Apple Announces Thinner, Lighter iPad Air With 64-Bit A7 Processor

5Mpix camera? No TouchID? No A7X, just same A7 as iPhone5? 1.2Mpix front camera? 16GB still? But still the full price.

Been the biggest fan of Apple since forever, but today I really felt they were arrogant.
 
tech4all said:
Ok let's look at your claims:


Price:

16GB WiFi Nexus 7: $229
16GB WiFi iPad mini: $399


Touch ID:

Nexus 7: No (but still has other effective security measures)
iPad mini: Yes


iOS: Not everyone likes iOS 7 ;)


Cloud Storage:

Nexus 7: Yes; Google Drive
iPad mini: Yes; iCloud

Resolution:

Nexus 7: 1920 x 1200 @ 323ppi 7" screen
iPad mini: 2048 x 1536 @ 326ppi 7.9" screen (welcome to 2012)

Mind you, the Nexus 7 had a 'retina' display since it debuted last year. The iPad mini did not. :rolleyes: Yes the iPad mini has a higher resolution screen now, but 3 more pixels per inch isn't anything to brag over. ;)

So go ahead and spend nearly $400 when you could have virtually the same thing for $176 less.

Now if you excuse, if I to go say 'hi' to my Nexus 7. :rolleyes:

Sources: Apple | Google
Click to expand...

I'll pay $180 to get a higher quality product any day of the week. It's not all about specs. If it were, no one here would buy a Mac ever. The iPad has many times more actual apps than any Google tablet, and they're all optimized to run on the exact same device (as opposed to 20 devices, with 5+ different software versions). With the mini you're also getting almost an entire extra inch, with extra pixels to compensate. That's certainly worth something. I can absolutely guarantee you that your Nexas 7 will crash more than an iPad for the fragmentation reason alone.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your device. I think you may live to regret the decision, but to each their own.
 
PedroCst said:
The disappointment here is basically the 16GB option, which is frankly tiny, and for $500... Come on.

Lack of Touch ID seems to be pretty obvious though, and no hardfeelings for that.
Click to expand...

So what do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Note with 16GB starting at $549?
 
wiz329 said:
Spot on about everything else but this.

The issue here isn't options, it's pricing.

Having the same base model (without lowering price accordingly) for 4+ years, while flash memory prices have dropped more than double in that time period is inexcusable.
Click to expand...

While pricing on certain components may have dropped, the number of devices built is much less. Thus economies of scale and purchasing power of components is diminished. Thus, its probably a wash.

They also don't want to cannibalize the other models. Drop the price of the iPad 2 and people might buy that over a mini. The primary reason these exist is for the educational market. They are used to replace existing/broken devices. Those institutions use charging carts and have the old connector and can't just buy a new device with a lightning connector. I'm willing to bet those institutions don't pay this price either. Its an item they have on the shelf for those customers so they can just offer it to a consumer as well. Its more to show how much more value you get for either a mini or Air at the price level.
 
trip1ex said:
3) The Touch keyboard cover sucks. Horrible.

2) No one wants to monkey around with loading movies onto a tablet via a USB drive sticking out. I sure don't. And the sd card thing isn't too appealing either. At the same time you can buy a connection kit if you really want that stuff on the iPad.

1) I can't even give you user accounts because managing files over different accounts is a pain in the ass especially given the current state of tablet sized storage.

But I admit sometimes I would at least like to quickly hide my email/messages/bookmarks/photos when turning over a device to my kids.
Click to expand...

Have you tried the touch cover much??? Works absolutely great. I can type on it just about as fast and accurate as on a regular keyboard.

Regarding the USB, the point is not to have to load anything. You can just playback directly from the thumb drive (i.e., no monkeying around with transferring files to the limited storage on a tablet and juggling available space - just pop in the drive, play back a movie and pop it back out - simple). Connection kit doesn't work the same way - and definitely doesn't offer the microSD type of added storage that is seamless and without any added bulk/accessory.

On your final point, managing files over several user accounts is super simple - any folder you want to share between multiple users is as simple as a right click and selecting the other user - or just put the files you want to share in a public folder. And by the way, 64GB Surface is $549 - plus the ease of adding storage on microSD makes limited tablet storage when sharing with family members less of an issue.
 
redscull said:
Anyone think this iPad Air is going to be the next iPad 3?

It is such a minor upgrade.. I don't think it can carry the premium tablet torch for a whole 12 months. I would not be the least surprised if, after the holidays, they come out with an iPad Air 2 that has, at the bare minimum, an A7X chip in it, probably touch id (by then, supplies shouldn't be so constrained), and possibly camera upgrades. Maybe even the rumored larger screen.

And with Apple giving away so much for free, give us 32GB for $499, dang it! I'd rather have 32GB base storage than iWork.
Click to expand...

Pretty much my thoughts. They will come out next April/May and bring in the Touch ID sensor and the A7X and upgrade the camera to boost spring sales. Sad they are conforming to the pressure of a 6 month release vs a 1 year. They need to build the baddest MOFO they can and let it ride. I love the thinner, lighter full size iPad but after using the touch ID on my 5S it would be missed on any iPad.
 
ucfgrad93 said:
My reactions...

1. Name change to iPad Air is pretty stupid.

2. Glad the mini now has a retina screen.

3. The iPad Air upgrade is pretty minimal.
Click to expand...


Not everyone has an iPad 4 people like me who have a 2 or 3 will benefit greatly from an update to the 5th gen
 
the good and the ugly

the good:

the ipad air is - like the macbook air - a really nice device. It has no NSA sensor aka finger print scanner. It is a bit - like most apple devices - overpriced. Same time: the quality and its features will make me buy one.

I will buy the 128G, 3G version and it will be my 1st attempt to replace all my desktop tasks. I will however keep my Imac for obvious reasons.

My other option would have been a mba - but I am willing to take this risk now. Lets see how it plays out for me!

(I was really impressed with the ipa!!)

The ugly:

The price: lower your prices by at least 100 Euros/USD!

Same old format: guys! your format at those shows is getting sooooo boring!!!

Pathetic: Eddy Cue and this horrible show. He should be replaced by Oliver Hardy!!

No innovations: okay, it is a great design. the ipa is just one US pound. great but were are the innovations??????????

NO APPLE TV, NO APPLE TV SET, NO APPLE SMARTCOVER, NO APPLE IWATCH, AND NO FEMALES!!!!!!!! NOTHING NEW AT ALL!

I mean I am gay myself, but WHY is there no female on the stage and WHY does not anybody get that this is a statement? And no asian, no indian and no black person either!

Is Apple Inc. a white, male only company? The format of those shows is almost a racist statement in these days!!!

Same time: everybody in Apples videos - except Apple managers - is young, cute, good looking. Ok, they buy your stuff! How about the older guys and girls??? Hey Walt Mossberg is also a fan of yours!!!

The whole show did work on specs - but it left a very bitter aftertaste!
 
ucfgrad93 said:
So what do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Note with 16GB starting at $549?
Click to expand...

I think it is not a tablet (if you're mentioning the Note 3) and it is $100 less than the iPhone 5S. But, again, I'd absolutely give the extra cash because it is just so much better!
If it is a tablet indeed (I don't care about Android - unlike you -, hence my ignorance) I think it might have expandable storage (and memory cards are a bargain these days) and, even if it doesn't, it's no excuse for Apple not gives us the 32GB. Because their goal is not to match other companies' tendencies.
 
wiz329 said:
Seriously dude?

We all understand that. Apple is under no obligation to sell ANYTHING at ANY price. However, in terms of "value", as a consumer, I consider 16GB as a base model inexcusable, considering competitor pricing, as well as material costs.

----------



Excuse my terminology. I meant to say that memory prices have more than HALVED.

I think everyone else understood what I meant.
Click to expand...

We'll, in terms of 'value', all companies should just sell at cost because that would be best for the customers. How about things like customer service? Google has a pretty poor track record there.

As for competitor pricing, if you look at other hardware vendors like Samsung, Apple's pricing is in line. I am not sure if it is fair to compare Google and Amazon because their business models are different.

It would be like saying that Microsoft should make Windows upgrades free and also office free because their competitor Apple is doing so.
 
Hmmm, to jump on this or the new mini to replace the 3rd Gen I should have avoided..... Or wait and see if there's an update in 6 months like they did with the 4th Gen.
Once bitten, twice shy.
 
kenroberts83 said:
I'll pay $180 to get a higher quality product any day of the week. It's not all about specs. If it were, no one here would buy a Mac ever. The iPad has many times more actual apps than any Google tablet, and they're all optimized to run on the exact same device (as opposed to 20 devices, with 5+ different software versions). With the mini you're also getting almost an entire extra inch, with extra pixels to compensate. That's certainly worth something. I can absolutely guarantee you that your Nexas 7 will crash more than an iPad for the fragmentation reason alone.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your device. I think you may live to regret the decision, but to each their own.
Click to expand...

Those people just don't get it. They only focus on hardware specs.. instead of focusing on software..
 
Vtwo said:
We'll, in terms of 'value', all companies should just sell at cost because that would be best for the customers. How about things like customer service? Google has a pretty poor track record there.

As for competitor pricing, if you look at other hardware vendors like Samsung, Apple's pricing is in line. I am not sure if it is fair to compare Google and Amazon because their business models are different.

It would be like saying that Microsoft should make Windows upgrades free and also office free because their competitor Apple is doing so.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. Apple lives on the profit margins of its hardware, so you can never expect competitive pricing to the likes of Amazon and Google who care more about getting their devices to as many hands as possible and always sell at a loss.
 
tech4all said:
Ok let's look at your claims:


Price:

16GB WiFi Nexus 7: $229
16GB WiFi iPad mini: $399


Touch ID:

Nexus 7: No (but still has other effective security measures)
iPad mini: Yes


iOS: Not everyone likes iOS 7 ;)


Cloud Storage:

Nexus 7: Yes; Google Drive
iPad mini: Yes; iCloud

Resolution:

Nexus 7: 1920 x 1200 @ 323ppi 7" screen
iPad mini: 2048 x 1536 @ 326ppi 7.9" screen (welcome to 2012)

Mind you, the Nexus 7 had a 'retina' display since it debuted last year. The iPad mini did not. :rolleyes: Yes the iPad mini has a higher resolution screen now, but 3 more pixels per inch isn't anything to brag over. ;)

So go ahead and spend nearly $400 when you could have virtually the same thing for $176 less.

Now if you excuse, if I to go say 'hi' to my Nexus 7. :rolleyes:

Sources: Apple | Google
Click to expand...

You totally ignore the fact that the Mini has a significantly faster processor.
 
PedroCst said:
I think it is not a tablet (if you're mentioning the Note 3) and it is $100 less than the iPhone 5S. But, again, I'd absolutely give the extra cash because it is just so much better!
If it is a tablet indeed (I don't care about Android - unlike you -, hence my ignorance) I think it might have expandable storage (and memory cards are a bargain these days) and, even if it doesn't, it's no excuse for Apple not gives us the 32GB. Because their goal is not to match other companies' tendencies.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you (you can't compare the storage of a phone with a tablet). I'd also like to add that the Note 3 has microSD storage, which is not without its quirks in the Android OS, but at least gives an additional 32GB for music, photos and video for only ~$20.
 
dannys1 said:
You might be just a tad "spec obsessed" and not really thinking about just using the device judging by your first and last comment.

The A7X thing is laughable though. ITS A NAME. Apple could have called this A7X and you wouldn't have said a word using exactly the same iPad, see how that works? Its a marketing name and obviously they should have used it to impress a few around here with a chip that doesn't even exist and isn't needed anymore.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm far from spec obsessed but I certainly know what I want. This is not what i was hoping for. It's not the best that Apple could have done or were even expected to do, hence the reason why I'm not going to upgrade.

I use my 3rd gen every single day for a variety of tasks, so actually I am thinking about nothing but how I'm going to use it.

I've given other reasons why I am disappointed and there's more than just the processor. I've also given reasons why I don't believe the processor to be what it should be - these are my reasons and as far as I'm concerned that's all that matters.
 
Appleusergerman said:
the good:

No innovations: okay, it is a great design. the ipa is just one US pound. great but were are the innovations??????????
Click to expand...

That in an of itself is huge.

I think everyone forgets what Apple does is engineering. We have taken for granted how difficult it is do do what Apple does. Yes you can buy cheaper tablets but nothing will come close to to what Apple offers: Screen, battery life, weight, thinness, minimal bezel, 64bit chip, etc.

It was like a month ago when the 5s was released with the A7 and everyone started thinking what this thing could do in a device like an iPad with a bigger form factor. One minute 64bit and super fast processor is brand new and no apps are developed (besides Apple apps) to take advantage of the processing and now its old news? How about the technological marvel that Apple has finally developed a single chip that can be used in both devices. This is also what helps keep the cost down over what it may have been with a special "x" version.

The fact that they can cram all of that into this device at this size and weight and not sacrifice anything over previous generations is pretty incredible. Not to mention the processing that this device will be able to do.
 
Hate how Apple always keeps certain features... That was the case with the Retina Screen on the iPad Mini (which should have been on it last year) and now the Touch ID on iPads. Guess we already know how Apple will revolutionize the tablet industry next year...

Still, a very nice keynote. 128g Mini ftw! And Mavericks is downloading as I am typing! :D
 
b3ats said:
Actually, I'm far from spec obsessed but I certainly know what I want. This is not what i was hoping for. It's not the best that Apple could have done or were even expected to do, hence the reason why I'm not going to upgrade.

I use my 3rd gen every single day for a variety of tasks, so actually I am thinking about nothing but how I'm going to use it.

I've given other reasons why I am disappointed and there's more than just the processor. I've also given reasons why I don't believe the processor to be what it should be - these are my reasons and as far as I'm concerned that's all that matters.
Click to expand...

You ARE spec obsessed but just don't want to admit it. What would be the difference in usage between an A7 and the imaginary A7x?

And of course, Apple could have done 'better', with their cash, they could sell both for $99 and not go broke...

I am not sure if you have a job. But it is like your boss saying you can probably afford to work for less and still not starve to death. But does that mean you should work for less because it would be 'better' for your company?
 
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