Apple aims to school rivals with new iPad, education apps

The Apple Pencil works with this iPad now, so it's better than it was before, but now it's far more awesome because it's both a "less expensive" package and it's more versatile than previous models. Tempting? Well, it might be, but we think there is actually something else Apple needs to work on for its (allegedly) new iPad line up to appeal to students.

It's unclear if this feature will rollout worldwide or within certain regions, as Apple makes no mention of this feature whatsoever on its USA website.

"We've always believed that people with passion can change the world", Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the start of his keynote speech, noting the several demonstrations held by students over the past days in the United States. Apple grew 3 percent past year and leads the industry with about a quarter of the market. Another notable upgrade of this iPad is support for the Apple Pencil, which previously only worked with iPad Pro models.

The new iPad features the Apple-designed A10 Fusion chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, delivering 40 percent faster CPU and 50 percent faster graphics performance for seamless multitasking and graphics-intensive apps.

Apple made up just 17 per cent of the K-12 US educational market in the third quarter, according to data from Futuresource Consulting. Globally, the Google's Chrome OS powered 31.3 per cent of mobile personal computing devices shipped to kindergarten to Grade 12 schools in 2017, FutureSource says in its report.

By contrast, most Google Chromebooks sell for $200 to $250, though there's no pencil option. Microsoft a year ago introduced an education-focused laptop from partner Lenovo running Window 10 S for a similar price. Yes, the Apple Pencil with an affordable iPad may be the match made in heaven for some, but we feel, what the Cupertino giant actually needs to launch is an affordable version of the iPad with - drum roll - Smart Keyboard support.

"Most teachers don't look past G Suite for education", she said.

First, they cut down on sales of Apple's iPads to students.

Sales of iPads made up just 8.3 percent of Apple's $229.2 billion total revenue a year ago, compared with the almost 62 percent of sales generated by iPhones.

The Apple Watch might be about to get an official Spotify app, which will reportedly get its reveal at WWDC 2018.

"It's more about the psychology of driving long-term preference for the (Apple) platform".