Retailers Prep for iPad Air 3 Release

iOS 10.3 might not be the only update Apple’s cooking up for the first half of the year. The company also might be prepping a new iPad Air 3.

Rumors continue to point to some big changes to Apple’s iPad lineup. The company is reportedly going to upgrade its iPad Pro line though, it appears that the company might also replace its long-running iPad Air 2.

Its been nearly two-and-a-half years since Apple released its 9.7-inch iPad Air 2. And while iPad Air 3 rumors have swirled, the company’s kept the aging device on shelves. That’s starting to change.

An iPad Air 3 release could happen in 2017.

According to AppleInsider, iPad Air 2 stock at popular retailers like B&H and MacMall is starting to dry up, a sign that a new iPad Air 3 could finally be on the way.

The silver and space gray versions of the 32GB Wi-Fi-only iPad Air 2 are currently out of stock at MacMall. At B&H, all LTE-equipped 128GB iPad Air models are listed as “no longer available.” These aren’t the only retailers with dwindling inventory.

Amazon, Best Buy, and Staples are sold out of select iPad Air 2 models. The Apple Store is also showing cracks with wait times for online orders pushed into late February. A 32GB iPad Air 2 from the Apple Store will deliver by February 20th.

This doesn’t confirm an imminent iPad Air 3 release but this is typical behavior ahead of a major product announcement.

According to multiple reports, Apple is currently developing new Apple hardware and new iPad software including wider support for the Apple Pencil accessory.

A report from Bloomberg claims “Apple may roll out the new iPad software features as part of an upgrade to the iOS 10 operating system in the first half of 2017.”

Apple currently has its iOS 10.3 update in beta and there’s speculation that it could arrive alongside new iPads in March.

Apple typically hosts an early event to bridge the gap between its iPhone launch and WWDC. Last year, the company announced the iPhone SE and a smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro during its March launch event.

iPad Air 3 rumors point to a modest upgrade with a processor bump expected to be one of the key features. Rumors suggest the budget iPad will feature the A9 processor that’s found in the company’s iPhone 6s smartphone.

While upgrades to the iPad Pro and iPad Air lineup are expected, there doesn’t appear to be anything imminent for Apple’s iPad mini line.

Apple’s last iPad mini refresh, the iPad mini 4, arrived alongside the company’s original iPad Pro in September, 2015.

Install iOS 10.3.3 If You Want Better Security

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If you value your security, you'll want to seriously consider downloading the iOS 10.3.3 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. iOS 10.3.3 brings 24 security patches addressing vulnerabilities plaguing Contacts, Messages, Notifications, and Safari. It also includes a patch for a potentially dangerous Wi-Fi exploit dubbed "Broadpwn." That patch alone is a great reason to install iOS 10.3.3 right now or in the immediate future.  If you failed to download previous versions of iOS, your iOS 10.3.3 update will bring even more security features. If you passed on iOS 10.3.2, iOS 10.3.3 will deliver 23 additional security patches for potentially dangerous issues.  If you skipped iOS 10.3.1, your iOS 10.3.3 update will bring its lone security patch. If you skipped iOS 10.3, iOS 10.3.3 will bring its monster list of patches to your device. The iOS 10.3 update delivered over 60 known patches for potential exploits. That's substantial, even for a milestone upgrade. If you skipped the iOS 10.2.1 update and/or the iOS 10.2 update, iOS 10.3.3 brings their security patches with it. The iOS 10.2.1 update had 14 important patches on board. You can see them all right here.  If you failed to install Apple's iOS 9.3.5 update, iOS 10.3.3 will also bring the three crucial security patches it delivered last year. These patch up serious security problems that could potentially expose your calls, contacts, texts, and emails. These patches enhance the security on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch making them ideal for those of you who store sensitive files/data on your device.

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