SAN FRANCISCO: Apple on Tuesday unveiled a new line-up of powered-up iPads including some with 5G connectivity, responding to surging interest in tablets and home-based work and play during the pandemic.
The California tech giant also introduced a redesigned suite of iMac computers with a sleeker look and more power thanks to its own M1 chips.
The M1 chip is also powering the new line-up of iPad Pro tablets unveiled at an event streamed from Apple’s headquarters, at which the company announced a series of upgrades and new services.
“The revolutionary M1 chip has been a breakthrough for the Mac, and we’re incredibly excited to bring it to iPad Pro,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple senior vice president.
Joswiak said the chip will enable a “huge jump in performance… all in a device, users can hold in one hand.”
The new iPad models highlighted the event after the tablet computers came into greater prominence over the past year.
Worldwide tablet sales reversed a declining trend and rose 13.6 percent for the year, according to research firm IDC, with Apple capturing one-third of the market.
The new Pro tablets have improved displays, better connections to external accessories and cellular models will include 5G connections, Apple said.
The devices will start at $799 in the United States for the 11-inch model and $1,099 for a 12.9-inch device.
Amid a surge in working from home, “Apple has seen a major renaissance of growth from its iPad… showing 40 percent year-over-year growth the last few quarters as more employees/students went through an iPad refresh,” said Daniel Ives at Wedbush Securities.
“We estimate less than half of iPad users globally have gone through a refresh the last year with some clear pent-up demand that these new iPads will unleash in the next few quarters.”
The new all-in-one iMacs will offer a thinner design, and incorporate the fingerprint ID and high-resolution cameras seen in Apple mobile devices.
Apple unveiled its “Air Tag” devices which can be attached to items to help people find them, and announced a new purple colour for its iPhone 12 line-up. The company also said it would begin offering podcast subscriptions, ramping up competition with rival Spotify. – AFP
