Apple announces fourth generation iPad, iPad Mini

Apple announced the iPad Mini Tuesday at the California Theater in San Jose, Calif. The highly-anticipated tablet computer is a smaller, cheaper version of the tech giant's popular iPad, and a fourth generation iPad.

Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook started off the event saying, ""We have some very fond memories here, and we're going to create a few more today."

But first, Apple senior vice president Phil Shiller took the stage to introduce a fourth generation iPad.

"It is a power house," Shiller said.

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Apple launches iPad Mini, new MacBook Pro

The fourth generation iPad features an A6X processor, 5 megapixel iSight camera, expanded LTE chipset, front-facing camera with FaceTime and 720p video capture, faster Wi-Fi, and Lightening connector. The new iPad is priced at $499 for a 16 GB model, $629 for a 16 GB model with 4G LTE.

Shiller also introduced an iPad mini. The smaller iPad is 7.2 millimeters thick, 0.63 pounds, comes in white and slate black. The iPad mini's screen is 7.9-inches at 1,024 x 768 display resolution.

Apple launched the original iPad in April 2010. The iPad has since dominated the 9-inch tablet market, with a reported 70 percent market share. Cook reported that there over 100 million iPads have been sold.

The iPad mini starts at $329 for a 16GB Wi-Fi only model, $429 for a 32 GB model and $529 for a 64 GB model.The Wi-Fi only models will ship on Nov. 2. The iPad mini models with Wi-Fi and 4G starts at $459 for 16GB, $559 for 32GB, and $659 for 64GB, and is available on Nov. 16.

Fourth generation iPad Wi-Fi only model will be available for pre-order on Friday, Oct. 26, and will hit stores on Nov. 2.

[grmccray]

As predicted Apple introduced the 16 gb IPad Mini for $329.00 with hundred dollar price increments for each size larger.

The IPad Mini also as predicted is a carbon copy of the IPad 2 only smaller with it's low 1024 x 768 resolution display and an improved camera.

At $329.00 the Mini is very non-competitive with the $200.00 16 gb and $250.00 32 gb Amazon HD Fire

And on October 29th the Google Nexus 7 tablets will eliminate the 8 gb version and replace it with a 16gb version for $200.00 and introduce the new 32 gb version for $250.00 and they will also have a 3G version available.

Both the Amazon Fire HD and the Google Nexus 7 have excellent App availability and support and have high resolution HD displays.

A 32 gb WiFi only IPad Mini costs $429.00, a 32 gb HD Fire or Nexus 7 costs $250.00

It does not seem that the Mini is going to be a strong influence in the 7" tablet market.

On the other hand, the "Even Newer" Generation 4 full sized IPad features a considerable improvement in performance over the now old "New" IPad and also has it's excellent "Retina" ultra high resolution display.

Even at $170.00 more, the full sized 4th generation IPad represents a much better value than the Mini in all configurations.

Realistically, if you want an IPad (and can afford one) get a Gen 4 IPad, otherwise get a Fire HD or a Nexus 7.

(Skip the Mini).

[madasabull]

And it is backward compatible too. So it's ideal, if your bachward! I here that they made a 16kb IPad Micro prototype in a Petri Dish. That will be awesome, can't wait for that one!

[FedReserveRCrooks]

I think charging $100 for 16GB of storage is criminal. You can get a 64GB SD cards for $50. That is from Walmart, not even bulk or supplier costs. Apple keeps 90% of the $100 price increase as pure profit.

I do not see the iPad mini beating the other 7" tablets in market share ever, and the iPad is quickly losing its dominance as customers are given choices that do not include paying extra money for no value.

You are not the only game in town anymore, Apple. Deal with it and get competitive, or fade away like you did when PC's came out.

[bobnjersey]

[The iPad mini starts at $329 for a 16GB Wi-Fi only model]
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i'm not buying until they come up w/ the vacuum tube model that plugs into the wall, and requires a wired remote.

maybe that will be the next version.

[ShinySteelRobot]

I think you meant "Lightning connector" not "Lightening connector". Although it is a bit lighter. ;-)

[Kawailauaelani]

I own 3 iPads every current version 1, 2,and 3. Even though I love apple products, I would not spend $329 for the new mini. I would spend the extra $170 and buy the new version 4 instead. Correction, I will be spending the extra$170 or so for the new iPad 4. I have also pre ordered the new Microsoft surface just to see what all the hype is about windows 8 is.

[hypnotoad72]

I'm sure Apple sent you a "thank you" card for your continued support...

And, yes, the Surface is (badly marketed) hype. But corporations will like it, since it's easier to control via Group Policy implementations than iAnything ever will. And corporations (and most often deserve) need that level of control. If you were an administrator, you'd have figured it out the "why" behind those strengths by now...

[madasabull]

Hahaha, your just the type of person that Apple will sell to. You will buy it, you know you will. You are already drooling from both sides of your mouth. I can tell. Go on, go get it tiger!

[cjwilliams2008]

So Many New Tablets This Week -- Another tabletmaker also introduced a series of new Android tablets with some impressive features -- one is called the Novo 7 Flame - priced at $189 at a site called ************ - a 7 Inch tablet that gives the $249 Nexus 7 & the new $330 Mini iPad some competition-- the Novo 7 Flame has 16GB, Android 4.1 O/S, a high resolution 1280x800 screen, Micro-SD portable storage, HDMI to view movies and media downloads on a TV in HD, Two Cameras - inclhding a 5 MegaPixel camera with AF & Flash, and a 2 MegaPixel Webcam; plus Bluetooth, Ethernet, WiFi and an option for 3G... made by Ainol Electronics - an Award Winner for "Best Tablet of the Year" at CNET/Consumer Electronics Show 2012 -- They're also launching two new 10-Inch tablets with high resolution screens -- one has a Dual Core processor with a 1280x800 screen for $220; and a powerful Quad Core with a 1920x1200 Liquid Crystal display (like Apple's Retina screen) for around $260 -- one of the first sites to offer these new models in the U.S. is called ************ --

[grmccray]

For a few weeks, there have been predictions that Apple would introduce a 16 gb IPad Mini for $329.00 with hundred dollar price increments for each size larger. The Mini also as predicted is a carbon copy of the IPad 2 only smaller with a low 1024 x 768 resolution display.

At this pricing the Mini is very non-competitive with the $200.00 16 gb and $250.00 32 gb Amazon HD Fire and to be released on October 29th equivalent Google Nexus 7 tablets which also have considerably higher (HD) resolution screens and excellent software support.

It does not seem that the Mini is going to be a strong influence in the 7" tablet market.

On the other hand, the "Even Newer" Generation 4 full sized IPad features a substantial improvement in performance over the now old "New" IPad and also have it's truly excellent "Retina" ultra high resolution display.

In fact, even at $170.00 more, the full sized "Even Newer" IPad represents a much better value than the Mini in all configurations.

So basically if you want an IPad (and can afford one) get an IPad, other wise get a Fire or a Nexus. (Skip the Mini).

[grmccray]

For a few weeks, there have been predictions that Apple would introduce a 16 gb IPad Mini for $329.00 with hundred dollar price increments for each size larger. The Mini also as predicted is a carbon copy of the IPad 2 only smaller with a low 1024 x 768 resolution display.

At this pricing the Mini is very non-competitive with the $200.00 16 gb and $250.00 32 gb Amazon HD Fire and to be released on October 29th equivalent Google Nexus 7 tablets which also have considerably higher (HD) resolution screens and excellent software support.

It does not seem that the Mini is going to be a strong influence in the 7" tablet market.

On the other hand, the "Even Newer" Generation 4 full sized IPad features a substantial improvement in performance over the now old "New" IPad and also have it's truly excellent "Retina" ultra high resolution display.

In fact, even at $170.00 more, the full sized "Even Newer" IPad represents a much better value than the Mini in all configurations.

So basically if you want an IPad (and can afford one) get an IPad, other wise get a Fire or a Nexus. (Skip the Mini).

[AlanSirkin]

I agree with everyone else and hopefully they won't sell.

I'm a hardcore Apple fanboy and love their products and could justify most of them...but GOD, that's sooo over priced!!!

I want to buy a $249 Samsung Chromebook now just because they priced it appropriately and aren't trying to rip anyone off.

[cas818030]

Seriously it took this one single product for you to realize how overpriced apple products are?

[hypnotoad72]

You do know that your use of the device subsidizes it?

So don't whine if you see a picture you uploaded with it on some dating site or other site... or anything you typed in used by Google to profit at your expense...

TBH, I prefer Apple's high prices and Windows 8's GUI than Google's ethical chicanery.