In line with previous rumors, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is preparing for the iPad Air 2 launch in October. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Taiwanese publication Commercial Times reported that Apple will unveil the updated iPad Air model in October. Mass production of the iPad Air 2 starts this month. However, the publication said that the second-generation iPad mini with retina display could be delayed.
Next-gen iPad mini won’t come with the iPad Air 2
Many people expect Apple to release the iPad Air 2 and the next-gen iPad mini at the same time. But Commercial Times said the iPad mini won’t arrive until early 2015. A few days ago, DailyDot reported that the new iPads will be launched on October 21. But that release date was shot down by The Loop. But Jim Dalrymple of The Loop didn’t rule out the possibility of another launch date in October.
Anyway, Apple is expected to release OS X Yosemite next month. That’s because many of the features of iOS 8 are linked to OS X Yosemite. The Cupertino company’s website detailing Continuity and other features says that “SMS Relay” feature will arrive in October. Taiwanese publication said that the next-gen iPad mini will hit the stores in the first quarter of 2015. However, Apple’s iPad release cycle makes that timeline a bit suspicious.
iPad Air 2 rumored features
Rumors and parts leaks suggest that the iPad Air 2 will sport a 9.7-inch display, iOS 8, A8 processor with M8 motion coprocessor, TouchID fingerprint scanner, 8-megapixel main camera and 1.5-megapixel front camera. It will be thinner than the current iPad Air and come with anti-reflective screen coating. Much like the iPhone 6, it may ship in gold, silver and space gray colors.
Moreover, the Taiwanese publication said that Apple is working on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The jumbo sized tablet will enter mass production early next year before its debut in the second quarter of 2015. Apple’s iPad sales are falling rapidly. The company sold only 13.3 million iPads during June quarter, missing the consensus forecast of 14.2 million. Apple needs a game-changer in the tablet category.
