New Apple iPad Unveiled With New Flavors

March 8, 2012

Apple launched its latest version of the iPad on Wednesday. Apple gave the new iPad a bunch of new features but no new name. New iPad is armed with a full HD display with 3.1 million pixels and a supercharged new processor. The tablet will be powered by a super fast quad core A5x chip that acts as the brains of the device , putting Apple’s tablet ahead of competitors such as Samsung. It will also offer a high speed 4G LTE network connection on both the AT & T and Verizon wireless networks in US.

The new features mean the tablet computer will be slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad 2, because it needs a larger battery to power the high-resolution screen. The battery life of the new model remains the same: about 10 hours of use. Apple says the battery capacity is 70 % higher than for the old model, which suggests that it could have kept the old screen and extended the battery life to 17 hours instead of upgrading the screen resolution.

The new iPad will be 9.4 mm thick (0.37″ inches). That compares with 8.8 mm (0.34″ inches), for the iPad 2. The weight is going up from 1.33 pounds to 1.44 pounds for the Wi-Fi only model. The original iPad weighed 1.5 pounds.

The screen, a larger version of the screen in iPhone 4S, is sharper than most 40″ inch HD televisions. Apple claims that the screen resolution is so sharp that words on screen are sharper than words in print. The new screen can also show deeper and more vibrant colors than previous models, Apple said. The new iPad also offers a 5 megapixel iSight camera which can record video in full HD. Apple showed off new apps, including new versions of it’s iWork apps such as iPhoto. Many apps showed off the power of the new tablet – for instance editing 14 megapixel digital photos in full size on screen.

Prices aren’t changing from the previous models. They will start at $499. Versions capable of accessing cellular networks will cost $629 to $829 :

Wi-Fi only, 16 GB – $499

Wi-Fi only, 32 GB – $599

Wi-Fi only, 64 GB – $699

Wi-Fi and 4G cellular connection, 16 GB – $629 (separate models for AT&T and Verizon Wireless networks)

Wi-Fi and 4G cellular connection, 32 GB – $729 (separate models for AT&T and Verizon Wireless networks)

Wi-Fi and 4G cellular connection, 64 GB – $829 (separate models for AT&T and Verizon Wireless networks)

The prices are the same as the iPad 2’s at launch. On Wednesday, 7th March, 2012, Apple said it is cutting the older version’s prices by $100. It will cost $399 for the basic W-Fi model and $529 with cellular connection on the older 3G network. Both versions have 16 GB of storage.

Pre-orders begin Wednesday. It will go on sale on March 16, 2012 in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the U.S. Virgin Islands. And As usual, India launch is not announced yet.

The lack of a new name could cause confusion for buyers, particularly since the older model, the “iPad 2”, will still be sold. But the naming practice is consistent with Apple’s practices for the iPod. New models have been simply called “iPod”, Consumers are left to figure out which generation of the product they are looking for.