Will the iPad 3 live up to its expectations...

Crowds gathered across the globe earlier this week to get their eager hands on the highly anticipated Apple’s new generation iPad device “iPad 3” which was launched across 9 Countries on Friday morning.

Two years after the debut of the first iPad, the devices launch has become the second biggest “gadget event” of the year, after the annual iPhone release.

Courtesy of EPA.

Thousands as predicted lined up queuing outside Apple stores across the World on Friday morning. As like the previous models, the public have taken well to the launch of “the new iPad”.  In New York, around 750 gadget fans battled plummeting temperatures waiting outside its flagship store. The NY Soho store had already sold out of black 16GB model by 8:30am.

 Experts did not expect the amount of people to queue outside Apple’s 5^th Avenue store. Some potential purchasers took the plunge of camping outside up to 48 hours prior to the launch.

People were also making money off their places in the line. Amanda Foote, who camped for nearly 48 hours, received an offer of $1,000 for her spot, behind only two other customers - but was hoping to collect even more for the coveted position.

Amanda Foote (Pictured left) who sold her spot in the 5th Avenue queue.
Courtesy of Bradford Noble.

This was not just happening in New York, it also happened over in the the UK. Noah Green, who was fourth in the Regent St store queue, sold his spot for £300.

  

 The new iPad – Apple does not call it theiPad 3 consists of as usual several new or improved features.  Its key selling point – the new processor attracting gamers, an improved camera and its retina display according to the experts at Apple is better than a HD television.

Comparison of display: iPad 2 vs. the new iPad.
Courtesy of The Verge

The new iPad is available in six new models – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB, 3 models with wifi and the other models include the new 4G connectivity. However, 4G is only currently available to American users. For the UK, The new iPad’s cost ranges from £399 for a bottom of the range16GB Wi-Fi model to £659 for the top of the range 64GB Wi-Fi + 4G  model.

The new A5x chip incorporated into the new design brings with it a higher-resolution retina display, 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch and improvement on the iPad 2’s 1024 x 768 pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch.

A major difference that has propped up in the specifications seems to be that the new iPad now weighs 652g, an increase from the previous models 601g.

Courtesy of Apple.com

With the introduction of the high definition display, for me I can see the new iPad being introduced as an alternative way of interactive learning. A few months ago, Apple introduced an app called “iTunesU” which gives you access to complete courses from leading Universities and other schools – providing the world’s largest digital catalogue of free educational content. I would recommend this app to anyone who wants additional help throughout their time at University.

Reviews for the new iPad have been fairly positive, with many congratulating Apple on the new high def retina display. Tech site The Verge said: 'Yes, this display is outrageous. It's stunning. It's incredible. I'm not being hyperbolic or exaggerative when I say it is easily the most beautiful computer display I have ever looked at. Tech Crunch also shared the same view: ‘once you see and use the new iPad, there will be no going back’.

 Here is a video I came across on YouTube of a review of the new iPad – Enjoy.

iPad (3) Review - PhoneArena

Have you purchased the new iPad or tested it out at your local Apple store? What do you think? Leave a comment below.