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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| iPad Mini unveiled by Apple as it enters small tablet market | iPad Mini unveiled by Apple as it enters small tablet market |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Apple has launched its widely-anticipated 7.9in (20.1cm) tablet, the iPad Mini. | Apple has launched its widely-anticipated 7.9in (20.1cm) tablet, the iPad Mini. |
| The device, which is 7.2mm thick and weighs 0.68lbs, was announced at an event in California. | The device, which is 7.2mm thick and weighs 0.68lbs, was announced at an event in California. |
| The entry wi-fi-only model, with 16GB storage, will cost £269 in the UK and be available on 2 November. | The entry wi-fi-only model, with 16GB storage, will cost £269 in the UK and be available on 2 November. |
| The iPad Mini will compete directly with similar sized tablets from Google and Amazon. | The iPad Mini will compete directly with similar sized tablets from Google and Amazon. |
| Apple's vice-president of marketing Phil Schiller told attendees that the device was 23% thinner and 53% lighter than the third-generation iPad, which was released in March this year. | Apple's vice-president of marketing Phil Schiller told attendees that the device was 23% thinner and 53% lighter than the third-generation iPad, which was released in March this year. |
| 'Kick in the face' | |
| The other wi-fi-only models will have a recommended retail price of £349 for 32GB and £429 for 64GB. | The other wi-fi-only models will have a recommended retail price of £349 for 32GB and £429 for 64GB. |
| The devices with cellular capability will be released "a couple of weeks" after the wi-fi-only models, the company said. They will be priced at £369 for 16GB, £449 for 32GB and £529 for 64GB. | The devices with cellular capability will be released "a couple of weeks" after the wi-fi-only models, the company said. They will be priced at £369 for 16GB, £449 for 32GB and £529 for 64GB. |
| The firm also announced upgrades to its Macbook Pro, iMac and Mac Mini ranges of computers. | The firm also announced upgrades to its Macbook Pro, iMac and Mac Mini ranges of computers. |
| Its new iMac machines have been made 80% thinner than previous models, Mr Schiller said. | |
| The full-sized iPad, which is just seven months old, was given its own lower-key upgrade. Calling it the "fourth generation" iPad, Mr Schiller said its new A6X chip meant it had twice the CPU power of the third-generation model. | |
| Paddy Smith, online editor for Stuff.tv, said some Apple users could see the iPad upgrade as a "kick in the face" as it is such a new product. | |
| "I think a lot of people will be upset to see a new full size iPad so soon," he told the BBC. | |
| "For many people that represents a pretty major purchase, something you wouldn't want to do more than once a year." | |
| 'Too small' | 'Too small' |
| The iPad Mini launch ends years of speculation that Apple was considering launching a new, smaller version of its bestselling iPad range. | The iPad Mini launch ends years of speculation that Apple was considering launching a new, smaller version of its bestselling iPad range. |
| In 2010, late founder Steve Jobs described 7in tablets as being "too small". Mr Schiller said | In 2010, late founder Steve Jobs described 7in tablets as being "too small". Mr Schiller said |
| However, the company's apparent change of heart comes in the face of mounting pressure from its closest competitors, who already offer smaller - and crucially, cheaper - products. | However, the company's apparent change of heart comes in the face of mounting pressure from its closest competitors, who already offer smaller - and crucially, cheaper - products. |
| In the UK, both Amazon's new 7in Kindle Fire HD and Google's Nexus 7 cost £159. | |
| Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum, said he had expected the iPad Mini to be more competitively priced. | Adam Leach, principal analyst at Ovum, said he had expected the iPad Mini to be more competitively priced. |
| "We got a mix of a bit of new Apple and bit of old Apple in the same announcement," he told the BBC. | |
| "This is new for Apple to be responding to competitors instead of pioneering their own way. | "This is new for Apple to be responding to competitors instead of pioneering their own way. |
| "It's old Apple as they've gone into this market with a premium pricing strategy. | "It's old Apple as they've gone into this market with a premium pricing strategy. |
| "At the moment this doesn't place a lot of pressure on the Kindle Fire or the Nexus 7." | "At the moment this doesn't place a lot of pressure on the Kindle Fire or the Nexus 7." |
| Dominant position | |
| Stuff.tv's Mr Smith agreed that Christmas shoppers could be hesitant. | |
| "I think if they look at the competition and they see that the Google Nexus 7 is £100 cheaper it's going to be hard to ignore that - unless you're buying for a hardcore Apple fan." | |
| However, consultants IDC predict that the new device will boost Apple's already dominant position in the tablet market. | |
| It said that Apple will hold a 68% share of the market in 2012, compared to 29% for Android tablets. | |
| Both will fall off slightly next year with the launch of Windows 8 tablets, IDC said. |