Apple dispelled the many iPad 3 rumors today, with the announcement of the iPad HD.
If you want to get technical, Apple is just calling its latest tablet the iPad. But what's in a name? It's what's on the inside that really counts.
A few of the highlights on the third-gen iPad include a new Retina display, Apple's A5X chip with quad-core graphics, and a 5-megapixel iSight camera. That camera promises stunning images as well as 1080p video.
That Retina display is a big deal, promising four times the pixels of the iPad 2. Apple says that this will create incredibly sharp, realistic web pages, text, images and video. Boasting a whopping 3.1 million pixels, the Retina display has more than one million more pixels than an HDTV and promises 44 percent increased color saturation. It also means that you can play back movies at a full 1080p HD resolution.
"The new iPad redefines the category Apple created less than two years ago, delivering the most amazing experience people have ever had with technology," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing. "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."
The A5X chip with quad-core graphics is an Apple exclusive, promising double the eye candy of the A5 and a fast, responsive user experience. Of course, it pairs up nicely with the Retina display as well as the Multi-Touch interface, which makes gaming quite the eye-popping party as well.
Other features include the iOS 5.1 operating system, a redesigned Camera app with video stabilization technology, iCloud support, a 10-hour battery life, and support for dictation.
Yes, Siri won't make an appearance on this one, but there will be a dictation feature. That means that the new iPad is a good listener -- if you tap the microphone icon first. Tap done and the iPad will convert your words into text.
With both WiFi and 4G, the new iPad will be the envy of all of the non-iPad users (as well as the ones with an older iPad model). The iPad Wi-Fi + 4G version includes built-in next-gen 4G LTE, which includes HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA support. It also means that CDMA and GSM can roam internationally and still get an iPad fix. If your data plan permits, the new iPad can also be used as a personal hotspot, providing a connection for up to five other devices using WiFi, Bluetooth or USB.
Apple expects to start selling the iPad Wi-Fi models on Friday, March 16, so you'd better line up now if you want your choice of black or white. Expect the 16GB model to go for $499, with the 32GB costing $599 and a 64GB model priced at $699. The iPad Wi-Fi + 4G will be available to AT&T and Verizon customers in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions as well. The MSRPs on those will be $629, $729 and $829, respectively.
If you're still clamoring for any iPad, Apple also announced plans to drop the price on the iPad 2. The 16GB Wi-Fi model will now be priced at $399, with the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G version going for $529.
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