Just three years ago, Apple changed the mobile computing for ever with the introduction of the original iPad. Four generations of iPads later, Apple has shocked us, once more, with a new beauty; Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome the brand new iPad Air!Even-though the new iPad comes with the same 9.7-inch display of the iPad 4, the shape and the overall design language comes from the iPad mini. And that is certainly a good thing!
The weight has been reduced to just one pound, making the iPad Air the lightest tablet of its size in the world. Also, the iPad Air is
25 percent thinner than the previous iPad, measuring just
7.5mm in thickness.
The bezel, which was quite large on all of the previous 9.7-inch iPads, is now 43 percent thinner on the sides, and the edges of the device are now very similar to those of the iPad mini.Apple has given the new iPads processor a lift as well. The new iPad Air comes now with an A7 processor, the same one youll find in the iPhone 5s. Its 8x faster than the first generation and graphics are 72 times faster than those of the first generation iPad. There is no official comparison between the processor of the iPad 4 and the new iPad Air`s A7 though.Interestingly, even though the new battery is rated lower than the one of the iPad 4, the battery life is still 10 hours, according to Apple.
We all know that the cameras on the iPads are now very outdated. This time though Apple has given the new flagship tablet an updated 5-megapixel iSight camera, with 1080p FaceTime camera in the front and dual-mics for video chat.
Contrary to rumors which wanted a Golden color iPad (we had predicted this would not
happen anytime soon, if you remember...) Apple is offering the iPad Air in two color themes: silver-and-white and space-gray-and-black.
The pricing will be our familiar $499 for the entry level Wi-Fi only machine and the Cellular versions start at $629.Interestingly the iPad 2 will still remain in Apple`s lineup selling at $399.
The new iPad Air will be available on November 1st, so you better get out your credit cards, please...
