iPad

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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.

Apple Store goes offline ahead of today’s iPad/Mac event

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 16, 2014

Just as you'd expect, Apple's Online Store in the United States and around the world has been taken offline ahead of today's iPad and Mac media event. This is Apple's standard modus operandi: the company always takes the online store down ahead of major press conferences and important events.

Visiting the store yields the message “We'll be back. We're busy updating the Apple Store for you and will be back soon”. Typically, the store refreshes with new products right after the event has wrapped up so today should be no different.

‘Apple Events’ channel now available on Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple TV owners will notice that the ‘Apple Events’ channel has returned to their main menu this morning with an invitation-matching icon. As with previous events, this channel will allow you to watch a live stream of today’s iPad keynote (here's hoping it goes better than last time).

Apple will also be streaming the event to its website, where users running Safari on OS X or iOS will be able to tune in. For those that are unable to watch live, Apple typically uploads a video of its event to its YouTube channel within 24 hours or so, or you can just follow along with us.

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.

Rovio releases Angry Birds Transformers globally

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Following its soft-launch in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Finland on September 25, Rovio's Angry Birds Transformers is now available globally as a free-to-play download for the iPhone and iPad, the Finnish mobile games maker announced Wednesday morning.

Featuring cars, trucks, tanks and planes and a plethora of heroes and villains with unique attacks and abilities, the movie tie-in challenges your Autobirds (I chuckled) to save Piggy Island from the crazed robots on a mission to nuke it out of orbit.

TSMC reportedly lands contract to build A8X processor for iPad Pro

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 15, 2014

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's leading independent semiconductor foundry, has landed a contract to fabricate Apple's upcoming A8X mobile processor, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes reported Wednesday.

The chip, which leaked on claimed photographs earlier this week, is said to feature faster graphics.

In addition to an improved GPU, it reportedly incorporates twice as much RAM as its A8 counterpart, which powers the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. As such, the A8X should power Apple's rumored 'iPad Pro' tablet with an ultra high-resolution 12.9-inch screen.

Apple to unveil 27-inch Retina iMac this week, initial iPad Air 2 supplies may be limited

Cody Lee ∙ October 14, 2014

Apple plans to unveil a new 27-inch iMac with Retina display at its event tomorrow, reports Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note to investors, the highly regarded analyst offers up last minute predictions of what Mac and iOS products we can expect to see announced during the keynote.

Kuo says that a 27-inch Retina iMac is on the docket, and should be available before the end of the year. Due to the difficulties involved in developing and mass producing different hi-res panels, however, he doesn't see a 21-inch version arriving before the second half of 2015.

Roundup + poll: what are you most excited about for Apple’s Thursday event?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

In less than 48 hours, journalists blessed with Apple's “It's been way too long” invitation will gather on the Town Hall Campus grounds in Cupertino, California for another dose of technology news.

With new iPads and OS X Yosemite on everyone's mind, it's time to step back and asses exactly what other goodies Apple may or may not deliver at its media conference. And what better way to make such a roundup entertaining than a listicle augmented by a poll?

Here's a dozen predictions of our own so please kindly vote for your favorite one.

Apple said to be planning October 24 launch for new iPads

Cody Lee ∙ October 14, 2014

Apple is planning to launch its new iPads on October 24, according to a new report from MacRumors. Citing a reliable source, the outlet claims that the new tablets expected to be unveiled on Thursday will become available for purchase on Friday of the following week.

The source told the site that Apple was shipping "mass quantities" of a new product to the United States, in preparation for the October 24 launch, although they did not specifically say iPads. That being said, given timing and context, the product is almost certainly tablets.

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.

Clearer circuit board photo reiterates iPad Air 2 may have faster A8X chip with 2GB of RAM

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Following a blurry shot posted by Taiwanese blog Apple.club.tw this weekend that purportedly depicts a claimed iPad Air 2 logic board with a chip labeled 'A8X', the same source Monday republished a much clearer image. It should be music to the ears of everyone hoping Apple will bump the forthcoming iPad Air 2 to two gigabytes of RAM. The RAM module appears to be built by Elpida, one of Apple's memory suppliers, as determined by the markings on the chip.

Doubling the amount of RAM would admittedly allow the tablet to keep more applications active and result in smoother multitasking, faster graphics and performance improvements across the board.