Apple upgrades 9.7-inch iPad, adds new features

US-based tech giant Apple Inc. has upgraded its 9.7-inch iPad model and added a handful of new features. The best part is that the company also decided to keep the price of $399. The fourth generation 9.7-inch iPad has been brought to replace the 2011 iPad 2 model.

The new device has a sharper screen, which Apple calls a Retina display. It also has a more powerful chip, with high-speed wireless support, Siri capabilities and better cameras. The price of the model will remain the same for the Wi-Fi version and it will be priced at $529 for the Wi Fi and cellular model.

Apart from the low-priced iPad, Apple also sells the iPad Air and the iPad Air Mini. In January 2014, Apple said that it sold 26 million iPads in the latest quarter, compared to 22.9 million units in 2013. The recent update has been introduced as experts have predicted that the tablet sales might slow down in the near future.

Earlier in March 2014, researcher International Data Corp reduced its 2014 forecast for global shipments of tablets and is expecting a growth of 19% in 2014 to 260.9 million units across the globe, which is a decrease from 52% in 2013.

Photo Credits: Indian IC