Meet the new iPad

No it's not the iPad 3 or the iPad 2S or the iPad HD, according to Apple it's just the new iPad. The press event just ended minutes ago and here is the scoop. The new iPad has a couple of new features over it's older brethren lets start with the screen.

The new iPad (I just like saying that, Apple used that 'saying' at least 15 times) has a brand new high-resolution display that comes in at 2048 x 1536, that is 3.1 million pixels for those that like math. According to Apple "That is the most ever in a mobile device." Apple is calling it a retina display just like it's smaller iPhone friends with the pixels per inches coming in at 264, showoffs. it also has 40% better color saturation that before which means b-e-a-utiful pictures and depth. 

The new iPad (still laughing about this) also packs a new digital punch in the form of the A5X processor (as opposed to the plain A5 in the iPad 2) which Apple says is 2x faster. Apple even threw in a comparison to Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor which is the hot kid on the block powering many Android Tablets and soon phones on the near future. What's interesting here is Apple only confirms "quad-core graphics" so what remains is is this a quad-core device? That is an important question moving forward this year with the competition.

The, much bemoaned, camera is also getting a slight bump in this " The new iPad" we are going to see a 5-megapixel backside illuminated sensor packed with a 5-element lens, IR filter, and ISP built into the new A5X chip. This is basically the same camera (minus a few pixels) in the iPhone 4S. Auto-exposure, auto-focus and so on. We also are going to see 0180p video recording, no shocker.

The fourth new feature is... Siri.... wait no that's not Siri. It's just voice dictation, nothing to see here folks, move along.

Last but not least 'The not the iPadHD' is getting 4G LTE! Tim Cook was sure to mention that it now has 21Mbps HSPA+ as well as LTE at a lighting fast 73Mbps. Apple is announcing their 4G partners are Verizon, AT&T, Rogers, Bell and Telus at least to start. Interesting note is that Apple is supporting separate bands of LTE so it will be different devices for AT&T and Verizon, shame. But the they made sure to metion that 3G is world-ready for wherever you roam. Also the iPad can now be a personal hotspot if the carrier supports it.

That is it for new features, what about pricing and availability? Well hold your horses I'll tell you right after the break. Just click the Rawr below.

(Image from gdgt)

The new iPad will be ringing in your nearest register at the same old prices of $499, $599 and $699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB respectively (Wi-Fi prices as usual). The iPad 2 is also being bumped down to $399 Wi-Fi and $529 for 3G a nice price to fight those Androids and continue Apples classroom crusade.

'The not iPad 3' also comes in at 10 hours of battery life (including 9 hours on 4G!) weighing just 1.4lbs. and 9.4mm thin, which is slightly thicker than the iPad 2.

The new iPad will be available to all March 16th in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. Apples biggest launch day rollout ever. But don't fret if your so impatient and want one oh so badly you're in luck, it is available for pre-order starting today.