Apple’s latest mobile OS version–iOS 6–is now globally available. Prior to the launch of the OS version, the company dumped Google Map and YouTube from it. Really, Apple’s decision embarrassed a significant number of iOS enthusiasts. Everyone was eager to know what Apple was really trying to do with the OS. However, the company’s some decisions, including deep-integration of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, with iOS 6 pleased many of its fans.
Apple’s fifth-generation iPhone (iPhone 5) came to the market with iOS 6 upgrade on September 21 last year. The OS Â (iOS 6) in the device was initially lashed out for poor mapping and navigation app. Despite, the adoption of iOS 6 has reached to a distinct level. On Monday, Apple released iOS upgrade (6.1 version) for its iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users. The important points here is that the software update is capable to support LTE networks to 36 additional iPhone carriers, and 23 new iPad carriers around the world.
Adoption Of iOS 6
More importantly, the company’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing–Philip Schiller– told that nearly 300 million iPhones, iPads and iPod touch devices were powered by iOS 6; the OS reached such milestone in just five months since its release. However, during earnings report last week, the company’s CEO—Tim Cook—said that 500 million iOS devices had been sold across the world till date. In other words, 60% of all iOS devices are now having iOS 6 updates.
Apple To Launch 128 GB Tablet Soon
Before going further, in the last quarter, Apple made a record with iPads’ selling; sold 22.9 million iPads during the quarter. Besides, 64 million tablets were shipped by variant vendors in Q4 2012. According to a recent report from ABI Research, more than 200 million tablets have been shipped out across the world between 2009 and 2012. Interestingly, 1 billion tablets are expected to be shipped over the next 5 years.
Of course, the competition in the tablet segment is going to intensify in upcoming years. This is the reason why Apple has changed its strategy of launching tablets. Last year, the company brought three major tablets–new iPad, iPad 4 and iPad Mini–to the market. Rumors are saying that the company is currently working on its new iPad model, having 128 GB of Flash memory storage. Of course, we could expect that the upcoming tablet would be a separate version of the fourth-generation iPad with Retina display.
In terms of design, the device would not have any innovation related to the design. In addition, it would be available in both Wi-Fi (alone) and Wi-Fi-plus-cellular options. Developers have already found code of iOS 6.1 beta version, which is depicting a 128 GB version device. Besides, Apple’s iTunes 11 also provides a hint about 128 GB storage device. It’s little bit clear from these two intimations that something is cooking inside Apple related to 128 GB iPad. But today, 9to5Mac has revealed the pricing of these two tablets; Wi-Fi (only) version will be available at the price tag of $799, while Wi-Fi+ Cellular Version will cost $929.
Furthermore, it’s also said that the tablet has been manufactured solely for education and government customers. Of course, the new 128 GB tablet would provide another option to its consumers to get their hand on the full-sized iPad over iPad Mini. Apple already lunched its iPad Mini in October last year, and more probably, it would update its next tablet version in early Q1 2013.
