Ahead of Friday's iPad Air release, performance analytics firm Primate Labs is starting to see data trickle in from its Geekbench Browser, with the tablet's A7 system on a chip showing huge performance gains over last year's iPad.
The first reviews of Apple's new iPad Air starting coming out on Tuesday, and so far the consensus is incredibly positive, with tech journalists heaping praise on the recently announced tablet.
Availability of the new thin and light iPad Air may not be constrained for Friday's launch, as Apple is reportedly planning to offer in-store pickup options at its own retail outlets.
The two 800-pound gorillas in the Apple accessory ecosystem have taken the wraps off of their new collections of keyboard cases designed to complement Apple's forthcoming thinner, lighter iPad Air.
America's fifth-largest wireless carrier, U.S. Cellular, announced Friday that it will be selling Apple's new iPad Air from Nov. 8, possibly signaling a sell-by date for smaller regional carriers across the country.
C Spire Wireless and Bluegrass Cellular became the first U.S. carriers outside of the "big four" to announce sales of Apple's newest 9.7-inch iPad Air, issuing dueling press releases three days after the tablet was unveiled.
Apple's retail stores will open their doors early next Friday, Nov. 1, to offer customers the chance to be among the first to own the new lightweight iPad Air.
Apple has publicly posted three videos that were previously included in its iPad event yesterday, showing iPads at work around the world, the design process behind the new iPad Air, and its first TV commercial.
Apple demonstrated its lineup of new iPads yesterday, introducing two new models, a Retina Display iPad mini and thin new iPad Air, with significant upgrades that were not expected.
In response to Apple's new iPads, Amazon took a direct shot at its competitor on the front page of its website Wednesday, saying the Kindle Fire HDX is "lighter than Air" — even though the new Kindle achieves that weight with a smaller display.
Apple's pricing strategy with the iPad Air and new iPad mini with Retina display should help the company's gross margins, analysts believe, while free software offered with new iOS and Mac device purchases should help drive upgrades and further tie users into the company's ecosystem.
After Apple unveiled the new iPad Air and Retina iPad mini, T-Mobile announced it will be offering the tablets to new customers with a free 200MB per month data allotment, a $15 savings from the carrier's closest competitor.
Apple released an all-new, completely redesigned iPad on Tuesday, dubbed the iPad Air, alongside the much-anticipated Retina iPad mini, which now features a pixel count identical to the full-size model.
Apple's full-size iPad has been given a new name: The iPad Air. The new model has a 20 percent thinner design, just 7.5 millimeters thick and weighing in at just one pound, making it the lightest full-size tablet in the world.
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AppleInsider Staff
Neil Hughes
Shane Cole
Daniel Eran Dilger
