iPad mini 2 Release Date

For weeks, rumors suggested that Apple had two new iPads up its sleeve for the holidays, a redesigned iPad 5 and a new iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display. Today, Apple made good on those rumors, announcing a new fifth-generation, 9.7-inch iPad Air and a brand new iPad mini 2 that will indeed be coming with a Retina Display. Ahead of the iPad mini 2 release date, we take a look at all of the pertinent details that consumers need to know about.

For much of 2013, rumors suggested that Apple was planning to deliver two brand new iPads to replace the iPad mini and iPad 4 that it announced back in October of last year. Over the past few weeks, those rumors firmed up as Apple announced a highly anticipated launch event set for October 22nd in San Francisco.

Today, that launch event arrived and Apple took the curtain down from around a number of new products including the OS X Mavericks release, new Mac Pro, the new MacBook Pro, and two brand new iPads. The new iPads were arguably the stars of the show and Apple saved them for last. The first, a full-sized iPad Air, formerly known as the iPad 5, a device that will arrive on November 1st starting at $499. It features a number of upgrades including an A7 chip, better camera and a sleek new design aimed at making it far more portable than the iPad 4.

The iPad mini 2 is going to slot in where the old iPad mini used to be though it will be doing so with an arsenal of improvements including a brand new, high-resolution Retina Display, a feature that iPad buyers had been hoping for. The iPad mini 2 will also be coming with an A7 chip, an improved iSight camera and a design that is similar to the original model.

Apple’s new iPad mini is slated for an arrival in November and here, ahead of its release, we breakdown everything there is to know about the iPad mini 2 release date.

iPad mini 2 Release Date

Rumors heading into the iPad mini 2 launch event pointed to major supply issues that could have a great impact on the iPad mini 2 release date. While Apple didn’t confirm these rumors, it did not announce a specific iPad mini 2 release date, instead, choosing to say that the device will be released later during the month of November.

It’s uncharacteristic for Apple to debut a device without a specific release date so it’s clear that there is something at work here, probably issues getting supply to match demand. Whatever the case, it means that iPad mini 2 buyers are going to have to wait a few weeks before the iPad mini 2 hits shelves.

We expect that the release date will be revealed well in advance, giving buyers ample time to prepare for the iPad mini 2 release date. How soon is anyone’s guess, but Apple only gives concrete days when it can stick to a date. So it could be a few days before we see anything announced.

When the device does go on sale, it will likely emerge in Apple Stores at 8AM PST on its release date. Apple Stores tend to open early to cater to those who want to get the device on day one.

iPad mini 2 Pre-Orders

At this point, it’s hard to say if Apple will offer pre-orders for the iPad mini 2. The company did not announce a pre-sale date at the iPad event and thus far, the only clue that we have is that the iPad Air won’t go up for pre-order, instead following in the footsteps of the iPhone 5s launch. So, at this point, we don’t expect Apple to offer any early ordering period.

If it does, expect pre-orders to start about a week before its November release date, and expect those pre-orders to begin at 12AM PST. If it doesn’t offer pre-orders, expect the device to go on sale at 12AM PST on its release date in November, offering buyers a chance to buy online. Those who don’t choose to order online will have to brave Apple Stores on its release day.

There Will Be Lines

While the intriguing iPad Air should deflect some attention away from the iPad mini 2, this is still a device that should garner a whole lot of attention now that it has some powerful upgrades including a Retina Display. Even with the release date likely landing on a day different than the iPad Air’s November 1st release date, we still expect there to be lines.

One, because stock should still be scarce, even with the extra time that Apple has given itself. And second, because some people simply won’t or don’t want to wake up early to place an order on its release date. So, while there may not be intense lines at retailers or carrier stores, if they wind up offering the new iPad mini, Apple Stores, particularly flagship ones, should see crowds.

Retailers

Thus far, we haven’t seen any word from retailers about the iPad mini 2 release date and we don’t expect to hear anything for several weeks given Apple’s release date window of later in November. If Apple does allow retailers to carry the iPad mini 2, there are two scenarios. One, the device is available through places like Best Buy and RadioShack on day one. The other, it arrives a few days after its release date.

We expect retailers to announce their plans in the weeks ahead. With a release date several weeks away, those hoping for an announcement in the near future should temper their expectations.

iPad Mini 2 Carriers

Finally, those looking to snag the iPad mini 2 with LTE speeds will be able to do so through the Apple Store, at the very least. We still haven’t seen its official carriers, a list that includes AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, confirm anything for arrival but it’s still possible that we could see them gear up for the November release date.

At the very least, Apple Stores will have the LTE iPad mini 2 on hand and here is how pricing is going to breakdown for those looking to buy the iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi only or the LTE model come November.

• iPad mini 2 16GB – $399.99
• iPad mini 2 32GB – $499.99
• iPad mini 2 64GB – $599.99
• iPad mini 2 128GB – $699.99
• iPad mini 2 LTE 16GB – $529.99
• iPad mini 2 LTE 32GB – $629.99
• iPad mini 2 LTE 64GB – $729.99
• iPad mini 2 LTE 128GB – $829.99

All eight of these options will be available for the four major carriers. AT&T and Verizon currently have the largest 4G LTE networks, trailed by Sprint and T-Mobile, both of which plan to get their LTE roll out complete by the time 2014 comes to an end.

New MacBook Pro, iMac, iPad 5 & iPad mini

Apple’s iPhone 5s release is still ahead of us, but the rumors are already talking about a possible Apple event in the middle of October where we could see the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 as well as new MacBook Pro units and new iMacs.

This isn’t the first rumor of an Apple event in October, but it is one of the first to put a specific date on Apple’s next event which could come with a collection of new products.

Nearly three-fourths of Apple’s current lineup is due for a refresh, we’ve cautioned users to avoid buying a MacBook Pro until the new MacBook Pro models arrive, and now it is time to start re-thinking any immediate plans to buy an iPad or an iMac.

Apple already confirmed that the Mac Pro release date is set for Fall 2013, and we know the OS X Mavericks release date is expected at almost the same time.

An Apple event is rumored for October 15th, where we could see a lot of new Apple products.

The latest rumor from MacGeneration claims Apple will hold a special event on October 15th to usher in the new iPads as well as to share news about new Intel Haswell powered notebooks and desktops.

MacGeneration is the source of several Apple leaks in the past, but this is the first time we recall the publication pointing to a specific date for an Apple event.

The site claims that the iMac stock is low in physical store, despite a 24 hour shipping time on Apple’s website, which could tip supply constraints ahead of Apple announcing a new iMac.

iPad 5 & iPad mini 2

We expect an Apple event for the iPad later this year, and October makes sense to see an iPad 5 announced and to find out if Apple is really going to deliver an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display this year.

This new render shows what Touch ID and a gold iPad would look like. Martin Hajek

Conflicting rumors suggest Apple could be preparing an iPad mini with the higher resolution Retina Display for this fall, or for early 2014. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with KGI Securities who nailed many of the iPhone 5s details predicts an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display this year, though earlier reports suggest it may not arrive until November, even if it is announced in October.

New MacBook Pro Models

The report also indicates we could see the new MacBook Pro at the event. Apple often combines MacBook updates with other announcements including the new MacBook Air at WWDC 2013 in June. The new MacBook Pro would reportedly use a Haswell processor that could dramatically increase battery life.

The new MacBook Pro release could come soon after an October event.

We could also see the new MacBook Pro Retina with Thunderbolt 2, better integrated graphics and possibly even a slight design refresh.

New iMac

Also expected is a new iMac release. Apple announced the new slimmer iMac design last year in October, though the actual devices were in very short supply all the way into 2013.

Moves suggest Apple is planning a new iMac release in the near future.

The new iMac with Haswell could deliver better processing power and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. It might also come with support for a rumored 4k Apple display.

New Mac Pro

In what seems to be an endless parade of products, Apple is also planning a new Mac Pro release for Fall 2013. Apple is already advertising the Mac Pro in theaters and showed off the device at WWDC 2013 in June.

The new Mac Pro is a smaller device with faster memory and new flash storage as well as dual GPUs standard. The new Mac Pro price is going to be high, but it is not a machine for the average user and it’s been a long time since a proper update.

OS X Mavericks

If Apple announces the new iMac and new MacBook Pro models with Haswell processors at an October 15th event, we also expect tot see OS X Mavericks arrive at the same time.

OS X Mavericks brings a new Finder with tabs and tags, iBooks and Apple Maps for Macs, better support for multiple monitors and smart technologies that can enhance battery life. The OS X Mavericks release date is rumored for late October.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy the iPad mini Right Now

The Apple iPad mini is currently in a dogfight against the likes of the Kindle Fire HD and the new Nexus 7 from Google. And while the device is still extremely  tempting for those in the hunt for a 7-inch tablet, particularly because it will be getting iOS 7 on September 18th, there are several reasons why right now is not the time to be buying into the iPad mini.

Last October, Apple held an iPad event wherein the company announced two brand new products. The first, the iPad 4, came to replace the iPad 3 which had been released earlier in the year, bringing the new Lightning dock standard, a new processor and Sprint 4G LTE to those that were interested in a 9.7-inch iPad.

The iPad mini 2 is rumored for later this year.

The other iPad was maybe the more significant of the two. Apple finally introduced a smaller iPad, dubbed iPad mini, which brought a smaller form factor and 7.9-inch display to those in search of a smaller tablet. The device went head-to-head with the likes of the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD, offerings from Google and Amazon that had launched in the previous months.

Apple’s iPad mini reportedly started to outpace the larger iPad in terms of sales and with Google’s releasing a new Nexus 7 in July and rumors suggesting a Kindle Fire HD 2, it’s no surprise that rumors suggest a new iPad mini is on the way.

iPad mini 2 rumors have been surfacing for months with leaks suggesting that Apple has not one, but two new iPad models on the way for the 2013 holiday season. The company did not detail those new devices at its iPhone launch event on September 10th but we expect the company to announce new iPads at some point this year, possibly in just a few weeks time.

With that in mind, we think that right now is the worst possible time to buy the current version of the iPad mini. Here’s why.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy the iPad mini Right Now

iPad mini 2 is Almost Here

First and foremost, we should only be a few weeks out from an iPad mini 2 launch date. Rumorssuggest that we could see Apple host an iPad event on October 15th, just a day after Google is rumored to be showcasing its Android 4.4 KitKat update and Nexus 5 smartphone, which means that we could only be a month away from a launch and a little over a month away from a release.

Rumors have all pointed to an October launch and at this point, there is nothing to suggest that Apple is going to launch its new iPad outside of the month of October.

• Original iPad mini launched in October.
• Rumors point to October.
• Apple wants to get iPads out for holiday shopping, Black Friday.

Those that have waited this long will likely want to be patient and wait just a few more weeks as the iPad mini 2 should make an appearance. If it does debut on October 14th, it could mean that Apple will get it on shelves in October rather than November. The original iPad mini hit shelves in November after an October launch.

Retina Display

Maybe the biggest reason to skip the iPad mini is the fact that it doesn’t have a Retina Display. This was one of the biggest knocks on the device when it first arrived as the display did not deliver the quality resolution that buyers had come to expect from Apple’s iPad line.

The iPad mini 2 with Retina Display could arrive in 2013 as Apple pushes to compete with the new Nexus 7.

iPad mini 2 rumors suggest that the iPad mini 2 could come with a Retina Display and we’re willing to wager that those rumors come true. Apple loves to please its customers and it also likes to make money. If it comes without one, Apple will be giving Google and the Nexus 7 a huge advantage in the 7-inch tablet race and that’s something that the company isn’t likely to do.

Instead, we should see an iPad mini 2 with a fantastic display that puts the iPad mini’s display to shame. To get an idea of the difference, use an iPad 2 display, then watch something on the iPad 3 or iPad 4, and then go back to the iPad 2. It’s not pretty.

Price Drop for iPad mini

If it turns out that the iPad mini 2 isn’t enticing enough, the iPad mini will still be available and it will likely be cheaper than it was prior to the iPad mini 2′s arrival.

The iPad mini price should drop at Apple. And through retailers.

Typically, Apple keeps its older iPads around in refurbished form. At the very least, we expect the iPad mini to stick around on Apple’s website with a cheaper price tag than the one we’re seeing now. It’s also possible that we could see Apple offer it side-by-side with an upgraded design or otherwise, also with a cheaper price tag.

Whatever the case, those who don’t care about the iPad mini 2 and its feature boosts will be able to find cheaper deals in just a few weeks, something that is certainly worth the wait.

Some Other Reasons

There are also some other reasons why buyers might want to wait. While we haven’t seen any significant rumors in regards to the iPad mini 2 features, at least outside of the Retina Display, there is a chance that we’ll see some other enticing upgrades.

First, a fingerprint sensor like the one on the iPhone 5S. That’s not guaranteed but given the security features on board iOS 7 and given Apple’s focus on cutting down on theft, we could see it deliver something similar on the iPad mini 2.

This new render shows what Touch ID and a gold iPad would look like.

Second, a better camera. While tablets still aren’t fantastic mobile cameras, the iPad mini 2 is at least small enough where it doesn’t feel extremely awkward to shoot a photo or video. Apple typically evolves its camera year-after-year so we could see an upgrade to the camera in the iPad mini 2.

Finally, we haven’t seen anything to suggest it, but the iPad mini 2 could come with a 64-bit processor like the iPhone 5S. The new standard pushes performance, particularly for gaming, something that is a big use case on a form factor like the iPad mini’s. This isn’t a guarantee but for gamers, it’s worth a wait.

ASUS Announces New Fonepads and MeMO Pads at IFA 2013

ASUS announced two new phones and a pair of tablets at IFA in Germany. They reminded the market about the huge 7-inch phablet smart phone called the Fonepad 7, which ASUSpreviously announced to go along with a new Fonepad Note 6.

These six and seven-inch smartphones will bring phablet users a new option to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Mega and theSamsung Galaxy Note 3 that Samsung will soon release after their announcement this week. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 sold well so competitors hope to grab market share by bring out their own phablets.

ASUS jumps into the market with these new phones, one for potential Note 3 customers since it comes with a stylus, but the other seeming more like a Galaxy Tab or Nexus 7 competitor with phone capabilities.

The ASUS MeMO Pad 8 squares off against the iPad mini and possibly the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.

ASUS Fonepad 6

The Fonepad Note 6 brings with it an active digitizer stylus, like the Galaxy Note, and a 1920×1080 IPS screen. The phone runs on an Intel Atom Z2580 dual-processor at 2GHz. Add to that 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of on board storage. Users can add more with a micro-SD card. One weakness is the lack of LTE built into the device, according to the press release.

The phone’s battery measures at 3200mAh. The rear camera users an 8MP sensor while the front is a 1.2MP sensor.

The Fonepads only run Android 4.2.2, but come with little other software making it one of the few none Nexus phones with a close to stock OS out of the box.

The Fonepad Note 6 measures 10.3mm thick and weighs 210g. ASUS says it will last up to 23 hours of 3G talk-time and 6.5 hours of video playing.

They will ship with a flip cover, much like Samsung’s flip cover for the Note.

ASUS Fonepad 7

The ASUS Fonepad 7, announced earlier this year and re-announced today, doesn’t include the stylus, a strange choice for a larger tablet-like device measuring seven inches. It also gives users a lower end 720p screen resolution and slightly slower Atom Z250 processor running at only 1.6GHz and a single gigabyte of RAM. Users can get one with 8, 16 or 32 GB of RAM. The rear camera only takes 5MP shots. ASUS includes the same 1.2MP camera that ships on the Note 6. The Fonepad 7 also lacks 4G LTE.

The Fonepad 7 seems like a budget tablet designed for emerging markets where people can only afford to carry one device, want a smart phone and a tablet, but don’t have the cash to buy a high-end device in each category. So, they can settle for the Fonepad 7.

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10

ASUS also announced a pair of new tablets called the ASUS MeMO Pad 8 and ASUS MeMO Pad 10. These low-cost tablets measure eight and ten inches and come with 1280×800 720p IPS displays.

The tablets run Android 4.2 with little other bloatware installed. The MeMO Pad 8 will come with 16GB of storage and a micro-SD slot for further expansion. The MeMO Pad 10 also includes the card slot but adds an option for an 8GB model along with the 16.

Each of these tablets sports a 1.2 MP front camera, but different rear facing cameras. The 8 has a 5MP camera while the 10 only offers a 2MP camera on back. Other specs include:

• 802.11n wi-fi and Bluetooth 3.0
• 3.5mm headphone jacks
• A GPS on the MeMO Pad 10
• 3960mAh battery on the 8 and 5070mAh battery on the 10

Nexus 7 LTE Release: New Date, Already On Sale

The Nexus 7 LTE release date is imminent given that O2 in the United Kingdom will begin taking pre-orders for the device starting tomorrow ahead of a September 13th release date and given that the device is reportedly already being sold through a retailer in Germany.

In late July, Google introduced the new Nexus 7, a device that replaced the older Nexus 7 with a handful of upgrades including an improved 7-inch display, new lightweight design, rear 5MP camera, and 4G LTE data speeds. While the Wi-Fi Nexus 7 has been out on shelves since late July, the Nexus 7 LTE has yet to make it to shelves, leaving consumers around the world looking for answers.

The Nexus 7 LTE release date is imminent.

We’ve heard, in the past, that the Nexus 7 LTE would be coming to Italy and Japan in September though no specific date was issued. Today, after several weeks of waiting, the Nexus 7 LTE finally has one specific date.

O2 UK announced that it will be taking pre-orders for the Nexus 7 LTE ahead of its release date on September 13th. That’s the first concrete date that we’ve seen emerge and it’s possible that it will apply to other countries as well, including the United States.

Those who can’t wait can seemingly snag a Nexus 7 LTE early as it appears that German retailer MediaMarkt is currently selling an in-stock Nexus 7 LTE. In fact, users on Reddit are reporting that they were able to get an LTE model through MediaMarkt ahead of the device’s release date. It’s not clear how much stock, if any, is left at the retailer but it has certainly sold at least a couple of LTE-enabled Nexus 7 models ahead of schedule.

At least one retailer is already selling the Nexus 7 LTE.

What this could mean is that the Nexus 7 LTE will be available in at least some retail stores, something that has remained unconfirmed alongside its release date.

In the United States, a host of retailers currently carry the Wi-Fi only Nexus 7 and it’s possible that we could see at least a few of those join the Google Play Store.

Google’s Nexus 7 LTE works on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon making it the first Nexus device since the Samsung Galaxy Nexus to officially run on Verizon’s 4G LTE network.

No iPad 5, iPad mini 2 at September 10 Event…Maybe.

After several reports on Bloomberg emerged hinting that Apple would also show off its next generation iPad and iPad mini tablets at aSeptember 10 event that’s widely believed to be for the unveiling of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C smartphones, Jim Dalrymple is putting the kibosh on that story. The Loop Insight reporter says bluntly, “Nope. No iPads.” in a postresponding to Bloomberg’s story.

Most recently, Bloomberg had hinted that the new smartphones and tablets would be unveiled on the tenth of September in an article that focuses on Apple’s new retail store opening in Tokyo, Japan.

“The Cupertino, California-based company plans to introduce new versions of its phone and tablet at a Sept. 10 event,” the article says, citing “a person familiar with the matter.” Bloomberg went on to say that Apple also has “several more game changers” in the pipeline to battle rivals like Samsung.

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This is the second article from the financial publication in as many weeks mentioning a refresh to Apple’s tablet. lineup. However, since the Bloomberg story had gone live, the publication had updated its article to remove references to the tablets for the September 10th event.

Though Apple had not sent out media invitations nor confirmed that it will be hosting an event on that date, a source to All Things D had earlier confirmed that the new iPhone will likely be shown off on that date at a private media event. This year, rather than just one new flagship iPhone model, Apple will be showing off also a second mid-range model in the form of the iPhone 5C. That model will come with a polycarbonate unibody back plate, rather than the premium glass and metal materials on the flagship, along with colorful hues. The iPhone 5C is expected to carry similar specs to today’s iPhone 5 and the 5C is expected to possibly replace the iPhone 5 in Apple’s new lineup where the company will be offering the iPhone 5S at the high end, followed by the 5C, and then the iPhone 4S at the entry level end.

The new iPad tablets are expected to come this fall, and in prior rumors we heard that Apple would be holding a separate event to introduce a fifth generation full-sized iPad, also referred to as the iPad 5, and also a second-generation iPad mini, referred to as the iPad mini 2. It’s unclear what the iPad mini 2 will bring to the table. Though it’s widely believed that the slate would, for the first time, accommodate a Retina Display on its 7.9-inch screen, there are conflicting rumors that Apple is ready to move to Retina Display.

Additionally, an Apple iWatch had been rumored to be coming this year in the past, but we’re hearing rumors that Apple may not be ready to debut such a product until the second half of 2014. If this is the case, rival Samsung may have up to a year of lead time on the iWatch as that company’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch is now confirmed by an executive to be coming early next month to a Berlin event in IFA. The smartwatch category may be one of the “new exciting” products that was referenced. Apple CEO Tim Cook had also hinted that much in earlier conference calls stating that Apple has new and exciting products to show off.After several reports on Bloomberg emerged hinting that Apple would also show off its next generation iPad and iPad mini tablets at aSeptember 10 event that’s widely believed to be for the unveiling of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C smartphones, Jim Dalrymple is putting the kibosh on that story. The Loop Insight reporter says bluntly, “Nope. No iPads.” in a postresponding to Bloomberg’s story.

Most recently, Bloomberg had hinted that the new smartphones and tablets would be unveiled on the tenth of September in an article that focuses on Apple’s new retail store opening in Tokyo, Japan.

“The Cupertino, California-based company plans to introduce new versions of its phone and tablet at a Sept. 10 event,” the article says, citing “a person familiar with the matter.” Bloomberg went on to say that Apple also has “several more game changers” in the pipeline to battle rivals like Samsung.

This is the second article from the financial publication in as many weeks mentioning a refresh to Apple’s tablet. lineup. However, since the Bloomberg story had gone live, the publication had updated its article to remove references to the tablets for the September 10th event.

Though Apple had not sent out media invitations nor confirmed that it will be hosting an event on that date, a source to All Things D had earlier confirmed that the new iPhone will likely be shown off on that date at a private media event. This year, rather than just one new flagship iPhone model, Apple will be showing off also a second mid-range model in the form of the iPhone 5C. That model will come with a polycarbonate unibody back plate, rather than the premium glass and metal materials on the flagship, along with colorful hues. The iPhone 5C is expected to carry similar specs to today’s iPhone 5 and the 5C is expected to possibly replace the iPhone 5 in Apple’s new lineup where the company will be offering the iPhone 5S at the high end, followed by the 5C, and then the iPhone 4S at the entry level end.

The new iPad tablets are expected to come this fall, and in prior rumors we heard that Apple would be holding a separate event to introduce a fifth generation full-sized iPad, also referred to as the iPad 5, and also a second-generation iPad mini, referred to as the iPad mini 2. It’s unclear what the iPad mini 2 will bring to the table. Though it’s widely believed that the slate would, for the first time, accommodate a Retina Display on its 7.9-inch screen, there are conflicting rumors that Apple is ready to move to Retina Display.

Additionally, an Apple iWatch had been rumored to be coming this year in the past, but we’re hearing rumors that Apple may not be ready to debut such a product until the second half of 2014. If this is the case, rival Samsung may have up to a year of lead time on the iWatch as that company’s Galaxy Gear smartwatch is now confirmed by an executive to be coming early next month to a Berlin event in IFA. The smartwatch category may be one of the “new exciting” products that was referenced. Apple CEO Tim Cook had also hinted that much in earlier conference calls stating that Apple has new and exciting products to show off.

Parallels Access for iPad Review: Windows & Mac Tools as Apps on iPad

Parallels Access for iPad takes the concept of remote control of a Windows or Mac to a new level. The Parallels Access app will “applify” software running on a Mac or PC, making it work like an iPad app. Users can run Microsoft Word 2013 as if Microsoft released it for iPad.

People know the Parallels name, it’s famous for letting people run Windows on a Mac. The company already offers an iPad app to access virtual machines running on Mac or PC. With Parallels Access, users can run their software as if the programs were designed to run on an iPad to begin with. LogMeIn, one of the most popular remote control apps available, along with the others in this category, should get nervous.

Parallels Access Launch Pad on iPad accessing Windows 7 PC

Here’s the company’s demo video of Parallels Access:

What makes Parallels Access worth a whopping $80/year? The iPad app connects to a Windows or Mac client letting the user run all the software on the computer or on a Parallels Desktop 8 virtual machine… as if they installed it on iPad. A grid of app icons, like iOS users see with iPad apps, show apps available to the iPad via Access.

Triple tap to select text in programs like Microsoft Word.

Parallels Access will overlay gesture controls on top of computer programs.

• One finger scrolling
• Pinch to zoom
• Two finger tap for right click
• Triple tap to select text
• Assistance in selecting tiny icons like the font color chooser in Word 2013

A task manager lets users switch between Windows or OSX apps installed on the computer they’ve connected to.

The app lets users copy and paste content from the computer to the iPad. Grab some text from a Word document and paste it into the iOS version of Pages. Grab a photo from a PowerPoint presentation and paste it next to the text in Pages.

The app works amazing well, especially over a home or work network. It performs well through the Internet, also. Fine control of tiny icons or menus doesn’t pose much of an obstacle thanks to the way Parallels Access interfaces with programs by dynamically choosing which button the person wanted to select on something like the Word ribbon.

This is the interface that Microsoft should have created for Windows RT. It’s elegant, easy to use or learn and works smoothly, even in the pre-release version we tested. It makes it tempting to set up a Windows box just to use with Parallels Access to run Windows programs on iPad.

The software runs on OSX Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Windows 7, 8 or XP. Only iPad users can enjoy it for now. Sorry Android fans. The company may release an Android app, but not now.

The cost might stop some from using Parallels Access. $80/year seems steep. Fifty dollars a year seems more appropriate, but compared to LogMeIn Pro at $70/year, $80 isn’t bad. Parallels Access works better than LogMeIn Pro or Free editions thanks to the “applification” of desktop/laptop software.