Sharper screen, faster processor: The new iPad

It would not be an exaggeration to say that until Apple introduces Star Trek-style teleportation on its iPad, some sections of gadgets enthusiasts are still going to be disappointed. Such are the expectations from the company whose founder repeatedly talked about leaving "a dent in the universe".

On Wednesday, it unveiled the 'new iPad' (not iPad3 or iPad HD) creating ripples on social networks and technology forums alike. Product launches are always interesting but Apple launches are a step more than that. These are to technology circles what rock shows are to entertainment.

In a post-Steve Jobs era, it was a litmus test for CEO Tim Cook and his team whether to convince the audience that they were witnessing something epochal. Jobs was near notorious with his 'reality-distortion field' and manic planning to ensure that Apple launch events left people spell-bound, as if they had just witnessed history in the making. (In one of the most inspired Apple launch events in 2008, Jobs pulled out the iMac Air out of a courier envelope leaving the audience gasping for air.)

Sharper display, same price

The new iPad improves dramatically on its predecessor on two counts: it now features the Retina display; and comes ready to connect with high-speed 4G networks.

The Retina Display improvement has been by far the most dramatic improvement. The 9.7 inch tablet now packs more pixels on it than a standard HD television set. It has a screen resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels whereas HD TV has a screen resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. So the 9.7-inch iPad will display roughly a million pixels more than what a 32-inch HD TV would. Held at a standard distance, the human retina would not be able to distinguish the pixels, apart from presenting what Apple calls the sharpest display ever on a mobile device.

No amount of explaining would do that spec justice. The best way to understand it would be to experience it first-hand. Even the videos on YouTube are going to have to be scaled down.

The launch in the U.S. and key European markets is slated for March 16. An extended rollout is expected by month-end. No date has been mentioned for India yet. The iPad2 reached Indian retail stores six weeks within its international launch. So a similar timing is possible. But, as with all things Apple, nothing concrete emerges anywhere within the reach of the Press directly.

To achieve the near-impossible with its display, Apple has also had to re-jig its custom-designed processor. The new A5X still a dual-core chip but is said to have a quad-core graphics engine. Asus and other competitors from the Android universe have already announced quad-core processor tablets in recent months but Apple claims the graphics performance on the new iPad outshines not just other tablets in the market but also some hand-held gaming consoles. Game previews were part of the launch event. (The entire launch and the keynote address by Tim Cook can be viewed on the Apple website.)

The other USP of the device pertaining to its 4G connectivity is a non-issue in India as of now. Most Indian telecom companies are expected to rollout 4G networks only later this year.

iPad2 got cheaper

The real big news came right at the end of the launch. Apple did not pull the plug on iPad2 with the launch of the new iPad. Instead it allowed it to continue on the product portfolio, slashing the price by $100, and this came into immediate effect. The priced of the iPad2 now starts at Rs 24,500 (inclusive of VAT) for its basic 16 GB wi-fi edition.

This is bound to kindle interest. The iPad with its premium pricing has been a shall-I or shall-I-not purchase for most gadget lovers, making the wide array of Android and other tablets available at prices much lesser than Rs.20,000. By slashing the price by nearly Rs. 5,000, the iPad2 is now a tempting Apple to bite into.

The biggest temptation to get into the Apple universe is the wide array of Apps available on its stores. The iOS continues to be the most preferred operating system for most developers because of the monetisation possibilities the Apple universe offers. Android is fast catching up but chances are one gets to see the most innovative Apps first on the iPad.

Coinciding with the launch of the new iPad, Apple has extended its entire iWork suite of software to the iPad universe - movie editor iMovies and audio editor Garageband have got upgrades, while photo editor iPhoto makes a debut. At approximately Rs.250 each, these Apps are worth the price.

source: The Hindu