Mobile Technology

What to expect from Apple's iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 event

What to expect from Apple's iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 event
We break down our expectations for Tuesday's iPad-themed Apple event
We break down our expectations for Tuesday's iPad-themed Apple event
View 8 Images
Our mockup of the expected 5th-generation iPad
1/8
Our mockup of the expected 5th-generation iPad
Haswell-powered Retina MacBook Pros are a distinct possibility
2/8
Haswell-powered Retina MacBook Pros are a distinct possibility
We'll almost certainly hear the final word on Mac OS X Mavericks
3/8
We'll almost certainly hear the final word on Mac OS X Mavericks
That Mac Pro that Apple teased in June will likely get a release date on Tuesday
4/8
That Mac Pro that Apple teased in June will likely get a release date on Tuesday
Will Apple tell us what's going on with iCloud Keychain?
5/8
Will Apple tell us what's going on with iCloud Keychain?
Will the Apple TV set-top box receive an update?
6/8
Will the Apple TV set-top box receive an update?
We break down our expectations for Tuesday's iPad-themed Apple event
7/8
We break down our expectations for Tuesday's iPad-themed Apple event
Will the 2nd-generation iPad mini sport a Retina Display?
8/8
Will the 2nd-generation iPad mini sport a Retina Display?
View gallery - 8 images

It's been about a year since Apple revealed new iPads. That can only mean one thing. This Tuesday, Tim Cook, Phil Schiller and friends will take the stage to reveal the latest versions of the company's market-leading tablet. But what exactly will we see? And what other surprises might be in store? Join Gizmag, as we break down the rumors leading up to Tuesday's Apple event.

iPad (5th generation)

Our mockup of the expected 5th-generation iPad
Our mockup of the expected 5th-generation iPad

This is the surest bet for Tuesday's event. Expect a new 5th-generation iPad with the same 9.7-in. Retina Display, but a body that resembles a larger iPad mini.

In addition to the form factor change, we'd bet on the same colors from the iPhone 5s making their way to the iPad. That means "space gray," silver, and possibly gold. It's possible that the iPhone 5s' Touch ID sensor will make the leap to the iPad, but we'd consider that more of a long shot.

The new iPad will likely pick up a variant of the iPhone 5s' A7 chip, either a standard A7 or, more likely, an A7X chip that's designed to help push that 2,048 x 1,536 screen. Maybe we'll also see the 5s' M7 (motion coprocessor) chip, but we wouldn't bet on that.

Pricing will almost certainly stay the way it always has for the full-sized iPad: starting at US$500 for 16 GB Wi-Fi only, and moving up in the same increments from there.

iPad mini (2nd generation)

Will the 2nd-generation iPad mini sport a Retina Display?
Will the 2nd-generation iPad mini sport a Retina Display?

There will be a new iPad mini on Tuesday, and we'd bet it will have a Retina Display. Rumors have been a little inconsistent on this one, though, with some analysts seeing a non-Retina model with upgraded internals, and other seeing a Retina iPad mini that will only be available in limited supplies at launch.

We'd also expect to see the same new colors arrive on the mini. It could run the A7 or A7X chip as well, though maybe it would borrow the iPad 4's A6X SoC. Either way, it will see a big performance boost over the original iPad mini.

Pricing is more of a question for the iPad mini. It's possible Apple will raise the price of the Retina version, and sell the older model (or a new non-Retina model) for the current price points or less. If we had to bet, we'd say the same $330 starting price for the Retina model (but we wouldn't put too many chips in that pot).

Updated MacBook Pros

Haswell-powered Retina MacBook Pros are a distinct possibility
Haswell-powered Retina MacBook Pros are a distinct possibility

The MacBook Pro line has yet to receive a 4th-generation Intel Core Haswell processor, so this would be the logical time for it to happen. If any MacBooks get updated, then you can bet the house on Haswell-based Retina MacBook Pros. Though they could be nearing end-of-life, we'd wager that the non-Retina MBPs will stick around as well.

MacBook Airs already received an update just a few months ago, and the iMac just got a spec bump last month, so we wouldn't expect any movement on those fronts.

Mac OS X Mavericks

We'll almost certainly hear the final word on Mac OS X Mavericks
We'll almost certainly hear the final word on Mac OS X Mavericks

Apple still hasn't announced the release date for its latest version of Mac OS X (announced in June), so we'll probably find out more on Tuesday. We expect a quick recap from software head Craig Federighi, followed by official releasing and price info. We'd guess on a $20 price, and would bet the farm that it will be available sometime this month.

New Mac Pro

That Mac Pro that Apple teased in June will likely get a release date on Tuesday
That Mac Pro that Apple teased in June will likely get a release date on Tuesday

Remember that wacky new redesign of Apple's professional desktop, the Mac Pro, that Apple showcased at WWDC in June? We'd expect to see that again on Tuesday. This is when we'll likely get a release date and pricing. It should be available before the holidays, perhaps starting at the current $2,500, or even higher.

iCloud Keychain

Will Apple tell us what's going on with iCloud Keychain?
Will Apple tell us what's going on with iCloud Keychain?

When Apple demoed iOS 7 in June, they showed us a new cloud-based password manager called iCloud Keychain. When iOS 7 launched to the public last month, though, the feature was nowhere to be seen.

Tuesday seems like a logical time for Apple to add one of iOS 7's coolest new features. And though Apple hasn't mentioned this, it seems like a natural marriage to pair iCloud Keychain with the iPhone 5s' Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Having a treasure trove of lengthy and secure passwords stored in the cloud that are only accessible via your fingerprint? Sounds like an excellent blend of security and convenience (provided the NSA doesn't get its grubby hands on it).

Apple TV (set-top box)?

Will the Apple TV set-top box receive an update?
Will the Apple TV set-top box receive an update?

There have been murmurs about an updated Apple TV box coming soon too. If this does arrive on Tuesday, we wouldn't expect any enormous updates there. In fact, barring the shift to an actual TV set (extremely unlikely this year), it's hard to see what Apple would change about the set-top box. It streams in 1080p, runs quickly and smoothly, and any new features could be added via software. But who knows, maybe Apple has something else in mind for the $100 hardware.

Surprises?

There's always the distant possibility that Apple will rekindle its "leave our jaws on the floor" mojo and drop something completely unexpected like an iWatch or iTV. But that's about as likely this year as Tim Cook and Phil Schiller breaking into a musical dance number onstage. Apple's supply chain is full of leaks, and there haven't been any signs that these rumored products are anywhere near ready for public release. So, basically, almost no chance.So how else could Apple surprise us? Well, our best guess is that they won't. The days of major Apple releases coming out of nowhere and blindsiding event audiences appear to be over. The company has grown so big, with so many people interested in what's coming next, that it's going to be very hard for them to keep that big of a secret. We'd love, however, to be proven wrong.

View gallery - 8 images
6 comments
6 comments
P17
The big news everyone has missed is that Mavericks and iOS7 are fully integrated, which will bring total integration across Apple devices. That is the reason that iPhone 5S went 64 bit. It's also the reason that BOTH new iPads will run 64bit cores. This isn't about bells and whistles, it's about convergence of all devices. The iPad will have the touch sensor because despite the geek-driven security breaches it still makes the most sense for protecting personal data. Of course, retinal scanning will be next on Apple's list probably being worked on right now.
Will, if you're going to write an article about the future, try to stick it out there a bit. Don't sit on the fence with "well it might, then again it might not!"
skee
Perhaps we will be able to buy the same stuff in 'Exciting' colours.
christopher
Market leading? I think not: Apple=14.6M tablets last qtr Android=34.6million.
"Market" means what people are buying, and, more than double of us are choosing not to buy apple...
If you count phablets as tablets, the numbers are even worse for apple, who still force their users to squint at tiny screens, or carry two gadgets around, when the android folks get best of both worlds :-)
William Hide
Yes Christopher, but not all those Android machines are made by the same company, slightly skewed don't you think? Same as Mac OS and windows.
Elthon
MacBook Pro with touch-screen display perhaps?
Lewis M. Dickens III
There needs to be a framework for handling these flat slab, rounded corner designs so they can be stacked yet air can circulate around them
b