The New iPad : New Features & More

In this post, we will try to bring attention to features of iPad which are not very well known.

1. Retina display (Resolutionary)

Apple website calls the new iPad as Resoultionary, not revolutionary or evolutionary! This underlines that fact that the most talked about single biggest feature in the new iPad is its revolutionary retina display. The new iPad comes with a 2048-by-1536 resolution, 44 percent greater color saturation, and an astounding 3.1 million pixels — in the same 9.7-inch space as iPad 2. That’s four times the number of pixels in iPad 2 and a million more than an HDTV. Apple has gone to length in explaining the tough manufacturing process involved in making it in mass scale which is not attempted by anybody else so far.

Apple has defined Retina display as one which cannot distinguish adjacent pixels when holding the device at normal distance of usage. So at 264ppi the new iPad is going to visually stunning and top most reason to upgrade your current iPad. Imagine a holding a Tablet with resolution much higher than your 52” HD TV. So both text and photos will look gorgeous in the new iPad. This is a boon to those who are spending hours of reading in iPad.

2. A5X Processor

New iPad is powered by an A5X processor (iPad uses A5 chip) which is a dual core processor with quad core graphics engine. This extra power enables the iPad to drive the retina display and make it very responsive for touch control and instant on when we open the magic cover. Apple engineers did not sacrifice the battery life for achieving this; it still supports 10 hours of battery life by employing a 42wh battery instead of 25wh found in iPad 2.

3. iSight Camera

Apple listened to their customers and improved the camera performance. The new iPad features a 5MP rear camera and a (640X 480) VGA front camera. This time rear camera is equipped with latest optics and technology enabling it to capture good pictures and 1080P videos (iPad 2 could capture only 720p). Fronts camera is same as the old one found in iPad 2 and is meant for Face Time.

Along with iOS 5.1 Apple has ported iPhoto apps from MAC world to iPad. It is a good start for editing your photos and making albums without leaving iPad. Even iMovie is updated to take care of the new retina display.

4. LTE + Wi-Fi

New iPad comes with 2 antennas and support for 12 radio bands. It supports 4G for AT&T model: 4G LTE (700, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and in addition CDMA EV DO Rev A for the Verizon model. So if we buy any of them it falls back to 3G in India with local SIM with the support of HSDPA 2100Mhz. LTE is more spectrum efficient compared to 3G and it supports higher speeds up to 72Mmps (21/42/ 72 mbps) theoretically but expect around 10mbps download and 5 mbps upload with a good signal. Expect LTE support in India by end of this year, Dec 2012

5. Bluetooth 4.0

New iPad comes with Bluetooth 4.0 which consumes much less power compared to 2.0 and is supposed to be the first tablet with 4.0 support (A2DP stereo, Phone Book Access Profile PBAP, Object Push Profile OPP). It enables iPad to be paired with many medical devices to monitor continuously the parameters of interest without sacrificing battery life. For comparison a heart rate monitor with Bluetooth 4.0 support can run for a year without battery change. There is a rumor that Apple plans to introduce Airplay over Bluetooth 4.0 in addition to the current Wi-Fi. If it happens it will be good news for all of us since we see many cheaper devices with Airplay support and it drains much less battery compared to Airplay over Wi-Fi.

6. iPad as a personal hotspot

Now like your iPhone, iPad also supports wireless tethering or act as personal wireless hot spot, sharing internet on iPad with 5 more devices. It can do this over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB (wired tethering) and will be handy when you are travelling.

7.Dictation

New iPad does not comes with Siri as many expected but it supports Dictation feature where you can talk to iPad while creating an article or writing a mail. Just tap the dictation microphone key and start talking to your iPad. Dictation also works with 3rd party application.

8. AirPlay Mirroring

New iPad supports 1080P Airplay and mirroring over Wi-Fi. So with new Apple TV and iPad you can play your videos and games in your large screen TV wirelessly. It supports dual screen so you can do the control in iPad and use TV as the main display. You can use this feature for presentations too. If you desire you can use your iPhone as the remote too!

9. Size and weight

New iPad is the same size as iPad 2 but little thicker and heavier too thanks to its large 45WH internal battery.

Parameter	iPad 3	iPad 2
Thickness	9.4mm	8.89m
Weight	654 gm	601gm

10. Smart cover

Smart covers for iPad 2 will fit for New iPad too.