iPad Air 2
© 2014 Apple
Once again delivering on the promise "thinnest, most powerful iPad ever", the differences between the annual Apple iPad releases are also getting thinner. The 2014 iPad details are important to know, because the iPad remains the leading children's app delivery device. In addition, Apple has lowered the price of the older iPad Mini to $250; which is just $100 more than the Amazon Fire HD Kids. Folks, we have a horse race. So what's new? Key features include fingerprint reading, and support for Apple Pay within apps. This means your child can spend money faster and easier, in theory, providing you've given them one of your ten fingerprint recognition slots. The screen has improved, with an anti-glare surface, and the front camera has been improved. Apple says current iPads can now run 675,000 apps; of which we estimate 20% are related to children. Inside: a "second generation 64-bit A8X chip, new cameras, faster Wi-Fi and LTE wireless, and a Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor.” The A8X chip "delivers 2.5 times the graphics performance of iPad Air, and still delivers the up to 10-hour battery life." An M8 motion coprocessor gathers motion data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, compass and a new barometer senses air pressure, so it can tell you your relative elevation. Camera improvements include an 8MP sensor for time-lapse video, slo-mo and 1080p HD video. The front (facetime) camera "captures over 80 percent more light" than iPad Air’s camera, and now features burst mode as well as HDR stills and video. Wi-Fi improvements include "2.8 times the Wi-Fi performance of iPad Air, at data rates up to 866 Mbps" and better cellular performance. The iPad mini line has been updated. The new iPad Mini 3 also has Touch ID and costs $300. Both iPads feature a stunning Retina display, amazing A7 chip, 5MP iSight camera, FaceTime HD camera and ultrafast wireless. The iPad Mini 2 now costs $250. iPad Air 2 with Wi-Fi models will cost $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad mini 3 with Wi-Fi models will be available for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB model, $499 (US) for the 64GB model and $599 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad Air, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini, available in silver or gray, are offered at now more affordable prices. iPad Air starts at $399 (US) for the 16GB with Wi-Fi model, iPad mini 2 starts at $299 (US) for the 16GB with Wi-Fi model, and iPad mini starts at $249 (US) for the 16GB with Wi-Fi model. iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 come in gold, silver and gray and ship next week in US, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Wi-Fi models only), Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau (Wi-Fi models only), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Availability in Croatia, Greece, Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere around the world will continue through the end of October, with additional global availability in the coming months.
$400, iPad
Teaches: a multi-touch tablet