Apple iPad Air 2, OS X Yosemite Release Date Set For October, While iPad Mini 3 With Retina Headed For 2015 Release

With iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus breaking record-after-record in sales, Apple is gearing up to release its next-generation iPad Air 2 in October.

A Taiwan-based publication named Commercial Times hints that the upcoming iPad Air 2 entered production in September, while the device shipment will commence in the following month. In addition, the same publication also indicates that the upcoming iPad Mini 3, aka next-gen Retina iPad Mini, will be released only in the time frame of early 2015 and not towards the end of 2014, as reported earlier. Furthermore, the brand new Apple iPad Pro with a unique 12.9-inch display will see the light of day only in Q2 2015, MacRumor reports.

Based on the earlier rumours, both the next-gen iPad Air and iPad Mini will be unveiled on Oct. 21 special event. However, according to Bloomberg's report, Apple iPad Air 2 is already in production, while the iPad Mini is embarking production. And therefore, iPad Mini might not be part of the iPad Air 2 announcement.

When it comes to specifications, the iPad models will reportedly be powered by A8 processors, accompanied by several camera enhancements and fingerprint sensor support for unlocking the device and for making mobile-based payments. Furthermore, if the reports are true, the iPad Air 2 will come equipped with anti-reflective display coating to help users see clearly in direct sunlight. Speaking of colour, the iPad variants will follow the footsteps of iPhones with gold, silver and space grey hues.

Other rumoured key features of the iPad Air 2 include a 9.7-inch display with Retina, Apple iOS 8, 8 MP rear-facing camera unit and 1.5 MP front-facing snapper. The tablet will be thinner and lighter when compared to its predecessor. The iPad Mini 3, on the other hand, will come with 7.9-inch display.

Apart from the tablet, Apple is also planning to release OS X Yosemite in October. The OS X Yosemite was introduced alongside Apple iOS 8 at the WWDC 2014 conference in June. Apparently, the Yosemite software update will bundle continuity features to Apple Macs. Specifically, upon getting the update, Mac users will be able to alternate between writing emails, surfing the web and other functionalities between mobile devices and desktops, says Value Walk.

It is worth mentioning that, Apple iPad's shipment number and sales have been descending in the past few quarters. Apparently, the tech giant shipped only 13.3 million iPad units in Q2. There by, not meeting the estimate of 14 million units.

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