Apple jumped straight out of the box at this morning’s Apple Virtual Event with surprise announcements of upgrades to the iPad range, including a brand new iPad Mini.
Having launched 8 years ago, and not changing it’s design in that time, this is a long overdue update with the iPad Mini taking on the square edge design which launched a couple of years ago on iPad Pro, and is now seen on iPad Air and also iPhone.
iPad Mini gets USB-C support, with 10x faster data transfers, and direct connections to cameras and other USB-C accessories (Apple showed vision of an ultrasound device via USB-C!)
Additionally, iPad Mini now features 5G connectivity, so it really is getting the best of Apple’s tech, in the smallest iPad form factor.
iPad mini gets a new front facing camera with 122 degree field of view, as well as the “Centre Stage” feature which allows the camera to virtually “follow” you when using supported video apps.
The new iPad Mini also supports the second generation Apple Pencil. iPad mini comes in four colours.
Also this morning a 9th Generation iPad was announced, this one is the same traditional look and design, but with a new A13 Bionic chip, which offers a 20% boost in GPU and CPU performance.
9th generation iPad also features the new front camera, with a 12MP sensor and that 122 degree field of view and Centre Stage support.
The display is also True Tone compatible.
iPad 9th Generation does not feature 5G, still offering 4G only as a cellular option and will come in Space Grey and Silver.
Still 4G, not 5G.
Both new iPad models are available next week.
9th Gen iPad starts at $499, while the iPad Mini starts at $749.
Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts several popular podcasts, EFTM, Two Blokes Talking Tech, Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars, The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, and the Private Feed. He is the resident tech expert for Triple M on radio across Australia, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show and appears regularly on 9 News, A Current Affair and Sky News Early Edition.
Father of three, he is often found in his Man Cave.
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