Apple vs. Google

Apple Inc. is going head-to-head with Google in

education, a market the iPhone maker helped pioneer

but has let languish.

For the first time in several years, Apple released

hardware specific to education: a new iPad that squares

up against Google’s cheap Chromebook laptops, which

have become popular in schools. Apple also introduced

a new education service called Schoolwork, which will

compete with Google’s Classroom software.

The new iPad has a 9.7 inch screen and costs $299 for

students and schools, and $329 for other users. It supports

the Apple Pencil accessory, a first for a non-Pro iPad model.

New versions of its iWork productivity apps will work with

the stylus, which costs $89 for students, $10 below the

regular price.

Apple executive Greg Joswiak called the new iPad "faster

than virtually any Chromebook," during an event at a

Chicago school on Tuesday. This was the first time Apple

held a product launch geared toward education since 2012

when it unveiled a tool for designing e-books for the iPad.

Yesterday, ahead of Apple’s announcement, Google and

partner AsusTek Computer Inc. announced a $329 tablet

powered by the same Chrome operating system that runs

Chromebooks. Most non-Apple tablets run Google’s Android

mobile operating system.