The existence of a large ‘iPad Pro’ has been discussed for quite some time now. It’s widely accepted that Apple is planning on adding to its existing iPad lineup by building and unveiling a larger ‘Pro’ model, that would be predominantly aimed at business consumers and educational institutes. We accept that the larger tablet is real, more so after the latest discovery of an iPad identifier in data logs, but when is it coming? Well, according to a new prediction by prolific predictor Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, the Pro version of Apple’s iPad will definitely enter into mass production before October ends.
The biggest change brought forward by any iPad Pro, will of course be the larger form factor. The device itself is expected to keep the extremely thin profile that was introduced with the iPad Air 2 and predicted to filter down to the next-generation iPad mini 4. The additional size will reportedly come in the form of a 12.9-inch Retina display which Apple hopes, will appeal to business owners and those within academia, be it students or education professionals. It was just two months back when a code in iOS 9 beta 1 revealed the existence of an iPad bearing the 2732×2048 resolution based on Apple’s “@2x high-resolution modifier”. If there’s still left an aura of doubt regarding the device’s existence, a mobile analytics firm has today discovered an iPad identifier coded “iPad6,8” in its logs, and they seem to confirm this screen resolution for iPad Pro.
As for the prediction from within KGI Securities, they are also suggesting that any introduction of an iPad Pro would be accompanied by an optional Force Touch-enabled stylus. Additionally, it’s also being suggested that the stylus will be offered as a means of allowing users to navigate with greater efficiency around the larger surface area of the 12.9-inch tablet.
Kuo and his team not only expect the iPad Pro to be in mass production before the end of October, but have also stated that they expect Apple to get as many as 3.5 million sales of the larger iPad. They don’t however expect 100-percent of those consumers to take up Apple’s offer of an accompanying stylus accessory, predicting approximately one million sales of the rumored accessory. Mass production of the device during either September or October, would allow the Cupertino based company to have the iPad Pro on physical and digital shelves in time for the lucrative holiday shopping season later this fall.
(via: AppleInsider | image: iPad Air Plus Renderings)
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