Oct 15 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) 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

artificial-intelligence capabilities.

The new iPad mini is powered by Apple's ( AAPL ) A17 Pro chip, which

is used in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. With a six-core

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, Apple's ( AAPL ) AI software.

Apple ( AAPL ) 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 ( AAPL ) said, adding it will roll out

additional features including image-generation tools, Genmoji

and ChatGPT-powered capabilities over the next several months.

Apple ( AAPL ) in September unveiled its long-awaited, AI-boosted

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 Apple's ( AAPL ) sales in the fourth quarter and drive

momentum into the first half of 2025, after Apple ( AAPL ) reached a

record high third-quarter shipments.

The iPad mini, starting at $499, is available for pre-orders

starting on Tuesday and will begin arriving to customers and

Apple ( AAPL ) store locations next week, Apple ( AAPL ) said.