In a move designed to enhance the use of the iPad professionally, Apple said the larger-storage iPad would suite users seeking to store large CAD files, X-rays, film edits, music tracks, project blueprints, training videos and service manuals.
Apple, in a statement this morning, said the new iPad model would have the same so-called Retina display found on the current 4th generation models, with both WiFi only and cellular versions going on sale in Australia.
The WiFi only version is priced in Australia at $869 while the cellular version costs $1009.
Apple says they will be available in Australia from February 5.
Both versions will sell through Australia’s Apple stores and will be available online also.
“With twice the storage capacity and an unparalleled selection of over 300,000 native iPad apps, enterprises, educators and artists have even more reasons to use iPad for all their business and personal needs.”
At a time of an escalating shift of storage to a cloud model, it’s interesting Apple has increasing its iPad capacity.
One reason would be growing availability of Windows 8 tablets such as the Microsoft Surface and business-targeted hybrid tablet models such as the Asus Transformer range, which offer notebook style functionality. By offering 128 GB of storage, Apple is offering a capacity typical of smaller notebooks and capacity is important in situations where it necessary to store large amounts of data in industry. In its release, Apple was keen to emphasise the iPad’s appeal to business.
“iPad continues to have a significant impact on business with virtually all of the Fortune 500 and over 85 per cent of the Global 500 currently deploying or testing iPad,” the statement said.
“Companies regularly utilising large amounts of data such as 3D CAD files, X-rays, film edits, music tracks, project blueprints, training videos and service manuals all benefit from having a greater choice of storage options for iPad..”
Apple said there were more than 10 million users of its iWork apps, and customers who used apps such as Global Apptitude for analysing team film and creating digital playbooks, Auria for its 48 track recording system, or AutoCAD for drafting architectural and engineering drawings. These users would benefit greatly from having the choice of an iPad with more storage capacity.
Apple said files created by its AutoCAD WS app for iOS were often large and highly detailed but having them on an iPad was a real advantage so that users could view, edit and share their AutoCAD data.
