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Apple likely to debut iPad Air 3 at March event; new Apple Watch models revealed

Apple is planning to introduce new iPad hardware at an event in mid-March, according to sources, with the most likely device being a new iPad Air. This new iPad with a 9.7-inch screen, presumably to be called the “iPad Air 3,” will be launched alongside the a new 4-inch iPhone known as the “iPhone 5se” and a series of new Apple Watch models. Apple is currently planning to hold its keynote during the week of March 14th, but the final date is still in flux, according to sources.

This iPad update would mark the first update to the middle iPad screen size since October 2014. This past fall, Apple issued a major update to the iPad mini and introduced the larger iPad Pro. An unconfirmed design schematic for the new iPad Air indicates the potential of a rear-facing LED flash for improved photos in low-light situations and additional speaker grills to better match the audio quality of the iPad Pro. Apple has also been testing versions of the 9.7-inch iPad panel that are compatible with the Apple Pencil, according to sources.

Earlier this week, Apple indicated that iPad sales have fallen significantly year-over-year, dropping 25% from the year ago quarter. The lack of an update to the most popular iPad model, the Air line, likely contributed slightly to this drop. A notable update to the 9.7-inch iPad is part of Apple’s goal to increase iPad sales this year. Apple is also testing a new version of iOS with a Classroom application that will help sell more iPad hardware to schools around the world, and a preview of the software will come with the upcoming iOS 9.3 update.

As we previously reported, the other two products coming at the March event are the new 4-inch iPhone and new Apple Watch bands. The 4-inch “iPhone 5se” is said to bundle in a faster A9 processor, M9 chip with support for always-on Siri activation, more storage, updated cameras, the ability to take Live Photos, and an NFC chip for Apple Pay. We are told that the design of the “5se” closely mimics the 2013 iPhone 5s but that the chamfered edges will be replaced with softer curves like on the iPhone 6. Apple is said to be preparing a new line of protective cases for the 5se, which may fit the existing 5s.

As for the new line of Apple Watch models, we are told that the update will include multiple new colors for the rubber Sport Bands, additional colors for the line of Hermes bands, a black version of the Milanese Loop, and an additional band line made out of a new material. Apple is likely preparing to also release a pair of operating system software updates soon after the event to complement the aforementioned hardware updates: iOS 9.3 with Night Shift for the “iPhone 5se” and “iPad Air 3” plus WatchOS 2.2 with the new Maps app for the new Apple Watch models.

(Top image: Reuters)

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Comments

  1. usmansaghir - 8 years ago

    Definitely interested in buy the iPad Air 3! More for me then the iPad Pro. Would love the Pro! But definitely don’t love the price of them.

    • Iven Tenz (@ivenalot) - 8 years ago

      Well Pro, comes with a pro price.

      • srgmac - 8 years ago

        Pro price but not pro features.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Wonder if they will keep a LTE Model for each storage capacity or move it to just the largest storage capacity like the iPad Pro.

      • usmansaghir - 8 years ago

        Im hoping for better camera and better resolution. No need for it to go any thinner! Perfect the way it is.

    • Max - 8 years ago

      Same here. Would love to finally upgrade my old 3rd-gen iPad, with Pencil support if possible, but the Pro is too expensive (and I really don’t need that big a screen). The Air 3 just might be what I’m looking for!

      • “and I really don’t need that big a screen”

        Ultimately, that’s what it boils down to – do you the 12.9″ screen or the 9.7″ screen?

  2. chrisl84 - 8 years ago

    Brace yourself investors, modest spec bumps are coming

    • Mike McKee - 8 years ago

      Becoming more reminiscent of the John Scully days all the time. The biggest problem back then was very little true innovation, and instead just endless slight variations on the same models (primarily affecting the Mac at the time). Consumer confusion and apathy ensued, and the company nearly vanished as a result. If you notice, since the introduction of the iPhone 6 Plus, Apple has subtly shifted from being a company that created things you didn’t even know you wanted, and then proceeded to convince you that you not only needed them but desperately wanted them, and has instead become like every other company that simply chases shifting consumer whims. That’s not a bad thing for most companies to do, but Apple has become so insanely successful by innovating and creating a mystique around its products, not by being reactionary and just churning out more of the same.

      I would propose that it is more expensive and risky to try to chase ever-changing consumer whims than it is to instead design supremely-well thought out experiences and actually dictate, in a sense, consumer desires by introducing them to products they didn’t even realize they wanted or needed. Apple’s recent “me too” approach is dangerous, as once the mystique is gone many customers will begin to question why they are paying a premium price for a commodified product.

      As form factors for phones and tablets increasingly converge on natural, optimal designs there are diminishing opportunities to create “magic” in the hardware itself (without spawning new categories). Where Apple does have an opportunity to do so, however, is in software. iOS 10 is a golden opportunity to recapture the Magic by overhauling the current OS and pointing it in a new direction. iOS 9 is great, but it’s beginning to become too much of a compromise. Intuitive and easy to use, but not nearly as easy as in the past due to the complexity of added features. On the other hand, more capable because of those additions, but not capable enough to replace a laptop (think: iPad Pro). With the iPad Pro, in particular, I don’t think Apple is very far away from what is required functionally; they just need to push iOS farther in certain key areas, and need to encourage developers to do the same with their productivity apps. But that’s just what is needed to fill in the functional gaps. To recapture that intangible magic that really drives Apple customer loyalty, they need to find a way to add needed functionality to iOS while restoring its original simplicity.

      • k0jeg - 8 years ago

        I think the place for innovation is with tighter integration of all their products, and encouraging 3rd parties to do the same.There’s something valuable in having your watch control media playback for whatever device happens to be playing media at the time, for example. The first time I controlled a song playing on iTunes (on my Mac) over airplay (to my stereo receiver) from my watch, I did it without even thinking that it might not be possible. Once I realized what I had done, I was pretty impressed. Not only was the watch able to play/pause/skip the song, but because of the way Airplay works it was able to control the volume knob on the stereo using the crown. Pretty neat trick, and fairly useful too.

        But they do have to do something about their pricing on flash memory. Too hard to come up with a justification for the out-of-your-mind markup on flash.

  3. -MaK- - 8 years ago

    Great! Sounds like the 5s cases will still work with the 5se which makes sense – otherwise the stores had to wait for new cases for months. Great – already looking for the perfect 5s(e) case online…

    • Robert - 8 years ago

      The one leaked photo of the device indicates that it is a couple of mm wider than the 5s. This is due to the curves. I doubt the cases will be interchangeable.

      • -MaK- - 8 years ago

        The picture from a few days ago was definitely fake. The 5se will look exactly like the 5s. Chamfered edges will be rounded and the front cover glass, too. Size and width etc. should be the same.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        It’s due to the curves and the larger 4.3″ display. Jk. Not really.

      • scottwilkins - 8 years ago

        Did they add curves, or just cut down the edges? Old cases may still work…

  4. “Apple has also been testing versions of the 9.7-inch iPad panel that are compatible with the Apple Pencil, according to sources.”

    C’mon Apple, make it happen.

  5. rahhbriley - 8 years ago

    What’s the read on iPad Air 3 having 3D Touch?

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Won’t happen, the yield rate is way to low right now. Will have to wait for the iPad Air 4 or maybe the next Pro. It is feasible to use #D Touch with the Apple Pencil, just Apple has not enabled it.

  6. iPad sales have declined because everyone who could afford to buy one already has. Also, Apple has created a fundamentally bulletproof product whose upgrade cycle is far longer than anyone could have ever anticipated.

    • usmansaghir - 8 years ago

      Likewise with iPhone! iPhones are lasting longer even though 24 months contracts are over. If your phone is still working perfectly why get a new one. Unless if you must have the lastest model then yeah. I have a iphone 6 and iPhone 5. iPhone 5 is still in good condition and still working. Had to get the iPhone 6 but the 6s was not worthy the upgrade for me.

    • Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

      I have an iPad 4 and it’s getting a little on the slow side, but I am still mulling over getting a new one because I know that both the Air and Pro models will get improved this year and I just wasn’t blown away by the Pro as much as I wanted to be to get one, I’m thinking of just limping along until the Pro 2 comes out and then either getting the Air 4 or the Pro 2.

      They are releasing the A10X this year and that’s supposed to be another 2x faster than the A9X. So, my thinking is that the Air 3 will be an A9X and the Pro 2 and Air 4 will be the A10X.

      I can’t afford to upgrade as often, so when I buy one I want it to be well beyond my current needs so I can use it for 3 years.

      My only gripe is the AppleCare for mobile devices is only 2 years, when I wish it was for 3 years like AppleCare for desktops/laptops.

      • dComments (@dComments) - 8 years ago

        Try using iOS9 on an iPad 2! It’s barely usable so an upgrade might be in the cards for me.

  7. Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

    What about new SkyLake based computers? I’m hoping that Apple pulls out some game changing products this year.

  8. MK (@MathiasMK84) - 8 years ago

    I somehow miss Mabooks in this post. Sure, could come at WWDC, but a little teaser would have been great…

  9. o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

    iPad Air 3 = idiotic name because it isn’t the Air device anymore, that belongs to the iPad Mini 4. Should be named iPad 7

    iPhone 5se = idiotic name because it has an iPhone 6 design, and iPhone 6/6s specs. Should be named iPhone 6 Mini

    • I rather Apple just get rid of numbering altogether;

      iPad mini, iPad, iPad Pro
      iPhone mini, iPhone, iPhone Plus.

      Done. It does that with their Mac line-up and works well.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        I agree on the names, but the iPhones really need numbers because they are a frequently updated device for customers. Macs definitely don’t need numbers because most customers upgrade those every 5 years or more.

    • sunsetbernie - 8 years ago

      Exactly, my exact thoughts.

  10. Kostner Guyton - 8 years ago

    Im thinking iPad Pro Mini Rather than Air 3. The margin for improvement is just slim, and a smaller ipad pro may be a great seller in Apple’s eyes.

  11. blockbusterbuzz - 8 years ago

    That Space Black Stainless Steal Apple Watch looks sick! Love seeing how they constantly offer new bands. Feels like yesterday when they last changed them. So cool.

  12. avalonharmon - 8 years ago

    If apple pencil support comes to the iPad air 3 it is an immediate buy for me.

  13. rtdunham - 8 years ago

    Unless I’m missing something these are not new watch models, they are new watch band models, making both the headline and the lede of the story incorrect

  14. John Smith - 8 years ago

    BEWARE, They will release this iPad Air 3 this spring, and release the iPar Air 4 this fall… That’s what they did with iPad 3 and iPad 4. I was so pissed that they released a new one only few month after the iPad3 release. I never bought any new iPad after that one. Screwed me once, then someone else got my money. Philosophy so much changed at Apple over the years! :(

    • nelmat - 8 years ago

      The only difference was the connector. Did your iPad suddenly stop working when the ‘new’ one was released?

      • John Smith - 8 years ago

        If only it was only the connector like you said. iPad 4 was faster (CPU ipad3=A5X, ipad4=A6X), better front camera (ipad3=0.3mpx ipad4=1.2mpx), better wifi (ipad4=dual stream wifi).

        So that’s far away from only a connector change.

  15. Arnold Sommer - 8 years ago

    Following Apples naming conventions “mini” is only for products reserved, that are smaller than existing products. iPad mini was smaller than the existing iPad. But a 4″ iPhone already existed as iPhone 5 / 5S, so there is no way to call the prequel now suddenly “mini”.

  16. Patrick Scott Croker - 8 years ago

    Its good to see that they are finally updating the ipad air, but what is with this “air” name? its no different than the original ipad, other than normal upgrades to display, memory and processing power. I could see if the original Ipad was WIFI only and the the air added cellular connectivity but that has been there since the ipad 1 debuted. Yes yes I know that they made the air lighter and thinner than the ipad4 but it was same for the Ipad1 vs Ipad 2, they need to drop the “air” crap

  17. Pamela Burridge - 8 years ago

    Keep the air3 the same size. More cheaper storage would be good. Would definitely welcome a flash for the camera.

  18. dayglo80 - 8 years ago

    ****YAWN****

  19. Tatiner (@Tatiner) - 8 years ago

    Doesn’t say whether the upgrade will include one for the Mini? Anybody?

  20. Kristi Lockhart - 8 years ago

    i find it amusing that Apple is focusing on watch BANDS when the faces of the Apple Sports Watch scratch so easily… there are hundreds of support questions on their website and the scratching is not being addressed… Even if you scratch your watch within the first SECOND of wearing it – scratching isn’t covered and you have to pay almost $300 to get it repaired IF they will repair it…. they know the face scratches and people have been complaining about it from day one but Apple won’t take responsibility for their unwise choice of coating for the ion-X glass and is laying the cost on the consumer… don’t buy an Apple watch without putting a protective cover on the face…. i know from experience….

  21. I’m looking forward to the iPad Air 3. I currently have the two and it suits me well, but my daughter has the original mini and I’m noticing a lot of lag (if I do anything on it, it’s frustrating, but she’s a kid, so she doesn’t notice it as much). I’m waiting for the new one to upgrade and pass her on the iPad Air 2. She’s had the mini since it first came out and has proven to be able to take care of it, so it’s worth it.

  22. floriorules - 8 years ago

    testing Uno Dos Tres

  23. Mahrus Ismail - 8 years ago

    where is the launching..just waiting