Upgrade to iPad 3?

iPad, iPad 2 and now iPad 3 (and soon iPad 4)! Should you upgrade each time? Is it really worth it? Directly below I have outlined the differences between the iPad 2 and the 3rd version of the iPad. Below that you will find my reviews of the original iPad and iPad 2. Hopefully, you will find your answers after reading the following information.

What is new with the iPad 3?

• The Processor

  Inside, the processor is updated to an A5X with quad-core graphics.

• The Front Camera

  The camera on the front has a VGA sensor. It is able to take good quality images with its built-in image stabilization and anti-shake effects.

• The Back Camera

  Way up from a 0.7MP on the iPad 2, the iPad 3 now has a 5MP camera on the back of the unit. Additionally, a "tap to autofocus" mode helps to correct sharpness and exposure levels of images. Unfortunately, there is no flash on the camera and HDR (High Dynamic Range) is not available (as it is on the iPhone 4S).

• The Video Camera

  The video camera shoots in 1080p at up to 30 fps. The iPad 2 is only able to shoot 720p.

• RAM

  The RAM of the iPad 3 has been increased to 1 GB over the 512MB of the iPad 2.

• Screen Resolution

  Without a doubt, the most impressive feature of the iPad 3 is its awesome Retina Display feature. The screen resolution of the iPad 3 is a whopping 2048x1536 with a ppi of 264. This is an improvement over the iPad 2 which has a resolution of 1024x768 with a ppi of 132. They both share a screen size of 9.7".

  In actuality, the iPhone 4 has a much sharper display than the iPad 3 because it has a higher density of 330ppi density. Apple suggests that the iPhone be held 10 inches away but the iPad 3 should be held 15 inches away which makes the sharpness pretty much the same. The important point is that the pixilation is almost nothing and the color reproduction is superior.

  The display of the new iPad 3 takes the smartphone experience and expands it to a larger tablet for a bright and crisp screen. The only downside is that when using Facetime, although the front facing VGA camera does a very good job, the Retina Display may make the picture look a bit grainy when you are calling another iPad. However, if you are calling from an iPhone, there is no problem with the picture.

  The Retina Display helps to make email text more legible than text on the iPhone. There is a Reader Tab in the address bar which will turn any text on the page into an e-book-reading experience. (However, you cannot save text for offline viewing and it does take a while to load.)

  The Retina Display combined with the tabbed internet browsing makes it very easy to move from one page to another. Both text and pictures look equally impressive.

• Internet Browsing, Photo viewing, and Movie Sessions

  These are definite improvements over the iPad 2. There are some elements of web browsing that could still do with fixes that we may have to wait for in iPad 4! These include:
  • Making the bookmarking system more clear
  • Improving the zooming in and out of text when viewing long web pages.
  • Making the icon sizes larger would help because when reloading and shutting down a page, accuracy is affected with the small icon sizes of the iPad 3. The icons on the home screen are actually much larger than those of the iPhone 4S.

• 4G LTE and Mobile Hotspot

  Where 4G LTE is available in the United States and Canada, the internet connection can be even faster than Wi-FI. The iPad 2 has only 3G connectivity but the iPad 3 has the capability of connecting to 4G. Additionally, the Verizon iPad 3 can be used as a mobile hotspot. AT&T's iPad 3 does not have this capability.

• Battery Life

  The Retina Display does take quite a bit of the battery life but normal usage should last at least 1 day. The battery life of the iPad 2 and the iPad 3 are approximately the same-—9 to 10 hours. However, the battery capacity of the iPad 3 is almost twice that of the iPad 2 with 42.5 watt-hours vs. 25 watt-hours.

• Bluetooth

  The iPad3 is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 which uses less power than previous versions and can also be found in iPhone 4S. The iPad 2 uses 2.1 EDR Bluetooth.

• eMailing

  Now there is access to separate folders with the ability to quickly go back into the inbox. Additionally, it is much easier to search through emails.

  Unfortunately, Siri is not present on the iPad 3 for dictating emails. The dictation feature that is available is not as accurate and it is probably best to email through the keyboard.

  Contacts are laid out in address book style which allows scrolling through the contacts on the left while each contact's information opens on the right.

  Downloading contacts from an iPhone or an older version of the iPad is very easy. On the other hand, it is not as easy as one would expect when downloading from Exchange or Google.

• Twitter Integration

  Sending a photo to Twitter is an option after a photo is snapped, but only after a Twitter account has been set up from the Settings menu.

Some Useful Features of the iPad 3

• Many Home Screens

  With the iPad 3, as many home screens as desired can be filled and swiping from screen to screen is very smooth. In addition, the dock at the bottom of the display can hold up to 6 favorite apps from any of the home screens. This is actually 2 more than the iPhone. It is also very easy to create folders of apps all in one place. The iPad 3 will name them but they are easy enough to rename.

• Multi-Tasking Gestures

  • Pinch In goes to home screen.
  • Flick Up gives access to the multi-tasking window.
  • Swipe Left allows moving between open apps.

• Double-Tapping the Home Button

  This will access recently opened apps. They can then be deleted from the tray by pressing on an individual app and then tapping the 'x' that appears.

• Double-Tapping the Home Button When the Screen is Locked.

  This allows access to the music play without needing to open the iPad. The music quality is very good and the tunes can be controlled from anywhere in the system. The bad part is that controls are high on the left and small and icons to go through tunes are also small. A slide show of photos can also be started by double-tapping the Home Button when the screen is locked.

Some Negatives of the iPad 3

• Still No flash Integration

  As is expected, Apple continues not to concern itself with Flash. And now there are only a few sites that do not have HTML5 coding in place of Flash, so it seems that Apple needn't worry at all.

• Still No Expandable Memory

  The iPad 3, like the iPad 2, is still available only in 16, 32, and 64 GB capacities.

  The lack of expandable memory could quickly use up the internal storage when downloading movies. iTunes videos are also quite pricey at this time. NOTE: The iPad 4 may have up to 128GB of storage and maybe by the time it comes out the video store might be more affordable as well.

• Can Heat Up Excessively

  With medium-term use, the iPad 3 can head up excessively, which may be alarming. However, this doesn't seem to have too much of an impact on the battery life.

• Messaging

  The main problem here is that it is difficult to hold the tablet and type out a message, although opting for the SmartCover is a good idea as it will help to elevate and hold the iPad 3.

Additional Info

• Operating System

  The beginning operating system is iOS5.1, which is also the operating system found on the iPhone 4S and the iPad 2. Because of the iOS5.1, the notifications bar, very similar to that found on Android products, can be swiped down from the top of the screen. Of course, Apple will continue to update it's operating system. Always check the settings menu for software updates. (As of this writing, iOS6 is already available.)

• Buttons

  The Home Button is still in its place on the iPad 3 with only 4 buttons total. The rest of them can be found close together in the top Left Hand corner along with the rocker/volume key, the mute/orientation switch and the power/lock key.

• Wi-Fi up to 802.11n, GPS, Gyroscope

  All are available with the iPad 3.

• Apps

  There are over 200,000 apps available. The main concern is that some may be too large for the Retina Display.

• iMovie

  This app is good for making small, non-professional movies.

• iBook

  This app helps with eyestrain but may not be as good as Kindle.

• iPhoto

  This app definitely takes advantage of the iPad 3's Retina Display.

• Google Maps

  It may not be as good as Google Maps for Android but the upgrade on iPad 3 is a good one.

• Gaming

  The A5X chip comes with quad-core graphical capabilities should be able to outdo even the nVidia Tegra 3 chip when it comes to gaming.

An iPad Mini?

7 inch tablets, smaller and lighter than the larger versions, have been quite popular with consumers. Examples include the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook and several 7 inch versions of larger tablets by many manufacturers, such as Samsung. Google's Nexus 7 tablet is now available in the 7 inch tablet market and has received rave reviews.

So why not an iPad Mini? A smaller version of the iPad, a 7.85 x 5.3 inch tablet is rumored to be in the making. It will supposedly be almost as thin as the iPod Touch and lighter but will have all the features of the larger iPad. Whether or not it will have the Retina display of the iPad 3 or a 1024x768 display of the iPad 2 (making it essentially a miniature iPad 2) is yet to be known.

Leave it to Apple to be on top of things. This is what makes technology so exciting to watch!

---

• Apple iPad 2

  

  Apple's 2nd version of the iPad,dubbed iPad 2, was released in March of 2011. The introduction of the original iPad in January of 2010, had the surprising effect of revitalizing the almost dead tablet computer, something that even shocked Apple! Even though the original iPad was initially met with skepticism, the numbers speak for themselves (over 14 million sold in 2010 alone!). The wildly popular and extremely profitable iPad became the flagship tablet to emulate and beat as the competition mounted and the "tablet frenzy wars" of 2011 continued.

  iPad 2 is actually slightly thinner, shorter and lighter than the original iPad. (The 3G version is slightly heavier.) It has a faster 1 GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor "system on a chip" which can produce two times the CPU power and nine times the graphics performance of the original iPad while maintaining a 10-hour battery life.

  In response to consumer concerns, Apple gave the iPad 2 dual cameras, a front-facing VGA-quality camera for video chat and a rear camera with 0.7MP, which has a 5x digital zoom and is good for 720p video capture. Though there is still no memory card slot available on the iPad 2, there is an SD connection adapter (that comes with the optional camera connection kit) for transferring photos from a camera's SD card to the iPad. The Camera Connector also features a USB interface. When plugged into the dock connector port on the iPad, a digital camera or iPhone (not 3G) can be connected using a USB cable (not included).

  The iPad 2 has the same 9.7-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology as the original iPad. The resolution of 1024x768 and 132 pixels per inch is the same as the iPad 1. A bit disappointing is the fact that the screen does not incorporate the Retina Display technology which is found in iPhone 4. The new iPad also comes with Apple's proprietary 30-pin dock connector for syncing and charging, as well as a 3.5mm headset jack.

  Flash is still not available on the iPad 2. Apple's problem with Adobe's flash seems to be that Apple doesn't like the idea of using another company's software just to view a video. Tablets from other manufacturers that run Google's Android Honeycomb 3.3 and above are Flash enabled. Apple has developed a workaround for enabling iPad users to access YouTube, the very popular flash-enabled site owned by Google. But it is the success of the newer technology of HTML5 that Apple is counting on. HTML5 allows videos to play directly into a browser and would end the need for an add-on like Flash.

  The built-in accelerometer allows the iPad 2 to be rotated to portrait, landscape or even upside down and whatever is on the screen adjusts to fit the display. The accelerometer works together with the built in three-axis gyroscope and the compass for improved gaming experience as well.

  The usual optional accessories are available and include the wireless keyboard, the 10W USB power adapter, the iPad soft cover case, Apple earphones with remote and microphone and the Apple iPad keyboard dock, to name just a few.

  

  Two new accessories will be available as well.

  The first is called the "Smart Cover" and comes in a variety of color choices. It has magnetic clasps that can put the iPad to sleep when it is attached or wake it up when it is removed. It can fold to create a stand to hold the iPad upright or will tilt the iPad into a comfortable typing position. It will flip back and out of the way like a page in a magazine if the user prefers to hold the iPad. It will also fold in half to expose the back-facing camera when it is in use. The "Smart Cover" comes in a polyurethane version or a more expensive leather one. The iPad itself comes in both white and black colors.

  

  The second new accessory is an HDMI video-out cable capable of 1080p video mirroring. This cable can work with all iPad apps and will charge the iPad when it is plugged into a power source. Video mirroring, a process new to iPad, doesn't turn the iPad into a bigger screen. With the addition of an Apple Digital AV adapter, it allows a bigger screen to view what's on the iPad. It becomes possible to share the iPad with a larger screen and a larger audience. This has far-reaching implications for the educational field and the business world.

  New also is iOS version 4.3. Features of this version include personal hotspot support for the iPhone 4, Face Time video chat, a faster version of Safari and improvements to AirPlay media streaming. A new version of Apple's iMovie video-editing app for the iPad is also available. Music, photos and video can stream wirelessly to an HDTV and speakers. iOS version 4.3 is available for iPads, third- and fourth-generation iPod Touches, and the GSM version of the iPhone. Verizon runs a CDMA network so consumers owning the iPhone for Verizon will have to wait for an update.

  Apple was recently granted a stylus pen patent. This could mean that Apple may be planning on entering the graphics tablet market. This would put Apple in direct competition with tablet makers like Wacom. With the specially designed pen, an artist could have better control over a drawing. One of the problems in using a stylus on a tablet computer is that most of these are designed for a fingertip-sized patch of conductivity. If the patch is too small, such as with a stylus, it may not be recognized by the screen. Apple's pen would have a much larger tip with a conductive disc on a pivot on the end of the stylus. Accelerometers and force detectors would be built into the pen. This would allow additional data to be sent to the tablet in order to allow for changes in line width, color selection, shading and more. The system also has implications for use in other applications such as gaming. The pen could be used in a manner similar to a joystick.

  With over 65,000 apps and counting and Random House adding more than 17,000 volumes to iBooks (Apple's e-book Store), Apple is well ahead of Google's Android apps which are currently available for tablets running Honeycomb.

  The iPad is becoming a staple in many industries. One in particular is photography. The savings gained by not having to develop and print out high quality photos may justify the initial expense of the iPad. Increasing numbers of health professionals are also employing the iPad and the number of apps that have been developed for the iPad in this field have been steadily rising.

  It has also been rumored that Apple may be launching an oversized iPod touch which will have a screen size of about 5". Thus Apple will be able to compete in the low-end tablet market and end comparisons of the iPad 2 with the smaller and cheaper tablet models. The new Touch will apparently focus on multimedia and gaming and will have the iPod Touch UI rather than that of the iPad.
  
  As of 2011, consumers were hit from all sides with an overwhelming number of tablet pcs, The main competition for top tablet vs. the iPad 2 came from well-known electronics names such as Motorola, Samsung, Toyota, Dell, HP, etc. Google developed the Honeycomb (Android 3.0) platform specifically for use in tablets while other platforms such as HP's WebOS, Microsoft's Windows, BlackBerry's QNX, etc. were all in contention.

  Competition, they say, is good and the competition to become #1 tablet will be watched closely by consumers and the entire computer industry. The fate of the netbook, the laptop and the desktop computer hang in the balance. Let's hope the consumer will be the real winner in the end.

  
  
  
  Apple iPad 2
  
  

  ---

• Asus

  Asus has introduced several tablets. All but 1 uses the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) platform but may be able to be upgraded to the whenever the latest Android operating system is available.

  PLEASE NOTE:

  If you are looking for Google's Nexus 7 Tablet made by Asus, please click here.

  Eee Pad EP121

  

  The Eee Pad EP121 is the only one of the tablets from Asus to be running Windows 7 as its operating system. This tablet has a 12.1" LED-backlit display with a 1280x800 screen resolution and a wide 178 degree viewing angle. It is powered by the low voltage Intel CULV Core 2 Duo platform. The device is 12.2mm thick and weighs 1.48Lbs (675 grams). Asus claims the battery life should be 10 hours.

  The Eee Pad EP121 includes a Wacom digitizer for high quality capacitive stylus input. It also has an on-screen keyboard with support for an external Bluetooth keyboard to help with the input of a large amount of data. The model comes with up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM. It will support 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0. A 2MP camera and 2 USB 2.0 ports, as well as a mini-HDMI port to connect to external displays will extend the functionality of the Eee Pad EP121.




ASUS Eee Slate EP121



Need a Keyboard?

2 of the new Asus tablets have been designed specifically for those users who feel uncomfortable when they don't have physical keyboards. They are the Eee Pad Slider and the Transformer.

Both tablets run NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processors with NVIDIA GeForce GPU (graphics processing units) and are based on Google's Android 3.0 platform (Honeycomb) and can be upgraded to the latest Android operation system when available. Both are 10.1" touchscreen tablets with 1280 x800 screen resolution IPS displays.

Dual cameras are available on both. A 1.2MP camera for video chat is front-facing and a 5MP camera with an LED flash for digital photography can be found on the back.

Connectivity includes a mini-HDMI for HD video conferencing and 1080p video playback and they also have miniUSB ports as well as a microSD card slot. They are be Wi-Fi capable and have optional 3G connectivity. The Slider comes with either 16GB or 32GB storage while the Transformer also has a 64GB option.

Each of these differs, however, in its style of physical keyboard:

Eee Pad Slider

The Eee Pad Slider has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The screen can slide out and be angled up to use the unit laptop-style, revealing the keyboard, or the display can slide back to closed position and be used like a traditional tablet.








ASUS Eee Pad Slider



Transformer

The Transformer also has a full size keyboard but the keyboard and its touchpad are contained in an optional laptop-like dock. The dock itself has an integrated battery that will allow the tablet to run for 16 hours on a single charge. This feature enables Asus to produce an ultra-thin and very light tablet. When the tablet unit is detached from the dock, it should last 8 hours.






Asus Transformer



Eee Pad MeMO



For this device, Asus has produced a smaller size (7") very thin tablet with a capacitive touchscreen. The screen resolution is 1024x600 pixels. This tablet differs from the other 3 in that it emphasizes input through its pressure-sensitive pen. This stylus has a rubberized nub that flexes and expands based on the pressure and input by the user.

The Eee Pad MeMo runs with Qualcomm's 8260 Snapdragon 1.2GHz dual-core processor running Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). It has 2 cameras (1.2 MP front-facing camera for video chat and 5 MP camera with LED flash on the back) and supports full HD 1080p video playback thru its Micro HDMI port to connect to an external display.