14 DAY TRIAL // The second-generation iPad Air (or the sixth-gen iPad, depending on how you look at it) is reportedly just around the corner. Apple has a second special event lined up for the fall of 2014, and the iPad Air 2 announcement is expected to be a major part of the show.
On Thursday, October 16, Apple will showcase some new stuff. Reports say the iPad Air 2 is one of the new products scheduled to make their debut at Thursday’s media gathering.
A much more powerful iPad
According to a leak in China, the device will boast an X-designated variant of the A8 chip embedded in iPhone 6 units, suggesting Apple will pump up the graphics for what could be an even higher-resolution display. Nothing is certain, of course, but this theory bodes well with other rumors about the iPad Air 2 having a higher pixel count than its predecessor (the current-generation iPad Air).
Among the images leaked by apple.club.tw, one in particular shows a very clear indication that iPad Air 2 is getting the Touch ID fingerprint sensor. This is a first for Apple’s range of tablet computers, and it’s said to be coupled with another initiative to allow customers to pay for stuff using their iPads. This is just speculation on the media’s end, though.
The display glass, along with the digitizer components, also shows up in one of the photos. Apple is said to have used a lamination technology to stick the actual screen right against the glass, leaving no space in between them and allowing the company to achieve an even thinner design this time around. An earlier leak also indicated that the iPad Air 2 would turn out thinner than its predecessor, while also featuring recessed buttons. The volume rocker also seems to be absent from the new iPad.
It's being speculated that, thanks to the more powerful A8X processor and 2GB of RAM, iPad Air 2 could finally offer real multitasking (split-screen apps).
What to expect on Thursday
In addition to the iPad Air 2, Apple plans to unveil a new set of products, both hardware and software. Chief among them is a rumored iMac with a Retina display and faster electronics. The iMac mini has been neglected for a while, so that too could see a revision in one form or another.
A MacBook Air featuring a 12-inch Retina display is also in the books, according to recent media reports. What is almost a certainty is the release of OS X Yosemite, the 11th major version of Apple’s Mac OS.
The tagline accompanying the press invitations to Apple’s event – It’s been way too long – may suggest that the Cupertino company plans to revise an older product. We’re tingling with anticipation to see what that product is.
