It’s finally (almost) here! Apple CEO Tim Cook and company took the stage today to announce Apple’s latest and greatest iPad – called…the new iPad! The new device features a super fast (quad-core A5X) processor, a high-res Retina display, improved cameras, and more!
There’s no doubt about it – this is a solid upgrade to the iPad line! Here’s what you can expect from Apple’s new device:
Fast New Quad Core A5X Chip
Apple has included a fantastic new custom chip in the new iPad, allowing for incredible new gaming and creativity apps. The A5X quad core graphics. Compared to a Tegra 3 chip, Apple says it is “four times the performance”
Retina Display
Do you like reading on your iPad? How about gaming, or viewing photos? Thanks to the incredible new Retina display packed into Apple’s latest iPad, you’ll be able to enjoy these experiences even more! Text will look crisper and sharper, games will look absolutely phenomenal (all without rewriting apps, but once developers update them with enhanced graphics, the results should be mind blowing), and your photos will look so sharp and crisp you’ll swear they aren’t photos at all! The display is 2048 X 1536 resolution (3.1 million pixels.) with 40% Better Color Saturation.
Improved Front and Rear Cameras
Speaking of photos, Apple has vastly improved both the front and rear cameras on the iPad – A iSight front-facing camera for chatting with your friends through FaceTime or Skype, and an improved 5MP camera on the back for snapping photos or capturing 1080p video! The back facing camera includes a 5-element lens, IR filter, and has ISP built into the A5X chip. The 1080p video recording, includes software stabiliazation.
4G LTE Support
Those of you that use your iPad on the go with mobile data will now be able to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds up to 10 times faster that the 3G speeds supported by the original iPad and the iPad 2 – although you’ll need an LTE data plan to take advantage. Unfortunately, LTE support is currently only available in the U.S. Specs: 4G LTE. 21Mbps HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA at 42Mbps, with LTE taking the prize at 73Mbps. It is 3G world-ready, “Whichever one you pick you can roam anywhere around the world.” It also offers personal hotspot to those whose carriers allow it.
Voice Dictation
Tired of having to type everything into your iPad? Not anymore! Apple has now included Voice Dictation in the iPad, enabling you to speak your emails, tweets, and notes, saving your fingers for more important tasks (or finally allowing them to rest!)
Price and Availability
The iPad 3 will be available in 16GB, 32Gb, and 64GB capacities, and will be available at the Apple Retail Store and other retail locations starting on March 16th. Pre-orders begin today!
WiFi-Only Models
- 16GB: $499
- 32GB: $599
- 64GB: $699
WiFi + 4G Models
- 16GB: $629
- 32GB: $729
- 64GB: $829
So, are you planning on getting one? Personally, my wallet is already sobbing in anticipation!
