Apple adds Retina display to 'the new iPad'

 

Apple has unveiled its latest iPad tablet device, dubbed 'the new iPad', which brings with it a new Retina display, quad-core graphics processor and high speed 4G LTE connectivity. Apple chief executive Tim Cook introduced the device  on Wednesday in San Francisco, calling it "the poster child of the post-PC world". This was his first major product launch since taking the reins from the late Steve Jobs. "The momentum behind iPad has been incredible and has surprised virtually everyone," Cook said. "We sold more iPads in the fourth quarter of last year than any PC manufacturer sold of their entire PC line worldwide. We think this gives an indication of the potential for this product." Apple sold 15.5 million iPad devices in the fourth quarter of 2011, contributing to a total of more than 62 million "post-PC devices" sold during the period. Apple defines its post-PC devices as the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. In 2011, such sales accounted for 76 percent of Apple's total revenue. "Apple has its feet firmly planted in the post-PC future," Cook added. Cook also compared the iPad favourably to competitor tablets running other operating systems, such as Android or BlackBerry, saying that they lacked the extensive ecosystem of the iTunes App Store. "You won't find these incredible apps on any other tablet," Cook said. "In fact, in some estimations there were over 100 competitor tablets that came onto the market just last year; you won't find that great experience [there]." Key upgrades to the hardware for the device include a high-definition 'Retina' display with a resolution of 2048-by-1536 pixels, quad-core graphics in a modified A5 chip called the A5X, and a 5-megapixel 1080p HD video capture capable camera on the rear of the tablet. The device also supports 3G and 4G LTE connectivity, with quoted speeds dependant on network up to 73Mbps with LTE. It also supports DC HSDPA+ and HSPA+, for up to 42Mbps and 21Mbps respectively. The new iPad is compatible with both CDMA and GSM standards. "Strategically, the most important updates were those made to its wireless technology, adding a strong array of mobile connectivity including HSPA+ for global markets and LTE, initially targeting the US market," Andy Castonguay, principal analyst at Informa said in a statement.