Apple.club.tw (Google Translate) has shared new images that appear to show a variety of components from the iPad Air 2, which include pictures of the logic board, home button flex cable, front panel, and volume control flex cable.
The home button flex cable appears to contain a space for a Touch ID home button, complete with the stainless steel ring. Previous reports claimed that Apple's forthcoming iPads would receive Touch ID functionality, and these newest pictures likely confirm that the feature will at least be on the iPad Air 2.
Meanwhile, the logic board image also shows what may be Apple's A8 processor along with RAM chips and other components. Currently, it is unknown as to whether the A8 chip on the iPad Air 2 will be clocked at a higher speed than the A8 chips found on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The logic board also appears to contain a noticeably different layout when compared to the board from last year's iPad Air. For instance, the SIM slot appears to be directly on iPad Air 2's logic board, while the component was located in a separate compartment for the iPad Air.
The front panel of the iPad Air 2 contains a more prolonged connector on its side and contains cutouts for the Touch ID home button and FaceTime HD camera. While the panel doesn't appear to be notably different when compared to the front panel for the iPad Air, some reports have claimed that the iPad Air will have an integrated display to make way for a thinner profile. Lastly, the volume control flex cable shows the up and down volume buttons and what may be a microphone. With this layout, it is possible that Apple may be getting rid of the mute/screen rotation switch to further reduce the tablet's overall thickness.
Update 5:26 AM: As shown by forum user primordian, enhancing the contrast on the main chip reveals it to be labeled as an A8X. Apple has traditionally used "X" versions of its main chips with enhanced graphics for its iPads, but the company abandoned that strategy with the first-generation iPad Air, opting to use a regular A7 chip with the only difference being that it was clocked slightly faster than the version found in the iPhone 5s and Retina iPad mini.
why would they sacrifice the mute switch over thinness? there comes the point when function should be more important than a few 0.0x mm. especially with most people putting it into a bulky case anyway
next thing you know they will require their own headphones to be used because the device is too thin to handle the standard headphone jack, so stupid
Frankly, I have never used the mute button on my iPad. Even for rotation lock, there are alternatives already built into iOS 8, so a physical button is not required. I could see the removing the volume buttons over time as they now have alternatives for that as well.
Less mechanical parts means less things that break and also means less opening for dust or water to get in.
In other words, it not just about thinness.
At least that's how I see it.
Posts like this annoy the crap out of me. Just because YOU don't use a feature doesn't mean there's no one else in the world that DOES. I happen to like having the switch to lock my phone. It's CONVENIENT. God forbid things be easy and functional - because THINNESS is the ONLY thing that matters.
Thursday February 4, 2021 1:58 am PST by Tim Hardwick
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We've seen a lot of teasers about the Beats Studio Buds over the past month since they first showed up in Apple's beta software updates, and today they're finally official. The Beats Studio Buds are available to order today in red, white, and black ahead of a June 24 ship date, and they're priced at $149.99.
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As is tradition, Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak joined Daring Fireball's John Gruber in an episode of The Talk Show to discuss several announcements that Apple made over this weeks WWDC, including iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, and a large focus around privacy.
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Wednesday February 3, 2021 3:09 pm PST by Juli Clover
YouTube is planning to stop supporting its YouTube app on the third-generation Apple TV models, where YouTube has long been available as a channel option.
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Adobe this week reminded customers that its Photoshop Sketch and Illustrator Draw apps will no longer be available for download on iOS and Android starting July 19. Adobe plans to stop supporting the apps for existing users on January 10, 2022.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk reportedly once demanded that he be made Apple CEO in a brief discussion of a potential acquisition with Apple's current CEO, Tim Cook. The claim comes in a new book titled "Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk and the Bet of the Century," as reviewed by The Los Angeles Times.
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Apple last week discontinued the original HomePod, marking just over three years on the market for the full-size smart speaker. If you're looking to purchase the larger HomePod before it's completely gone, there are still some options online today.
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Tuesday September 7, 2021 9:23 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple this morning announced a digital-only event that will be held on Tuesday, September 14, and if you view the event webpage on an iPhone, you can tap on the logo to open up Apple's Safari AR viewer and you'll see the three-dimensional logo move in real-time in the real world.
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Tuesday September 10, 2019 12:23 pm PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple today announced the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and the iPhone 11 Max, all-new models that boast improved cameras, and specifically, a dramatic new Night Mode photo feature.
Last year, Google introduced its impressive Night Sight camera mode, a software-based feature that allows users to take detailed pictures in dark environments using Google Pixel smartphones. Apple's new Night...
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Top Rated Comments
This joke has well passed its best before date....
Boring and overdone.
Your iPhone 6+ denial was more interesting.
What about that :apple:Watch?
He didnt do too bad :)
Ps. You pleased you got your 5.5 iPhone? ;)
next thing you know they will require their own headphones to be used because the device is too thin to handle the standard headphone jack, so stupid
Posts like this annoy the crap out of me. Just because YOU don't use a feature doesn't mean there's no one else in the world that DOES. I happen to like having the switch to lock my phone. It's CONVENIENT. God forbid things be easy and functional - because THINNESS is the ONLY thing that matters.