Rumored Features of the Upcoming iPad Pro

When the rumors of iPad Pro broke out last August 2014, there has been a never-ending talk about the possibility of a larger iPad, along with other expected greater features. The upcoming iPad Pro is the next evolution of Apple's long-running slate, something that could replace a laptop with a larger screen, more powerful processor, and an attachable keyboard. With more features ranging from dual operating systems to a Touch ID button, including features that we have come to love in the iPad Air 2 such as 2GB RAM and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. If this makes you a little more curious as to what the upcoming tablet can bring to the table, check out some of the rumored features surrounding the iPad Pro.

BIGGER THAN EVER

Initially, there have been reports that the iPad Pro will be definitely big, measuring 12.9 inches diagonally. If the iPad is said to replace your MacBook, then it has to be bigger. Since then, articles circling around the web announce that the larger iPad will be sporting a 12.9-inch screen, and be called iPad Plus, instead of iPad Pro or iPad Air Plus. With this expected size, the iPad Pro would be closest in size to the 13-inch MacBook Air.

While rumors on the larger (largest?) iPad is still at gray area, it is believed that the tablet will closely resemble the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3, still having its signature thin chassis and slim bezels. A website in Japan hinted that the king-size iPad will be somewhat thicker than the slender iPad Air 2, which measures 6.1 mm thick. The iPad Pro's size is expected to come between 6.9 and 7.1 mm, meaning it will be about as thick as the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

PROCESSOR AND RAM

Also similar with the iPad Air 2, the iPad Pro will be shipped with the triple-core A8X processor. As an upgrade to the A8 processor, which was introduced in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models, the A8X offers some noticeable performance enhancements. Based on the Geekbench 3 multi-core benchmark, the A8X processor in the iPad Air 2 is up to 55 percent faster than the A8 processor in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Although most rumors are suggesting that the iPad Pro will be integrated with the same A8X processor used in the iPad Air 2, there's one rumor surfaced that Apple will be introducing an updated, and more powerful A9 processor for the iPad Pro.

The iPad Pro is also expected to be shipped with 2GB of RAM, same with the iPad Air 2, which is the first Apple mobile device to have 2GB RAM.

SMART COVER with KEYBOARD and STYLUS

Apple's Smart Cover is expected to be a lot smarter when it is rumored to come out with the iPad Pro. According to a recent patent filing, Apple could possibly release a Smart Cover that is equipped with a full keyboard, similar to the Type Cover on Microsoft's Surface. The company's patent suggests a keyboard that could operate independently from the cover, allowing you to attach the keyboard to your iPad in various configurations or use the accessory wirelessly. The keyboard may also support gesture controls on a small panel, thus eliminating the need for a traditional touchpad.

Apple may also bundle the iPad Pro with a proprietary stylus, if they want it to keep up with strong competitors like the Note Pro. The stylus is suggested to have stylus orientation detection, which would allow a touchscreen to react differently based on various types of stylus strokes.

TOUCH ID HOME BUTTON and EYE TRACKING

When the iPhone 5S rolled out last year, it was the debut of the Touch ID fingerprint-reading home button. So it makes sense that this feature should also make its way to the iPad Pro. The Touch ID allows users to unlock their device and authorize purchases with a tap of a finger, although it would be cooler if Apple will add the capability to replace website passwords with a touch.

Along with fingerprint support, the iPad Pro could make use of your eyeballs as well. The tablet is said to tap eye-tracking technology according to International Business Times, though there aren't any specific details as to how the said feature could work.

RELEASE DATE

Blighted by multiple delays last year, the iPad Pro is now expected to roll out in the markets in September 2015, according to a Bloomberg report. There are also reports that the larger slate will not be visible till the second half of the year, with its production only taking place in the third quarter.

iPad Air vs. iPad Air 2 Is it Upgrade-Worthy

As we have learned initially from Apple, as it was announced less than a month ago, the iPad Air 2 is claimed to be not just the best, but the thinnest tablet in the market today. Measuring just 6.1 mm, the iPad Air 2 also features other upgrades such as the CPU, the iSight camera, the Wi-Fi speed, and now the TouchID starting at $499. However, there is also the cheaper iPad Air for only $399. Both tablets will come with iOS 8.1, which means both will have the Apple Pay functionality for online purchases.

To give you a better picture when comparing the two tablet models, below is a chart that will give you a spec-by-spec face-off between the two. Check them out:

	iPad Air	iPad Air 2
Starting Price	$399	$499
CPU	A7 and M7 coprocessors	A8X with M8 motion coprocessor
Display	9.7 inches / 2048 x 1536 pixels	9.7 inches / 2048 x 1536 pixels
OS	iOS 8	iOS 8
Battery	11 hour 51 minutes of continuous Web browsing	Up to 10 hours of continuous Internet browsing
Connectivity	802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi or LTE	802.11ac Wi-Fi or LTE
Size	9.4 x 6.6 x 0.29 inches	9.4 x 6.6 x 0.24 inches
Weight	1.05 pounds	0.96 pounds
Storage	16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB	16GB, 64GB, 128GB
Front/Rear Camera	1.2-MP (720p HD) / 5-MP	1.2-MP (720p HD) / 8-MP
Ports	Lightning, headphone	Lightning, headphone

Display

With Apple claiming that the iPad Air 2 as the least reflective tablet there is, the company was able to achieve the striking thinness of the Air 2 by laminating the layers of the display together, which effectively eliminates the air gap between the glass and touch components. Combining it with some anti-reflective coating, the new panel design should improve viewability.

As for other stuff about the display, pretty much it's just the same with the iPad Air's original display. Both tablets offer a 9.7-inch LED-backlit multitouch screen with IPS technology. Both also offer a resolution of 2048 x 1536, resulting to 264 pixels per inch.

Design

Honestly, it would be quite a challenge to distinguish the two tablets from one another at a glance because of them having very similar designs. However, try turning them on their side, however, and the problem is solved right away. Why? That's because the iPad Air 2 is about 18% thinner than the original iPad Air -- that's specifically 6.1 mm vs. 7.5 mm. So don't be surprised if the entire world claims the Air 2 as the thinnest tablet in the planet today.

Aside from the space gray and silver color in which the iPad Air is available in, you can also get the gold version of the iPad Air 2. Another difference of the Air 2 is the gold ring around the home button, famously known as the TouchID. This fingerprint scanner keeps a log of your prints on your iOS device, which enables you to sign in to Facebook or use Apple Pay with a swipe.

Specifications & Features

Its internal specs are possibly the biggest difference between the first and generation of iPad Air. Apple upgraded the Air 2's CPU to the A8X, the new version of the A8 found in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus but is just for iPad. The iPad Air will still only run with the last-generation A7 and M7 chips.

Another upgrade is the iPad Air 2's rear camera. Instead of the 5-MP iSight on the Air, the Air 2 gets 8MP. It can also shoot in Burst mode for photos and slow-mo for video, which the Air doesn't have. Both offer a 1.2 MP FaceTime camera on the front with face detection and 720p HD video.

Obviously, the iPad Air 2 is an improvement over the iPad Air. Along with it is TouchID, a faster processor, faster Wi-Fi connection, and a new camera. You need to pay an extra $100 though, as the iPad Air 2 costs $499, compared to the original Air which costs just $399. For those who are budget-conscious but still want to have a full-sized, best-in-class tablet, the iPad Air is still a great choice.