Ipad 4

iPad 4 – Everything You Need To Know

23 October 2012 8:00 PM

Although today’s special Apple keynote in San Jose is centered around the announcement of the iPad mini, lest we forget the Retina-displaying, 9.7-inch iPad complete with all the bells and whistles. Released back in March, the 3rd-Gen Apple slab brought a host of improvements on its predecessor such as the A5X processor for quad-core graphics, and today, in line with recent changes made by Apple, a slightly-amended version of the slate, dubbed as iPad 4th-generation has been announced today.

The announcement comes straight from Senior VP, Phil Schiller at the Apple media event at California Theatre in San Jose, CA. The fourth generation iPad comes with a faster processor, better cameras, availability on more wireless carriers and a certain improved connectivity port.

Internal Hardware
The 3rd generation iPad that was announced earlier this year came with a beefed up version of the A5 processor in the iPad 2, which Apple called the “A5X”. It had quad-core graphics to support the doubled resolution, but the same general performance as the iPad 2.

This time around, Apple has introduced the A6X. Over the A5X, it has twice the general and graphical performance while maintaining the same 10 hour battery life. How much faster this is compared to the A6 chip in iPhone 5, only time (and rigorous benchmarking) will tell.

Cameras
While the rear camera is of the same impressive-for-a-tablet 5-megapixel variety, the front-facing camera is now HD much like the iPhone 5 “FaceTime HD” camera. This will reduce the disparity that was so obvious on the third-generation iPad with its higher-than-HD resolution but “VGA quality” FaceTime camera.

Lightning Connector
The fourth-generation iPad also comes with the new Lightning connector; finally sealing the new connector’s position in Apple’s family of mobile personal computing devices. It’s slimmer and better designed, but it breaks compatibility with previous accessories like speakers, docks etc.. You’ll have to buy a Lightning to 30-pin connector cable separately to use them with the new, new iPad.

Connectivity
Besides the usual suspects – AT&T and Verizon – Apple has confirmed that Sprint will also be carrying the fourth generation iPad with support for its LTE network. Wi-Fi technology has also been further advanced, with support for 2.4GHz / 5GHz frequencies and channel bonding.

Pricing And Availability
You can buy it in black or white, in 16GB ($499), 32GB ($599) and 64GB ($699) configurations for Wi-Fi-only models. You can also get the 4G LTE model for the respective storage configuration by paying the usual $130 on top.

Apple unveils iPad mini + Shocks everyone with iPad 4

23 October 2012 7:33 PM

Apple has unexpectedly revealed a fourth generation iPad, called, well the iPad 4.

Featuring an upgraded A6X CPU, Apple claims the iPad 4’s new processor will double both the CPU performance and the graphics performance of the previous A5X CPU used in the third generation new iPad.

Though the shell is the same size as its predecessor, the iPad 4 is more energy efficient, boasting 10 hours of continuous battery life.

Apple has also included its new Lightning port, a Retina Display and two times as fast Wi-Fi as previous iPad models, while the camera has also been tweaked for a better performance.

Apple has also announced the iPad 4 will be LTE compatible, and noticeably in the background of Apple’s San Jose presentation was the Everything Everywhere logo, suggesting the UK will be able to enjoy faster network speeds when the iPad 4 arrives here in Blighty.

A Wi-Fi only 16GB version of the iPad 4 will cost you $499 (£313), while a Wi-Fi and cellular version 16GB version will set you back $629 (£395). Both variants are available in black and white.

Apple has introduced an iPad Mini. The new pencil-thin (7.2mm) iPad mini comes a mere half-year after the third generation iPad was introduced. Apple says it is as light as a pad of paper.

All software that runs on iPad runs on Mini, though it is borne of a separate design, said Apple’s Phil Schiller.

Display area on the iPad Mini is a third larger than that on its Android competitors, Schiller said, and 50 percent larger than Android for surfing Web. With Wi-Fi configuration, It will be priced at £269. ($329)

Pre-order yours starting October 26. Or buy the Wi-Fi model at your favourite Apple Retail Store starting at 8:00 a.m. on November 2. Wi-Fi + Cellular models available late November.

Will the iPad 3 drop in price now they showed off the 4th Gen? Who knows.

What do you think of the iPad Mini and the iPad 4? Will you be buying the Mini or the 4th gen or both? Let us know in the comments below!