Apple aims to school rivals with new iPad, education apps

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Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces a new iPad in Chicago, the United States, on March 27, 2018. “This iPad also has the power of the A10 Fusion chip, combined with the big, handsome Retina display, advanced cameras and sensors that enable incredible AR experiences simply not possible on other devices”. Rumors suggested that Apple had a $259 price tag prepared for the new iPad.

Of course, iPads aren’t only popular with students.

Schools can purchase iPad starting at $299 (US) and Apple Pencil for $89 (US).

That’s part of the reason schools are so important to Apple now.

In 2017, laptops and tablets running Google’s Chrome or Android system accounted for almost 60 percent of the mobile computing devices sold in classrooms from kindergarten through 12th grade, according to the research firm Futuresource Consulting.

Apple’s education business has had its ups and downs. iPads and Mac computers were once the primary devices used in American schools.

This year, big questions linger.

Attendees at the event were treated to live demos of the new software, including a chance to try its Swift Playground (Apple’s coding app for kids) which is getting a new augmented reality module.

So what might new iPads look like? The Apple Pencil will sell for Rs 7600.

There’s no revolution here, with the exception of some upgraded cameras, this is the same iPad that was already available, just with a new target audience.

Schoolwork was created to build on the success of Apple’s Classroom app, which helps integrate iPad into the classroom. What’s really nice is that Apple is now letting third-party manufacturers make Apple Pencil alternatives. The new iPad features a large Retina display, according to Apple.

But today’s announcements could be the start of a more gradual repositioning of the Apple ecosystem offering for schools, says Mukul Krishna, global practice head of digital media at Frost & Sullivan. That mainstay of campuses is overdue for a processor and screen refresh – or to be replaced entirely by a cheaper version of Apple’s smaller MacBook.

Drawing apps like Procreate and Affinity Designer are now more accesible to anyone without an iPad Pro, and users of this new iPad can also take advantage of its use outside of creative apps with support in native apps like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and even Microsoft Office. Elementary school teacher Kasia Derza was the only local person in Apple’s presentation, and spoke about how some of the new software is teaching her and her students how to code. Most consumer tech companies haven’t released new Wear OS smartwatches in years and Google’s relying on fashion brands to prop its fledgling wearable platform up. The program offers a free curriculum that educators can use in making artistic endeavors for their students.

The 84-year-old brick school’s front lawn was swarmed with black-clad security guards, including two with bomb-sniffing dogs, and dozens of chipper greeters from Apple in yellow knit hats and green sweatshirts – Lane Tech’s colors.