Apple introduced its heavily
anticipated iPad computers Tuesday, hoping to extend the dominance of
its line of tablet computers in the upcoming holiday season.
Apple also introduced a fourth-generation iPad, boasting improved
wireless connectivity, including LTE capabilities, and a more
powerful processor than the third-generation iPad it introduced just
six months ago.
Apple has sold over 100 million iPads since the tablets were
announced two years ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook said at a media event in
San Jose.
Apple is facing growing competition from the likes of Google,
Amazon and Microsoft in the tablet market, especially from 7-inch
tablets which are smaller and less expensive than the standard
9.7-inch iPad.
The screen of the iPad mini measures 7.9 inches diagonally, but
according to Apple offers over 40 per cent more screen area than
competitors' 7-inch tablets. Customers in the US will be able to
start ordering the new device on Friday with prices starting at 329
dollars - over 100 dollars more than the starting price of Google's
Nexus 7, which sells for 199 dollars. Google is expected to announce
a new version of its tablet on Friday as well as a 10-inch tablet in
conjunction with Samsung.
The fourth-generation iPad also goes on sale Friday for a starting
price of 499 dollars. Apple will continue to offer the iPad 2 for 399
dollars but will kill off the iPad 3 introduced earlier this year.
In one of the company's biggest product launches ever, Apple also
unveiled a new 13-inch Macbook Pro selling for 1699 dollars and a new
version of the iMac all-in-one desktop computer starting at 1299
dollars that features a so-called Fusion Drive that combines a flash
drive with a regular optical drive to maximise storage space and
performance.
"Apple has done a good job here. They understand that one size
doesn't fit all - consumers are willing to pay more to be part of the
Apple ecosystem," said analyst Michael Gartenberg of the research
company Gartner. "The line up, including the new iPad 4, puts Apple
in a very strong position for the holidays."
