Aussies gets 4G for iPad, iPad mini

Apple has confirmed Australian buyers of its new iPad and iPad mini will be able to utilise both tablets’ 4G capabilities.

Apple today ended months of speculation about its push into the smaller tablet market, currently dominated by Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD. The latter is not available in Australia.

Despite former CEO Steve Jobs previously publicly revealing his disdain for the smaller form factor, Apple today announced its 7.9in iPad mini - a downsized version of its flagship 9.5in tablet.

It also took the wraps off a new iPad, just seven months after the release of its ‘new iPad’, or iPad 3.

Both devices launched with 4G connectivity, a feature Apple said will work on Australia's 1800 MHz spectrum. Currently, Telstra and Optus are the only two Australian telcos with 4G network offerings. Vodafone is currently working on its own, which will be launched next year.

The iPad mini will be available in three separate models, with Wi-Fi + 4G in 16-GB for $509, a 32-GB version for $619 and a 64-GB version for $729. The Wi-Fi version alone will retail for $389 for the 16GB model, $479 for the 32GB model and $589 for 64GB. It will come in black and slate, or white and silver.

The fourth-generation iPad with Wi-Fi and 4G support will also be available on Nov. 2, starting at $679 for the 16-GB version, $789 for the 32-GB version and $899 for the 64-GB version. With Wi-Fi alone, it will retail from $539 for 16GB, $649 for 32GB and $759 for 64GB.

Both will be available for pre-order this Friday, and will start shipping on November 2.