Apple CEO, Tim Cook, took the stage yesterday to unveil the new iPad. The tech blogs were overburdened with traffic as curiosity led the masses to see the next big thing from Apple. Corporate productivity was down significantly for a couple of hours as millions waited to see what they would splurge on next.
Most thought the name would be the iPad 3 or the iPad HD. The company stayed with simply calling it the iPad. While this may be out of character for Apple’s mobile devices, this not out of character for the company’s offerings. My MacBook Pro isn’t known as the MacBook Pro 12. It is simply known as a MacBook Pro.
So, what do we know about the new-new iPad?
- Retina display
- 2048 x 1536 resolution; 44% greater color saturation; 3.1 million pixels
- A5X processor
- Dual-core CPU; Quad-core GPU
- 5-megapixel camera on the back with full 1080p HD video recording capabilities
- 0.3 megapixel camera on the front with VGA quality
- 4G LTE models available
- No Siri, but there is voice dictation
- The price remains the same
There was some disappointment surrounding the announcement. I was included in that crowd of ho-hummers. Why? Well, let’s start with the obvious one.
Design: There was no redesign of the casing. I would have liked to see some real differentiating factors besides the internal specs and improved display. I wanted to see some design innovation like when the iPhone 4 was unveiled.
Camera: I was disappointed not to see some focus on the front-facing camera. I do not see the iPad as a camera. I see the iPad as a video conferencing tool. I would have liked to see a 5 megapixel HD front-facing camera. I find the rear camera unnecessary, but I do understand that it is expected to be there. I have heard some people make the argument that the iPad could successfully be used for filming because it could serve as such a large viewfinder. I get it, but don’t agree with it. It is just too awkward for me.
Bezel: I feel like the bezel is such wasted real estate. I would have liked to see the volume rocker integrated into the bezel somehow where you could slide up or down to adjust the volume. That goes along with my gripe about the design.
One size fits all: Really bummed about this. I would have really liked to see a 7″ version of the iPad announced. I really am not a fan of the 10″ (9.7″) form factor.
There were some things that got me excited.
Processor: No matter what the jump is in graphics and processor speeds, it is always noticeable. For you iPhone 4S owners out there, try to tolerate using an iPhone 4 for a day. You’ll notice the difference right away. Quad-core GPU… let’s do this!
Heavier and thicker: Why is this not a con? It is not a con, because the iPad 2 feels so fragile. I am glad there is a little more weight to the iPad, even if it is ever so slight.
Retina Display: How can you not get excited for this?! The iPhone 4/4S displays are absolutely gorgeous and to be able to get that display on a larger scale is absolutely awesome. The display is so clear, so vibrant and combined with the quad-core GPU, if it’s not dead already, this is the final nail in the coffin for handheld gaming devices.
So, is the new-new iPad on my wish list? Yes, but with an asterisk. If, by some act of God, there happens to be an announcement for an iPad Mini with the same or similar specs, I would jump over the moon for that model instead.
If I were to get one, which model would I get? I would get the 16 GB Wi-Fi model in black. (I am not a data hoarder.)
Is this worth an upgrade of the iPad 2? Absolutely not. The iPad 2 is still a great device and not even close to the end of its life cycle. However, if you do not own an iPad and are in the market for one, go for the newest model. You’ll be happy you did. I’ve been keeping my eye out for the new iPad since my Asus Eee Pad Transformer passed on.
So, what do you think of the new iPad? Excited? Disappointed? Indifferent? Let us know in the comments.