Apple iPad Mini Launched

Apple has revealed a new smaller iPad mini with a 7.9inch screen that is set to blow away its rivals in the tablet market this Christmas.

It will go on sale next week on November 2 and cost from £269 ($329) and the company hopes the ultra-competitive price will destroy its main rivals Amazon, Microsoft and Google.

Experts predict the launch will result in a 'tablet bloodbath'.

Revealed: The new 7.9inch iPad mini next to the full size 9.7inch iPad with Apple's Phil Schiller

Unveiling: Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller introduces the new iPad mini during an Apple event in San Jose, California

'iPad mini is as thin as a pencil and as light as a pad of paper, yet packs a fast A5 chip, FaceTime HD and 5 megapixel iSight cameras and ultrafast wireless―all while delivering up to 10 hours of battery life,' said Apple's Phil Schiller as he revealed the iPad mini.

The new gadget will go up against Amazon's £129 ($199) Kindle Fire and Microsoft's larger 10.6inch £399 Surface tablet, both of which go on sale in the UK this week, prompting experts to predict a 'tablet bloodbath'.

It will also compete directly with Google's £159 Nexus 7, a new version of which is expected to be unveiled later this week.

The firm also revealed a new version of its larger iPad which has a 9.7inch screen, and now has a faster chip.

Apple's British designer Sir Jonathan Ive said: 'The result is an extraordinary iPad that will be used in so many places in so many ways.'

THE IPAD MINI summary

Apple's new iPad mini has a 7.9inch screen and will be available in black and white.

• It goes on sale on November 2, and customers can preorder it online from Friday.
• It has a 1024 x 768 pixel display
• It weighs 0.68 lbs which the firm says is 'the same as a pad of paper'
• 7.1mm thick, described as 'as thick as a pencil'
• Dual core A5 chip
• 10 hours battery life

Source : Dailymail