New iPad Announced

iPad 3 Features

• Amazing Display – the new Retina display features 2048×1536 resolution, which according to Apple, provides 44% great color saturation and 3.1 million more pixels – which is 4 times the number of pixels in the iPad 2. It also has a 1,000,000 more pixels more than today’s HDTV.

• A5X chip with Quad-Core Graphics – this faster processor makes high-definition games and movies flow smoother.

• Long Battery Life – still can deliver 10 hours of battery life even with the extra processing powers.

• 5 MP Camera – with a backside illumination sensor to capture a great picture despite the lighting, auto focu, and built-in face detection for up to 10 faces.

• 1080 HD Video Camera –  includes automatic video stabilization.

• 4G LTE Cellular – the 4G LTE iPad 3 version allows you to obtain the fastest speeds available by mobile cellular through Verizon or AT&T.   It can also support GSM/UMTS so traveling worldwide and getting a signal is now more possible.

• Personal Hotspot – you can now share your data connection (if your mobile carrier supports it) with up to 5 devices over Wi-
  Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.

• Dictation – dictation is now included on the onscreen keyboard.  Use it to send a text, write an e-mail, search the web, etc.  It also works third-party apps so you can update your Facebook status or twitter account.

Size

Pricing

Wi-Fi

• $499 16GB
• $599 32GB
• $699 64GB

Wi-Fi + 4G  (through AT&T and Verizon)

• $629 16GB
• $729 32GB
• $829 64GB

Now the big question…

Should You Upgrade to the New iPad?

If you have the original iPad, the answer is easy, yes.  You should upgrade – having a camera/video camera is definitely needed on an iPad – there is so much you can do with it.

If you have already invested $450+ into the iPad 2, is it worth it to shell out the same amount plus $100 more for the new iPad?  This is a tough one.  If  you are a heavy gamer or take most of your pictures and video with the iPad, then it might be a wise investment.  The quad-core processor sounds fantastic, but looking at my own use of the iPad 2, I typically have anywhere from 9-25 apps open at one time and I have not noticed any degradation or slowness as a result.  I have shot video with all of these other apps on and the current processor works fine.

I do use the iPad 2 camera extensively and right from the start I was highly disappointed in its low resolution quality.  The new iPad sports a 5 mp camera, which is a huge advance in quality, but less graphically accurate than most cameras today which sport 8mp to 20mp.  The higher the mp resolution, the better picture you obtain when you blow your pictures up to 8×10 + picture prints.

If you travel a lot, being able to use the hotspot feature to connect your kids’ iPod Touches would be great, assuming you bought the 4G LTE iPad version.  This is a great feature.  According to the Apple website, they suggest you can connect your iPods, iPads, iPhones, and Mac Airs.  So I’m guessing connecting other non-Apple devices won’t work.

From a Mom’s Perspective, honestly, although I would LOVE to have the new iPad, but it’s not worth the extra $500+ to have it.  I will watch from the sidelines and look forward to next year’s announcement.  In the Apple presentation today, they announced the great improvements of Garage Band, iMovie, and the new iPhoto.  These apps area great and work terrifically on the new iPad.  But, the truth be known, they also work on your current iPad – perhaps not as swiftly – but they work.  In fact, all of the 20,000 iPad apps will.  So I don’t think we’ll be missing out on too much.  Want some more facts, see Apple’s Compare iPad Models chart for more specifics.

See the official new iPad video trailer to see for yourself Apple’s newest star: