A look at Apple's new slimmer iPad Air

SOURCE:  BBC NEWS

22 October 2013 Last updated at 22:48 BST

The BBC's Richard Taylor has a look at Apple's latest tablet called the iPad Air that is 20% thinner than the previous version.

CNET's Tim Stevens says the new tablet is a "logical progression".

The launch comes at a time when some analysts have suggested that Google's Android is about to overtake Apple's iOS as the bestselling tablet platform.

VZ NEWS

will Apple's new iPad Air be the best tablet on the market?

The iPad Air goes on sale in less than a week and already the challengers are stepping up including bold opposition from the old guard of mobile phones, Nokia.

Apple have announced the latest iPad weighs just one pound and as well as the super dainty tablet, they have also announced the iPad mini with retina display.

By no coincidence whatsoever, mobile phone veterans Nokia announced the company's first tablet on the same day. But as much as we all loved Nokia back in the day, how can they compare to the giant in today's market?

The iPad Air has the familiar 9.7" screen but is considerably thinner than previous models. The Nokia Lumia 2520 however boasts a 10.1" screen with a ClearBlack display filter that makes it easier to read in sunlight.

The Lumia is a definite winner when it comes to photography, offering a 6.7 megepixel rear camera and 2 megapixel front camera. The iPad however has a measly 5 at the back and 1.2 at the front.

Where the iPad Air triumphs is with the operating system. The new iOS 7 comes with a colourful interface, improved notification centre and control panel as well as iWorks for free.

The Lumia boasts Windows 8.1 RT with full Microsoft Office, but that feels old hat next to Apple's offerings.

For a processor, Apple is rolling out 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB models while the Nokia has a standard 32GB that can be boosted by a further 32GB with a card slot.

Nokia does better than Apple with battery life. The iPad Air claims to last for 10 hours while the Lumia edges it with 11 hours and an add on 'power keyboard' that boosts it with another five hours.

The two tablets are about the same price, £399 (16GB model of the iPad) so your preference will depend purely on the features.

The iPad Air is on sale from November 1 with the iPad mini on sale later in November and Apple are not taking pre-orders.

The iPad mini with retina display, prices start at £319 for the 16GB Wi-fi only model. The 128GB Wi-fi only model costs £559.