The only thing more unpredictable than the grotesque costume you’ll wear this Halloween are the features we’ll see in the new line of iPads this fall. With an Apple tablet event slated for October 22 – the release date for Apple’s new operating system, Mavericks – filthy rumors have started flying about the new iPad and s
econd-generation iPad Mini. So far, everything sounds more publicly acceptable than your costume.
As of now, every speculation points toward the new tablets being right on par with features of the new iPhone 5S in terms of camera improvements and sleek style. However, like any good Vince Gilligan storyline, you know you don’t always get what you want, but sometimes it’s even better.
Retina Display
There’s no doubt that the retina display of the first round of iPad Minis could have been better, not even matching densities with its iPad counterpart. Failing to match the Kindle Fire (323 ppi) in pixel density by nearly half with the iPad Mini (163 ppi), most people who held out on buying the first round of mini tablets expect this will be one of the improvements that made holding out worth it. According to rumors, AU Optronics is manufacturing a new Mini screen with a 324 ppi resolution to match their full-size tablet, just edging out the Kindle, which is a huge step up for the product, not to mention a slap across the screen to every competitor.
8-Megapixel Camera
One of the potentially greatest advancements of the new iPad lineup that could put them over the top are its camera improvements. Potentially up from 5 megapixels to 8 MP, the new iPads, especially the Minis, might be more in focus – so to speak – when it comes to their picture-taking quality.
In addition to dual LED flashes and true tone pictures that support low light photographing, there’s also talk of the slow motion video and better stability in its camera, in addition to the leap in megapixels. If this goes through, expect to see more people holding tablets up to take pictures of the sky, blocking your view of that perfect sunset. Goddamn you, Apple.
Weight & Size
One of the first questions people want to know is the weight, height and build of the model, as if it could get smaller without being anorexic. The new iPad is suspected to be slimmer, thinner and smaller than its fourth generation predecessor, as well as lighter yet packing a stronger battery. There’s not much more to say than that, but considering the recent models of iPads have been heavier than the second-generation iPad from two years back, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple lightened up.
New Features
In the same vein as the iPhone 5S release, again, many rumors speculate that some of its new features will carry over to the tablet side of the company, including its access process and new color schemes, the silver, grey and gold new standards for Apple. Or who knows, maybe they’ll roll out some colorful plastic ones too. That’s not a rumor, but I just made it one.
In addition to using, most likely, the A7 chip found in the 5S models, which are conducive to twice the speed of its predecessors, the new iPads are expected to have the high tech fingerprint access as well. This is for security purposes to keep theft to a minimum, but mostly it’s just a futuristic exercise Apple practices to make us feel cooler than we are and to make every other tablet maker look foolish.
Siri
Although not a big rumor this time around, Siri seems to be the one thing that’s missing between Apple’s tablet and phone tech makeup. Siri was left out of the last two iPads, but with all the Siri improvements the company has been making, it would only make sense to have that back-talking little drone on every device possible. Before long, you’ll wake up to Siri in your bed asking you to quit hogging the covers and get her a glass of water. She knows no boundaries; so don’t be surprised if she pops up on the new line of iPads.
Release Date
With the new iOS 7 software update and a new line of iPhones out, all the pieces are in place for Apple to drop new tablets on the day they launch their new operating system, Mavericks. As usual, expect the new line of iPads to be available in time for the holiday season, spoiling yourself, loved ones and little children who clearly need these devices to survive. However, there has been a buzz going around about an iPad Mini delay due to demand and parts, but go ahead and make a Christmas list that requires all the new Apple devices under the tree Christmas morning, or else maybe threaten to go on strike, as anything less makes life not worth living.
