Apple Jan. 27 launch event... what will it be?

[TripletDaddy]

March 16 is the date it goes on sale, as well as the new apple tv box. The event was interesting but not as exciting without Steve jobs. The area is packed with news vans up and down Howard street, massive satellite antennae and reporters everywhere. Combined with all the GDC traffic and this place is a zoo.

[Shaka]

Other than the display and 4G why is this thing better than iPad 2?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

So, what about the processor? The name? What's the difference besides the display and the marginally thicker form?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Other than the display and 4G why is this thing better than iPad 2?

Faster processor.
Better camera. (including 1080p video)
New dictation button on the keyboard. Hooray! (with that feature go to all iPads?)

[Jeff Lebowski]

Question for Uncle Ted (or anyone else in the know):

With the iPad 1, I went with the wifi only version because I almost always am in a place where I have wifi coverage. With the new iPad 3, they say that you can turn on your 4G contract right before you go on a trip and turn it off when you get pack so that you only pay for it when you need it. THat might be enough for me to go with a 4G model.

I have Sprint for my mobile phone contract. They did not announce a Sprint model at this time. But does it matter? Isn't the iPad contract separate from your mobile contract? If so, any reason I shouldn't just get a Verizon model? The only thing I can think of is that if/when Sprint releases an iPad 3, it will be more likely to have an unlimited data plan.

[Uncle Ted]

Other than the display and 4G why is this thing better than iPad 2?

Because it is the "new" iPad.

Don't forget the quad core integrated graphics on the faster A5X and 5MP camera.

Now shut up and get one pre-ordered.

[Uncle Ted]

Question for Uncle Ted (or anyone else in the know):

With the iPad 1, I went with the wifi only version because I almost always am in a place where I have wifi coverage. With the new iPad 3, they say that you can turn on your 4G contract right before you go on a trip and turn it off when you get pack so that you only pay for it when you need it. THat might be enough for me to go with a 4G model.

I assume that Verizon and AT&T will do month-to-month on the 4G like they did with 3G.

I have Sprint for my mobile phone contract. They did not announce a Sprint model at this time. But does it matter? Isn't the iPad contract separate from your mobile contract? If so, any reason I shouldn't just get a Verizon model? The only thing I can think of is that if/when Sprint releases an iPad 3, it will be more likely to have an unlimited data plan.

You might get a price break bundling your bill or something. I don't think AT&T or Verizon does this, however. LTE has pretty limited coverage right now. It has been in Dallas for a while. I would check with AT&T and/or Verizon and check their coverage maps.

[Uncle Ted]

New dictation button on the keyboard. Hooray! (with that feature go to all iPads?)

I don't think so. There are no plans to add siri to the iPhone 4 and I assume it will be the same for the iPad 2.

[Shaka]

Because it is the "new" iPad.

Don't forget the quad core integrated graphics on the faster A5X and 5MP camera.

Now shut up and get one pre-ordered.

I'm waffling. Like Lebowski I'm on Sprint. I would like to know more detail about how the 4G service works.

[Moliere]

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Was there some emphasis in gaming at the announcement. They said the iPad 3 had more memory and resolution than the PS3 and the 360.

So, is it conceivable that they could add some Bluetooth peripherals to the iPad and then allow people to connect their iPads to their TV and basically use the thing as a console? Of course, I think people would have to play games from the web because of the lack of drive space on an iPad. It's interesting to think about.

[TripletDaddy]

Was there some emphasis in gaming at the announcement. They said the iPad 3 had more memory and resolution than the PS3 and the 360.

So, is it conceivable that they could add some Bluetooth peripherals to the iPad and then allow people to connect their iPads to their TV and basically use the thing as a console? Of course, I think people would have to play games from the web because of the lack of drive space on an iPad. It's interesting to think about.

It is going to have a big impact on game design. It already has, truthfully, as designers have started moving more and more to higher res development. That is why I'm excited about it. Some of the apps that are being prototyped right now look amazing....for example, some of the stuff in Unity 3d looks as good or better than stuff you might see on an Xbox or ps3. And these apps might cost 99 cents. And as you start to see more and more browser based 3d, screen res and processing speed is king.

The average joe isn't going to see a world changing difference between iPad 2 and "iPad" (they made a big deal to emphasize that it is NOT called the iPad 3), but really, the same could be said about first and second iteration. It all depends on how you use your device. I sat in 5 pitch meetings today and we used our iPads as rendering devices to show off games. I can't get a new iPad fast enough because the load times will be even shorter and the browser based stuff we are showing off will look even better. The dev apps look insane. Adding Siri or whatever the heck everyone gets excited about doesn't matter one bit to me. Screen is a huge one, though.

[Moliere]

Notice anything different?

[Uncle Ted]

Notice anything different?

"4G" with a software update. Cool.

[Uncle Ted]

The story about AT&T's "4G" upgrade:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5659/t...-the-3g-toggle