Apple: iPad Pro

Apple unveiled the long-awaited 12.9-inch iPad Pro at its "Hey Siri" media event in San Francisco on September 9. The massive tablet, which resembles a larger iPad Air 2 in design, has a resolution of 2732 x 2048, which is 5.6 million pixels -- more than any iOS device and higher than the MacBook Pro with Retina display.

The iPad Pro has a 64-bit A9X processor that delivers up to 1.6 times faster performance over the A8X processor in the iPad Air 2, with up graphics that are up to twice as fast. Apple also says the tablet has 80 percent faster performance and 90 percent faster graphics over portable PCs, allowing users to run apps such as iMovie with desktop-class performance.

The iPad Pro measures 6.9mm thick and weighs 1.57 pounds, making it thin and light enough to be taken anywhere. The tablet features a four-speaker audio system -- two speakers on each side -- that balance frequencies and puts out up to three times the audio level of the iPad Air 2.

Apple introduced two accessories for the iPad Pro. The first is a Microsoft Surface-like Smart Keyboard. The Smart Keyboard comes built into a Smart Cover and uses the Smart Dome Switch from the MacBook, which means that the keys click down evenly from wherever you hit them. According to Apple, the keys offer the "accuracy, stability, and satisfying key feel of standard keyboards." The keys are covered by a soft, custom woven fabric and the entire keyboard itself is "easily foldable and can transform into a Smart Cover."

The Keyboard connects to the iPad Pro via a new magnetic port called the Smart Connector, which can transmit both data and power at the same time. Because it connects directly to the iPad Pro, the Smart Keyboard does not require a separate battery, on/off switch, or Bluetooth pairing -- snap it on and it works automatically. The Smart Keyboard works with the QuickType features in iOS 9, for quick access to word predictions and autocorrect.

The second accessory that accompanies the iPad Pro is Apple Pencil, a stylus built using technology that can detect position, tilt and force to enable pressure sensitivity.

Apple Pencil also calculates angle and orientation to produce both broad or shaded strokes. The Pencil also enables precision that allows artists to touch a single pixel. Apple says the Pencil's battery lasts for hours and that it can charge by connecting to the iPad Pro's Lightning charger.

Apple Pencil will retail for $99 while the Smart Keyboard will retail for $169. Both will be available alongside the new iPad Pro. Apple will also sell Smart Covers and Smart Cases designed for the iPad Pro.

The iPad Pro launches in November in Silver, Space Gray and Gold, starting at $799 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model. A 128GB Wi-Fi only model will cost $949 and a Wi-Fi + LTE 128GB model will cost $1,079.

Apple is planning to expand its iPad lineup with a larger tablet, which the media has taken to referring to as the "iPad Pro." Expected to measure in at 12.9 inches, the iPad Pro will be Apple's largest tablet, dwarfing both the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2 and the 7.9-inch iPad mini 3. At 12.9 inches, the iPad Pro would be closest in size to the 13-inch MacBook Air.

It is unclear what moniker Apple plans to bestow on its larger-screened iPad, but the media has taken to calling it the "iPad Pro. A recent report from Mac Fan suggests it might be called the "iPad Air Plus," after the iPhone 6 Plus and the iPad Air.

While rumors on the larger iPad are somewhat scarce, it's believed the tablet will closely resemble the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3, offering a thin chassis and slim bezels. The iPad Pro may measure in at 7mm, and it will likely include several iPad Air 2 features like 2GB of RAM, Touch ID, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

It may also ship with an "ultra" high-resolution display and speakers and microphones at both the top and bottom edges of the device, creating an improved stereo audio experience. It could also feature an optional stylus accessory, an add-on keyboard, and perhaps even USB 3.0 ports.

In iOS 9, Apple's newest operating system, the iPad keyboard is able to scale up to a larger size, hinting that work on a larger tablet is indeed ongoing. Code in iOS 9 and analytics information further suggests that the iPad Pro's resolution is 2732 x 2048, with 264 pixels per inch at a diagonal display size of 12.93 inches.

It is not yet clear when the iPad Pro might launch, but several rumors have suggested Apple is targeting a fall release date for the tablet. The iPad Pro is rumored to be entering production in September or October, which means it will likely launch late October or November, perhaps alongside iOS 9.1.

Apple is holding an iPhone-centric event on Wednesday, September 9, and rumors have suggested the company plans to introduce the 12.9-inch tablet at that time. Though it may be shown off in September, the iPad Pro is not expected to launch until November, with Apple beginning to accept pre-orders for the device in late October.