iPad The new iPad Air - Tentpole Features

[itjw]

With the release of the new iPad expected to now be just weeks away, I thought I'd compile a list of what I think could be 'tentpole' features of the new device. I think this will be a significant update, especially when it comes to software as well considering that the iPad seems somewhat neglected over the past few years.

Here's my predictions.

1. Retina HD Display (The same PPI as iPhone 6 Plus)
2. Apple A8X/M8 Chips (The X to drive the higher resolution, Retina HD Display)
3. New iSight Camera (5 megapixels, but with many of the features of the iPhone 6)
4. 802.11ac Wifi
5. Split Screen Multi-Tasking
6. Touch ID
7. Apple Pay (Possible that there'll be no NFC antenna, only secure element to make in-app purchases with Apple Pay. Passbook coming to new iPad Air as a result)

16GB, 64GB and 128GB Storage Options. Available in Sliver, Gold and Space Grey.


What do you think? Feel free to criticise/suggest some of your own below.

I believe they'll title it the "no compelling reason to upgrade" edition.

Yikes. If that's all they've got it's gonna be a lean year for iPad sales after the initial rush. TouchID and NFC are great and all, but for a device that rarely leaves the house (for a lot of people) they aren't exactly "killer apps".

And gold is gaudy enough on a phone. A full sized tablet? Pass-a-dena

The "RetinaHD" screen is a nice gimmick for the 6 Plus (to give it a perceived advantage over the 6 when in reality it was just to use cheaper 1080x1920 panels), but for an iPad? Dunno anyone that was complaining about retina screens. IS it nice? Sure... but is it a reason to upgrade from an Air/rMini?

They'll still sell well, don't get me wrong, but after that initial rush of "latest and greatest" folks, it's gonna be a slow winter for iPads methinks...

 

[thedeejay]

I believe they'll title it the "no compelling reason to upgrade" edition.

Yikes. If that's all they've got it's gonna be a lean year for iPad sales after the initial rush. TouchID and NFC are great and all, but for a device that rarely leaves the house (for a lot of people) they aren't exactly "killer apps".

And gold is gaudy enough on a phone. A full sized tablet? Pass-a-dena

The "RetinaHD" screen is a nice gimmick for the 6 Plus (to give it a perceived advantage over the 6 when in reality it was just to use cheaper 1080x1920 panels), but for an iPad? Dunno anyone that was complaining about retina screens. IS it nice? Sure... but is it a reason to upgrade from an Air/rMini?

They'll still sell well, don't get me wrong, but after that initial rush of "latest and greatest" folks, it's gonna be a slow winter for iPads methinks...

Here's the thing you have to understand - Apple wants older users to upgrade. 30% of users are running older models as far back as iPad 2 so they're trying to attract the older crowd which dominates the iPad market.

That's my opinion, of course.

 

[itjw]

Here's the thing you have to understand - Apple wants older users to upgrade. 30% of users are running older models as far back as iPad 2 so they're trying to attract the older crowd which dominates the iPad market.

That's my opinion, of course.

Fair enough. I guess the iPad2 market is "enough" to generate some crazy sales on it's own...

Looks like I'll be waiting a year if the rumors are true. Especially with multiple iPads (rMini's for my family, Air for dad) it's just not worth it even with great resale.

I hope they pull something out of their hat, but I fear that the highlights will be 2GB of RAM, NFC, and TouchID. Those are great and all, especially for an iPad2 user, but not for anyone with a 4 on up IMO.

You are right about their being a LOT of iPad2's out there though. The only trouble I see is that a lot of them are either in the hands of kids/elderly who couldn't care less as long as it sends email and plays Angry Birds/movies, and people who couldn't afford to upgrade even though they've wanted to. This still doesn't change that, so it'll be interesting to see the #'s after the initial rush.