Today at Apple’s education event in Chicago we got exactly what we expected: a new iPad but not really a more affordable one though. Say hello to the new iPad for all, not only for students. However, it does have student pricing & new software features for education.
So the new iPad is basically a refresh of sorts if you can even call it that. This is a 9.7inch iPad w/ Pencil support, powered by Apple’s A10 Fusion CPU, Touch ID, an HD FaceTime camera, a 10-hour battery life, 8MP rear-facing camera, and an LTE option. Don’t expect the glorious 120Hz display from the iPad Pro though.
Along w/ the hardware, we get new software features within iOS. Apple demoed off Smart Annotation that allows teachers to mark up reports in Pages and more. Teachers can use Macs to create digital books for their classroom as a part of a new book creator feature in Pages. This is all within new versions of their iWork apps that support the Pencil stylus. There are also some cool new augmented reality apps for the iPad as well as they demoed students to virtually dissect frogs w/ the Apple Pencil.
The pricing for the new iPad is $299 for students, $329 for consumers, & $459 for the LTE model. The Pencil will cost $89 for students & $99 for consumers. And to throw even more numbers at you, a new iPad w/ Pencil & Smart Keyboard gets up close to $450. It is out now & in Apple stores starting today as it will arrive in Silver, Space Gray, & a new Gold finish.
Not quite the budget tablet for the education sector some might have hoped for. Maybe the software tricks will help it actually combat Chromebooks cause I doubt this is it.
Anyone thinking about picking this up for their kid or for yourself if you’re a student?
