Apple has updated its iPad tablet, introducing a faster processor, better camera, 4G connectivity and Retina display.
However the much-rumoured addition of Siri and haptic technology were nowhere to be seen. Additionally while much of the lead-up coverage has focused on the name, such as iPad 3, HD, 4G or LTE, Apple simply referred to it as "the new iPad" throughout the launch event.
Retina display, introduced on the iPhone 4, packs four times as many pixels onto the screen than the iPad 2, offering 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. It total it delivers 3.1 million pixels, which CEO Time Cook said is even more than HDTV offers.
The new iPad features the new A5X chip with quad-core graphics, double the graphics performance of the older A5 chip.
From a connectivity point of view, as expected the devices supports 4G, delivering speeds of up to 73Mbps over LTE and 42Mbps over HSPA+. However the 4G feature is redundant for UK iPad lovers, at least for the next year or so.
Battery performance should be the same as on the iPad 2, Apple says, which considering the more battery-draining features is quite an impressive claim. Users should get nine hours over 4G and ten on Wi-Fi.
The camera has also been upgraded; the rear-facing camera now is now 5-megapixels and offers improved performance in low-level conditions, Apple said. Auto-focus is now built-in, as is face detection software. It can also shoot film in HD. The new built-in Photo app lets users edit photos on the device.
As mentioned, Siri doesn’t make an appearance yet but the new iPad does feature dictation software for dictating emails, searching the web and so on. It also works in third party apps such as Facebook and Twitter.
Also announced was a new operating system, iOS 5.1. Included in the update is a redesigned camera app with video stabilisation technology and the ability to delete photos from Photo Stream.
At the launch event CEO Tim Cook said Apple is leading the way in the post-PC world, with its iPad, iPhone and iPods making up over 75% of the company’s revenue. Cook also noted that in the last quarter Apple sold more iPads than any PC maker sold PCs.
Prices will be at the same level as the iPad 2. The Wi-Fi only models will cost $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32GB one and $699 for the 64GB version. The 4G version will cost $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB model. It is available on pre-order now with a shipping date of March 16.
The older iPad 2 will remain on sale at a reduced price, Apple said.
