The smaller 7.9 inch tablet from Apple, iPad mini with retina display went on sale at Apple’s retail stores on Tuesday. Due to tight supply and high demand Apple offered the device exclusively via personal pickup.

This allows customers who purchase the new tablet from Appel’s online store to pick up the device from a retail store of their choice. Sales of iPad mini with retina display are expected to be made available by other means as soon as supply catches up with the demand.

New product launches from Apple often exceed the company’s expectation in terms of demand however for iPad Air launch the models were available for online purchase and for walk-in customers.

iPad mini with Retina display will be available starting today in silver or space gray. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi models will be available for a suggested retail price of $399 (US) for the 16GB model, $499 (US) for the 32GB model, $599 (US) for the 64GB model and $699 (US) for the 128GB model. iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $529 (US) for the 16GB model, $629 (US) for the 32GB model, $729 (US) for the 64GB model and $829 (US) for the 128GB model.

iPad mini with retina display benchmark figures have now been revealed. Benchmark test on GeekBench shows that the dual-core 64-bit A& chip is clocked at 1.29GHz. In comparison, iPhone 5s processor is clocked at 1.30GHz and iPad Air at 1.39GHz.

One of the reasons of clocking processor speed below its full potential is often attributed to thermal considerations due to the form factor. Since iPad Air has a larger hardware footprint the same A7 processor used in all three devices is clocked higher than the other two.

Teardown of the iPad mini with retina display by iFixit reveals that the device is a bit thicker than the previous model – with a difference of 0.3mm. The new tablet features a much larger 24.3WHr battery compared to the 16.3WHr in the previous model. High resolution displays drive more power which explains the use of a larger battery.

The high resolution display measures at 326ppi and Apple continues to use displays from LG and Samsung. A7 chip used in iPad mini with retina display is identical to the one in iPhone 5s as opposed to being the same as the one in iPad Air.

As a result of the new hardware upgrades the new iPad mini will now provide unto 4 times CPU performance, 8 times graphics performance and continues to provide a full 10 hour battery life.

Are you going to purchase the new iPad mini with retina display? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

This years special iPad event ‘finally’ put all rumours and speculations at rest as Apple announced second gen iPad mini with Retina Display.

Apple entered into a new product category with a smaller version of the full size tablet. The purpose of iPad mini was to make the device even more portable. It was aimed at those of us who want to hold the device for long hours to read books, browse the web and want something that fits in a small bag without adding any extra weight. In 2012 when all iOS devices were already supporting high resolution display Apple announced iPad mini with the same resolution as iPad 2 with 1024×768 pixels.

Since its introduction many started speculating that the next gen 7.9 inch tablet will certainly feature retina display. However, some reports and bloggers expressed concerns about battery and weight of the device. John Gruber of Daring Fireball also remained sceptical about iPad mini going retina in 2013 and said, “we demand magic — a retina iPad Mini with no decrease in battery life, but no increase in thickness, weight, or price. And they need to produce at least 20 million of them by Christmas. Something has to give.”

Apple has made iPad mini with retina display a reality this year with the same 10 hour long battery performance. The display features 2048×1536 resolution  which is the same as iPad Air at 326 pixels per inch. With the new retina screen the hardware saw an increase of 0.01 inches in thickness and 23 grams (0.06 pounds) in weight. The fact that the device continues to provide battery for a full days worth of use even with retina certainly makes it worth the negligible thickness and weight.

iPad mini with retina display also features the 64-bit A7 chip and M7 coprocessor introduced in the iPhone 5s. This boost the performance of the new tablet upto 4 times in CPU and upto 8 times in GPU performance.

The 5MP rear camera and 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera remain the same even in the new model. Apple has added support for even more LTE bands in this new device and also delivers twice the Wi-Fi performance than before.

If reading and browsing the web are the primary tasks that you use the iPad mini for, then upgrading to the latest model is certainly worth considering. High resolution screen makes the text crisp without any fuzziness and each pixel in the photos deliver fantastic detail.

Apple will continue to sell the original iPad mini with 16GB storage at $299 for the WiFi and $429 for WiFi + Cellular. iPad mini with retina display will be available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. The WiFi models start at $399 while cellular version starts at $529 and each model gets $100 expensive for more storage.

Will you be buying the new iPad mini this holiday season? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Apple is rumored to hold another special keynote event to announce the next gen iPad lineup on October 22. According to AllThingsD’s sources Apple will unveil iPad 5, second gen iPad mini, release OS X Mavericks and could share an update on Mac Pro’s availability.

The iPad focused event had been rumored to be held in October earlier. Apple announced the iPad mini in October last year and the iPad product lineup had been due for a refresh. The fifth generation iPad is widely expected to share the design language of iPad mini which could result in a thinner and lighter design with slimmer bezel. The new 9.7 inch iPad could run on 64-bit A7 chip that was first introduced in the iPhone 5s. Sources familiar with the matter believe that even the second gen iPad mini could feature the A7 chip.

Apple introduced Touch ID in iPhone 5s this year to encourage more customers to set a passcode and yet find it easier and very intuitive to unlock their device. It is not clear if this fingerprint technology will make it to the iPad. However, it is possible that the new iPad 5 could feature the Touch ID.

Second gen iPad mini has long been rumored to feature a retina display and many leaks in the recent past suggest that second gen iPad mini will finally feature the high resolution display.

The time and venue of the event is still unknown. AllThingsD has a good track record of predicting dates for Apple events. While there has been no official confirmation it is very likely that the iPad keynote event will be held on October 22, 2013.

The latest iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c from Apple went on sale in the US, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the UK on September 20th. Apple recently announced opening weekend sales figures of 9 million iPhones sold. However, the company did not give a breakdown for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c separately.

Judging by the availability of iPhone 5s models at Apple stores and the slipping of shipping dates to October, it was easy to believe that iPhone 5s is clearly more popular. Now, a new report by Localytics gives us some more insight into how popular is the iPhone 5s vs. iPhone 5c. The analytics company examined 20 million unique iPhones and then analysed the breakdown by country.

The report reveals that China leads in terms of users’ preference for iPhone 5s over iPhone 5c. One of the results for the popularity could be the new gold color. Many analysts believe that in the Asian market gold color phone would be extremely popular.

One possible explanation: there was a lot of hoopla around the addition of the gold-colored iPhone 5s as a very attractive addition in particular for Asian markets so this hypothesis may hold true.

Except the UK all other major markets were reported to have a very high ratio of the 5s vs. the 5c. The reason behind this could be due to subsidies not playing a major role in buyers decision and the fact that the economy is still recovering.

Further, the report highlights that the United States accounts for 68% of all active iPhone 5s and 5c devices. In simple terms, these numbers clearly suggest that more users are opting to buy the all-new iPhone 5s than the iPhone 5c.

Apple’s iPhone 5s comes with improved camera, dual-tone LED flash, 64-bit chip A7 processor and Touch ID fingerprint sensor. This year the company added two new colors to the lineup, introducing space gray and gold. Even though iPhone 5c is available at $100 cheaper the launch weekend certainly suggests more interest in the faster flagship model than the more colorful 5c.

After numerous rumors about Apple including a fingerprint sensor in iPhone 5S were published, we finally have the new iPhone with a biometric sensor that Apple calls Touch ID. The purchase of AuthenTec, a company that specialises in fingerprint lock technology made this feature possible in the new iPhone.

Apple is known for integrating hardware and software features seamlessly and the new fingerprint scanner is probably one of the best examples out there right now. Fingerprint scanning has been used in many devices before however, the ease of use on the iPhone sets a new standard. Instead of swiping your finger over the sensor Apple has made it as intuitive as touching the home button by placing the sensor right below it.

During the keynote presentation Apple’s SVP of marketing, Phil Schiller noted that half of the customer don’t set a passcode on their devices. By introducing Touch ID Apple is making it easier and hassle free for users to remember their pass-codes. With the iPhone 5S once you register your fingerprint your finger becomes your password and there is virtually no need to remember your passcode to unlock your phone.

When we think of setting up a passcode, the first suggestion is to make sure its unique and hard for someone else to figure out. But, with the new iPhone when you set your fingerprint as your password you’re setting a password which is easily available on anything you touch. Bruce Schneier, a security technologist, on his blog Schneier on Security {via GigaOM} has written an excellent piece on how secure is the biometric technology. Schneier notes that it is possible to hack fingerprint locks using various techniques.

… someone with a good enough copy of your fingerprint and some rudimentary materials engineering capability — or maybe just a good enough printer — can authenticate his way into your iPhone

In an old episode of MythBusters, it was shown that after securing fingerprints of a person by making him touch the cover of a CD, an exact replica of the ridges in the finger was created. This was then used in different formats, using 3D thumbprint imprinted ballistics gel, 3D thumbprint imprinted latex strip and photocopy of a scanned image of the fingerprint.

The hack worked on all occasions. Some fingerprint scanners also look for body temperature or moisture and even that could be replicated by licking the latex strip to create a sweaty feel.

Schneier notes that the technology becomes more vulnerable if the database that stores fingerprints is centralised. However, in the case of iPhone 5S it will be encrypted on the new A7 chip.

Apple recently shared some new information regarding the new fingerprint sensor and Touch ID. A spokesperson for the company mentioned {via Wall Street Journal} that in addition to the Touch ID a user will have to setup a passcode.

In an event of failure to recognize the fingerprint iPhone will use your passcode as a fallback. In case the phone is rebooted or hasn’t been unlocked for 48 hours the fingerprint scan won’t be accepted as means to unlock the phone.

Given the fact that Apple realises that it isn’t impossible to bypass the fingerprint sensor, the company has put in place such security measures to ensure the iPhone is protected in any scenario.

The upcoming iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C parts have been leaked by a number of sources in the recent past. Now, a video compares iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C and the existing iPhone 5 to show the difference between the back panels.

Gold iPhone 5S appears to have a light gold color rather than a dark shade, the video posted by AppAdvice also shows blue color back panel of the low-cost iPhone 5C. In line with the previous rumors the iPhone 5S back panel shows dual-led flash light while the iPhone 5C shows a slightly thicker with a polycarbonate shell.

When iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S back panels are compared there is not much difference in the appearance except the flash light. While iPhone 5C is expected to be available in multiple colors which would include blue, green, red, yellow and white the front panel will remain black in color.

Rumors suggest next gen iPhone will feature a finger-print sensor under the home button and a new A7 processor that will boost the performance of the device by upto 31%. The iPhone 5C is expected to have the same hardware specification as iPhone 5 and could replace it.

In addition to the light gold iPhone we could also see graphite iPhone 5S as was reported earlier today. If these rumors turn out to be true then it is easy to conclude that Apple is certainly leaving no stone unturned to make this years iPhone another huge success. iPhone 5S is expected to unveiled at a keynote event on September 10th.

In addition to gold iPhone 5S we may also see the next-gen iPhone in ‘graphite’ color. Sonny Dickson has posted photos of the alleged new iPhone 5S back panel in graphite color.  The iPhone media event is speculated to be held on September 10th and we could see four colors of the new iPhone, white, black, gold and now graphite.

The photos show the graphite iPhone 5S back panel and the entire screen housing assembled.

Up to this point, it has widely been thought that the iPhone 5S will only come in 3 colors: Gold, Slate, and white with silver trim. According to a new images we’ve obtained, however, it appears the iPhone 5S may also come in a 4th color – a grey or graphite color with a black trim.

It is difficult to prove the authenticity of the photos however, the increased number of leaks being published by different sources could point to the existence of these new colors. Photos of volume and power buttons in gold and graphite color were also posted by mendmyi, a repair shop.

iPhone 5S is expected to feature the new A7 chip which according to reports could be 31% faster than A6. The camera could see an upgrade with dual-flash and new features powered by a new motion sensing sensor. The iPhone 5S media event is rumored to be scheduled for September 10th. Apple hasn’t sent out any media invites for the keynote event as yet.