[dont__panic]

The old 9th gen iPad still had a home button, fun colors, and a totally square screen. This update removes the home button, brings rounded display corners and colors and a new processor. And brings the non-Mini, non-Pro iPad into the same design language as the iPhone and the Mini/Pro iPads.

There might still be a fingerprint sensor in the lock button, though.

[ASalazarMX]

These small changes are "big news" because the iPad is not (yet) a fashion statement, unlike the iPhone, who suffers enough small changes each iteration so your peers can guess what model you have and how cool you are.

I don't know if it's common, but I associate iPads with small kids, and maybe Apple wants to change that perception.

[saagarjha]

The 9th generation iPad comes in two colors, Silver and Space Gray.

[dont__panic]

oof, sorry -- I meant to say "not fun colors" and somehow chopped off the "not".

[ihuman]

Yes, they moved the fingerprint sensor to the lock bottom on top