The iPhone 6 may be the hottest topic in tech circles right now, but even though the annual dose of iPhone Fever has taken a stronghold once more, we’ve also the small matter of the iPad refresh to contend with. Only yesterday, we heard that the next-gen iPad Air could double up on RAM to 2GB, with certain ‘pro’ features apparently set to arrive with iOS 8.1 early next year, and now, a new parts leak has presented us with a close-up look at some of the device’s internals.
Apple’s decision to apply the iPad mini’s design profile to the 9.7-inch model was an unquestionable success, particularly given how hefty the iPad 3 and iPad 4 had been off the back of that Retina display. But even though the company’s tablet line is no longer crying out for improvements – the mini finally got its Retina panel late on last year – the annual refresh is still expected to happen around October time, and given that we’re almost done and dusted with August, it makes sense that the leaks and reports should begin rolling through.
With French blog iPhonote giving us a glance at what is claimed to be the iPad Air 2’s GPS antenna, microphone, and Wi-Fi module components – none of which are vastly different to the corresponding parts within the current-gen iPad Air – it’s fair to say that this leak doesn’t offer much by way of major insight. With that said, the very fact that these tidbits are out in the wild underlines the notion that production has commenced, and although the likes of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 and iWatch have apparently been hampered by major delays, it seems that the next-gen iPad will not be.
As well as the rumored 2GB of RAM, it’s almost a given that the A8 processor will power the new slate, and with Apple treating both the Air and the mini to Touch ID this time around, the fingerprint sensor will finally branch out from the confines of the iPhone product line.
October seems a likely month for announcement and roll-out, but with specific information currently at a premium, we’ll keep an open mind for the time being.
Which iPad Air 2 feature are you most looking forward to?
(Source: iPhonote [Google Translate])
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