Techtechnologyapple mavericks

OS X Mavericks Released On Tuesday For A Fantastic Price: $0

One Of The Best New Apple Products Is Totally Free
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Technology Editor, HuffPost Tech

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On Tuesday in San Francisco, Apple announced that one of its most anticipated new products, the latest version of OS X, will be available as a free download for old and new computers alike going back to 2007.

OS X Mavericks, the first operating system for Mac computers not named after a big cat, can be downloaded for free starting on Tuesday.

"With a single step update, you can run Mavericks," Apple senior vice president Craig Federighi said on stage. He claimed that with Mavericks installed, a computer should get up to an hour longer battery life on a single charge.

The move may seem strange for a company with gadget price points hundreds of dollars higher than competition, but the price of major OS X upgrades has been falling for years. OS X Mountain Lion in 2012 was $19.99. In 2010, OS X Lion was priced at $29.99.

The new OS for Apple's laptop and desktop computers introduces new finder tabs that make desktop search more streamlined. Instead of just existing in folders, computer files can be tagged by category, making them much easier to find and organize later on.

Apple promises that the OS X upgrade will make old computers run faster and more efficiently. A feature called App Nap focuses the computer's power toward applications currently in use, extending the battery life of Apple laptops.

The Contacts, Calendar and Notes apps get a sleek makeover in Mavericks that puts them more in line with how they appear in iOS on iPhones and iPad. Also for the first time, an OS X computer with multiple displays will let you look at two fullscreen apps at once.

More Apple coverage from HuffPost Tech:

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Before You Go

Apple's Oct. 22nd Event
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduces the new iPad Air on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, introduces the new iPad Air on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, speaks on stage about apps before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, speaks on stage about apps before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks on stage before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks on stage before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks on stage before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Craig Federighi, senior vice president of Software Engineering at Apple, speaks on stage before a new product announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks on stage before a new product introduction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (credit:AP)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(23 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(24 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(26 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(28 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(29 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(30 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(31 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(34 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(35 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(36 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announces the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks on the new iPad Mini during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(38 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks on the new iPad Mini during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(39 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announces the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(40 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announces the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(41 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announces the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(42 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announces the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(43 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announces the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(44 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks on the new iPad Mini during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(45 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Phil Schiller speaks on the new iPad Mini during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(46 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook holds the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(47 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook holds the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(48 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Attendees gather at an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(49 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Attendees gather at an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(50 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(51 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(52 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant is expected to announce its new iPad 5, iPad mini 2, OS X Mavericks and possibly a new retina MacBook Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Apple employee shows off the new iPad Air at a satellite launch event in central London on October 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Apple employee shows off the new iPad Air at a satellite launch event in central London on October 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An Apple employee shows off the new iPad Air at a satellite launch event in central London on October 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO/CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Apple Unveils New Versions Of Popular iPad(56 of56)
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 22: Apple CEO Tim Cook holds the new iPad Air during an Apple announcement at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The tech giant announced its new iPad Air, a new iPad mini with Retina display, OS X Mavericks and highlighted its Mac Pro. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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