The rumours were off the charts once again, but as always, we can only be sure once the official launch happens. So what did Apple actually announce? Were we off target in our predictions?
- iOS 5.1 should roll out today. It should be easy enough to update – simply go to Settings – General – Software Update. Be warned though – its a 260MB download, and you need 1GB free on your device.
- iCloud now supporst Movies in the Cloud. US Only of course.
- New Apple TV announced by Eddy Cue. Finally 1080p support. Much more “app-like” interface. New Apple TV has better iCloud integration. No talk on whether these features will come to the previous AppleTV. Same price as before, $99.
- iPad – 15.4 mil sold in Q4 2011. Tim Cook shows how app experience on other tablets are sub-par compared to iPad.
New iPad – looks the same as the old one. No new ports or buttons. But here are the changes: Retina display, “unmatched technology”. Phil Schiller demoed some text and images to show off the Retina display. New Retina display has over a million more pixels than a Full HD display.- New iPad – running on A5X processor with quad core graphics processor. New processor is apparently double as fast as Android’s Nvidia Tegra processor. CPU is still dual core.
- New iPad Camera – 5MP, much better camera. Auto exposure and focus. Backside illuminated sensor, so should give decent low light performance. 1080p video recording.
- New iPad – Voice dictation coming to the iPad. No Siri it seems.
- New iPad – 4G LTE networking. Even on 3G, speed is now increased to 21mbps, or 42mbps on DC-HSPA. 4G LTE reaches 73mbps. LTE has different worldwide adoptions, so seperate version of the iPad will need to be made based on network. Personal hotspot coming to iPad.
- New iPad – Battery: Same 10 hour battery life. Apple is still the benchmark with tablet battery life, even with LTE networking.
- Rollout – 16 March. No word on South African launch though. Rest of the world will have it by 23 March.
- New iPad – all apps should look better immediately on the new Retina display, because text is upscaled, just like when iPhone 4 was launched. Developers will need to rebuild graphics to use new high res screen though. All Apple apps are already Retina ready, including iWork apps.
- Namco showed off some incredible new game graphics that harness the new resolution. New Infinity Blade: Dungeons demo also demoed.
- New iPad – display will enable new class of graphics editing apps. Autodesk showed off their new Sketchbook Pro app.
- New Garageband with “smart strings” and better iCloud integration.
- New iMovie update obviously supports new higher resolution, with storyboards
- iPhoto finally available for the iPad. New high res screen should make it great to use. Can apparently send photos between devices – called “beaming”. Simple editing, with brushes. Uses a lot of new gestures. Great “auto-enhance” feature. Immediately available for $5, on iPhone as well.
- New iPad will keep exact same pricing as existing iPad 2.
- Existing iPad 2 is still going to stay around, with a sole 16GB model at $399, $530 if you want 3G as well.
