Apple launches iPad to current owners delight, chagrin

Added by on October 23, 2012

Apple on Tuesday announced a number of new products, including a new version of their popular iPad: the iPad mini. Apple also announced a new version of its iPad – the iPad 4, just months after the launch of the iPad 3.

Reaction to Apple’s announcements were mixed. Apple shares traded down 2.3% during the announcement and Twitter users expressed delight with the new iPad mini, yet were unhappy with the new iPad 4, since many had very recently purchased the iPad 3.

A twitter user said, “Rejoice because your iPad 3 is now a limited collector’s edition!”

In its announcement, Apple said it has sold more than 100 million iPads since the device was launched two and a half years ago.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, during the announcement said, “With 100 million sold in just two and a half years, we couldn’t be more thrilled with how quickly iPad has been embraced by so many users for so many different things.”

Cook added that Apple sold more iPad’s in the June 2012 quarter than all PCs combined in all of their lineups, also adding that 91% of web traffic from tablets is from iPad devices.

Apple’s says the key feature of the new iPad mini is that it can now be held in one hand. Weighing just 0.68 pounds, or 308g, the iPad mini offers 7.9 inches of screen space at the same resolution as its larger counterpart. Cook explained existing apps work without modification on the new iPad mini. Pricing starts at 329 with preorder being accepted starting on October 26. The WiFi models will start shipping on November 2 with the LTE models shipping starting on November 17.

Apple also announced the new iPad 4 – featuring graphics and processing speed that’s two times faster than the iPad 3. The iPad 4, said Cook, is great for photographer’s since it offers up to 4 mega pixel resolution on it’s display, effectively allowing photographers to view their photos in native resolution (without modification to their photos).

Today’s announcement included the addition of the Macbook Pro 13 inch model. The new notebook is thin (0.75 inches) and weighs 3.5 pounds – the lightest ever, according to Apple. Cook also presented the new iMac – a much thinner version built using advanced manufacturing techniques that result in a very clear display and a new Fusion hard drive that is a combination of SSD and hard drive that offers the performance of a completely SSD configuration.

Apple said this year has been a great year in terms of releases and sales, and that it cannot even see competitors in their rear view mirror.

Apple Inc was founded on April 1976 by Steve Jobs (Feb 1955 – Oct 2011), Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, reaching widespread success in 2007 after many years of successes and failures. Apple shares were trading at $623.43, down 1.67%) in late afternoon trading.