iPad Air 2 release date imminent as trade-ins begin in UK, France, Spain and Germany

iPad Air 2 release date may come anytime soon as Apple trade-in programs commenced in UK, France, Germany and Spain.

According to the latest report of 9to5 Mac, iPad trade-in program has expanded in some parts of Europe after it was launched in US and Canada last month. The program is reportedly accepting iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, and iPad mini for trade-in value if consumers wanted to avail a new iOS device. However, similar in US and Canada, Apple Stores in Europe do not allow customers to trade-in the current iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina display.

Just like with the iPhones, the trade-in values will be determined by the Apple Store employees using their system and criteria. The trade-in price will vary depending on the condition of the device. Customers will be able to use the credit to purchase new iOS devices.

Meanwhile, iPad Air 2 was speculated to pack iOS 8 that was rumored to come with new functions and features. One of the possible features of the new iOS is the split-screen multitasking in mobile devices. This will allow users to make use of two applications at once.

Also, the iPad Air 2 will also pack a TouchID fingerprint sensor that was first seen in iPhone 5S but skipped the iPad Air. Lastly, the tablet was rumored to be powered by the next generation A8 processor with 64-bit architecture, which promised faster performance. There were also hearsays that the tablet will pack Intel processors.

iPad Air 2 release date was rumored to arrive in its usual launch window in October. According to KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo, Apple is prioritizing the iPad Air 2 compared to other iPads.

"Compared with lower-margin iPad mini with Retina display, which shipments has been tepid, higher-margin iPad Air was a hot selling item in 4Q13, which will slow Apple in developing new iPad mini models," she said.

"We believe Apple plans to launch upgraded iPad Air early this year, and will accelerate development of 12.9″ iPad," she added.