Apple Announces Event on May 7 amid Reports of New iPad Model Launches

People stand outside a recently-opened Apple Store in Shanghai's Jing'an district on March 26, 2024. (AFP)
People stand outside a recently-opened Apple Store in Shanghai's Jing'an district on March 26, 2024. (AFP)
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Apple Announces Event on May 7 amid Reports of New iPad Model Launches

People stand outside a recently-opened Apple Store in Shanghai's Jing'an district on March 26, 2024. (AFP)
People stand outside a recently-opened Apple Store in Shanghai's Jing'an district on March 26, 2024. (AFP)

Apple will hold an event on May 7, the company said on Tuesday, amid reports that it would roll out the long-anticipated revamped versions of iPad Pro and iPad Air next month.

The Cupertino, California-based company did not disclose more details about the event that would start at 7 a.m. PT (2 p.m. GMT).

Bloomberg News reported in March that Apple's overseas suppliers had ramped up production of the new iPads and a launch was planned for early May.

The new models would represent Apple's first overhaul to that lineup since 2018.

The potential launch comes at a time as iPad sales have declined. The sales dropped 25% to $7.02 billion in the first quarter, while those of iPhone, its most popular product, have also been slowing.

The tablet market is under duress as economic uncertainty looms and consumers cut back on non-essential spending, but Apple expects to combat the slump in demand with new products.

Apple's iPad sales contributed just 5.9% to the company's total net sales of $119.58 billion in the first quarter ended Dec. 30.

Apple is also scheduled to hold its Worldwide Developers Conference from June 10 to June 14.



Germany Says Aims to be World Leader in Quantum Technologies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
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Germany Says Aims to be World Leader in Quantum Technologies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to support the development of quantum technologies, saying at the opening of an IBM data center on Tuesday that investment in the sector was crucial for the future of Europe's biggest economy.

"Our goal is clear: to be global leader in quantum technologies," said Scholz, adding Germany had invested 2 billion euros ($2.22 billion) on quantum technology since 2020.

"This is the basis of our economic success and prosperity," he said at the opening of IBM's Quantum European Data Center in Ehningen, a roughly 290-million-euro investment. The center will allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access services for cloud-based quantum computing research, Reuters reported.

Quantum computers could operate millions of times faster than advanced supercomputers. So far, the United States and China have led the technology.

Other projects in Germany include the joint development of quantum processors by Infineon and eleQtron GmbH.
Scholz said Germany was focused on semiconductors, AI, pharmaceuticals and bio- and climate technologies.
"These are the areas we need to lead," said Scholz.