iPad mini 3

New cellular iPads feature versatile Apple SIM for seamlessly switching from one carrier to another

Cody Lee ∙ October 16, 2014

Amongst the many new features included in the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, we've come across an interesting one specific to the cellular models. It's a new pre-installed, Apple-branded SIM that allows you to switch seamlessly between participating US and UK carriers.

We've seen a number of Apple-filed patents pertaining to such an invention over the years, with some even speculating that the company was looking to become a wireless provider. But it appears it just wanted to make it easier to use the iPad with short-term data plans.

Tech specs: iPad mini 3 vs iPad mini 2

Sébastien Page ∙ October 16, 2014

Without much fanfare, Apple also announced the iPad mini 3 to replace the iPad mini with Retina display, now known as iPad mini 2. Unlike the iPad Air 2, the new iPad mini 3 doesn't defer much from its predecessor, at least not on the outside, besides the addition of Touch ID and a new color, as well as a new storage tier. If you want to pit both devices side by side, we have compiled this comparison of iPad mini 3 and iPad mini 2 tech specs.

Apple introduces new Smart Covers and Smart Cases for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3

Timothy Reavis ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Following today's announcements, Apple has refreshed its Smart Cover and Smart Case accessories for iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. The Smart Covers are made of polyurethane and come in seven vibrant colors, while the Smart Cases have a leather construction and are available in five neutral colors.

Designed to fit the 6.1mm form factor of the iPad Air 2, Apple is selling its Smart Covers and Smart Cases at $39 and $79 respectively, with the iPad mini 3's versions being $39 and $69 respectively – the iPad mini 3's leather Smart Case coming in as $10 cheaper than its Air 2 counterpart.

Join iDB for tomorrow’s iPad event

Cody Lee ∙ October 15, 2014

The iPad event is now just 18 hours away, and we can't wait to see what announcements Apple has in store. A thinner, more powerful iPad Air 2 with Touch ID and a higher resolution display, refreshed iPad mini, and a 4K 27-inch iMac are just a few things rumored to be on the menu.

Apple has confirmed that it will be streaming the festivities to its website and various iOS devices, but for those who won’t be able to watch the keynote live, iDB has you covered. We will be here all day, providing coverage of all announcements made before, during and after the event.

iOS 8 User Guide inadvertently confirms ‘iPad Air 2’ and ‘iPad mini 3’ with Touch ID and Burst mode

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 15, 2014

An inadvertent (or is it?) slip-up on Apple’s iBooks Store on Wednesday all but confirmed that tomorrow's media event will in fact serve as a launchpad for a pair of iPad refreshes: a second-generation iPad Air and third-generation iPad mini. Furthermore, the images suggest Touch ID fingerprint scanning for both new tablets, in addition to Burst camera mode for the regular-size iPad.

These revelations were made public via iTunes screenshots for the iOS 8 iPad User Guide that can be downloaded to iBooks, as first discovered by the prolific Apple blogger Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac.

Apple could also launch new iPad mini and Smart Covers with new colors this Thursday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Rumors of a third-generation iPad mini arriving in 2015 (ahead of another rumored device, a 12.9-inch iPad Pro) rather than alongside the iPad Air 2 as previously suspected may have been greatly exaggerated after all, according to the fairly accurate Japanese blog MacOtakara [Google Translate] which today asserted that the Cupertino firm is in fact going to refresh the smaller device alongside its bigger sibling at this Thursday's press conference.

The event should unsurprisingly see the addition of new colors to Apple's Smart Cover case lineup, said to receive a tweaked design to accommodate the changes in the iPad's form factor.

Report claims iPad Air 2 to launch in October, new iPad mini in early 2015

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Apple is planning to unveil a new iPad Air next month, according to a new report from the Commercial Times. The Taiwanese news outlet says that the refreshed tablet is entering mass production this month, and will be ready to ship by mid-October.

Interestingly enough, the site claims that the next iPad mini may not launch alongside the new Air. Instead, it says the second-gen Retina iPad mini could be delayed until early 2015, meaning it could land around the same time as the rumored iPad Pro.

Apple’s next product unveiling expected to take place around mid-to-late October

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2017

Apple isn't done refreshing its products this year. According to the same source who shared reliable information on product introduction and timing in the past, AppleInsider has learned that the Cupertino firm is about to unleash another wave of new products during the second half of next month.

Apple's reportedly set internal deadlines for “major new products” of mid-October, with the planned unveiling to reportedly take place during mid-to-late October.

Apple suppliers beginning production of new iPads with anti-reflection coating

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Bloomberg is out with a new report this afternoon regarding Apple's new iPads. The outlet claims that the company's suppliers have already begun producing the new tablets, which are expected to debut towards the end of this quarter or early next.

According to their sources, mass production of the full 9.7-inch iPad is already under way, and production for the new iPad mini is right behind it. Additionally, the tablets will evidently feature new anti-reflective coating, making them easier to read...

Noted analyst says Apple bringing Touch ID to 2014 iPhone and iPad models

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 27, 2014

Back in April, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gave us a roadmap of all the products Apple has in the pipeline for 2014 and now he's back with an analysis of Apple's plans for the Touch ID sensor.

His conjecture is that every new iPhone and iPad model shipping in 2014 will be outfitted with an improved Touch ID fingerprint reader.

Kuo has become one of the most reputable Apple analyst analysts out there who churns out some of the most reliable predictions about Apple's future product plans so it's worth paying attention to what he has to say...

TSMC reportedly ships first batch of Touch ID sensors for upcoming iPhones and iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 28, 2016

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's top semiconductor foundry, has reportedly shipped the first batch of the second-generation Touch ID sensors to Apple for use in the upcoming second-generation iPad Air, third-generation iPad mini and of course iPhone 6.

As iDownloadBlog exclusively reported earlier this month, code fragments in iOS 7.1 indicate that Touch ID is coming to iPads, possibly this year and to other iOS devices as well, a discovery further corroborated by previous supply chain reports...

Apple orders Retina iPad mini screens from Japan Display and LG Display

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 25, 2013

Apple, according to a new supply chain report out of Asia, has placed orders with LG Display and Japan Display for high-resolution Retina screens for a second-generation iPad mini. Japan Display is a merger of the mobile display operations of Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba, in conjunction with the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan. Now, LG Display and AU Optronics both currently supply 1,024-by-768 panels for the iPad mini, and iDB last week heard the latter has already started mass producing Retina panels for the second-generation iPad mini.

With LG Display and Japan Display now reportedly having been added to the mix - and with leaks like this purported back shell - all signs point to Apple lining up its suppliers ahead of manufacturing, usually a tell-tale sign that the official announcement is around the corner. And if the iPad mini 2 is in fact looming, we're probably looking at a summer launch at WWDC...