A new hurdle for Apple will be to make iPads more attractive to businesspeople. This is crucial for Apple as it takes the wraps off new iPads today, with the tablets set to include a gold option, along with other refreshed features to the 9.7-inch (24.6-centimeter) version and the smaller iPad mini. Apple increasingly has tried to tap companies to rev up demand for iPads, its second-biggest product after the iPhone, given that sales of the devices have fallen for two consecutive quarters.

Even as consumers shift away from tablets in favor of large-screen smartphones, known as phablets, businesses remain a growth opportunity for iPads because the devices can be used as laptop replacements. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has said he is looking to enterprises to fuel iPad sales, signing a partnership with International Business Machines Corp. in July to sell to corporations so they could “be a catalyst for future iPad growth.”

Apple stole some of its own thunder before the iPad event today by briefly posting images and some details of the new tablets on the iTunes website. The company also is developing a bigger iPad, with a 12.9-inch screen to be introduced next year. The move could further appeal to business buyers looking for more capabilities in a tablet.

The new iPads follow the unveiling of larger iPhones last month, which sold more than 10 million units during their debut weekend. The phones are reaching an additional 36 countries this month, including China, India and South Korea. By the end of the month, the devices will be available in 69 countries and will be on track to be in more than 115 countries by year’s end, Apple said in a statement.

For now, iPad sales to individuals remain a key driver and having an updated gadget on store shelves ahead of the holiday shopping season is crucial for Apple. However, the list of companies already using iPads is still growing. Eli Lilly & Co. has deployed 20,000 of the tablets as part of program to replace laptops, while FedEx pilots and maintenance crews are using thousands of the devices worldwide. Time will tell whether the iPad can compete against laptops in this fast paced segment.