Apple slaps muzzle on HMV dog, nukes new app for enabling MP3 downloads
Apple has removed HMVs new iOS app from the App Store after it refused to comply with a request to remove the contested MP3 download feature.
The music store's new app was launched on October 17 and was especially noteworthy as it was the only portal since iTunes to offer music downloads on Apple's own iOS devices from within the app.
However, it soon became apparent that this was not a move deliberately sanctioned by Apple, but a rare oversight from the company's notoriously exhaustive application approval team.
Apple gave HMV until 6pm on Monday night to remove the feature, the store declined to do so, and now, citing a violation of the App Store guidelines, Apple has temporarily suspended the app.
Disappointing
"It is disappointing that Apple has chosen to suspend an app that has proven to be very successful in only a few short days despite Apple having already approved the exact same version on 15th September," said HMV chairman Paul McGowen, who said Apple got the hump after the app passed 5,000 downloads."We are unable to explain the change in Apple's position as we have been given no explanation by them as to any difference they view between the approved version and the one suspended this evening."
HMV said it was working to restore the app to an acceptable state, while Apple confirmed to the Guardian it had suspended the app under clause 11.13 of the App Store guidelines.
That rule reads: "Apps using IAP to purchase physical goods or goods and services used outside of the application will be rejected." So that's that. Here we were thinking Apple had gone soft in its old age...
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15-inch MacBook Pro with optical drive discontinued, leaves 13-inch all alone
Apple proclaimed its "MacBook lineup is the best lineup of notebooks we have ever had" when unveiling today's MacBook Pro refresh.
However, fans of the old 15-inch MacBook Pro with an optical drive are going to be disappointed, as Apple has quietly killed off the larger, non-Retina computer.
The last-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro and its internal DVD drive went missing from the online Apple Store just after today's press conference.
It's been on a death watch ever since Apple introduced its first MacBook Pro Retina computer last year.
You're one and only solution
Remaining is the 13-inch MacBook Pro with an optical drive. It hasn't changed since it was introduced last year.It costs $1,199 (£999, AU$1,349) for the standard configuration: 2.5GHz Core i5 dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive and that ever-elusive internal spinning disc drive.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is the only Mac computer with an optical drive as of today.
Everything from the MacBook Air to the redesigned iMac computers have gotten rid of the clunky disc drive hardware. It took up too much room, was often loud and had too many breakable parts.
Plus, Apple sure doesn't mind if you're more inclined to buy all of your digital content through iTunes.
Of course, people like to watch their disc-based movie collections or burn CDs and DVDs. For these folks, Apple sells an external drive, the USB SuperDrive, for $79 (about £65, AU$99).
- Read our hands on review of the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 with Retina display.
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In Depth: iPad Air vs Microsoft Surface 2
Now that the iPad Air has been made official, how does it stack up against the recently launched Microsoft Surface 2? Is there even a comparison?
To be honest, we already have our biases here, and we're assuming many of you do, too. But before we go rushing to judgments or conclusions, let's compare the two tablets and see how they really fare against each other.
Before we dive in, let's recall the big picture when it comes to each device. The iPad Air is the next iteration of the iPad, but it's half a pound lighter. It also has the new A7 chipset and a 5MP iSight rear camera. Oh, and Apple promises up to 10 hours of battery life, too.
The Surface 2 is the successor to the Microsoft Surface. It runs Windows RT 8.1 and promises up to 28 days of standby time, though most reviews online show about six to seven hours of real-world use.
iPad Air vs Microsoft Surface 2: Display
These days, when you're buying what is essentially just a big slab of screen, the display really matters. Here, we have a 9.7" 2048 x 1536 display on the iPad Air versus a 10.6" 1920 x 1080 display on the Surface 2.The winner in terms of sheer resolution and sharpness is the iPad Air. At normal viewing distances, you really wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But side-by-side, you'd probably be able to tell which one is best. But don't strain your eyes, because we're telling you now it's the iPad.
iPad Air vs Microsoft Surface 2: Processor and performance
There's more to performance than just plain old hardware. You can put a 200 horsepower engine in a motorcycle and it will fly, put that in a 5,000-pound truck and it's a different story. Likewise, chipsets and processors in tablets and smartphones don't tell the whole story.Here we have Apple's new A7 chipset with 64-bit architecture powering iOS 7. Apple claims that, thanks to the A7, the new iPad Air is going to be 8 times faster than the previous model.
The Microsoft Surface 2 has NVIDIA's Tegra 4, which has had performance issues depending on the device and software running.
Given our experience with iOS 7 and Windows RT 8.1, we can safely assume that the overall user experience as a result of performance will be better with iOS, and therefore, the iPad.
iPad Air vs Microsoft Surface 2: Battery life
Apple promises up to 10 hours of real world use with the iPad Air. Microsoft seems to only offer standby times, but most reviews online show 6-7 hours of real world use.Perhaps for many prospective buyers, the battery life isn't as important if the tablet is going to be for home use. But if you plan on taking a tablet with you on your commute, you'll definitely want the iPad for that extra juice.
One interesting thing is that reports on the web are mixed regarding battery life on the Microsoft Surface 2. Some claim that it's great, others are not impressed. The ones who tend to be excited about it are reviewers who are comparing it to its predecessor, so you may want to take that into consideration if you plan to buy it.
iPad Air vs Microsoft Surface 2: Apps
When you buy a tablet, you're really buying it for one main reason: apps. You're running browsers, social networking apps, productivity apps, games and so on. It's really one of the biggest considerations, or at least it should be, when buying a new tablet.Hands down, the iPad Air wins here. If there was one consistent thing reviewers disliked about the Microsoft Surface 2, it was the lack of apps.
iOS has always had the biggest number of quality, tablet-designed apps when compared to Android or Windows. That hasn't changed, and it becomes more obvious once we start comparing the iPad to other tablets.
If you're not going to use a browser only - and why would you? - you should strongly consider the iPad Air over the Surface 2.
iPad Air vs Microsoft Surface 2: Pricing
Perhaps the one thing that the Surface 2 has going for it is pricing. Starting at $449, it's $50 cheaper than the iPad Air. If money were truly an issue, and $50 wasn't worth getting a better overall tablet experience, the clear winner is the Surface 2.However, we believe that in most cases you get what you pay for. Not only will you get better battery life with the iPad Air, it's a lighter and more svelte tablet, too.
Then there are the apps. Sure, the iPad Air starts at a hefty $499, and cost up to $929 if you get a 64GB model with Wi-Fi + cellular connectivity, but you're buying into the richest app ecosystems available today.
Winner
It's clear that in every category that matters, the iPad Air wins. We do wish that it wasn't such a landslide victory in this comparison, but that's the reality of it.
Where Microsoft is really lacking is in its app selection. There aren't very many good apps for the Surface 2, or on Windows RT 8.1. Perhaps developers are going where the sales and money are, and that makes sense.
When it comes to build quality and weight, battery life, apps, display and performance, we give this one to the iPad Air in every category. Oh, and obviously the Apple tablet takes it in the value category, too. For the money, you just get more bang for your buck with Apple tablets.
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In Depth: iPad Air vs iPad 4
So who called it? Who said that the iPad 5 would weigh less than a bag of sugar, be almost 2mm thinner than any other iPad and be called the iPad Air?
Just as the Macbook Air made every other laptop look like a gigantic machine from the 1990s, the iPad Air makes the old iPad 4 look dated. It's undeniably a thing of beauty.
But is it worth buying compared to the iPad it replaces? Here's a technology comparison to answer that question.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Design
Some of us were expecting an iPad 5 with an iPhone 5S-style fingerprint sensor, a redesigned Home button and another outing for Apple's Touch ID system.Instead, the iPad Air (Wi-Fi + Cellular model) has shed a massive 0.4 lbs, reducing the weight of the popular 9.7-inch tablet to just 1 lb to be exact. It's an unbelievable drop.
The iPad 4 is hardly a fat or weighty slate. But its 1.4 lb frame suddenly seems disappointingly heavy.
There are other subtle design differences too. The iPad Air measures 240 x 169.5 x 7.5mm compared to the 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4mm iPad 4. Using Apple's own stats, the new iPad Air is "28% lighter, 20% thinner [and] 24% less volume."
The iPad Air also features dual microphones on the bottom edge to capture clearer sound and reduce background noise during FaceTime calls.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Display
Considering the big changes elsewhere, there was little chance that the iPad Air's 9.7-inch Retina display would get an upgrade.With a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels and a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (PPI), the current Retina panel still offers superb clarity.
The Air's big selling point is its skinny frame - the clue's in the name.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Camera
Like the iPad 4 before it, the iPad Air incorporates a range of image capturing cleverness.The core 5 Megapixel, five-element lens is essentially the same technology. It has the same f/2.4 wide-angle aperture and the same Backside Illumination Sensor (BIS). This captures more light to give you better results when snapping shots in dim lighting conditions.
Other options include autofocus and tap to focus, tap to control the exposure, face detection, HDR and a Hybrid IR filter. The filter helps reduce the effects of infrared light, which can adversely affect image clarity.
As far as video is concerned, the rear camera can capture 1080p video, while the BIS-enhanced 1.2MP front camera can record 720p footage.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4 - Connectivity
Like the iPad 4 before it, the iPad Air is a go-anywhere device that is available in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular models.The latter embraces 3G/HSDPA, CDMA and LTE connectivity. Both iPads also include Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, although the new Air benefits from added MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology to boost connectivity speeds.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Processor
The iPad 4 is based around a dual core A6X with a quad-core graphics chip. But like the iPhone 5S, the iPad Air has been built around Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip.Even though this is reportedly a dual-core CPU running at 1.3GHz, benchmarks have pegged its performance above quad-core phones like the LG G2 and the Samsung Galaxy S4.
If that wasn't enough, the A7 chip also beats the A6X thanks to the presence of Apple's new M7 motion coprocessor, which monitors any movement data gathered from the iPad's built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and digital compass. Future location and fitness apps are poised to become scarily precise.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Storage
No real change here. The older iPad 4 offered four storage options - 16, 32, 64 or 128GB.The iPad Air follows suit, putting bigger and deeper dents in your wallet if you crave more storage space for apps, videos, music and photos.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Battery Life
Despite the reduced size of the iPad Air and the power demands of the speedy A7 processor, Apple has retained the same 10 hours of Wi-Fi using, video-watching, music-listening battery life (or nine hours of web browsing) as the iPad 4.Now that's impressive.
Apple iPad Air vs Apple iPad 4: Early verdict
The iPad Air improves on the old iPad 4 where it matters most. First, it uses the A7 chip from the iPhone 5S to get an extra turn of speed. You'll notice it when you open processor intensive apps such as iMovie or Infinity Blade III.The new 64-bit architecture positions the iPad line for the future, while the high resolution Retina display continues to impress.
But nothing is as impressive as the freshly machined, surprisingly skinny design. Which begs the question: what's Apple going to do with the iPad 6. Or should that be the iPad Air 2?
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Blip: BBM for iOS and Android downloaded 10 million times in 24 hours
Guess the month-long delay and wait list only increased demand.
In 24 hours, BBM for iOS and Android has been downloaded 10 million times, according to BlackBerry. It already reached 5 million downloads in its first eight hours of availability, so the adoption rate seems to have held fairly steady.
In a BlackBerry blog post, the company said BBM for iOS became the top free app in the Apple App Store in more than 75 countries, including the US and UK. The same can't be said for Google Play (it ranked 98th in free apps at our last check), however it has received 67,793 5-star ratings out of 98,750 reviews.
Look for more improvements, like BBM Video, BBM Voice and BBM Channels to land on iPhone and Android "in the near future."
More blips!
Our blips are one-in-a-million news nuggets.- Instagram is coming to Windows Phone 8, Vine swinging in too
- Google makes a Play-date, event set for October 24 in New York City
- Forget the special features on DVDs and Blu-rays, Netflix is adding extras soon
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In Depth: iPad mini 2 vs iPad mini
Anybody who follows Apple's technology launches knows that the new iPad mini, aka the iPad mini 2, was going to be an iterative improvement.
Apple doesn't need to reinvent its 7.9-inch tablet. Not for version 2 anyway. It's not sufficiently threatened by the Nexus 7 or the Kindle Fire HD.
All the new iPad mini needed was a speed boost and a Retina display to match its bigger brother. And that's just what we've got. Here's how the two compare.
Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Design
Anyone expecting a redesign of the iPad mini will be disappointed. But why fix something that isn't broken? There isn't a fingerprint sensor either. Apple is probably keeping the technology back for the inevitable iPad mini 3 and iPad Air 2.As for the two iPad minis, the size difference between the two is almost imperceptible. Comparing the Wi-Fi plus Cellular versions, the iPad mini 2 measures 200.0 x 134.7 x 7.5mm, while the original iPad mini is 200.0 x 134.7 x 7.2mm. That's only a 0.3mm difference.
When it comes to weight, things are little more obvious. With its Retina display and A7 processor, the new iPad mini is slightly tubbier than its predecessor. It weighs in at 341g - 29g heavier than the original model, which tipped the scales at 312g.
Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Display
Seeing a Retina display on the new iPad mini hardly comes as a surprise. The improved 7.9-inch display is exactly what we expected and it bumps up the resolution of the mini iPad from 768 x 1024 pixels to 1536 x 2048 pixels. To put that in context, the new screen has 3,145,728 pixels in total, 2,359296 more than the previous iPad mini. The difference is clear - the new mini has a Pixels Per Inch rating of 326, while the old one can only muster 163.Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Camera
There have been a few tweaks to the iPad mini 2's cameras, but again, they are relatively minor. The rear cameras still share same five-element, 5MP lens with a f/2.4 aperture. They both have a feature set that includes autofocus, face detection, Backside illumination, a Hybrid IR filter, tap to focus, tap to control exposure, geotagging, HDR and 1080p video recording.At first glance, the front-facing 1.2 Megapixel FaceTime camera doesn't look any different either. But dig into the specs and you'll notice that it now includes a Backside Illumination Sensor (BIS) that will boost the camera's performance in poor lighting conditions. No more dingy-looking selfies.
Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Connectivity
At first glance, everything looks the same here, too. Like the original model, the new iPad mini is available in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi plus cellular versions, which incorporate 3G/HSDPA, CDMA and LTE (where available). Both also feature 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.But the difference lies in the Wi-Fi chip inside the newer iPad mini. It supports dual channel (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi with MIMO for superior wireless connectivity. It doesn't sound like much, but the Multiple Input Multiple Output technology here has long been in use on broadband routers and can effectively double data download speeds.
Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Processor
The improved processor inside the iPad mini 2 is another reason why the new mini model is a significant improvement over the original. Where the first-gen iPad mini debuted with the dual-core A5 processor that powered the iPad 2, the new model uses the same chip that powers the flagship iPhone 5S - a 64-bit dual-core A7 CPU with an M7 motion co-processor.Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Storage
Storage-wise the iPad mini 2 is available with 16, 32, 64 or 128GB storage options, matching the capacities of the 9.7-inch iPad. The older iPad mini didn't have a 128GB option and Apple now only offers a 16GB model.Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Battery Life
With each new iPad launch, and no matter what technology is crammed in, Apple is careful to retain 10 hours of battery life. The new iPad mini is no exception and it's put on a little extra weight to compensate for the new Retina display and A7 processor.Apple iPad mini 2 vs Apple iPad mini: Early verdict
As iterative improvements go, the new iPad mini offers some compelling reasons to upgrade. The A7 processor gives it a dramatic speed boost and while the M7 co-processor has some potential, the switch from a 32-bit architecture to 64-bit is arguably more important - expect other mobile manufacturers to follow suit. Ultimately, all Apple needed to do to turn a good iPad mini into a great iPad mini was to add a Retina display and not make it exorbitantly pricey. At $399 (£319, about AU$411) it's a job well done.
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Titanfall - maybe the best reason to buy an Xbox One - coming March 2014
The Microsoft-exclusive shooter Titanfall for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PCs will go on sale in March 2014 in the US and Europe, developer Respawn Entertainment has confirmed.
The all-action, humans-vs-robots shooter from some of the key players behind the Call of Duty franchise, has generated huge excitement since it was revealed during Microsoft's keynote at the E3 expo in June.
It has been earmarked as one of the key difference makers in the Xbox One vs PS4 battle and will hit stores on March 11 in the US. Europeans will have to wait until March 13.
The developer is also offering a collector's edition, which comes complete with an 18-inch Titan statue and 190-page hardcover art book. That'll set you back $250 (around £153) though.
Spring 2014: It gets real
The game joins a slew of eagerly-anticipated next-gen titles that have been earmarked for launch in Spring 2014, or have been delayed until after the initial launch window is over.Titanfall wasn't scheduled as a launch day title for the Xbox One, but another new AAA franchise generating plenty of excitement, Ubisoft's Watch Dogs, has been pushed until the winter months are over. The PlayStation-exclusive racer Drive Club has also slipped to 2014.
Could this affect the demand for an Xbox One or a PS4 heading into the Christmas period? Is Spring 2014 the time when folks should really be jumping aboard the next-gen hardware bandwagon?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Opinion: iPad Air and iPad mini 2 iterated to perfection
The iPad Air and iPad mini 2 with Retina Display were announced on Tuesday, October 22, and the new tablets are pretty much a reflection of Apple's quest for perfection.
Of course, no tech product is perfect, but for what some still consider a niche market, you can't do better than the iPad Air or iPad mini 2 - thankfully the latter now has a Retina Display.
Apple gave the new iPads the A7 chip, found in the iPhone 5S, for arguably better overall performance and some modest improvements in battery life. Moreover, the new iPads are also capable of 64-bit computing, just like the iPhone 5S, and makes them ready for the future of mobile computing.
iPad Air: Tablet on a diet
With the iPad Air, we now have a more powerful tablet that alleviates one of the biggest issues we had with the iPad - its weight. Think back to the first iPad, weighing in at 680 and 725 grams for the Wi-Fi and cellular versions, respectively.Although it seems negligible, many users complained of the first generation iPad's heft and weight for extended, single-handed use.
Now that Apple has shaved the weight to less than half a kilo, again a seemingly negligible amount of weight, the difference will undoubtedly be like night and day.
Of course, if you have wrist issues or have never exercised a day in your life, you may consider the coming accessories and stands for the new iPad.
If you've been wanting to buy an iPad, but you've been holding out for a number of reasons - or more realistically, excuses - now is the time.
iPad mini 2 with Retina Display joins the future
Nothing made the iPad mini feel more antiquated than its display. I was prepared to call it an awful display, but that would've been unfair to anyone who wasn't stranded in a cave with no other devices to compare it to.Perhaps weight was the issue for many who bought the iPad mini, and for others it really was about the size and portability. But at the time, the sacrifice that was being made was a subpar display.
Now, at 2048 x 1536 resolution, the iPad mini 2 has a 326 PPI that will look sharper than a tack at normal viewing distances.
Oddly, Apple didn't include Touch ID on the iPad mini 2, and neither does the iPad Air. One would think that users would enjoy the same security levels offered by the new tablets.
iPad Air and iPad mini 2 at premium prices
One thing that holds folks back from taking the plunge on either tablet is pricing. However, we believe that when it comes to buying a new tablet, you get what you pay for.Apple still owns the tablet market, and you aren't going to find a better piece of hardware than either of the new iPads.
The new Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD are great Android tablets, but they're still not quite up to par with the iPads. We can go on and on with that debate, but the fact remains that there are still more tablet-optimized apps for the iPad than there are for Android tablets.
The iPad has always had a much nicer build quality, too, whereas Android tablets ranged from pretty good to bad enough to be on a grocery store shelf. No joke: we once saw Android tablets being sold next to cigarettes at a Rite-Aid store in New York City.
With the nice displays, memory and wireless options and the wealth of apps available for iOS 7, the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 will be worth the money - that is, if you're even in the market for a tablet in the first place.
New iPad Air and iPad mini 2: To buy or not to buy?
As purveyors of tech information, news and rumours, we get asked this question a lot: Should I buy the new thing?The question in response is always, "We don't know. Should you?"
Well, we'll keep it simple this time around. If you're in the market for a new tablet, the answer is yes. If you're even considering a new tablet, the answer is yes. Go ahead, throw your money at Apple.
One thing we've learned about the iPad is that its owners, on average, are pretty satisfied with their tablets for quite some time. And although this is anecdotal, we can't say the same for the Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab units we've seen lying around, dormant for weeks or months.
It's all in the apps and experience, really. You're essentially buying a big display, so what matters is what you can do with it. iOS still offers more consumption and creation apps for its tablets than Android.
So, if you're really going to take the plunge on one of these big displays, buy the one that will do more for you in the long run, the one with the most apps - the iPad.
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Hands-on review: Mac Pro review
Apple's new Mac Pro has attracted all sorts of attention for both its distinctive cylindrical design and eye-popping specs.
We thought it looked like a Mac that Darth Vader might have used - if he was a multimedia professional rather than a murderous Sith. We're not sure if the new Mac Pro can use the force, but it certainly offers plenty of power.
Starting at $2,999 (around £1,846, or AU$3,088) for the base configuration, that internal grunt doesn't come cheap, so read on to find out if the new Mac Pro is worth the upgrade for you.
New Mac Pro design
Taking the shape of a big black cylinder that's been ruthlessly compared to a 9.9-inch tall bin in some circles, the New Mac Pro is either something of an oddity or a triumph in concise design depending on your view.It looks a lot shinier than in pictures when viewed in the metallic flesh, particularly with light bouncing off it from a number of angles.
That doesn't mean it looks better though: in fact, we thought it looked less impressive than the slick images of it we've seen of it so far. But don't get us wrong - it is still pretty cool.
New Mac Pro specs
Apple's Mac Pro is offered with between 256GB and 1TB internal storage. It's powered by an Intel Xeon E5 processor that ranges from a quad-core version to a huge 12-core configuration spec.That's coupled with a pair of AMD FirePro workstation-class GPUs, so any graphical barriers previously posing a problem should be smashed down with ease by this silent-but-deadly desktop.
We clicked and poked our way around the version of OS X loaded on our demo model and, perhaps unsurprisingly, failed to detect even slight lag when opening and closing apps.
There's only so much we could do with our brief time with the machine, and we're salivating at the chops over putting the Mac Pro through our grueling benchmarking regime, so watch this space.
New Mac Pro noise
We were impressed at just how quiet the new Mac Pro is. Apple previously revealed that its near-silent nature is owed to the fact it's been designed around a single large fan that sucks air upwards through a bottom vent to absorb heat and carry it out of the top.If you're looking for an accurate comparison, the ultra quiet hum of a Mac Mini isn't far off, which makes the new Mac Pro one of the quietest desktops we've come across.
New Mac Pro ports and connectivity
The new Mac Pro has a number of ports on the rear of its base to let multimedia professionals hook up a number of additional devices.We spotted six Thunderbolt 2 ports complete with the super-fast connectivity standard's symbol alongside, which sits next to four USB 3.0 ports, two Gigabit Ethernet ports and one HDMI 1.4 port.
Apple's overhauled Mac Pro will be available to buy at some point in December, so if you want feel the full force of Apple's powerful flagship desktop machine, you might want to start saving up in - according to our calculations - around five minutes' time.
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Hands-on review: iPad Air
The arrival of its mini brother has meant that the iPad 'maxi' lost some of its headline billing - but Apple has taken the bigger tablet back to the drawing board, given it a fresh new name - iPad Air - and is hoping to prove that not everyone wants to give up on a bigger screen.
As well as improvements to its innards, in a new A7 chip and camera upgrades, the decrease in thickness and weight in the new iPad Air is very welcome, making what could have been an incremental upgrade hugely significant.
The iPad Air weighs in at just 1lb (or 453g) and 7.5mm thick - a significant step up from its predecessor, and in the hand that difference is genuinely startling.
The fourth incarnation of the iPad came quickly after the third - both announced last year, which may well have lessened the impact (especially given the rowdy newcomer it was announced alongside).
This time around, the iPad Air is looking to make a splash and to that end we get refreshed innards that take this a big step towards being a fully-functioning PC with the integration of Apple's latest physical technology.
Chipping it in
Under the hood, the iPad 5 has the 64-bit architecture of the A7 chip that debuted in the flagship iPhone 5S, but as a bigger device that power is even more important here, described by Phil Schiller on stage as 'screamingly fast'The gap between tablets and laptops has not just narrowed but all but disappeared, and the advancements made by Apple in this area are key to its success.
Also improved are the cameras - bringing a HD Facetime camera (ie the front one) and a 5MP, 1080p rear camera. Don't use the rear one, though. Seriously. Don't be that person.
The cameras appeared to function pretty well in the low light of the hands-on room, but we need to get it out into the wild to give you a proper opinion.
They are certainly an improvement on the iPad 4, but beyond that it's really too early to say. Although it doesn't matter as you shouldn't use the rear one. Have we mentioned that?
Past wins
Sometimes in the wash of new technology it's easy to forget what the iPad already brings so it's important to note that the arrival of iOS 7 just a few weeks ago have made significant improvements to the iPad universe already, bringing a welcome step away from skeuomorphism and a more modern and fresh design.And that Retina screen that has been wowing us from last year is still present and correct - and, as you would expect from a tablet - central to everything that is great about the iPad.
The display is crisp and colourful, meaning that photographs are vibrant and sharp, web surfing is clear and easy and watching films is a joy.
There's no Touch ID - which is a surprise given that it's quickly become a nice feature of the iPhone 5S and the A7 chip can handle it - but it's not by any means critical, and we'll merrily take the reduction in size and weight.
As you would expect with this level of power, the apps run superbly and we were flicking in and out of things like the App Store and iWorks apps without any sign of slowdown or hesitance.
For many 64-bit architecture on an iPhone was unnecessary but, when it comes to the iPad, the extra oomph is a real joy, and we're hoping that developers can take real advantage of the step up.
More than a name
The iPad Air is much, much more than just a name change - the reduction in the size and weight of the device improve it on a fundamental level.The biggest criticism you could level at the iPad 4 was its size and weight, and the Air's biggest difference is that it's simply more of a pleasure to hold.
It's now down to less than the Sony Xperia Tablet Z, and we were amazed at how easy that was to hold - but Apple has taken things to another level now.
The innards and the other improvements are nice, incremental of course, but all make for a fine device.
Early verdict
It's hard to put into words how much Apple has improved the iPad, offering a stunning level of detail and power with a build quality that's unrivalled.But the reduction in thickness, and especially weight could well ensure that the iPad Air is the finest tablet on the market.
It will always have its detractors, but in the tablet market at least Apple is making no compromises - it's level on price for the most part, and if it had a microSD card slot, then the critics would probably have nothing to say at all.
We can't wait to get our hands on one for longer and really put it through its paces - stick around for our in-depth review, which we'll bring you in the very near future,
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iOS 7.0.3 update launches right after iPad Air announcement
Apple is once again tweaking iOS 7 with today's iOS 7.0.3 update, whether or not you're ordering that newly announced iPad Air or the high-resolution iPad mini 2 with Retina display.
The company didn't actually mention iOS 7.0.3 during the unveiling of its new, slimmer tablet, but it and all iOS 7 compatible devices can download the 92.8MB update over a WiFi network.
At the top of the iOS 7.0.3 features list is support for iCloud Keychain, which is able to store usernames, passwords and credit card numbers that web users always forget.
There's a also password generator so Safari can suggest unique, hard-to-guess passwords for the unimaginatives out there.
iCloud Keychain can now be used across multiple Apple devices, including machines running OS X Mavericks, which was announced as a free download today.
It just requires Safari, meaning Google Chrome and Firefox users need not apply.
iOS 7.0.3 bug fixes
iOS 7.0.3 adds back the ability to search the web and Wikipedia from the pull-down Spotlight search and updates the lock screen to delay the display of "slide to unlock" when Touch ID is in use.When it comes to bug fixes, users experiencing iMessages errors when sending a new message will want to download this update right away.
It also corrects an annoying glitch that prevented Apple's chat program from activating in the first place.
iWork apps became useful last month when Apple announce that they are free for all new iOS devices. Now the suite, which includes iPhoto, iMovie and iWork, is getting system stability improvements.
Siri and VoiceOver are also addressing some issues, remedying cases in which a lower-quality voice would be used.
- Have you seen the MacBook Pro Retina price cuts and Mac Pro release date?
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Hands-on review: iPad mini 2 with Retina display
The new iPad mini has arrived, bringing with it a host of key changes which could well keep it at the top of the tree in the world of smaller tablets, and the big and expected news is the inclusion of the much-desired Retina display.
A much-improved screen, a huge step up in processing power (hello A7, glad to see you could join us) and connectivity, and improvements to the camera make the iPad mini 2 with Retina a hugely improved tablet on the original.
And it needed to be; Apple's latest is going up against some heavy hitters in the shape of the Android-toting new Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX which are both cheaper and much improved.
When the original iPad mini poked its smaller and lighter head over Apple's parapet there was widespread surprise that it did not bring Apple's much-vaunted Retina display.
The company's bullish stance that the mini did not NEED the 'resolutionary' feature brought inevitable cynicism from journalists (including us) who suggested that this argument would dissipate by the time the new iPad mini arrived.
But that did not stop the original wowing the critics, including TechRadar's own Gareth Beavis who awarded 4.5 stars in his iPad mini review and handed it the much-desired top spot in our Best Tablets in the World list.
Clearer than ever
Inevitably, Retina has indeed now made its way to the new iPad mini, and that makes perhaps the most obvious difference to the tablet.Retina has always held the power to impress, making the likes of the iPhone 4 a fundamentally improved handset and the arrival of the technology for the updated iPad mini is a key moment for the device.
For photographers, aesthetes or merely those that like their display as crisp and clear as possible the arrival of retina is hugely important.
We already loved the iPad mini but it always seemed like it was in a holding pattern waiting for a better screen and lo and behold the new iPad mini has become a truly beautiful device, still portable, still well proportioned but now boasting a screen that is fantastic.
And it genuinely is a fundamental change for this device. Our time with the iPad mini was enough to convince us that we were right to be upset at no Retina display on the original, because it's as stunning as expected on its successor.
You might imagine that the improved display comes at a cost, just as its big brother's move to Retina did, adding bulk and heft to incorporate the technology and battery that could deal with the 'resolutionary' screen.
But in practical hands on terms the difference is negligible, and in our time with the new iPad mini we did not find the changes made it any less portable or uncomfortable to use.
It's also important to note that a fantastic high resolution screen is no longer the domain of just Apple.
The Android-toting Nexus 7 2013, for instance, has won huge praise for its 1920x1200 screen with a staggering 323 pixels per inch, so the iPad mini simply had to see an improvement in this iteration, and Apple has provided one.
Camera
There weren't a lot of differences to talk up with the iPad mini 2, with a 5MP iSight camera and backside illumination the big features once again.For the larger iPad the use of the camera is pretty divisive - and we have to confess we're not the biggest fans of using a big tablet to capture moments despite it becoming a common sight.
On the new Apple mini this is obviously less of an issue although many will feel self conscious at using a tablet as a primary camera. The photos that we took in our time with the iPad mini were obviously in less than ideal conditions and yet were still pretty good.
This isn't going to (nor should it) replace your primary camera, but for every-day quick snaps it's a step up from the original iPad mini and perfectly acceptable. In our full review we'll be able to do better tests in a mix of conditions, but it's certainly an improvement.
While Apple hasn't fundamentally changed the design here, it's still a decent enough snapper, and if you're so inclined to take pictures with a tablet.
Faster, better, etc
The addition of the improved screen obviously makes the better camera much more satisfying, mainly because you can really see the quality (or not) of your efforts.The arrival of the A7 for the iPad mini was always likely and it should be made clear that the latest Apple chip's appearance in the second iteration of the smaller slate is a massive step up, as well as helping make that screen all the better.
The original iPad mini came with the A5 chip and 512 MB RAM found in the iPad 2 - which was effectively scaled down to become the new form factor, so it was always likely that Apple would seek to update its little slate to a level where it can compete with its peers.
The jump to an A7 chip makes the mini a seriously powerful device - a tablet that packs a real punch under its sleek hood - bringing 64-bit architecture and taking the iPad a step closer to the power of a laptop.
In real terms, the faster processor will make a big difference to the performance and battery life and for people upgrading from the original, it should be an immediate and visible boost to the way in which the mini handles.
In our time with the device it was blasting in and out of apps quickly and efficiently with no discernible problems and, thankfully, even the access to the App Store was speedy.
Early verdict
The original iPad mini blew us away, but we were also clear on the improvements we wanted to see, and Apple has taken steps to make the iPad mini 2 with Retina even more attractive.Faster, prettier and more featured, the new iPad mini is everything we hoped it would be and, although there was nothing that we didn't expect, it should be noted that this is a tablet that ticks every box.
The price is higher again as Apple, like Amazon and Google, looks to step away from the razor-thin margins of last year's budget tablets, but on our early look alone, we think Apple has once again eased ahead in the mid-size slate space.
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In Depth: iPad Air: 10 things you need to know
Yes, it was a long and convoluted keynote. Yes, Tim Cook took an absolute age to announce the new iPad range. And, yes, more time was spent with Kyle and Gavin and their new adventures in GarageBand.
But we finally have news of the new flagship iPad, the iPad Air and it is impressive. Most impressive.
Here's 10 things you need to know...
1. It's got a new name
Apple's approach to naming iPad models has always been rather inconsistent and there's now yet another naming convention to contend with : the new model is called the iPad Air. Still, that's a lot better than the iPad 4 which was officially named the "new iPad".It's "Air" now, incidentally, because it's shed some weight. You'll have noticed that Apple is concerned with lightness and slimness to the point of obsession, so it's not a surprise to see the relatively heavy previous model revamped in this way. Some people will probably still call it the iPad 5.
2. It has a smaller bezel
Previous iPads have had quite a large bezel – the area between the edge of the screen and the edge of the device. The iPad Air has a bezel that's 43% thinner than before and this means that while the screen remains the same 9.7 inches, the overall size of the device is smaller.This is great news because a bezel is essentially wasted space, you can't do anything with it. So Apple moves a step further towards a device that is all touch screen and nothing else. The front panel is otherwise much the same, sporting a simple Home button.
3. It's gone on a diet
Advances in battery and processor technology have meant that the battery, which makes up most of the physical bulk of an iPad, has been shrunk. As a result the iPad Air is only 7.5mm thin, which makes it 20% thinner than the previous model.Combined with a more regular shape compared to the tapered back of the last iPad, this should make for a more comfortable experience when holding it for long periods such as when reading books. It's also lost weight, weighing just 1lb. Apple says this makes it the lightest full size tablet on the market.
4. It uses the A7 processor
Apple debuted the A7 system-on-a-chip in the iPhone 5S and it's an absolute monster, providing blazing speeds while being surprisingly power efficient. It's a 64-bit processor, which paves the way for more advanced applications and better performance.As an example, the brand new Garageband for iOS will let you run 32 tracks if you have a 64-bit chip, but 16 on a pre-A7 model. Interestingly there's no "A7X" as we might have expected. Apple supercharged the A6 processor for the iPad 4 and called it the A6X, but clearly feels the A7 is powerful enough for its newest iPad.
5. It has the M7 motion coprocessor
Also inherited from the iPhone 5S is the new M7 motion coprocessor. This is a clever but of hardware that's able to interpret advanced signals received from the iPad's gyroscope, GPS and other hardware sensors.It can receive this data independently of the main processor, saving power as it doesn't have to wake the iPad's main chip. The M7 can tell apps whether you're walking, running, sitting or driving so that they can adjust their behavior accordingly. Another potential application is indoor tracking and mapping.
6. The numbers are impressive
Apple claims that the CPU and graphics performance of the iPad Air are double that of its predecessor, which was itself no slouch. So you can expect really slick gaming and graphics performance and no waiting around for stuff to happen. Compared to the original iPad released only three years ago, the iPad Air has eight times faster CPU performance and a brain-blistering 72x faster graphics performance.7. It's got better Wi-Fi
There's no 802.11ac (yet) so it still uses 802.11n, but the iPad Air introduces new MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology and uses more internal antennas to improve the wireless performance of the device.Apple reckons it can achieve up to twice the data rate as before, which will be nice for transferring movie files, backing up wirelessly and so on. The cellular model also adds expanded LTE support. As before there are Wi-Fi only models and versions that add cellular 4G connectivity, though these require a separate data plan.
8. It doesn't have Touch ID
Perhaps surprisingly, the iPad Air hasn't gained the same Touch ID fingerprint scanning technology found in the new iPhone 5S. There could be many reasons for this, which at the moment are all purely speculative until Apple tells us, which it won't. It could be an issue of keeping costs down, or it could be that people don't take their iPads around in public nearly as much as they do their iPhones. We'd expect to see Touch ID introduced at some point, but clearly that's going to have to wait for a while.
9. Some things haven't changed… much
Although some of the specs are new, others are changed only slightly or not at all. The camera hardware remains the same : a 5MP iSight and a front-facing camera for FaceTime calls. There's the same 10 hour battery life, though of course the battery is now smaller and lighter so this could be called a positive change.There are now dual microphones as opposed to the previous single mic, and this will aid both with audio recording and Siri performance, helping iOS to more accurately pick up and discern what you're saying. The iPad Air comes in silver and white and in space grey and black. There's no gold option, so if you want to look like a rapper you'll have to buy a case.
10. It's still the flagship iPad
Interestingly, Apple is keeping the iPad 2 around for people who want to get into iPad world but pay less for the privilege. This is an interesting move : the iPad 2 is pretty old technology now, with a non-Retina screen and an ageing A5 processor.The iPad Air isn't dramatically more expensive and in all honesty offers a far better user experience, especially with iOS7. Nonetheless, the choice is there. The iPad Air will launch internationally on November 1 in a wide range of countries including for the first time at launch, in China.
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In Depth: iPad mini 2 with Retina: 10 things you need to know
So the smaller iPad that Apple was never going to make is now in its second iteration - say hello to the iPad mini 2 with Retina display.
Today we finally found out how many of the rumors were true, how many were near misses and how many missed the mark by miles.
Here is our guide to everything that you need to know about the iPad mini 2 with Retina.
- Read our hands on: iPad mini 2 review
1. It has a better screen
The iPad mini 2 with Retina screen measures in at exactly the same size as the year old iPad mini. The 7.9-inch display does come with a resolution boost, with the many rumors that the iPad mini 2 would get a Retina display proving to be bang on the money.With the Retina technology on board, the new iPad mini comes with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 meaning that it has a Full HD display. This doubles the original iPad mini's 163ppi to 326ppi.
2. It has the A7 Processor
Despite the lack of inclusion of the Touch ID sensor, the iPad mini 2 with Retina comes with the 64-bit A7 chip that we saw on the iPhone 5S.This means that the iPad mini 2 now comes with a processor that is 4x faster than its predecessor, as well as providing 8x faster graphics processing.
The A7 chip also helps support the new Retina screen - because that screen is going to use up a lot of power. It also means that iPad mini 2 now has the same laptop-esque power that the iPhone 5S came with.
3. It doesn't come in gold
Unfortunately for those after another shot of gold-colored tech, there is no gold iPad mini 2 with Retina on the way. Instead it comes in silver and white, and space grey and black.4. It doesn't have Touch ID
It seems that the inclusion of a Touch ID fingerprint scanner on the iPad mini 2 with Retina is one that was unfortunately just not true. This will undoubtedly leave many unimpressed and set the bar for a lot of tomorrow's headlines.5. It has more storage
The iPad mini 2 with Retina comes in the standard 16, 32 and 64GB models that we HAVE seen before, with Apple telling us that there will be a 128GB model available for the first time.6. It has a better camera, sort of
Those hoping for an upgraded camera sensor on the iPad mini 2 with Retina are out of luck.It seems that the 8MP rear sensor that has been bandied about was in fact just another rumor, with Apple choosing to stick with 5MP snapper that currently sits on the back of the original iPad mini.
The front-facing FaceTime camera has had a look at, though, with it now matching the iPhone 5S for clarity - that and its dual mics should make video chatting a lot more pleasant.
7. It will cost you
When it comes to pricing, the multitude of options means a multitude of prices. Prices start at £319/$399/AU$479 for the Wi-Fi only 16GB versions, with it being an extra £100/$130/AU$150 to get 4G connectivity.8. It comes better connected
Apple has updated the LTE connections in the iPad mini 2 with Retina, meaning that it comes with extended 4G support. It has also taken a look at the Wi-Fi connections, as the iPad mini 2 with Retina now comes twice as fast, with Mimo.9. It doesn't have a Keyboard Cover
One of the quieter rumors that we had heard recently is that Apple might be working on a dedicated keyboard cover a la Microsoft Surface. Unfortunately this isn't the (keyboard) case, with Tim Cook comparing competitors chasing this market to the way they chased the failed netbook market.10. It doesn't really have a set release date
While its bigger iteration, the iPad Air is launching on November 1, the iPad mini 2 will see an unspecific "later" November release.
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iPad Air release date and price: where can I get it?
The new iPad has arrived right on schedule and with a surprising new name - the iPad Air.
It's thinner, lighter, faster, stronger. Like expected it packs a 64-bit A7 processor and M7 motion chip, making it eight times faster than the original iPad.
We've been doing the rounds to see who's going to be offering up Apple's new tablet when it's released on sale on November 1.
- Read our hands on: iPad Air review
Apple
Goes without saying that Apple will be offering the iPad Air right from its store. You can go order the new tablet right now, starting at £399 for the 16GB model. You can check out the rest of the prices here.Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U
Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U are almost certain to be offering the iPad Air, but we're still waiting to hear anything certain.EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three
As confirmed on the Apple site, all four major UK networks will be offering up the new tablet in 4G form. We're yet to hear what the exact deal will be, but you'll be the first to know when we do.- Want to know the details on the new iPad mini 2 with Retina display? Walk this way
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Early view: iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3
Apple's announcement of the iPad mini 2 with Retina is one that has shocked no one, after rafts of rumors over the past year.
Now we can see which were true, and compare Apple's latest small-screen tablet offering against its three biggest rivals, the Google Nexus 7 (2013), the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 and the LG G Pad 8.3.
How do they all stack up?
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: OS
The iPad mini 2 with Retina unsurprisingly comes with Apple's latest, and possibly greatest, mobile OS. iOS7's radical new look made waves when it launched with the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C. Icons are flatter, and there are plentiful new features.Google similarly launched its latest mobile OS, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, with the launch of the new Nexus 7 device. It comes packing a completely unskinned version of the OS, offering Android in its purest form.
Amazon, as always, has taken a completely different tack. Heavily subsidizing costs, Amazon aims to recoup a lot of money through the sale of its various media items, be it apps, movies or books. In order to maximize this, the Fire UI laid over the top of Android 4.2 is focused on the Amazon store, with no Google Play offerings in sight.
The LG offering also runs Android 4.2, with an LG skin over the top. Unlike the Kindle Fire HDX 7, though, there is a lot less customization. This means that Android shows through a lot more, and the Google Play store offerings are still available.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Screen
The iPad mini 2 with Retina comes with an all new screen, although it is again measured at 7.9-inches. The update brings across Apple's Retina screen technology that was infamously omitted from the first iPad mini iteration. Packed into those 7.9-inches is a whopping 2,048 x 1,536 resolution.The Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX come with 7 inch Full HD screens. They match each other pixel for pixel, meaning 1,920 x 1,200 displays with 323ppi.
The Korean offering is a little larger, with 8.3 inches of screen on offer. This may be the largest of the bunch, but it is also the smallest for pixel density as the 1,200 x 1,920 resolution is stretched out resulting in 273ppi.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Dimensions and Weight
With measurements of 200 x 134.7 x 7.2mm (7.87 x 5.3 x 0.28 inches), the iPad Mini 2 with Retina fits neatly in the size gap between the Android based offerings. It weighs 308/312g (0.68/0.69lbs) depending on whether you pick the Wi-Fi or 4G model, once again placing it in the mini tablet middle ground.Google's Nexus 7 measures 200 x 114 x 8.65mm (7.87 x 4.49 x 0.34 inches), making it (in landscape) shorter than the Kindle Fire HDX 7, but wider. The Kindle is also a little deeper, with dimensions of 186 x 128 x 9mm (7.32 x 5.04 x 0.35 inches).
The Nexus is the lighter of the two, with the Wi-Fi only weighing in at 290g (0.64lbs) compared to the 303g (0.67lbs) of the Kindle. The LTE Nexus is also lighter at 299g (0.66lbs) compared to the Amazon's 311g (0.69lbs).
The larger screen of the LG means that it measures in at the largest of the bunch, at 216.8 x 126.5 x 8.3 mm (8.54 x 4.98 x 0.33 inches). It also comes in at the heaviest, weighing 338g (0.74lbs).
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Processor
When it comes to sheer processing power, Apple hasn't left the iPad mini 2 with Retina wanting. It comes with the latest 64-bit processor - the same one powering the iPhone 5S and new iPad Air. This means that it is four times faster, with eight times faster graphics processing.Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro powers the Google Nexus 7, meaning that it provides 1.4GHz of quad-core power with 2GB of RAM to support.
There is an equal level of RAM in both of the other Android tablets, although they also differ when it comes to what CPU is inside.
The Kindle Fire HDX 7 has the quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip, clocked at 2.2GHz, with the LG G Pad 8.3 running the older Snapdragon 600 chip clocked at 1.6GHz.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Storage
Would you believe that the iPad mini 2 with Retina doesn't come with microSD support? We all knew that it wouldn't, so there were no surprises there today. The iPad Mini 2 with Retina comes in the same 16, 32 and 64GB sizes that the original iPad Mini came with.MicroSD support is also omitted from the Google Nexus 7, with 16 and 32GB versions available.
The only tablet with microSD support is the LG G Pad 8.3, as the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 comes with storage locked at 16, 32 and 64GB versions. It can be argued, though, that the LG is the only one that needs the 64GB support it as it comes with only 16GB internal storage.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Battery
Again, following typical Apple traditions, there is no official quoted battery size. Instead, they offer up a 10 hour use time, which fits with the same use times as the original iPad mini.Battery size is published for the Google Nexus 7, with Google stating that there is a 3950mAh power pack sat inside. This is apparently enough for "up to nine hours of active use."
For the Kindle Fire HDX 7, there are quoted battery times, although again there is no quoted size. Amazon claim that you should be eke out 11 hours of mixed use, or 17 hours of reading.
The LG G Pad 8.3 comes with a 4600mAh battery, although there is no word on how long this should last.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Camera
Perhaps the most controversial of topics when it comes to these tablets is the camera. There is a certain stigma attached to holding up a tablet to take a photo, although there is a definite need for a front facing snapper to make video calls.The iPad mini 2 with Retina display comes with the same 5MP rear snapper as the iPad mini. The forward facing camera takes a boost, gaining the same FaceTime HD camera as on the iPhone 5S.
This means that it matches the one in the Nexus 7, as Google has equipped its tablet with a 1.2MP forward sensor, and 5MP on the rear.
There is a front facing HD camera on the Kindle Fire HDX, although we have no word on how many MP that is. As for the rear sensor, Amazon has chosen to completely omit it.
The LG is on par with the Google offering, offering a slightly larger 1.3MP forward facing camera, and 5MP sat on the back
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Connectivity
Three out of the four tablets being compared here come with both Wi-Fi only and 4G connections. The exception is the LG G Pad 8.3, which comes with only Wi-Fi options.In the UK, the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 is only being offered on 4G on Vodafone. 4G is currently only available in London, with 12 other cities getting access by the year's end. US users can get the Kindle Fire HDX 7 on AT&T and Verizon.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Price
When it comes to buying the tablets, there are some obvious differences in price, much of which down to the myriad options available regarding storage size and connectivity.The iPad mini 2 with Retina is the most expensive of all 4 tablets, with Apple saying that the tablet will retail at $399 (AU$479) for the Wi-Fi only model, with $529 (AU$629) for the 4G enabled versions.
The Nexus 7 is available from $229 (AU$299) for the 16GB version, with the 32GB costing $269 (AU$339), or US$349 (AU$439) if you want the 4G enabled version.
The Kindle Fire HDX is available for $229, $269 or $309 for the 16, 32 or 64GB versions respectively. These prices increase by US$100 to gain 4G access.
Pricing gets more complicated for the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7, as you can pay extra to opt out of having ads pushed to your device. This currently costs $15.
The LG G Pad 8.3 is on pre-order from Best Buy for $349.99 before tax.
iPad mini 2 with Retina vs Nexus 7 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs LG G Pad 8.3: Early verdict
Does Apple's latest mini tablet have what it takes to compete against the big boys of the tablet world right now. As with everything, put simply, yes. Short of hitting the same sort of problems that Apple has hit with the colorful iPhone 5C, the iPad Mini 2 with Retina will sell in droves.By not including the Touch ID scanner that was so popular on the iPhone 5S, Apple may well have missed a trick. That said, the inclusion of the Retina display will make the screen sparkle and appeal to all those that passed on the original because of screen issues.
Price should also not prove to be too much of an issue, with the original iPad mini showing that there is market for the smaller tablet with the higher price. This time around, the iPad mini 2 with Retina justifies its higher price tag, making it more irresistible.
We can never say with 100% confidence whether a new product will succeed or fail, but we'd buy a hat just so we could eat it if the iPad mini 2 with Retina failed. You'll have to check back for our iPad mini 2 with Retina review.
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New iPad mini 2 release date and price: where can I get?
Apple has taken the wraps off the hotly anticapted new iPad mini 2 with Retina display and the question on everyone's lips now is, when can I get one?
We've tracked down the latest information from all the major networks and retailers to bring you up to speed on the new iPad Mini 2 release date and price so you can be prepared to part with your hard earned cash.
The iPad mini 2 release date is set for "later in November", so we can't give you an exact date for now.
Apple
But we can tell you that, in true Apple tradition, you'll be able to order the iPad mini 2 online direct from Apple.We've rounded up the new iPad mini 2 UK pricing - it starts at £319 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only edition.
Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U
We expect both Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U to offer the new iPad mini 2, but we're still awaiting for confirmation from the retailers.EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three
The four major UK networks will be offering the iPad mini 2 in 4G variant. We're still waiting to hear if there are any sweet network deals to be had; we'll keep you posted.
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Updated: Apple unveils iPad mini 2 with Retina display
At its press event in San Francisco, Apple has unveiled the new iPad mini 2 with Retina display, complete with the feature everyone's been clamoring for.
As told by Apple's Phil Schiller, the main customer feedback following the first iPad mini was to include a Retina screen the next go-round. Apple listened.
The iPad mini 2's screen is a 7.9-inch affair with 2048 x 1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch. In all, users will cast their eyes on 3.1 million pixels inside the mini 2's display.
The new smaller tablet will launch with iOS 7, and it's powered with Apple's new A7 chip with its 64-bit architecture. The new M7 coprocessor found inside the iPhone 5S is along for the ride as well.
The iPad mini 2 will be out "later in November" starting at $399 (£319) for 16GB with Wi-Fi only and $529 for 16GB with 4G plus Wi-Fi. The mini 2 tops out at 128GB for $699 Wi-Fi only and 128GB with cellular connectivity for $829.
More iPad mini 2 specs
The new tablet is said to be four times faster at CPU tasks than its predecessor and eight times faster at GPU duties.The battery can last up to 10 hours, and thanks to two times faster Wi-Fi support with MiMo and extended 4G support, you'll be able to connect better for longer.
There's a 5MP iSight camera on the rear and plus a new 1080p FaceTime camera. Color options are silver and white and space gray. Sorry - no gold here.
Oh, and no Touch ID ... maybe Apple's saving that for the next keynote.
The first iPad mini is sticking around at $299 (£249) for 16GB Wi-Fi.
- Catch up on all the iPad mini 2 rumours here, or join us on Twitter for the live tweetalong.
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iPad Air officially announced with super slim design and A7 chip
Make way - there's a new iPad in town and it's packing 64-bit architecture. Apple has finally lifted the lid on the new iPad Air, putting to rest all the months of speculation.
With a brand new name, the new iPad is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor - 7.5mm thick - with a thinner bezel to booth. It's keeping the 9.7-inch screen size though.
It also features an A7 processor and M7 motion coprocessor to follow in the footsteps of the iPhone 5S. It'll also see a 72x increase in graphics performance.
Feather touch
It's twice as fast than the previous generation, and eight times faster than the original iPad. It also features a 5MP isight camera capable of shooting 1080p HD video.Apple reckons we'll get ten hours of battery out of the new iPad, and promises the Wi-Fi will be twice as fast too.
The iPad Air is available in silver and white, space gray and black. It'll be available on November 1 for the starting price of $499 (£399, AU$598) for the 16GB model with Wi-Fi only.
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iPad sales hit 170 million this month, Apple reveals
At Apple's iPad event today the company revealed the brand new iPad Air, thinner and lighter than its predecessors, and the iPad mini 2 with Retina display.
But first Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed some numbers concerning iPad sales: Apple has sold 170 million iPads since the tablet's launch three and a half years ago, he claimed.
In addition, of the million-plus apps available in Apple's app store, 475,000 of them are iPad apps, Cook revealed.
He also claimed the iPad is number one in terms of customer satisfaction when it comes to tablets.
Like magic
The presentation continued with a video showcasing the ways that users use their iPads.Cook also spoke of the iPad's launch.
"We called iPad our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device, but not everyone saw it this way," he said. "But we really believed in our vision."
The new iPad Air revealed today is more powerful than past generations of iPad, despite also being thinner and lighter.
The new iPad mini, on the other hand, features a crisp Retina display.
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Apple introduces new MacBook Pro models with specs boost, price cuts
Apple announced new MacBook Pro Retina models, giving its 13-inch and 15-inch laptops a specs boost and even more appealing price cuts.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina is going to be faster and lighter than the previous generation. It's 3.46 pounds and 0.71 inches thin, announced Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of marketing.
The new 13-inch MBP Retina contains a Haswell processor, matching Intel processor that's in the current generation MacBook Air notebooks.
That means, even with the high-resolution screen, it has 9 hours of battery life. The notebook also comes with Iris integrated graphics, 802.11ac WiFi and a Thunderbolt 2 connection.
All of this fits into a 0.71 inch package that costs $1299 (about £800, AU$1338) , down from the previous generation's $1499 (about £923, AU$1544) price.
15-inch MacBook Pro Retina specs, price
The 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina doesn't change its form factor from last year's version, but the Apple notebook refresh does include Intel's 4th generation quad-core processor, Haswell.Also, like the 13-inch version, the bigger MBP has a longer battery life, cloking in at 8 hours, according to the company.
Its Iris-integrated graphics can be boosted by an optional GeoForce GT 750 card upgrade, and all configurations come with 802.11ac WiFi and Thunderbolt 2.
Best of all, it costs $1999 (about £1231, AU$2060), down from $2199 (about £1354, AU$2265) price of the original 15-inch MBP Retina.
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina display updates start shipping today, noted Schiller, and are on sale in the Apple Store online right now.
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Mac Pro release date revealed
If you're pining after one of Apple's revamped Mac Pro models, you'll be pleased to discover that the Cupertino-based company has revealed its release date.
Apple has announced that the Mac Pro will be available in December, meaning that there's not too long to go until you can get your hands on its cylindrical goodness.
Apple first gave us a glimpse of the new Mac Pro back in June. The 9.9-inch desktop gets its internal grunt from an Intel Xeon E5 processor that's capable of supporting up to 12-core configurations.
Mac Pro price
We've been curious as to what the Mac Pro cost, and now we know that it'll start at $2,999 (around £1,846, or AU$3,088), so you might have to start saving in a few hours' time to pick one when the holiday season arrives.Want to know more about the new Mac Pro? Look no further
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