Apple 'Let Loose' event Highlights: Everything announced in new iPad lineup; India price, availability

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Apple iPad Pro: Price and availability
--The new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro will be available in silver and space black finishes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB configurations.
--The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 99,900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 1,19,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The 13-inch iPad Pro starts at Rs 1,29,900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 1,49,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

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--New iPad Air with M2 starting today, May 7, on apple.com/in/store. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorised Resellers, starting Wednesday, May 15.
--The new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air will be available in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations.
--The 11-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 59900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 74900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
--The 13-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 79900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 94900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

India pricing availability of iPad Air:

--New iPad Air with M2 starting today, May 7, on apple.com/in/store. It will begin arriving to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorised Resellers, starting Wednesday, May 15.

--The new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air will be available in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey, with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations.

--The 11-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 59900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 74900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

--The 13-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 79900 for the Wi-Fi model, and Rs 94900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

--For education, the new 11-inch iPad Air starts at Rs 54900, and the 13-inch model starts at Rs 74900. Education pricing is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and home-school teachers of all grade levels. For more information, visit apple.com/in/shop/education-pricing.

India pricing availability of iPad Pencil Pro:

--The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the new iPad Air. It is available for Rs 11900, and Rs 10900 for education. Apple Pencil (USB-C) is available for Rs 7900 and Rs 6900 for education.

India pricing availability of Magic Keyboard:

--The Magic Keyboard, available in black and white finishes, is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air. It can be purchased for Rs 29900 for the new 11-inch iPad Air, and Rs 33900 for the new 13-inch iPad Air, with layouts for over 30 languages.

--For education, the 11-inch Magic Keyboard is available for Rs 27900, and the 13-inch Magic Keyboard is available for Rs 31900.

Other products:

--The new Smart Folio, available in charcoal grey, light violet, denim, and sage, is Rs 8500 for the new 11-inch iPad Air, and Rs 10900 for the new 13-inch iPad Air.

--Logic Pro for iPad 2 will be available May 13 as a free update for existing users, and for new users, it will be available on the App Store for Rs 499 per month or Rs 4999, with a one-month free trial. Logic Pro for iPad 2 requires iPadOS 17.4 or later.

--Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 will be available later this spring on the App Store for Rs 499 per month, or Rs 4999 per year, with a one-month free trial.

So that's a wrap from our side. Here's a quick recap: new iPad Air, iPad Pro, Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro. Stay tuned for India pricing and availability announcement soon.

Both the iPads will be made available later this week. We are still waiting for the India pricing of the new iPad models

The new Apple Pencil Pro includes a sensor in the barrel that allows users to squeeze it to access a tool palette. Additionally, it features force feedback to provide tactile responses during use and now supports Apple's "Find My" technology, making it easier to locate if lost.

--It is much thinner and lighter and includes a function row keys
--The trackpad gets bigger with haptic feedback on the Magic Keyboard

Document scanning gets better with new True Tone flash on the iPad Pro. It uses AI and new adaptive flash and will be available in Camera, Files, Notes and third-party apps

--Apple making a pitch to the Pro users claiming iPad Pro" is ideal for Pro apps like Final Cut Pro
--Logic Pro also gets a new update for those creative pros for music production and more

--Four times faster than the M2 iPad Pro and 10 times faster than the original iPad Pro. Good enough reason to buy one? Let's wait for the price!

--The Neural Engine in the M4 is way more powerful than any other AI PC, claims Apple, making the iPad Pro "fastest device" in its category

While others have just started using NPUs, Apple claims it has been doing it for many years.

--A new CPU, next-generation GPU architecture and is 50% faster than the previous generation iPad Pro

--Ray tracing comes to the iPad for the first time, which will come as a delight for those who use iPad for gaming

--Apple says that the M4 processor is far more power efficient than the previous generation M-series processors

--Apple introduces the M4 processor and for the first time new silicon processor will power the iPad and not the MacBook
--For the first time, Apple has introduced an OLED panel in an iPad and offers 1000 nits of brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness
--Both models will feature Ultra Retina display with deeper blacks and shadows are captured better on the iPad Pro

--Compared to the previous iPad Pro is thinner than the iPad Nano and is the thinnest Apple product ever

--Apple hasn't added the 'fun' colours to the iPad Pro as it comes in Silver and Space Grey variants

--"Not just push the limits on the iPad Pro but crush them" is Apple's message for the iPad Pro

--Apple has incorporated an all-new design in the iPad Pro and comes in two sizes 11-inch and 13-inch models

--iPad Air now comes for the first time with 1TB storage and the base variant bumped to 128GB

--Still no FaceID in the iPad Air as Apple retains fingerprint unlock

--9 minutes in and the first AI mention is here: Apple says that AI will make editing images better on the iPad Air

--The new iPad Air comes in four colour variants: Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Grey

--The M2 processor -- found in the MacBook Air and Pro -- powers the new iPad Air, which Apple claims is 50% faster than the M1 iPad Air

--iPad Air for the first time comes in two sizes -- redesigned 11-inch and an all-new 13-inch model

--As expected, Apple hasn't integrated an OLED display as the new iPad Air comes with the Liquid Retina display

--The front facing camera is finally in landscape mode making video calls, FaceTime much better

First up: the all-new iPad Air

Versatility and creativity are the two traits, Cook believes, "defines the iPad"

Before we get into the iPad, Cook tom-toms Apple's shiny new gadget -- the Vision Pro and how it is is being used by automakers and healthcare providers

"Biggest day for the iPad", says CEO Cook as he kicks off the Let Loose event

Shortly before Apple's 'Let Loose' event, Apple online stores are shut down with the 'Be Right Back' message on the page. This is not the first time though, ahead of every high-stakes Apple event, the store witnesses a similar downtime.

The Apple event will be livestreamed online on Apple’s official global website today at 7.30 pm IST. You can also click on this link for live streaming of the event.

https://www.apple.com/apple-events/event-stream/

Apple is certain to launch an all-new Pencil as the company has dropped many hints regarding the new accessory. Expect the Magic Keyboard to get an overhaul as well at the Let Loose event.

--Apart from new iPad models, a report by Bloomberg had revealed that Apple could drop a big surprise in form of the M4 processor. Till now, all of Apple’s M-series processors have been introduced with Mac devices. However, that may change as the M4 processor could bring AI features to the iPad.

--The iPad Air is also expected to get a bigger display with rumours pointing to a 12.9-inch display.

Apple’s iPad line up could see two new iPad Pro. Reports suggest that Apple will bring OLED displays for the first time to the iPad Pro. Also, expected is the iPad Pro getting a slight size bump. Currently, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the biggest one in Apple’s portfolio. If rumours are to be believed, then the iPad Pro could come with a 13-inch display in tow.

Welcome to the Moneycontrol live blog on Apple's much-awaited 'Let Loose' 2024 event. Stay tuned for all updates on everything announced during the event.