Apple released new iPads yesterday and have questions.

A few hours ago, Apple (quite unexpectedly) introduced the iPad Air and the new iPad mini. They appeared on sale in her store. This time, the company did not make a big presentation with a thousand journalists. Instead, they simply posted an announcement on their blog. New devices impress with their features. But for inattentive users, they can turn into an extra headache.

iPad Air

The updated model, also borrowing the name from the line of macbooks (like the iPad Pro). Ultra-thin case with a 10.5-inch display and a powerful Apple 12 Bionic chip. The company says it boosts device productivity by 70% and allows it to cope with graphics twice as easily. And advanced machine learning algorithms and Core ML improve the work of the gadget in AR and make it possible to generate photorealistic effects in 3D games.

In fact, the device occupies a niche between the 9.7-inch iPad and 11-inch iPad Pro. The display uses True Tone technology. It is 20% larger, and it has half a million more pixels (though it’s not specified with respect to whom). Supported work with Apple Pencil and smart keyboard.

The device costs a little less than the iPad Pro. It comes in two versions: with 64 GB or with 256 GB of internal memory. The cost of the first model in the United States starts at $ 499, the second - from $ 649. So far, iPad Air is available only from Apple on the official website, but it is expected to launch soon on the company's page at Amazon .

New iPad mini

The line was not updated for three and a half years. Many experts believed that Apple would soon announce the discontinuation of support for these models, given that smartphones have almost reached its size during this time (iPhone XS Max has a 6.5-inch screen). But the mini-device suddenly returned. It retains its 7.9-inch screen, only that one is now 25% brighter, supports more colors and works with True Tone. IPad mini now has “the highest pixel density in the entire iPad line.”

Inside, everything is also impressive. The device is equipped with the same A12 system as the iPad Air, with a 6-core 64-bit ARM processor. Able to shoot high-quality photos and 1080p-video, Apple especially boasts of shooting in low light conditions. Like the iPad Air, it runs on iOS 12. It has a Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a Lightning connector. Unlike larger versions of the iPad, it is equipped with a mini-jack for headphones (hurray!).

Apple sees such a device as a replacement for paper notebooks. According to them,

With Apple Pencil support, the new iPad mini is perfect for sketching and writing thoughts on the go.

The device is also available in two versions - with memory 64 GB (for $ 399) and 256 GB (for $ 549). Sold only at the office. site . Like the iPad Air, three colors are available: silver, gold and space gray.

What's the catch

Not even a day has passed since the release, and new devices have already been criticized. In terms of characteristics, appearance and even price, they are quite good. But Apple, in an effort to preserve “beautiful” product names, may unknowingly mislead some users.

So, by name iPad mini is fully consistent with the previous device from its line. Which opens up wide scope for scammers and thousands of dishonest resellers. Moreover: the device is outwardly identical to the 2015 model, and comes in the same box. Unlucky customers will be able to determine that they have "not quite the same" iPad mini, only after turning on the device and checking its characteristics.

But even more this name problem is noticeable in another area. In the same press release, it is separately noted that in addition to new devices, in order to open the full range of their capabilities, buyers should purchase an Apple Pencil stylus (for $ 99) and a smart keyboard (for $ 159, only for iPad Air).

The only thing is that six months ago Apple introduced the second-generation Apple Pencil . And it is not compatible with new devices ... They only work with the first generation Apple Pencil . Which looks very similar, only a little longer and with a removable tip.

The old Apple stylus does not know how to charge from the iPad wirelessly, attach to the tablet body with magnets and recognize gestures. But the main thing is that he is old! And the devices are very new. Tens of thousands of users can be forgiven if they consider that they need to take a second Apple Pencil.

Meanwhile, the owners of the new iPad Pro also complain that they took the first generation Apple Pencil, and it does not work. Why, fools! They bought an Apple Pencil, and they needed an Apple Pencil!

So now, Apple buyers will have to take on even more homework. Or wait until the company suffers from an acute attack of branding and ceases to be afraid of a simple “2”.

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