Apple iPad Mini Media Event: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know

Apple held a media event in San Jose today to release its latest line of tech for the upcoming year. As expected, Apple unveiled the iPad mini, a 7.9-inch version of the full-sized iPad. The tech giant also announced a new 13-inch retina display Macbook and an updated version of the full-sized iPad sporting Apple’s new Lightning Connector.

Here are the top 10 facts you need to know about Apple’s media event today:

1. The iPad Mini Was Announced

Apple believes that their iPad mini is a game changer that appeals to people who couldn’t lug the full-sized iPad around. Expect the iPad mini to hit stores starting November 2nd.

2. iPad Mini Will Have the Same Guts as iPad 2

The iPad mini was announced by Phil Schiller, VP of marketing for Apple. Schiller assured viewers that the tech inside of the iPad mini is as good or better than the iPad 2.

3. iPad Mini will Feature a 7.9 Inch Display
That’s in comparison with the 9.7-inch display of the full-sized iPad. the mini will not have a Retina display as previously rumored.

4. iPad Mini Demolishes the Nexus

Schiller did a side-by-side comparison of the two tablets, and the iPad was the clear winner. It is lighter (weighs .68 lbs.), has a bigger display and looks prettier. He referred to Android tablets as large phones, while calling the iPad mini a true, purebred tablet. Above is a comparison between the two screens. The Nexus screen is 21.9 square inches while the iPad mini boasts 29.6 square inches despite being lighter and easier to hold.

5. You Can Use It With One Hand
One major feature that Apple was boasting was the fact that the mini can easily be used by one hand. This should place the iPad mini in direct competition with the Kindle.

6. iPad Mini Priced at $329

Is it too expensive? Comment below and let us know what you think.

7. The New iMac is Amazing

Sure, the iPad mini was nice BUT the real winner today was the New iMac. Thing and gorgeous, the new iMac is a real game changer in Apple product offerings.

8. Macbook Pro to Offer Retina Display on 13 Inch Models

Don’t get too excited, the 13 inch Macbook pro with Retina display will cost you $1,699 for the basic package.

9. New Full Sized iPad is Announced
Apple also unveiled the 4th generation of iPads. The new iPad will sport the Lightning connector, be LTE ready and run off Apple’s A6x chip.

10. Apple Officially Hates Google

The theme of the evening seemed to be Google bashing. There was a near constant stream of anti-Google jokes and even a side-by-side comparison between the iPad mini and the Nexus. Phil Shiller went as far as to say “Others have tried to make tablets smaller than the iPad and they’ve failed miserably. These are not great experiences…”

What do you guys think of the iPad mini?

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Below is our live blog from the announcement today:

Update 1:11
11 minutes in and Tim Cook is still talking about stats of their latest releases like iPhone 5, the new iPod and OS 6.

Update 1:16
Macbook Announcement! Apple announces it will offer the Retina display on their 13 inch Macbook pro. Macbook pro will now rock a 2560 x 1600 pixel display.
29% higher contrast rate
75% less reflection

Update 1:20
Macbook will now have a built in voice dictation. You speak it and it will type it.

Update 1:24
Be prepared to shell out $1,699 as the base for the 13 inch Macbook Pro with Retina.

Update 1:28
Apple announces next generation of iMac.

Update 1:35
New iMac is absurdly thin. Display is laminated directly to glass. Entire display system is 45% thinner. Will come in 27 and 21.5 inch displays. Facetime HD camera, dual microphones and stereo sound system.

1:36
Apple unveils the Fusion Drive.

Update 1:38
iMac will cost $1,299 for 21.5 inch display. Will start shipping in November. $1,799 for 27 inch display, will ship in December.

Update 1:50
4th Generation iPad announced. Apple announces A6x chip. Chip will double CPU and graphics performance.

Update 1:52
Apple unveils iPad mini

Update 1:53
You can hold it in one hand. 7.2mm thin. Comes in black and white.

Update 1:56
7.9 inch display. Resolution will remain unchanged (apps will be the same as on full size iPad).

Update 1:57
iPad mini display is 35% bigger than the Nexus. Apple displaying a side-by-side comparison of the Android and iPad.

Update 2:00
A5 dual-Core chip, Facetime HD, 5MP iSight Camera, LTE compatible, WiFi, Lightning Connector, 10 hour battery life.

Update 2:05
iPad Mini priced at $329 for basic.