Oct 15 Reuters Apple on Tuesday launched its new generation of the iPad mini packed with AI features including writing tools and an improved Siri assistant, as the iPhone maker races to boost its devices with artificialintelligence capabilities.

The new iPad mini is powered by Apple39;s A17 Pro chip, which is used in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. With a sixcore central processing unit, the A17 Pro would boost CPU performance by 30 compared to the current generation iPad minis and is central to running Apple Intelligence, Apple39;s AI software.

Apple said it would roll out the first set of AI features in the U.S. version of the English language this month through a software update with iPadOS 18.1.

The features will be available for iPads with A17 Pro or M1 chips and later generations, Apple said, adding it will roll out additional features including imagegeneration tools, Genmoji and ChatGPTpowered capabilities over the next several months.

Apple in September unveiled its longawaited, AIboosted iPhone 16 lineup, but with the AI features still in test mode, the company failed to excite some investors while early sales data raised some questions around demand.

Still, research firm Canalys on Monday said the iPhone 16 would help Apple39;s sales in the fourth quarter and drive momentum into the first half of 2025, after Apple reached a record high thirdquarter shipments.

The iPad mini, starting at 499, is available for preorders starting on Tuesday and will…