Apple launches new iPad Pro

Apple chief executive Tim Cook on Wednesday called a top Apple executive on stage at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium here to launch the new iPad Pro, the biggest iPad manufactured till date.

"We are changing (how) people work in enterprises and have tied up with companies like IBM and Cisco," Cook said.

Apple and Cisco on August 31 announced a partnership to create a fast lane for iOS business users by optimising Cisco networks for iOS devices and apps, integrating iPhone with Cisco enterprise environments and providing unique collaboration on iPhone and iPad.

"iPhone and iPad have become essential tools for the modern workforce and are changing the way work gets done. Together with Cisco, we believe we can give businesses the tools to maximise the potential of iOS and help employees become even more productive using the devices they already love," Cook had said.

"Ninety-five percent of companies in the Fortune 500 count on Cisco Collaboration and Cisco networks to help their teams be more productive," said Cisco executive chairman John Chambers had said during the announcement of the collaboration.

According to the company, the new iPad has better graphics, faster processor and a bigger and brighter display.

"Our new processor will be 1.8 times faster than desktop-class CPUs and 22 times faster than the first iPad. In terms of graphics, the Pro is 360 times faster than than the first iPad. In short, the Pro is 80 percent faster than any portable PCs," the top executive said. The Pro sports a third-generation A9x 64-bit processor.

Apple has also introduced for the first time a physical keyboard and a stylus called Apple Pencil to increase productivity on the device. The keyboard connects through a smart connector technology via a three pin slot at the side of the device.

"The Apple Pencil can also be charged using the device via a lightning connector. Due to the excellent battery backup, users can simply edit a film on the go on the new device," the top executive added.

Interestingly, the top executive called on Microsoft to showcase the power of the new Apple Pencil stating "who better than Microsoft to talk about productivity".

The new device will come with Microsoft's Office 365 suite.

The exceutive also showcased the usage of the Pencil using Adobe. Samsung's Note series currently gives the same productivity on Android devices.

He also showcased some usages in the health sector highlighting better communication between doctors and patients.

The new Pro has four-speaker audio, 10-hours of battery backup, 8-megapixel rear camera, HD front camera and is 4G LTE compliant. The 32GB and the 128 GB variant will be available for $799 and $999, respectively, starting November.

The Apple Pencil will come at a price of $99 and the physical keyboard will cost $199.