Apple announces the third-generation tablet device officially known as the
"New iPad" at an event in San Francisco. It isn't called the iPad 3, or even the iPad HD, like many people thought. Third generation is technically
iPad 3 but it is Apple’s choice, it could be their marketing strategy. So when you order one, you have to refer to it as the
New iPad, or third generation iPad, or iPad 2012.
What's new with the NEW IPAD (2012)
Retina Display
The Latest iPad's screen resolution is now 2,048 x 1,536 pixels with 3.1 million pixels that exceeds any current tablet or laptop a high resolution. That’s four (4) times the resolution of the iPad 2 and first generation iPad. The new iPad is now capable of playing full-HD1080p movies.
A5X Processor
Apple chose to use A5X instead of an A6 processor on the new iPad, A5X is a new processor that has double the performance of the A5 chip on the iPad 2. The A5X chip is a dual-core processor and has a quad-core graphics chip. This is really great for gaming and playing media files.
According to Apple, the A5X is Four (4) times faster than the quad-core Tegra 3 processor from NVidia.
Camera
An improved five (5) megapixel camera, similar to what's found in the iPhone 4S, which can also shoot video in 1080p high definition. The camera on the new iPad is almost similar to the one on the iPhone 4S, except for the lower resolution. The iSight camera uses backside illumination, making low-light shots possible and a video image stabilization feature that should make the videos smoother.
HSPA+, LTE Connectivity
The new iPad has an LTE connectivity, but this feature will only be available in the US and Canada. The LTE version is called iPad Wi-Fi + 4G and it offers 4G LTE with support for HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA. Both CDMA and GSM iPad users now have the ability to easily roam internationally. Apple was even kind enough to include tethering options, making the new iPad a Personal Hotspot just like the iPhone 4S. It allows connection of up to 5 other devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.
iOS 5.1
The new iPad runs iOS 5.1, the newest OS version from Apple. iOS 5.1 bring with it a few enhancements including the afore-mentioned redesigned Camera app with video stabilization technology; the ability to delete photos from Photo Stream; support for dictation in English, French, German and Japanese; Personal Hotspot; improved iCloud features.
The new iPad also supports dictation, Google style. Instead of typing on the keyboard, you can use a dictation app. There will be a microphone icon on the keyboard which you tap if you want voice dictation instead of typing.
Pricing and Availability
In the US the new iPad will be available starting March 16 and will be priced at $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB model and $699 for the 64GB model. The iPad Wi-Fi + 4G for either AT&T or Verizon will be available for $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model.
The price of the new iPad has essentially not changed from the iPad 2, which will now be slashed to $399 for the 16GBWi-Fi model and just $529 for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model.
IPAD 2 vs NEW IPAD Comparison
| Display |
9.7-inch
LED-backlit IPS LCD |
9.7-inch
LED-backlit IPS LCD |
| Resolution |
1024 x 768 |
2048 x 1536 "Retina Display" |
| CPU |
1GHz dual-core Apple A5 |
dual-core Apple A5X |
| Graphics |
PowerVR SGX 543MP2 |
TBA (but "Quad-Core," our first guess a PowerVR SGX MP4+) |
| Memory |
512MB RAM |
TBA |
| Storage |
16GB / 32GB / 64GB |
16GB / 32GB / 64GB |
| Front Camera |
VGA (640 x 480) |
VGA (640 x 480) |
| Rear Camera |
0.7-megapixel, fixed focus |
5-megapixel, autofocus |
| Cellular |
EDGE plus Quadband HSPA or CDMA EV-Do Rev.A (Verizon) |
"World-Ready" 3G, HSPA+, DC-HSPA, 4G LTE (AT&T, Verizon) |
| WiFi |
802.11 a/b/g/n |
802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth |
2.1 + EDR |
4.0 |
| Accelerometer |
3-axis |
3-axis |
| Gyroscope |
3-axis |
3-axis |
| Thickness |
0.34-inch (8.8mm) |
0.37-inch (9.4mm) |
| Weight (WiFi) |
1.33 pounds (601 grams) |
1.44 pounds (652 grams) |
| Weight (3G / LTE) |
AT&T 1.35 pounds (613 grams)
Verizon 1.34 pounds (607 grams) |
1.46 pounds (662 grams) |
| Battery Life |
25-watt-hour lithium polymer (rated 10 Hours) |
42.5-watt-hour lithium polymer
(rated 10 hours / 9 on 4G) |
| Ports |
30-pin dock, 3.5mm headphone |
30-pin dock, 3.5mm headphone |
| Location (WiFi) |
WiFi, Digital Compass |
WiFi, Digital Compass |
| Location (3G / LTE) |
aGPS, 3G, Digital Compass, WiFi |
aGPS, 3G, 4G, Digital Compass, WiFi |
