Update: It looks like the name of the iPad will simply be the “New iPad” not iPad 3.
The Wi-Fi + 4G model will operate on the following frequencies: LTE (700, 2100 MHz); UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Apple has today announced its new iPad 3, which comes packing a new high-resolution Retina display. The new high resolution display runs at 2048×1536 at a pixel density of 264PPI. That’s 3.1M total pixels. The new display is powered by a quad-core A5X processor with improved graphics capabilities.
The new iPad also has quad-core LTE 4G capabilities, allowing for much faster network access and download speeds. The new chip is dual-mode and includes 3G HSPA+ for up to 21Mbps, and dual-carrier HSDPA for up to 42Mbps. In a very nice new addition, the iPad 3 can also act as a 4G hotspot. It maintains the current 10 hour battery life with 9 hours on 4G. It’s 9.4mm thick.
There is also a brand new feature in the iPad, an iSight camera on the front and a new rear camera that runs at 5MP, with a backside illuminated sensor, 5 element lens and a hybrid IR filter. It looks to be the same camera equipment shipped in the iPhone 4S, aside from the slightly lower resolution sensor. This allows the new iPad to record HD movies at 1080p.
The device ships with iOS 5.1, the latest version of Apple’s software. It will be available today for all users of iOS devices and comes with new Siri support for Japanese users, which will roll out over the next few weeks.
Apple’s voice dictation feature is coming to the new iPad as well. This is not the Siri assistant feature, but it will allow for live transcription of your voice.
Apple also announced an upgrade to its ‘iTunes in the Cloud’ product, which now supports seamlessly streaming purchased movies to all iOS devices. These movies will be available in 1080P, which is an upgrade.
The new version of the Apple TV also supports 1080P and comes with a newly designed interface that is heavily reminiscent of iOS. It will still run $99 and will be available beginning next week.
Apple’s Tim Cook spoke about a “post-PC world” where PCs are “no longer the center of your digital world. The devices you use the most are more portable, more personal, and dramatically easier to use than any PC has ever been. The iPad is reinventing personal computing.”
The new iPad is priced at $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. And $629, $729, and $829 for 4G. Initial LTE partners include Telus, Rogers, Bell, Verizon and AT&T. We also hope some global SIM providers will be added to the 4G list sometime in the near future.
Get ready to snatch up the new iPad on March 16!
Photo credit: Engadget and gdgt