Apple’s top of the line iPad just got a bit thinner and faster.
Per AppleInsider, Apple announced the iPad Air 2, its next-gen full-sized iPad. The new version, which will begin preorders on Friday, includes a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, new anti-reflective screen coating, and the speedy new A8X processor.
The new iPad Air stands at 18 percent thinner than the previous model, making it the world’s thinnest tablet to date.
Like previous models, the Wi-Fi-only iPad Air 2 starts at US$499 for 16 gigabytes. But another $100 quadruples storage to 64 gigabytes, and a high-end model with 128 gigabytes runs US$699. LTE-capable versions carry a US$130 premium at the same capacities.
Preorders for the iPad Air 2 will begin on Friday, and the units will begin shipping next week.
A new anti-reflective coating reduces glare by 56 percent over its predecessor. Apple says the new display features the lowest reflectivity of any tablet on the market.
iPad Air 2 also marks the debut of Touch ID on the iPad lineup. Just like on the iPhone, it can be used to unlock the iPad, authorize iTunes and App Store purchases, and enable security with third-party apps.
Touch ID will also integrate with Apple Pay when shopping online on their tablet, allowing users to securely authorize purchases using their fingertip.
The new A8X chip is 12 times faster than the original iPad’s A4 chip, while graphics performance is 180 times faster. The A8X chip was designed specifically for the iPad Air 2, and still boasts 10-hours of battery life.
It also features the Apple M8 chip, which tracks motion and includes a barometric pressure sensor, which developers can tap into.
The camera has also been updated with an 8-megapixel iSight camera, capable of shooting 1080p HD video. It’s boosted by an Apple-designed image signal processor included in the A8X chip.
The iPad Air 2 is also capable of capturing panoramic photos up to 43 megapixels. It can also be used to capture Burst Mode and Timelapse images, and slow-motion videos at 120 frames per second.
Better quality audio can also be captured thanks to dual microphones included on the rear and side of the iPad Air 2.
Internally it also has faster Wi-Fi 802.11ac with WiMo capable of up to 866Mbps. LTE is also improved with 20 bands, offering up to 150Mbps.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.