The iPad HD: New Features

Sometime this year, Apple will be releasing their 3rd generation of the iPad (basically just to asphyxiate all of the new tablet competition and makes billions of dollars of course). Do you need it? Well, in my opinion I believe that a lot of us don't need a bigger more enhanced smartphone nowadays unless it's for business purposes. I mean if you have to the money to support this bad habit of yours then to each it's own. It will only cost you $499-829 roughly which is the same price as the most recent one. If you have the older model, you probably want to keep it in your possession and stop wasting your money on a redundant upgraded model when they allow you to download the new software. Now that I'm done ranting, here are the new features that matter thanks to mashable.com.

Retina Display

The most touted feature of the new iPad is its ultra-high-resolution retina display, which clocks in at 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, a million more pixels than a 1080p HDTV. Thanks to the extra pixels and the iPad's new graphics processor, the screen has 44% better color saturation. The screen's pixels are so small, Apple says it had to change the design of the LCD itself to elevate the pixels above the circuitry to prevent distortion. Apple calls it the best display ever made for a mobile device, and from the specs, it's hard to disagree.

A5X Processor

To drive those millions of pixels in the retina display with the same fluidity of previous iPads, the new model features an upgraded processor, called the A5X. It's a dual-core processor, though it features quad-core graphics. Full specs aren't known yet, but benchmarks and teardowns revealed the previous A5 chip (found in the iPhone 4S and iPad 2) was a 1GHz processor. The new one is likely somewhere between 1 and 1.5 GHz.

iSight Camera

Apple upgraded the iPad's camera to capture 5-megapixel still pictures and 1080p video (at 30 frames per second), though that's still less than the iPhone 4S's 8MP camera. However, megapixels aren't the most important thing about a camera. The backside-illuminated sensor, large f/2.4 aperture and automatic image stabilization will improve the quality of your photos and videos, especially in low light. However, the front-facing camera got no love, remaining at VGA resolution.

LTE Models

Apple now offers different models of the iPad that can connect to the 4G LTE networks of both AT&T and Verizon. Since the two carriers use different bands for LTE, the models aren't identical, so don't think you'll be able to switch at will. The pricing plans vary, too, but both carriers offer it month-to-month no contracts. Either LTE model offers connection to 3G networks when you take your iPad abroad, though a feature previously limited to the AT&T version.

Dictation 

There's no Siri on board the new iPad (womp womp womp) but Apple added a dictation option, accessible via a dedicated button on the virtual keyboard. You can use the new dictation feature to send a text message, search the web or write a note. Apple says it'll even work with third-party apps, letting you tweet or post to Facebook just by speaking.

AirPlay Video Streaming at 1080p 

Apple upgraded the iPad's ability to use AirPlay streaming that is, transmitting video to the Apple TV wirelessly to 1080p. That makes complete sense, since the Apple TV just got an upgrade to 1080p. This doesn't appear to be complete mirroring, however, since Apple specifies that "AirPlay Mirroring" is only done at 720p (as opposed to "AirPlay video streaming"). Both the iPad and the iPad 2 will mirror to the new Apple TV at 1080p resolution over a hard-wire connection.

Bluetooth 4.0

Upgrading the iPad to Bluetooth 4.0 is helpful in a number of ways. Thanks to its ability to work with the newer low-power Bluetooth devices, it'll allow accessory manufacturers to build things like keyboards that you won't need to recharge for months or even years. Bluetooth 4.0 will also let the iPad interact with wearable devices like medical sensors, gathering data like heartbeat or blood sugar level and relaying it to medical personnel when needed.

Much Bigger Battery

All these great new features (especially the retina display) demand more power, yet the new iPad has the exact same battery life as the previous model. That's because it has a brand-new battery, rated at 42.5 watt-hours, almost double the previous model's 25 watt-hours. It appears, though, Apple hasn't had a breakthrough in battery storage, since leaks prior to the event showed the battery is simply physically much larger.

Thicker Design 

Because of all the new radios, layers and gizmos in the latest iPad, it's actually bigger than before. The new iPad is 0.37 inches thick, or 0.03 inches thicker than the iPad 2, which was 0.34 inches. It's heavier, too: 1.44 pounds to 1.33 before. The bigger design apparently doesn't affect Smart Covers, and it's still smaller than the first iPad, which was 0.5 inches thick and 1.5 pounds. Still, the heftier new iPad is interesting proof that Apple will compromise on design for performance albeit only slightly.

These were all of the features that matter and in my opinion (once again), there's nothing alluring about it other than the better resolution. iPads/iPhones/iPods are n-word technology (even though I own an iPhone and owned an iPad 1) as the boondocks would say. It's like new Jordans but to white people. If money isn't a problem, then go ahead but I can find 3 million better ways to spend $499-829. Stop following the trend.   

Thanks, Management