Devendra Kumar
Apple has announced a major update to its iPad lineup, marking the biggest upgrade to the tablet computer range in several years. The US tech giant revealed two new versions of its top-end iPad Pro, along with two new versions of its mid-tier iPad Air. The new iPads will feature significant upgrades, including high-quality OLED displays, powerful custom-made chips, and improved artificial intelligence capabilities.
The new iPad Pro will come with a remarkable Ultra Retina XDR display, powered by the M4 chip, which Apple claims will make the device 50 percent faster than its previous generation and 10 times faster than the original iPad Pro model. The company also boasts that the new Pro is the thinnest product it has ever made, with both versions measuring just over 5mm thick. This slim design is thinner than Apple’s pocket-sized iPod Nano.
The new Pro will be accompanied by the Apple Pencil Pro, a new stylus that allows users to interact with the device for the first time. The Pencil Pro features a unique design that allows users to squeeze the device to interact with it. The updated Magic Keyboard will also be available, providing users with a more seamless typing experience.
The new iPad Air will also receive an upgrade, with a faster Apple M2 chip that makes the device 50 percent faster than its previous model. The Air will be available in two sizes, 11 inches and 13 inches, offering users more options to choose from.
The updates to the iPad lineup come as Apple looks to reignite interest in its tablet computer range, which has seen significant decline in recent years. Industry expert Ben Wood noted that although the iPad is one of Apple’s less prominent products, it still generates significant revenue, with the company reporting $5.6 billion in revenue from the iPad in its most recent quarterly earnings.
However, Wood also noted that the iPad’s revenue has been declining, with a 15 percent year-on-year decline in the most recent quarter. Apple is therefore keen to reinvigorate the category, particularly in the premium tier. The new iPads are unlikely to return the category to growth immediately, but they do represent a much-needed reason to upgrade for customers with ageing products.
The emphasis on artificial intelligence was evident in the new iPads, with Apple executives repeatedly referring to the improved AI capabilities in the new chips. Although Apple did not announce any major new AI tools during the event, it is expected to discuss its plans around AI during its annual developer conference, WWDC, next month.