Just what does Apple have in store for the next-generation iPad?

We have been hearing a lot of news and rumors about the iPhone 6 recently, but what about Apple's iPad? Not a lot is currently known about Apple's next-generation tablets yet, but there are still rumors circulating around the net. So here is what is currently known and what we have heard thus far.

We expect that Apple is developing a second-generation iPad Air (sixth-generation iPad) and a third-generation iPad mini, both of which will likely feature Apple's new A8 processor. We have heard rumors that Apple is planning to add their patented Touch ID fingerprint technology to the new iPad Air and mini. And we have seen images of an iPad Air mockup with some interesting design changes, and sporting a Touch ID sensor embedded into its home button surrounded by a chrome ring.

There have also been rumors that Apple may have discovered a way to slim down the new iPad mini. Chinese media reports that the third-generation mini could be up to thirty percent thinner than the previous iPad mini. It has also been reported that the next-generation iPad mini could debut as the "iPad mini Air", adopting Apple's Air moniker due to the size reduction.

The latest rumors are that Apple's next-generation iPad Air and iPad mini will be entering a mass production phase sometime in September. If this rumor is true then it seems likely that we may see an October or November release date for the new iPads.

A few related reports worth mentioning. There have been claims that Apple is working on a much larger tablet with a 12.9-inch display rumored to be called the "iPad Pro". Not much is currently known about the device, but analysts say we could see the iPad Pro release sometime in 2015.

It was also reported last month that a split-screen multitasking feature was discovered hidden in the beta version of iOS 8. It is said that the split-screen feature will allow you to run two apps side-by-side in different sized windows. It is rumored that we could see this feature available on Apple's next-generation iPad Air and iPad mini.

Possible images of Apple's upcoming iPad Air 2 spotted on the web

Several images of what could possibly be Apple's new iPad Air 2 have recently been spotted on the website Nowhereelse.fr. Images show what appears to be a mockup or non-functional dummy model of the iPad Air with some interesting design features. It is expected that Apple plans to release a second-generation iPad Air tablet sometime this fall.

It has been rumored that Apple will be adding their Touch ID fingerprint technology to the next-generation iPad line and the leaked images seem to confirm this. You can clearly see what appears to be the Touch ID sensor embedded in the iPad dummy's home button and surrounded by a chrome ring.

Some other noticeable differences include a pair of volume buttons set within a recess along the edge of the tablet instead of protruding like they do on the original iPad Air. The stereo speaker grilles surrounding Apple's 8-pin lightning connector also appear changed, from the double rows of circular holes on the first-gen iPad Air, to a single row of larger holes.

It's certainly possible that some of the design changes appearing in the leaked images will show up on the new iPad Air 2. Keep in mind, however, that nothing has been confirmed yet, and Apple is tight-lipped as always.

Apple iPad Air Review

Apple opened up the big bag of iTricks once again to craft their fifth-generation tablet, borrowing the concept and moniker of the MacBook Air, as well as the iPad mini's thinner iPhone inspired design. The results include the new iPad Air branding, some welcome design changes, internal upgrades, and Apple's latest iOS 7 mobile operating system —all at the same price point as the 2012 iPad 4.

A thinner iPhone inspired design
The Apple iPad Air features a new streamlined design based on the style of Apple's popular iPhone. However, the first tablet to actually appear with this new look was the original first-generation iPad mini. At that time the iPad 4, which debuted alongside the mini, still featured the bulkier full-size iPad design from several years ago.

The left and right side bezels of the Apple iPad Air have been reduced in size by more than 40 percent resulting in a sleeker looking narrow appearance. Apple also reduced the thickness and weight of the tablet so the iPad Air measures 20 percent thinner and 28 percent lighter than the iPad 4.

Aside from the cosmetic changes the iPad Air still features a unibody construction and sturdy light-weight aluminum shell like the past generations that came before it. The overall layout is also the same with the home button located just under the display and Apple's 8-pin lightning port nestled between two stero speakers along the bottom edge, with the others arranged along the top edge and sides of the tablet.

Retina display
By far one of the more popular features since the launch of the iPad 3 has been Apple's high-resolution Retina display. The Apple iPad Air features the same superb technology —a 9.7-inch LED-backlit Retina display with a high-definition 2048x1536 resolution.

The Retina packs an impressive 3.1 million pixels and has a 264 pixels-per-inch density. Viewing angles are nice and wide. Colors appear true, rich and vibrant. Graphics and text still look as sharp and detailed as ever, and movies play at full 1080p HD-resolution on the iPad Air. The overall quality the Retina offers remains unmatched even over a year later.

Twice the performance of the iPad 4
At the core of the iPad Air is Apple's new A7 chip set featuring 64-bit desktop-class architecture and advanced quad-core graphics. The A7 chip is a huge improvement over the previous generation's A6 chip set —effectively doubling the processing performance and graphics power of the iPad 4! The iPad Air's system memory has been updated from DDR2 to the faster DDR3 RAM type. The performance boost from the updated hardware is very noticable on the iPad Air, resulting in decreased load times, faster browsing, and generally much smoother operation overall.

Apple iPad Air Specs:
Brand: Apple
Series: iPad 5, iPad Air
Release Date: November 2013
Dimensions: 9.4x6.6x0.3in (240x170x7.5mm)
Weight: 1 lbs (469g)
Display: 9.7in IPS Retina
Resolution: 2048x1536 (QXGA), 264 ppi
Processor: Apple A7 Dual-core 1.4 GHz
Graphics: PowerVR G6430
Memory: 1 GB DDR3
Storage: 16, 32, 64, & 128 GB
Camera: 1.2 MP FaceTime (Front), 5 MP iSight (Rear)
Wireless: Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n MIMO Wifi, Bluetooth 4.0
Cellular Networks: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, & Verizon
Battery: 8820 mAh Lithium-Polymer
Battery Life: 10+ Hours
Operating System: Apple iOS 7

Check the sale price of the Apple iPad Air on Amazon.com

New MIMO WiFi technology
Apple has also updated the WiFi on the iPad Air to include multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) technology. With the addition of a second WiFi antenna the iPad Air now supports an increased data rate of up to 300 Mbps —that is twice the WiFi speeds of last year's iPad 4! Apple also expanded their support of LTE bands on iPad Air models with cellular capabilities.

All day battery life
You can expect the same all day battery life on the Apple iPad Air that previous generation's have enjoyed. The actual battery size has decreased however, from the much larger 42 Whr battery of the iPad 4, to a smaller 32 Whr size. The result is a 24 percent decrease in overall battery volume while maintaining Apple's 10+ hour battery life standards, all thanks to the iPad Air's more power-effecient A7 chip.

Apple's latest mobile operating system
The iPad Air comes with Apple's latest iOS 7 mobile operating system with integrated apps pre-installed. Apple's iOS 7 made its debut, shortly before the release of the iPad Air, with a newly redesigned interface and comes with over 200 new features and updates. Apple updated iOS's multitasking features and included several new apps and updates such as Control Center, Notification Center, AirDrop, Safari, Siri, and iTunes Radio.

Choose from over 500,000 iPad apps
With the Apple iPad Air you have access to over 500,000 apps designed specifically for the iPad. Apple's App Store offers a massive library of apps and is constantly expanding and growing with new things to see and do all sorted into its 24 various categories. You can quite literally find it all here! No matter what your interests or needs are, Apple's robust App Store has you covered.

Next generation iWork and iLife apps
Apple has updated their iWork and iLife software suites and offers the downloadable app bundle for free for iOS 7 users when you purchase the iPad Air. The iWork software bundle includes several useful productivity related apps for creating, editing, and sharing documents. Whereas the iLife suite provides a set of apps designed for creating, organizing, and editing photos, videos, and music.

Apple iPad Air Reviews
—"Longer lasting power, faster, lighter, with free top quality apps to download!"
—"Apple still rules the tablet world."
—"Great replacement for a laptop when traveling."
—"Beautifully built, incredibly fast, the best tablet computer ever!"
—"Best full-sized tablet on the market."
—"iPad Air was a great buy! You won't regret it!"
—"The best iPad yet!"

Read these Apple iPad Air reviews on Amazon.com