart Keyboard cover.
The iPad mini packs the same 7.9-inch design, but with a better processor and support for the Apple Pencil stylus. The Mini now rocks Apple’s A12 Bionic processor. The new iPad Mini 2019 model has the same overall shape and design of the previous model, including that Lightning port. The rear camera remains the same, however, the selfie-cam has been given an upgrade to 7-megapixels (up from 1.2-megs).
The new iPads will be in stores in the UAE starting next week. The iPad Air goes for AED1,999 while the iPad Mini costs AED1,599.
The muted release probably has something to do with the big Apple event scheduled for next week.
The company is widely expected to finally announce its answer to Netflix’s streaming service, a competitor platform complete with its very own exclusive content – including films and shows.
Apple has previously said it wants to diversify into the content world. Last year it dipped its toe in the water with the likes of Carpool Karaoke and Planet of the Apps. It’s reported that Apple has pledged almost US$1 billion dollars towards original content for its streaming platform (in context, Netflix is expected to spend US$15 billion in 2019).
Next week’s launch is looking like it will be one heck of a party though. The likes of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and J.J. Abrams are all expected to attend.
It is rumoured that Apple will also unveil a new subscription service based around journalism. The all-you-can-eat service would offer many of the publications currently signed up to Apple News, in an easy-to-digest (and mobile friendly) way.
