Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)
Apple on Monday rolled out new iPad Air and iPad Mini models, ahead of its services-focused event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California on March 25. The new, larger, 10.5-inch iPad Air offers a larger, more vibrant Retina display and delivers a 70% boost in performance compared to its predecessor.
It also offers twice the graphics capability of its predecessor, thanks to the company’s A12 Bionic chip with Apple’s Neural Engine. Further, the 10.5-inch iPad Air supports the original Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Apple said the tablet will start at $499 for the Wi-Fi model and $629 for the Wi-Fi and cellular model.
Apple’s new iPad Mini has a 7.9-inch display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536. In addition, the selfie camera has been upgraded from a 1.2-megapixel sensor on its predecessor to a 7-megapixel sensor. However, Apple hasn’t added Face ID on the tablet but has included Apple Pencil support. The new iPad mini will be available starting from $399 for the Wi-Fi model and $529 for the Wi-Fi and cellular model.
“Today the iPad family takes two big leaps forward with an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Air that brings high-end size, features and performance at a breakthrough price, and a major upgrade to the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which also brings Apple Pencil, Retina display and the A12 Bionic chip to the many customers that love its compact size,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
Both new iPads have optional 4G connectivity and will be available in 64GB and 256GB storage versions. Apple said will be available in stores next week. The iPhone-maker is also expected to launch a television and video streaming service during its big event next week.
According to Reuters, the television service is highly likely to be distributed via Apple’s Apple Store, which is currently available in over 100 countries. It is expected to take on Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video with its own original content. Apple shares were up $1.65, or 0.89% to 187.77 as of 1:28 p.m. in New York.
Apple, Inc. Profile
Apple designs a wide variety of consumer electronic devices, including smartphones (iPhone), tablets (iPad), PCs (Mac), smartwatches (Watch), and TV boxes (Apple TV), among others. The iPhone makes up the majority of Apple’s total revenue. In addition, Apple offers its customers a variety of services such as Apple Music, iCloud, AppleCare and Apple Pay, among others.
Apple’s products run internally developed software and semiconductors, and the firm is well known for its integration of hardware, software and services. Apple’s products are distributed online as well as through company-owned stores and third-party retailers. The company generates about 40% of its revenue from the Americas, with the remainder earned internationally.
