Print this article

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Schiller, speaks about the low start price for the new iPad in San Francisco on March 7, 2012.

US-based Get Ahead reader Rangaprabhu Parthasarthy gives a lowdown on what's new in the 'new iPad' launched in San Francisco on March 7, 2012.

The next generation iPad was launched in San Francisco on March 7, 2012. This is a significant upgrade to the already bestselling iPad 2 and by far the most compelling tablet in the market today.

While retaining the same price as its predecessor, the new iPad offers a significant step-up to the older model with a bunch of hardware updates.

Here are the key new features in the new iPad.

Is this what you expected of the New iPad? Discuss the hits and misses of the New iPad on the message board below.

Click here for Rediff RealTime News on the New iPad

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

1. Retina Display

This may be the most important and in-your-face change at first glance on the new iPad. The screen resolution of the tablet has been bumped up significantly to 2048 x 1536. With the 9.7-inch display, that sizes up to a massive 3.1 million total pixels at 264 ppi.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

What this means is that the new iPad will have by far the best tablet display in the market and one that literally pops. Given the added 40 per cent colour saturation, the screen will be sharper, brighter and richer.

This alone will make using it a highly pleasurable experience.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

2. Upgraded processor

The iPad2 uses a dual core A5 chip and the new iPad utilises a quad-core chip for graphics (GPU) while continuing to use a dual-core CPU. Why does this matter?

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

For normal applications, this will mean nothing given how fluid they are with the iPad2. But for games and other graphics intensive applications like the newly announced version of iMovie or Autodesk Sketchbook Pro or Adobe Photoshop Touch, this will mean a significant performance improvement.

Games are already the largest segment of downloaded apps in the AppStore. This trend will continue with a much more capable processor that will enable more higher end games that start to compete with handheld consoles and heck, even the PS3 and XBOX360 soon.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

3. Better camera with 1080P video recording

One of the few complaints on the iPad2 was its lousy rear camera. For a company that has had excellent cameras on its iMac/Macbooks and fantastic optics on its iPhone line, the iPad2 camera was a big disappointment.

The new iPad boasts of what they call the iSight camera.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

This 5MP shooter has an excellent sensor akin to the one on the iPhone 4S. This camera can shoot 1080P videos which will now make it a ubiquitous device for tourists to carry.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

4. LTE, HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA

The previous generation iPad supported HSDPA 7.2 Mbps on worldwide 3G networks. With the new iPad, Apple reaches further and is offering LTE support for up to 73 Mbps and DC-HSDPA support for 42 Mbps peak and HSPA+ throughput for 21 Mbps.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

In countries where any or one of these networks are deployed, there should be a significant bump up in browsing speeds. The cellular enabled model comes at a significant premium of course $130 extra (appropriate premium around the world) on top of the equivalent Wi-Fi model. For travellers and business users, the faster network support should be a welcome change.

In addition to these major upgrades, there are some minor upgrades.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

Bluetooth 4.0 is now supported on the iPad. While most peripherals are currently using Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, as newer peripherals arrive, 4.0 will become the standard.

Given the battery hogging nature of the LTE radio, it is assumed that Apple has a larger capacity battery under the hood. This results in a slightly thicker profile (0.37 inches vs 0.34 inches for iPad2) and an additional heft (662 grams vs 601 grams). But this should be almost imperceptible.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming

PIX: FOUR new features of the BRAND NEW iPad

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 11:58 IST

The biggest announcement was probably the least noticed one. The iPad 2 will continue to be sold for a new price of $399 (appropriately lower cost in the rest of the world). This is a very big deal.

Most of the high-end Android tablets currently being sold are competing with the iPad 2 on price. With this one move, Apple has effectively moved into their turf with a far more compelling product with an App rich eco-system.

This will also set a challenge for the yet to be launched Windows 8 tablets in terms of pricing and market positioning.

In all, the new iPad will continue to keep Apple at the top of the tablet market while the iPad 2 will make further inroads with the lower pricing.

Also Read: Get Ahead Gadgets and Gaming