Apple Reveals Two New iPads: iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3

As expected, Apple today revealed the latest in its line of iPads at an event in California.

Following the expected update on things like iPhone, which Apple said had its biggest launch ever (cue applause), CEO Tim Cook showed off the iPad Air 2, emphasizing just how thin it is. At 6.1 mm, it's 18% thinner than the original iPad Air, and two of them stacked are thinner than the very first iPad.

The screen has an anti-reflective coating, and the device is equipped with a new A8X processor which helps to provide "console-level graphics," according to senior VP Phil Schiller. This 64-bit chip is an enhanced version of what's seen in the iPhone 6, and battery life clocks in at 10 hours. The Home button include Touch ID, allowing your fingerprint to unlock the device and authorize purchases on the App Store.

The 8MP iSight camera is capable of recording 1080p video and taking 43MP panoramic photos, though the device unfortunately does nothing to make you look less goofy for taking photos with a tablet.

The iPad Air 2 comes in silver, space gray, and gold colors. It's available in in three sizes: 16GB for $499, 64GB for $599, and 128GB for $699 for the Wi-Fi-only models. If you want cellular data, you'll pay $130 more for each of those--16GB for $629, 64GB for $729, and 128GB for $829. Preorders begin tomorrow, October 17, and will ship by the end of next week.

Schiller then quickly announced the availability of the newest iPad Mini, the iPad Mini 3, curiously spending almost no time on it. It's equipped with a 5MP iSight camera, Touch ID, and a 7.9-inch screen. Like the iPad Air 2, it also comes in three colors (silver, space gray, and gold) and three sizes, with a $130 bump for cellular data over the Wi-Fi-only models. The 16GB system costs $399/$529, 64GB $499/$629, and 128GB $599/$729.

Both the existing iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 will remain on sale, but for $100 less than their existing prices.

Also during the event, Cook announced that Apple Pay, the company's mobile payment platform, launches this coming Monday, October 20.

Just yesterday, Apple leaked the existence of the new devices through an App Store listing for its official iPad user guide. It indirectly acknowledged the leak during a portion of today's presentation featuring Stephen Colbert (or at least his voice).