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iPad Air

398 'iPad Air' stories October 2013 - December 2013
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iPad Air 5

The iPad Air was first introduced in 2013 along the iPad mini 2 and the cylindrical “Trash Can” Mac Pro. With a 9.7-inch display, it was really thin and light, weighing only 469 grams – over 25% lighter than its respective predecessor, the iPad 4. But that’s history. Today, iPad Air is even larger, slighty lighter, and more powerful with Apple’s M-Series chips.

The current (6th generation) iPad Air with M3 was unveiled on March 4, 2025 via a press release and became available a week later on March 12, 2025. Along with the new M3 chip, Apple also gave us a new Magic Keyboard to go along with it and an updated version of the base iPad.

Pricing was unchanged for the new iPad Air, with the 11-inch model starting at $599 and the 13-inch model starting at $799. The device is available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.

6th gen iPad Air with M3 and its new Magic Keyboard.

Here are some iPad Air with M3 performance stats from Apple:

  • 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU
  • Support for dynamic caching, along with hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing
  • 2x faster than iPad Air with M1
  • 3.5x faster than iPad Air with A14 Bionic chip
  • 40% faster graphic performance than iPad Air with M1
  • 60% faster for AI-based workflows than the M1 iPad Air

You can now purchase the new iPad Air on Amazon.

Be sure to check 9to5Toys first for iPad, and other Apple deals happening across the web.

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Qualcomm employee said Apple’s 64-bit A7 chip was Spinal Tap moment

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 17 2013 - 4:54 am PT
18 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgx4k83zzc]

If Qualcomm seemed rather taken by surprise by Apple’s use of a 64-bit chip in a smartphone, first dismissing it as a gimmick and then hastily backtracking and announcing it would be making 64-bit smartphone chips itself, that’s because it was, says Dan Lyons in a nicely-written piece on HubSpot. The piece includes what has to be a strong contender for tech quote of the year:

The 64-bit Apple chip hit us in the gut,” says the Qualcomm employee. “Not just us, but everyone, really. We were slack-jawed, and stunned, and unprepared. It’s not that big a performance difference right now, since most current software won’t benefit. But in Spinal Tap terms it’s like, 32 more, and now everyone wants it.”

The reference is to a scene in the 1984 mockumentary This is Spinal Tap where the band proudly shows an amp that goes all the way up to 11, explaining that “it’s one louder.” What Qualcomm missed was that while 64-bit smartphone chips may be of limited immediate value, the A7 made for a compelling marketing sell, leaving other companies scrabbling to catch up.

Qualcomm has just created a 64-bit version of its Snapdragon SOC and expects to see it appearing in Android phones sometime in the second half of next year.

Yahoo Weather goes universal, brings same award-winning design to the iPad

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 16 2013 - 5:17 am PT
5 Comments

At WWDC, Yahoo received an Apple Design Award for Yahoo Weather. This coincided with the unveiling of iOS 7 and its Weather app, which displayed striking similarities to Yahoo’s effort.

With the latest update to the app, Yahoo has brought the same award-winning design to the iPad. The full-bleed imagery from Flickr really shines on a larger display. The layout for iPad is largely a port of the iPhone design with upgraded icons and assets but refinements have been made for the iPad where necessary. For example, forecast information can be much larger because of the additional real-estate.


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GTA: San Andreas rolling out across the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 11 2013 - 11:04 am PT
1 Comment

Update: The game is now available on the App Store worldwide.

After announcing that the iconic game would come to iOS last month, Rockstar is releasing  GTA San Andreas today. The game is live in certain countries already, and will be available globally in the coming hours at this link. If the link does not work for you currently, it will do when the clock turns midnight in your region’s timezone. The game costs $7 and is compatible with iPhone 4s and later, iPad 2 and later and the fifth generation iPod touch.


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Apple dominated Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend sales, says analytics company

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 5 2013 - 3:45 am PT
1 Comment

Analytics company Localytics said that of all the gadgets purchased across the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, the iPad Air enjoyed by far the largest boost in sales.

Comparing activations with those for the previous weekend, 51 percent more iPad Airs were sold, with Apple also taking second and third places with the original iPad Mini and iPhone 5c. In all, Apple products took six of the top nine places.

According to Localytics’ data, a whopping 51% more new iPad Air devices were seen than the previous week. This is due to a combination of factors, including Apple’s promotion of giving gift cards with purchases of the iPad Air and iPad Mini (but not iPad Mini 2nd gen) devices. This, combined with a smaller base of iPad Air devices and the novelty of the iPad Air (released on November 1st) resulted in the iPad Air dominating on Black Friday weekend. Apple’s older iPad Mini model finished second, and the iPhone 5c took third. As previously reported by Localytics, the iPhone 5c is gaining on its more sophisticated cousin, the 5s, during the past couple months.

Localytics analysed figures for over a million devices to reach its conclusions.

Apple has also overtaken Dell as the desktop PC brand most shoppers intend to buy according to data from Park Associates (via CNET). Apple already topped the list for laptops, tablets and routers.

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Some Apple Stores begin price-matching iPad Air & iPhone 5c

Avatar for Mark Gurman Dec 3 2013 - 10:15 am PT
1 Comment

Weeks after launch, a number of Apple Stores in the United States have begun price-matching both the iPad Air and iPhone 5c. Sources say that the ability to price-match those new devices began earlier this week.

The price-matching will vary region-to-region, with some markets choosing to not conduct any price-matching at this time. 

The stores that do support matching, however, will only match up to 10% off. So if your local carrier is offering the iPhone 5c free on-contract, don’t expect to get a free iPhone 5c at an Apple Store. Apple has not began price-matching the more expensive iPhone 5s nor the harder-to-find iPad mini with Retina display.

Apple briefly price-matched the iPad Air up to $479 at launch, but it then quickly stopped. 


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Filemaker releases new version for 2013 with HTML5 data entry, new iOS features and tightened security

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Dec 3 2013 - 6:00 am PT
5 Comments

Filemaker, a subsidiary of Apple, has just announced its 2013 version of its popular database application. The new version focuses on bringing desktop database solutions to the browser. New in Filemaker ’13, projects can now be managed through a centralized web dashboard, with options for partner portals and file hosting. More importantly, data entry can now be taken in a web interface — HTML5 powered forms enable businesses to manage their deployments on any PC or Mac, as there is no longer a reliance on having the native applications installed.


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Analysts raise AAPL target price in response to Black Friday shopping

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Dec 2 2013 - 6:35 am PT
2 Comments
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Image: businessinsider.com

Both Deutsche Bank and Global Equities Research have raised their target price for AAPL – the price they expect the stock to achieve – in response to spot checks of Apple sales on Black Friday, reports Fortune.

After spot-checking Black Friday weekend sales, Deutsche Bank’s Chris Whitmore raised his price target to $625 from $575. “We have become significantly more confident in our near-term estimates for Apple” […]

Global Equities Research’s Trip Chowdhry raised his price target to a Street-high $800 after visiting nine Apple Stores and five Targets and talking to “no less than 300 people.”

Anyone planning to invest on the basis of these numbers might want to dig a little deeper, however … 
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Amazon hits the iPad Air with a new commercial mocking Jony Ive

Avatar for David Beren Dec 1 2013 - 1:11 pm PT
38 Comments
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From 9to5Google:

Amazon has never shied away from quietly mocking Apple’s iPad and that’s why this new Kindle Fire HDX commercial (via Amazon YouTube) and its distinctly British voice has us laughing. Calling it the “magical new iPad Air” in proper British tongue, the commercial is offset with the American accented intro of the 8.9″ Kindle Fire HDX.


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Nokia tries teasing iPad users over lack of keyboard, fails miserably

Avatar for David Beren Nov 25 2013 - 10:20 am PT
50 Comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9PSnkVZ8So]

It’ll come as no surprise that Nokia and its friends at Microsoft love to take cheap shots at the iPad and Apple products in general. This time around, a gentleman who just picked up a new tablet for working on the go visits friends at the coffee shop and shows off his new purchase…


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9to5Toys Last Call: Just-Mobile iPhone stand giveaway, Mophie Helium case $35, Infinity Blade Free, iPad Air $429, Sonos free bridge/credit, more

Avatar for Nov 25 2013 - 10:00 am PT
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Giveaway: Just-Mobile AluCup aluminum iPhone stand ($30 value)

Mophie Juice Pack Helium Protective Charging Case Refurb. for iPhone 5/5S $35 shipped (Reg. $99)

App/Game Deals:

  • Infinity Blade for iOS goes free ($5.99 savings)
  • Xbox One & PS4 titles: $49, Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus free, more

iPad Deals:

Get a free Sonos bridge ($49 value) and up to $40 Amazon credit w/ a Sonos Play wireless speaker


Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Black Friday:

New product announcements & reviews:

  • Xbox One midnight launch info, reviews from around the web
  • PlayStation 4 launches tonight at midnight, reviews from around the web
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9to5Toys Sunday Brunch: iPad Air/mini $449/$249, Logitech solar Mac/iPad keyboard $30, Apple TV $89, more

Avatar for Nov 24 2013 - 7:07 am PT
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Take some time out of your Sunday Brunch and join us for some of the weekends’s best deals! Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+

Today’s can’t miss deals:

Staples Black Friday Week Up To $150 Off iPad: Air $449, mini $249, iPad 4th gen. $349

Up To 63% Off Select Logitech Accessories: Solar iPad/Mac Keyboard $30, Mouse MX $28, K810 Keyboard $50, more
Apple TV 3rd generation 1080p $89 shipped (Reg. $99)

Giveaway: Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad 2/3/4 ($129 value) – Ends tomorrow!


Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Black Friday:

New product announcements & reviews:

  • Xbox One midnight launch info, reviews from around the web
  • PlayStation 4 launches tonight at midnight, reviews from around the web
  • The best gets better: reVOLT 12W + 12W Dual USB Car Charger for iPod, iPhone and iPad $30 shipped

iPad Air Keyboard Smackdown: Latest cases from Logitech, Belkin, and ZAGG

Avatar for Mark Gurman Nov 23 2013 - 3:29 pm PT
14 Comments
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With its wide-range of applications, touchscreen capabilities, portability, and fast processing, the iPad Air has been regarded by many users as a tablet capable of content creation. Coming from a dedicated laptop, however, the Multi-Touch keyboard is a weakness. Not because it is incapable, but because it is sometimes slower to type with, less accurate, and less comfortable.

This is why several iPad accessory makers have created solutions: keyboard attachments in the form of cases. For the past few weeks, I have been testing the latest keyboard case offerings for the iPad Air from Logitech, Belkin, and ZAGG. Below, I have put together a review and comparison of the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio, Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio, Belkin Slim Style Keyboard Case, Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case, and the ZAGG Folio Keyboard:


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Apple publishes “Life on iPad” web page highlighting stories of iPad usage across industries

Avatar for Mike Beasley Nov 21 2013 - 6:52 pm PT
1 Comment
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Apple has published a new page on its website titled “Life on iPad.” The page highlights stories of iPad usage in a variety of capacities from Broadway to the operating room. The page also features the video from the iPad Air keynote showing the iPad in many of these same uses.

There are six total stories on the page, each with an entirely different take on how businesses and individuals are using the iPad to to improve their jobs. For example, a page on Siemens Energy’s wind power division details how iPads have replaced countless pages of manuals and repair plans for workers working 250 feet in the air.


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Apple releases Apple Store app for iPad, with image-centric design and new trends section

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Nov 20 2013 - 6:15 am PT
6 Comments

For the first time, Apple has released an Apple Store app optimised for the iPad, via TechCrunch.  The app uses the now-standard iOS 7 colour scheme and design elements, focusing on white space and text. The app is a separate download to the iPhone app, but offers all the same functionality you would expect, although some of the location-based features for retail are absent due to the different use cases of the devices.

Imagery is the focus — Apple is trading heavily on its beautiful Retina-display equipped iPads to show of its store products.


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Report claims 12.9-inch panel for larger iPad already in production, release early next year

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Nov 19 2013 - 5:33 am PT
23 Comments

<a href="http://www.t3.com/news/exclusive-t3-render-of-the-apple-ipad-pro">Mockup by T3</a>

The Korea Times is reporting that a “first tier display supplier” is already manufacturing a 12.9 inch panel for iPads. According to the report, Apple is looking to bring the bigger iPad to market sometime “early next year”…


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Retina iPad mini reviews notice stagnant color gamut compared to iPad Air, Nexus 7, and others

Avatar for Zac Hall Nov 18 2013 - 9:54 am PT
24 Comments
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(via Apple.com)

Although initial reviews of Apple’s new Retina iPad mini bemoaned its cost but praised its display, a slew of more hands-on reviews have realized a notably narrower color gamut (same as the non-Retina iPad mini) compared to other popular tablets including the iPad Air and Nexus 7.

While it may not be immediately noticeable to many consumers, it’s certainly a fine, in-depth critique when investing in what you expect to be the best tablet on the market.

Is the Retina iPad mini sharper? Obviously. But don’t expect to see its colors pop in the same way that the iPhone 5 display delivered after the iPhone 4S. Check out the detailed comments below:


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Review: Studio Credence leather & felt book-style iPad case (and iPhone sleeve)

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Nov 18 2013 - 7:20 am PT
4 Comments
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While I may be known for my addiction to all things anodised aluminum, I also have a love of natural materials, wood and leather especially. My MacBook Pro and MacBook Air both travel in BookBook leather cases (reviewed here by Jordan), so when Studio Credence announced a book-style case for the iPad, I decided to take a look.

First impressions

Studio Credence is clearly going for a bit of a rustic look. The packaging is undyed cardboard, with the case itself in a muslin-type drawstring bag. Open this, and what you have inside is a very similar approach to the BookBook range … 
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9to5Toys Last Call: TYLT 1800mAh power bank giveaway, Staples Black Friday, BioShock Inf. $10, StorEDGE deals back, more

Avatar for Nov 14 2013 - 10:00 am PT
0 Comments

Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ Today’s can’t miss deals: Giveaway: TYLT Energi 1800mAh portable USB power bank w/ Micro USB cable

Staples Black Friday: Nexus 7 2nd gen 16GB $199, Toshiba 1TB $50, ZAGGkeys Pro $50, more PlayStation 4 launches tonight at midnight, reviews from around the web Get 75% off BioShock Infinite from 9to5Toys & GameAgent

PNY StorEDGE flash memory expansion for MacBooks: 128GB $98, 64GB $40

Other great deals from today:

The best deals that are still alive:

Black Friday:

New product announcements & reviews:

The Retina iPad Mini teardown reveals cross between iPad Air & iPhone 5s

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Nov 13 2013 - 7:35 am PT
3 Comments
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Following close behind its teardown of the iPad Air, iFixit has now taken its toolkit to the Retina iPad Mini. While the company understandably focuses on repairability – that’s how it makes it’s money – we’re betting most people just want to have a peek inside.

Unsurprisingly, the new iPad Mini is essentially a cross between the iPad Air and the iPhone 5s … 
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Retina iPad Mini supplies expected to remain tight through the holidays

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Nov 13 2013 - 4:28 am PT
3 Comments
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If you’re planning to give anyone a Retina iPad Mini as a holiday gift, it might be advisable to buy it sooner rather than later. Retina iPad Mini supplies are expected to remain constrained for the rest of the year, with two analysts both estimating production at around two million units. This is a very small number in what is likely to be a quarter with high demand.

KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo and IHS iSuppli’s Rhoda Alexander had both previously said they expected supply to be very tight, but this is the first time we’ve had sight of KGI’s estimates of the numbers.

We maintain our iPad mini R shipments forecast of around 2.2mn units for 4Q13. Considering production yield improvement at the supply chain, we forecast shipments will grow 102% QoQ in 1Q14 to 4.5mn units.


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Retina iPad mini clocks in at same speed as iPhone 5s, slightly slower than Air

Avatar for Mark Gurman Nov 12 2013 - 9:51 am PT
3 Comments

Following the release of the new iPad mini with Retina display this morning, a user of the device conducted a benchmark test via GeekBench. The results indicate that the processor speed is clocked at 1.29 GHz, and this almost the same speed as the iPhone 5s, which comes in at 1.30GHz. For comparison, the pricier, larger iPad Air comes in at 1.39 GHz.

In real world usage, it is unlikely that users will notice difference in speed between the new two new Apple tablets, but the difference is interesting in light of both products including the same 64-bit A7 architecture. Perhaps the Mini is clocked at a slightly slower speed for thermal considerations due to the smaller overall form-factor or too keep the battery/encasing size to within millimeters of its predecessor while retaining the same 10 hour battery life.

 

 


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Initial Retina iPad mini Apple Store rollout to be exclusive to Personal Pickup, Apple issues press release

Avatar for Mark Gurman Nov 12 2013 - 5:32 am PT
15 Comments
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Due to “limited supply” and “high demand,” the new iPad mini with Retina display will be available at Apple Stores exclusively through the Personal Pickup service for the time-being. Personal Pickup allows a customer to purchase a Retina iPad mini via the Apple Online Store, then pick it up at an Apple Retail location of their choosing. This also means that a customer who wants a Retina iPad mini cannot simply walk-in to an Apple Store and buy one (yet). It’s likely that Apple will allow walk-in purchases when demand meets supply. Apple notified its retail employees of the current sales exclusivity to Personal Pickup customers, and Apple’s own retail website seems to imply similar…


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