A HD screen that’s better than HD, the third-generation iPad is simply eye-popping
According to Apple, its latest iPad is ‘resolutionary’. We’ve no idea what that means; we do know it’s the best-looking tablet we’ve ever seen, quite literally. Using the same ‘Retina’ technology as its iPhone 4, the 9.7-inch screen has a 2048×1536 pixel resolution. Full HD TVs top out at 1920×1080 and the leading Android tablets – Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs and the Asus Transformer Prime, come in at 1280×800. In plain English, the experience shift is akin to laser-eye surgery – text becomes pin-sharp, videos and photos are incredibly detailed and the whole viewing experience is much easier on the eye compared to other ‘backlit’ tablets, including Apple’s previous iPads. There’s better colour contrast, too.
Where design is concerned, comparisons to the iPad 2 are also clear. The new iPad looks identical apart from slighter bigger rear-camera optics, an almost unperceivable 0.6mm increase in thickness and a 50g bump in weight. The main differences – apart from the screen – are under-the-bonnet upgrades. It’s faster both in graphical terms and internet speeds. An improved processing chip adds ‘quadcore’ graphics – allowing developers to create more complex-looking games, and mobile connectivity has been upgraded to allow faster web surfing. However, the latter highlights some confusion. The new iPad is ‘4G’, which is great for our US-cousins who actually have 4G networks. Unfortunately, we won’t see a proper UK 4G roll-out until next year at the earliest.
All isn’t lost, mind, the third-gen iPad can connect to a faster-than-3G network called HSPA+ – available on some providers’ networks.
As alluded to, the rear-camera’s had a resolution boost, adding 5-megapixel optics and 1080p video recording. The resulting images are better than the iPad 2’s but tablet cams are still hardly the last word in convenience; one-handed tap-to-focus is mission impossible and results remain a way off dedicated compacts, especially indoors or in overcast conditions. Arguably the front-facing VGA camera for video chat is more useful, and would have benefited more from a resolution remix.
The App Store has been key to Apple’s recent success and with this new launch comes a collection of new apps. IPhoto (£2.99) is simple and powerful enough to make basic content look professional – slide your finger to adjust skin tones, sky saturation and white balance, but dig deeper and you’ll find more professional options, two-fingers bringing up a focus-checking magnifying loupe, for example. GarageBand and iMovie have also been given upgrades, adding a multi-player ‘Jam Session’ and a clever film trailer wizard, respectively.
Apple has also added a voice dictation feature, allowing you to verbally jot down notes, emails and messages. It’s not ‘Siri’, so you can’t command the iPad to do stuff, like checking the weather or reminding you to buy eggs in the morning.
Battery life is consistent with the last iPad iteration; around nine/ten hours, and it can now be used as a ‘Personal Hotspot’, allowing your phone and other devices to use its internet connection.
So, the new iPad is an improved version of the best tablet on the market. However, the bump in screen resolution will also mean a sizeable bump in app and movie sizes. Without a serious boost to storage – 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb versions continue to be the only models offered – the iPad could get filled up pretty quick. Prices start at £399, with the older iPad 2 now reduced to £329.
Where design is concerned, comparisons to the iPad 2 are also clear. The new iPad looks identical apart from slighter bigger rear-camera optics, an almost unperceivable 0.6mm increase in thickness and a 50g bump in weight. The main differences – apart from the screen – are under-the-bonnet upgrades. It’s faster both in graphical terms and internet speeds. An improved processing chip adds ‘quadcore’ graphics – allowing developers to create more complex-looking games, and mobile connectivity has been upgraded to allow faster web surfing. However, the latter highlights some confusion. The new iPad is ‘4G’, which is great for our US-cousins who actually have 4G networks. Unfortunately, we won’t see a proper UK 4G roll-out until next year at the earliest.
The App Store has been key to Apple’s recent success and with this new launch comes a collection of new apps. IPhoto (£2.99) is simple and powerful enough to make basic content look professional – slide your finger to adjust skin tones, sky saturation and white balance, but dig deeper and you’ll find more professional options, two-fingers bringing up a focus-checking magnifying loupe, for example. GarageBand and iMovie have also been given upgrades, adding a multi-player ‘Jam Session’ and a clever film trailer wizard, respectively.
