Friday, April 11, 2014

TechNow: Next generation iPad Air to have A8 chip and Touch ID, no 12.9″ iPad Pro until 2015?

With all the rumors tilted towards the next-generation iPhone, we’ve been wondering exactly what will Apple bring to the table for its iPad line-up? Apple has historically launched new iPad models during springtime, but it seems that it won’t be the case this year. The iPad Air is barely in its first generation, so it would be safe to judge that Apple will retain a lot of the design elements of this device going forward, and improve on some software or hardware capabilities.

Reports from credible sources claim that Apple will retain the design of the current-generation iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display, and focus on boosting its hardware. We were surprised that Apple decided not to launch the previous-generation models with Touch ID, but the new reports claim that these new iPad models will include the technology. The report also claims that the iPad line-up will finally see a boost in the camera, going to 8 megapixels this time, something long overdue since the launch of the iPad 2 in 2011. The other logical step is for this device to include Apple’s new A8 chip, and the report claims that this will happen.

Apparently these devices will be ready for launch in Q3/2014, much earlier than the launch of the current-generation models, but that the iPad mini with Retina Display might see a launch in limited quantities as it has not wowed Apple in sales this year. Those of you waiting for a 12.9-inch iPad will have to wait until 2015 though, as the report claims that there is more to be done in that department.

Apple Insider through analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI

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