As expected today, Apple unveiled new iPads, gave details on the new operating system and detailed upgrades to iWork and iLife. What was being referred to as the iPad 5, is actually now the iPad Air, which follows Apple's current pattern of making incredibly lightweight and portable products.
The iPad Air is available at $499 for 15 gigabytes of memory, which LA Times notes is the same price point for the current version. Apple has reduced the weight of this iPad down to 1 pound and it contains an a7 processor chip to allow for twice-as-fast graphics.
During the press conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the audience to Apple's newest ad for the iPad Air, which featured a pencil most prominently throughout the commercial. The voice-over explained how far this device has come, and at the end, a hand reaches behind the pencil to reveal a pencil-thin iPad. The voice-over states, "We can't wait to see where you'll take it next.”
Along with the updated regular iPad, there is also going to be an updated version of the iPad mini with a Retina display for $399. LA Times reported earlier today that whether the iPad mini would have this feature was one of the biggest mysteries of the event. Consider that mystery solved.
To go along with these new devices are new cases ($79) and covers ($39). Both cases and covers are available in (PRODUCT)RED colors, which benefit AIDS research.
Earlier this summer, Apple had announced that the newest OS, OS X, would be called Mavericks. However, the release information wasn't available until today. The newest operating system could be available as soon as today, or as late as Friday. The OS update is offered for free and allows users to respond to email and chat messages within notifications and allows users to tag files. Other features include compressed memory, which will compress areas of the computer that aren't getting high use.
Along with iPhoto, GarageBand and iMovie, a total of 20 apps will be updated . iLife and iWork apps will now all be free with the purchase of new Mac or iOS device.
After the event, LA Times’ live blog reported that Apple's stock dropped 2 percent. Jessica Guynn speculated that investors weren't impressed by the naming of the new iPad.
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