New iPad Air 2: Full Details Unveiled from Apple HQ in Cupertino, California

Earlier in the week, I wrote about the build up to Thursdays scheduled unveiling of Apples new iPad models as well as what else we could expect from the days releases. You can read that blog here.

So without further ado, let’s see just what was revealed at Apple HQ in Cupertino, California.

New iPad Air 2

For starters, and as expected, Apple introduced a new iPad Air model called… you guessed it, the iPad Air 2… who’d have thought it. (I bet someone got paid the big bucks for thinking up that name).

The iPad Air 2 has the same width and length as its predecessor but is only 6.1 mm thick, which is 1.4 mm slimmer than the first iPad Air, and that makes this the slimmest tablet around as it overtakes the 6.6 mm, Samsung Galaxy Tab S. That’s fairly impressive, I hope it doesn’t bend.

You can take a look at some of the leaked photos right here.

There are no real surprises about the tablets CPU being upgraded to the second generation 64-bit A8X chipset but I was impressed to read that this reportedly increases the performance by “as much as 40 percent”. Interestingly in also includes a new M8 coprocessor that can track motion and calibrates the sensors which now includes a barometer as well.

The iSight camera has also seen some changes, going from 5MP to 8MP, and also now supporting a burst mode and Slo-mo video features, which were lacking on the iPad Air.

The same Touch ID as featured on the iPhone 6 is also available, this rounds up all the additions to the new iPad Air 2.

So overall some nice upgrades, and if you like the color gold then you’re in luck, as you can now get one of the new iPad Air 2 tablets in a golden color, or chose form the classic colors, black and silver.

The price for the entry level will set you back a cool $499 for the 16GB, $599 for the 64GB or a whopping $699 for the 128GB model.

An upgraded iPad Mini 3

Not to be left out the New iPad Mini 3 was also shown off yesterday, but only saw the Touch ID upgrade and a new gold color added to the mix which while welcomed was a little disappointing. But hay, its $100 dollars less than the equivalent iPad Air 2.

So those were the big changes for the tablet PC’s which Apple hope will keep it competitive with the likes of Samsung and Sony. I guess only time will tell.

Other highlights

It wasn’t just tablets that got a new lease of life this week. Apple introduced its new iMack with Retina Display and packed with some new technology to keep its 27 inch display looking top notch and making this beast run at 3.5GHz on the i5 processor as well as boosting the hard drive and memory capabilities.

The latest software offerings in the form of the new OS X Yosemite and mobile iOS 8.1 were introduced and further information on how this works with the Apple play was discussed as well as new revelations about WatchKit which is an SDK for people wanting to develop Apps in time for the new smart watch sales scheduled for early next year.

Perhaps you’re in the market for a new Tablet PC, if so we recommend you read this first: Tablet PC: Five Factors To Consider

Why not check out Chinavasion’s large range of wholesale Android Tablets and pick yourself up a bargain.