The new iPad launch at the Apple March 7 event finally puts all the conjectures which have been doing the rounds on the web, to rest. This third generation Apple slate comes with built-in 4G network compatibility, while its Wi-Fi version is also being made available. And similar to its predecessors, this newest kid on the block can be grabbed in variants featuring 16GB, 32GB or 64GB storage capacities.
Fitted with a reworked Retina display, the tablet boasts of four times the pixels offered by the iPad 2, that’s 2048 X 1536p at 264ppi. The improvements in the touchscreen should also ensure vibrant display of pictures along with full 1080p HD resolution video playback. As expected, the device is fueled by the quad core AX5 chipset that makes for a faster and more responsive multi-touch interface along with a long battery-life. The onboard iOS 5.1 software tags along attributes like a redesigned camera application, dictation support for languages like English, German, French and Japanese, free cloud services and a lot more.
“The new iPad redefines the category Apple created less than two years ago, delivering the most amazing experience people have ever had with technology. The new iPad now has the highest resolution display ever seen on a mobile device with 3.1 million pixels, delivering razor sharp text and unbelievable detail in photos and videos,†quoted Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
Furthermore, the iPad unveiled at the Yerba Buena Centre of Arts at San Francisco, lands armed with a 5MP iSight camera which teams up with the backside illumination to capture clear images even in poorly lit conditions. Also, the slab’s snapper has been bestowed with the image stabilization function to do away with bumps and shakes. Sharing the captured pictures and videos should not be a problem either as the tablet comes loaded with the Photos app. The fruity giant will be giving users an option to pick up the tab in either a black or a white shade.
And if that’s not enough, this latest edition of the world-ready Apple slate extends support to the 4G LTE network speed as well as HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA. It can act as a personal hotspot to share the network connection with up to 5 mobile devices via Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi. The dictation function of the new iPad helps users with writing down messages, taking notes, web browsing and is also compliant with third party applications like Facebook, Twitter and more. Additionally, applications like iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Keynote, Pages and more, which form part of iLife and iWork, have been upgraded to complement the new Retina display too.
The pricing details were also announced at Apple’s new iPad launch event. The 16GB Wi-Fi model carries a price tag of $499 (approx. Rs. 24,940), whereas the 64GB Wi-Fi + 4G build is priced at $829 (approx. Rs. 41,435). It is currently up for pre-order through the official website and will launch on March 16.
