Apple’s New iPad (aka iPad 3)

If you’re an iPhone owner, you’ll know exactly what to expect from an iPad – they’re almost identical except for the larger screen. The new iPad’s greatest strength is its “Retina” display. At 2048×1536, the display really is unrivaled, though 1080p displays of the competition do offer many of the same perks. The new iPad is also one of the faster tablets on the market, though even older tablets, such as the iPad 2 can still keep up.

Another huge perk the new iPad has to offer is its cellular options. It’s one of the few tablets that offers LTE 4G connectivity and has options for both Verizon and AT&T. If you think you might want to have a data plan with your tablet, the new iPad is definitely one of the best choices.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

Asus’ entire Transformer line is by far the least compromising tablets on the market, primarily thanks to the optional keyboard dock. While the keyboard dock is a bit pricey, it gives you nearly all of the benefits of a laptop and even improves on battery life.

The Transformer Pad Infinity, in particular, is an excellent alternative to the new iPad. It’s 1920×1200 resolution display, while not quite as luxurious as Apple’s, is well suited for just about any task, and its 1.6GHz Tegra 3 processor is arguably the fastest on the market.

Google’s Nexus 7

Up until recently, any worthwhile tablet started around $500, and although there were more affordable options, they all sacrificed so much in terms of features and performance that they simply weren’t worth it. That all started to change when Amazon launched the Kindle Fire at just $200, and Google took that a step further.

Where the Kindle Fire dropped things like the cameras and GPS to keep costs down, the Nexus 7 has all of that plus NFC, a higher resolution display, and a blazing fast quad-core Tegra 3 processor. It’s also the very first device with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and as part of the Nexus line, it will continue to be among the first devices to receive Android updates. If you’re in the market for a 7-inch tablet (or just something on the more affordable side), the Nexus 7 is absolutely the best choice.

Samsung Galaxy Note

While it’s not actually a tablet, the Galaxy Note is a rather large smartphone that definitely reaches into the tablet realm. Unlike all of the other tablets, the Galaxy Note can be used as your primary cell phone, which means you don’t need a separate data plan. Its 5-inch screen isn’t quite as roomy as the 7-inch Nexus 7, and it does miss out on some of the tablet-specific features. It does offer an excellent middle ground, though, and is available on AT&T and Sprint (soon on T-Mobile as well). It also might be worth your while to keep an eye out for the Galaxy Note 2, expected in a month or two.

Balanced Performance without Breaking the Bank

Laptop performance has come a long way over the past few years, and even more affordable laptops can keep up the majority of computing needs. AMD’s A-Series processors (particularly the A8 and upcoming A10) offer great all-around performance at budget-friendly prices.

Lenovo IdeaPad Z575 – The AMD A8 version of Lenovo’s Z575 is arguably one of the best values on the market. It’s very well built, with a sturdy yet still lightweight chassis, and at around $500, it’s easy on your wallet as well.

Performance that will Last

Since College will generally last at least four years, you probably want a laptop that can last that long as well. Solid construction and strong performance is one way to help ensure a laptop will still be useful several years down the line.

Sony Vaio SE Series – Configured with a 1920×1080 resolution display and Core i5 processor, the SE series is probably one of the best choices on the market right now. Currently available is the VPC-SE25FX, which, at less than $1000, offers stellar performance for not only productivity, but also gaming and just about everything else. It also has useful features, such as a backlit keyboard and USB 3.0. Sony also offers very good technical support.

Sony Vaio S Series – Similar to the SE series, the S series is a bit newer, featuring Intel’s 3^rd generation of Core i5 and i7 processors. A configuration closely matching the SE25FX mentioned above weighs in at just over $1000.

Ultra-Portability that doesn’t Skimp on Performance

When you’re darting around campus, running from class to class, you might not want to be lugging around a bulky laptop, but at the same time, tablets and netbooks aren’t really the best choice for productivity. Ultrabooks represent a middle ground which features the performance you’d get from a full-sized laptop paired with the portability and battery life of a netbook.

Asus ZenBook UX31 – The ZenBook UX31 is currently alaTest’s top rated laptop. It’s one of the top performing ultrabooks for around $1000, but its biggest appeal is its 1600×900 resolution display. The extra desktop space provided by a higher resolution is a major benefit compared to the 1366×768 resolution display of most ultrabooks.

Apple MacBook Air (2012) – The new MacBook Air is the first ultrabook to run Intel’s 3^rd generation Core i5 and i7 processors, which gives it an edge particularly in graphics performance over other ultrabooks. The 13-inch model also has a 1440×900 resolution display, which, while not quite matching the UX31, is still a great benefit.

What about Laptops We Haven’t Mentioned?

Just because we didn’t mention it in this article doesn’t mean it’s not a good choice. There are a ton of other laptop choices out there, so here are a few key things to consider when making a purchase:

Dedicated Graphics – A laptop with a dedicated graphics processor will almost always outperform a laptop with an integrated graphics processor when it comes to things like HD video and gaming; however, the AMD A-series and Intel’s 3^rd generation Core series with HD 4000 graphics are still strong performers.

Screen Resolution – Most laptops have a resolution of 1366×768. Laptops with 1600×900 and 1920×1080 resolutions often cost a premium, but offer much more on-screen workspace which helps considerably with productivity.

Backlit Keyboards – Backlit keyboards are amazingly useful.

Let’s begin from the basics. This is how the AirPlay technology works. You can use the AirPlay to stream music, video and other forms of media from an iOS operated device to AirPort Express enabled speakers or television. This way, you can play music or videos on your television by streaming the content from your iPod or iPhone or iPad, and it’s all wireless. That’s what makes it so incredibly cool.

So, basically, if one were to say it in simple words, AirPlay allows you to have music all over the house, streamed straight from your iOS enabled device. All you need to have is an iPod or an iPad or an iPhone and speakers or a television which support the AirPlay technology and you are good to go. In many ways, AirPlay is the future of the world of music. Apple made a big leap into the future by making way for a world where your phone or iPod will have all the data, but, you could send it over to better audio or video devices through a streaming friendly, wireless technology.

Now that we have laid down the fundamentals of the AirPlay technology, it’s time to look at some of the best AirPlay devices out there. We have already established the many benefits of an AirPlay speaker, the most prominent among them being that your music can literally be everywhere around your house. Ever since the AirPlay feature was introduced by Apple, all the major audio device giants have cashed in on the opportunity by releasing several models of AirPlay speakers. On the one hand, this means brilliant news, because, as a customer, you have all the options in the world. But, there is a tiny flip side as well. With so much to choose from, you might just go astray.

To make sure that you are on the right track, we have put together a list of the best AirPlay speakers in the market as of now. Here it is:

1. Audyssey Audio Dock Air- This is among the best AirPlay speakers out there. It is the size of a shoe box, but it can make a room come alive with its fantastic audio. The sound is sharp and crisp, both at extremely high and low volumes. The Audyssey Air Dock can easily replace your traditional speakers as the main audio device in the house. Besides the technical details, the design is simple and minimalistic, which means that the speakers easily blend into the décor of the room. In all probability, you won’t even notice them, except for the sound, of course.

2. Logitech UE Air- the Logitech UE Air comes with all features you would expect in a good AirPlay speaker- the sound is great and the design is sleek and simple. But the USP of this product is just how easy it is to operate. Unlike other AirPlay speakers, you simply have to download an app, fill in a few details and the set-up is done. That’s just how easy it is.

3. Philips Fidelio DS3881W- Philips made its entry into the AirPlay segment with these speakers among others. The Fidelio DS3881W speakers are shaped like doughnuts (yes, you got that right, doughnuts) and come with complete surround sound technology. They are very portable and they have a rechargeable battery. Did we forget to mention that the sound is great as well. So, if you are looking to spice your room up, get yourself one of these.

Motorola Droid RAZR

Back in the pre-smartphone days, the RAZR was one of the hottest phones, thanks largely to its half-inch thickness (14mm). Now the RAZR is back, and in smartphone form, sporting Android no less. At 7.1mm thin, the Droid RAZR is currently the slimmest phone on the market, and maintaining its slim figure while sporting a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and LTE 4G capability is even more impressive. On the downside, battery life suffers considerably; however, the Droid RAZR MAXX has a much larger battery though weighs in at 8.99mm thick.

HTC One S

At 7.8mm thin, the One S is one of the thinnest, fastest, globally available GSM smartphones on the market. Its 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor consistently posts top scores on both performance and battery benchmarks. Unlike most super thin phones, the One S actually stands a solid chance of making it through the day on a single charge.

Samsung Galaxy S III

The Galaxy S III is one of the latest smartphones to hit the market, and as expected, it’s quite thin. At 8.6mm, it’s only 1mm thicker than its predecessor, the Galaxy S II, but the extra girth certainly isn’t wasted space. Sporting a 1.4GHz quad-core Exynos processor, the S III stands to be one of the fastest phones on the market. Its 2100mAh battery also bodes well for its battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The Galaxy Nexus, Google’s latest “Pure Google” Android phone, is exceptionally striking with sleek lines and a unique concave display. At just 8.9mm thick, it’s also exceptionally thin. It features similar specs to the Droid RAZR (ie: 1.2GHz dual-core processor); however, it has a larger, higher resolution display. The LTE version of the Galaxy Nexus is slightly thicker in order to accommodate a larger battery.

HTC One X

Recently displaced by the Galaxy S III as the worlds more recent smartphone, the One X is still an amazingly powerful device in a very thin shell. Its 8.9mm thickness won’t be any more noticeably thicker than the S III’s 8.6mm, but the One X has the major advantage of already being available in the U.S. Both Sprint and AT&T carry it (as the EVO LTE and One X respectively). Like the S III, the One X features a powerful quad-core processor; however, some U.S. variants feature a similarly powerful dual-core instead (this may turn out to be the case for the Galaxy S III as well).

Now, there are other super thin phones on the market, such as the Sony Xperia GX, Huawei Ascend P1, and Panasonic Eluga DL1 to name a few. We’ve selected only the most popular of them. Plus, with manufacturers like Oppo and ZTE teasing phones down to 6.2mm thin, we might have to revisit this topic in the not so distant future.

HTC One X and the Cimo S-Line Case

The One X is a brand new device from HTC that has quickly risen to top of our charts. It’s currently available on AT&T and Sprint (as the EVO LTE), and it will be making its way to T-Mobile in the near future. For the time being, the One X is the most powerful, feature-packed phone on the market.

As an affordable flexible TPU case, the S-Line is thick enough to provide some impact protection but thin enough to avoid adding too much extra bulk to the phone. It comes in a handful of colors, including black, white, and translucent. As is common with most TPU cases, it will likely show some wear after a while; however, at its current price, you could easily buy a second.

Apple iPhone 4S and the Otterbox Defender Series

As the latest iteration from Apple, the iPhone 4S continues to defend its spot in the top 5. With its 3.5-inch display and large bezel, it’s starting to get left behind as the market shifts, but with a fast dual-core processor and Apple’s polished iOS, it’s still a favorite among consumers.

Otterbox is one of the most popular premium smartphone case manufacturers, and its Defender Series is certainly a favorite among iPhone users. It protects not only the rear of the iPhone’s fragile glass design, but also wraps around the front for additional protection. It retails for $50, which is quite a bit higher than most protective cases, but it’s possible to find it for as low as $20 fairly regularly. Just make sure to get the “new” design with larger cutout for the front facing camera.

Samsung Galaxy Note and the BoxWave DuoSuit

Samsungls Galaxy Note has been a surprising hit, successfully filling the niche between smartphone and tablet. Its 5-inch display makes it an adequate tablet-like multimedia device, but it’s not so big that it won’t fit in your pocket for everyday use. That plus its powerful dual-core processor makes it a great phone.

The BoxWave DuoSuit is a flexible TPU case that comes in an assortment of colors. Ultimately, it’s an affordable case that is thin enough not to add too much bulk – because, let’s face it, the Galaxy Note is big enough already.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Rearth Ringke Slim

As Google’s latest “Pure Android” device, the Galaxy Nexus is a favorite among Android enthusiasts. It’s sleek design, powerful performance, and perfect integration with Google’s products also make it a favorite among smartphone users in general.

In order to preserve the sleek, slim look of their Galaxy Nexus, many users choose to go without a case at all; however, it’s possible to get the best of both worlds with the Rinke Slim. Its slim design adds only about 1mm of extra thickness, and it clings closely to the phone itself, mimicking its sleek lines very well.

HTC One S and the Diztronic TPU Case

The HTC One S is the slightly more affordable alternative to the One X. It offers just about everything the One X does but with a smaller (more notably, lower resolution) display and marginally less powerful processor.

As a more budget friendly device, it’s not surprising that its most popular case is budget friendly as well. Available for around $10, the Diztronic TPU case is a no-frills case that will fit snuggly and keep your precious phone protected.

Asus Zenbook UX31

Of all of the laptops on alaTest, the Zenbook is ranked number one, and it’s an ultrabook. The UX31 is the 13.3” variant of the Zenbook and features a design that is just as thin as the MacBook Air and every bit as stylish. Its 128GB and 256GB Solid State Drive options are fairly common among ultrabooks, but USB 3.0, Micro HDMI, and Mini-VGA ports are a bit more rare. It also features a Core i5 or i7 CPU, depending on model and a 1600×900 resolution display. Even though it bests Apple’s offerings in performance, it actually costs a bit less. It’s an excellent balance of style, performance, and price.

Apple MacBook Air (2012)

One could argue that the MacBook Air was the first practical ultrabook to hit the market. At the start, it was a bit under powered to be of considerable use, but a lot has changed since then. Available in 11.6 and 13.3-inch configurations, the current MacBook Air features a Core i5 or i7 processor and 1366×768 or 1440×900 resolution display. Its only real deterrent is its price, starting at $999 and reaching $1599. Other similarly spec’d ultrabooks are considerably cheaper; however, if you prefer OSX, the MacBook Air is your only real option.

Samsung Series 9

The Series 9 is very similar to the Zenbook in that it features a 13.3-inch 1600×900 resolution display, Core i5 processor, USB 3.0, and Micro HDMI; however, it is a bit more expensive. In fact, apart from the higher resolution display and USB 3.0, the same specs in a MacBook Air would cost you less. Where the Series 9 impresses is with its display, illuminated keyboard, and surprisingly good sound system. Its battery life is also quite commendable, and out of these top 4 Ultrabooks, it’s also the thinnest (in case that sort of thing matters to you). It’s quite stylish as well.

Acer Aspire S3

Acer has been in the ultra-portable game for a while, and the Aspire S3 is probably one if its best ultrabooks to date. Like the others, you get a super thin, super portable laptop with Core i5 processor and 13.3-inch display. The Aspire S3’s display is a bit weaker than the competition with a resolution of just 1366×768, and you don’t get things like USB 3.0; however, it has a few benefits that really do turn the tables in its favor. For starters, it has a full-sized HDMI port, so no adapters necessary. It also has a 320GB hard drive, which is considerably more storage than the others. To keep things peppy, it has a 20GB SSD as well. Perhaps most impressive is its price. It’s actually one of the most affordable ultrabooks on the market, available for less than $900.

So why are these little guys so popular? Well up until now, ultrabooks had always been a bit short on the performance side, but today’s offerings, such as these four, can actually keep up with similarly priced full-sized notebooks. On the downside, you’re generally going to have to part with things like ample storage space and other luxuries (a DVD drive, for example), but if you want solid performance in a lightweight package, an ultrabook might be the perfect choice.

#1. Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

The Eee Pad Transformer Prime was not only the first quad-core tablet to reach the market, it was also the first to be updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The quad-core Tegra 3 processor makes the Transformer Prime one of the highest performing tablets available, and at just $499 for the 32GB version, it is amazingly affordable. The Transformer can also be used as a laptop with exceptional battery life thanks to the optional keyboard dock.

#2. Apple iPad 2

As a surprising twist, the iPad 2 is actually more popular than the New iPad. While the iPad 2 isn’t quite as powerful as the New iPad and has a lower resolution screen, it’s still just as capable as the third generation. For the time being, at least, iPad apps won’t even be targeting the latest version’s improved specs anyway. The most appealing feature of the iPad 2 is now its price; the Wi-Fi only version is just $399.

#3. Apple iPad 3^rd Generation

The third generation iPad is Apple’s latest and greatest. It features an improved dual-core processor and a super high-resolution display. As Apple’s newest product, it’s definitely popular, but it just doesn’t offer quite enough of a performance boost of the iPad 2 to justify the need to upgrade for most users, especially since apps that actually take advantage of the iPad’s new-found power are fairly scarce. The iPad 2’s new low price also makes the 3^rd gen a difficult sell.

#4. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 was Samsung’s first truly successful Android tablet. It has been out for a while now, and does show its age, though only slightly. Much like the iPad 2, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is outclassed in terms of performance by newer products, but its reduced price tag helps to keep it an appealing buy. For those who prefer an Android tablet over iOS, the Galaxy Tab is also one of the few that offers a 4G LTE connectivity option.

#5. Sony Tabet S

Sony’s Tablet S is another Android tablet, though it runs a highly modified version. Sony has gone to great lengths to optimize the Tablet S as a true multimedia device. It carries features such as PlayStation Certification for gaming, an IR Blaster to control Sony’s Bravia TV sets, and a solid dual-core Tegra 2 processor. Though it offers some unique features, it is a bit pricier than its competitors, but still affordable.

The Tablet market is still growing very quickly, with new products coming out monthly. Android has certainly shaken things up a bit, but Microsoft is looking to enter the market very shortly with Windows 8. You’ll definitely want to keep an eye on our blog for the latest news, and take a look at our tablet charts to see how the competition is heating up.

As a matter of fact, Samsung actually circulated an e-mail within the press which contains a grid comparing the features of the two recently released tablets. According to the grid, the Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with some features which are absent in the iPad 3. Is this just a shot at advertising by Samsung or is there any substance to this claim? Let’s find out.

Form:

For the longest time, the form and design of the Apple iPad was its biggest USP. People would buy the iPad only because it was a fashion statement to have one. It must have been a great challenge for Samsung to come up with a design which was different from the iPad and could stand up to it at the same time. The good news is that they delivered quite decently. The Galaxy Note is actually a tad bit lighter and thinner than the iPad 3 and looks just as smooth and suave as its competitor. It’s a close call in this department.

Display:

Samsung has always been known for its state-of-art screen technology but somehow that hasn’t translated onto their tablets. The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with a PLS TFT display with a 1280×800 pixel resolution. This is very mediocre compared to the iPad 3 which boasts of a 1536×2048 pixel resolution which has been made possible by Apple’s famous Retina technology. We have a clear winner when it comes to display- the iPad 3.

Operating System:

This comparison could take hours and we still won’t reach any conclusion. It is the classic battle between the Android and the iOS. The iPad uses the most recent iOS 5.1 as against the Android 4.0 ICS used by the Galaxy Note 10.1. The choice between the two boils down to your personal preferences. The iOS is definitely smoother and more user-friendly; it’s almost a delight to use this software. The Android on the other hand does not have any restrictions (which the iOS does) and is more flexible according to your needs. As has been said earlier, this one depends entirely on what you prefer.

Hardware:

The basic hardware specifications are similar for the two tablets- both run on a 1GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and come in different storage sizes. But, Apple has gone all out on the A5X chipset which comes with a quad core graphics processing unit which promises greater processing speeds. This might just be the edge that the iPad 3 has over the Galaxy Note.

There are many more factors to consider like connectivity, camera quality, battery life etc. but it can be convincingly said that the Galaxy Note 10.1 is giving some close competition to the iPad 3. It is a tough decision to make in some departments like the choice of OS and the form factor but one gets the feeling that the Apple iPad 3 might just emerge as the winner even if by a not-so-big margin.

On The Surface

Not surprisingly, the New iPad looks nearly identical to the iPad 2, and even the original iPad. Compared to the iPad 2, it features the same screen size, 9.7 inches, and the same width and height as well, 7.31 and 9.5 inches respectively. They even come in the same color choices – white or black.

Where they do differ, though, is the thickness. The New iPad is actually slightly thicker than its predecessor, by a full .8mm. It’s enough to notice when comparing the two side-by-side, but the new model also features more tapering along the edge, giving the illusion of a thinner body. That .8mm may not seem like much, but it may render many cases and skins incompatible. If you’re thinking about upgrading, remember that you may need to invest in a new protective case.

The Display

The greatest incentive to upgrading to the New iPad is the new display. With a pixel density of just 264ppi, it doesn’t quite make the 300ppi cutoff Apple previously set for “Retina” displays, though it still calls it one. Still, it has a resolution of 2048×1536, which is currently unmatched by any other tablet. Compared to the iPad 2’s 1024×768 (a mere 132ppi), this is a major improvement. The New iPad will be able to play 1080p content at its native resolution. Text and images will appear much crisper, and fine details will be perceptible where they weren’t on the iPad 2.

The Processor

The New iPad also comes with the A5X processor, a more powerful variant of the A5, found in the iPad 2. This may seem like a compelling reason to upgrade to the New iPad, but it’s actually not.

First, the A5X’ CPU is a dual-core CPU nearly identical to the A5’s. General processing power had not been significantly increased compared to the iPad 2. Where the A5X has seen major improvements is in its GPU.

The A5 uses an SGX543MP2 GPU, while the A5X has an SGX543MP4 GPU (the same GPU found in the PlayStation Vita). In short, the New iPad’s GPU 2 to 4 times more powerful. Ultimately, this results in nearly the same real world performance since the New iPad has 4-times as many pixels as the iPad 2 which requires about 4-times the GPU processing power to run.

If a performance upgrade is what you’re after, you’re better off waiting until next generation.

4G LTE

Apple finally has a 4G product for us, and with LTE, you can expect data speeds over 25Mbps. This works well in tandem with the HD display since HD content requires a fast connection. If you don’t stream much in HD, you won’t notice much of a difference between 4G and 3G, though. Most people prefer the Wi-Fi only version since it’s significantly cheaper anyway.

The Lack of Siri

Many people were looking forward to getting Siri on their tablet, but it looks like Apple has opted to keep Siri restricted to the iPhone 4S, at least for now. The New iPad is just as Siri-less as the iPad 2.

The Price

In order to stay competitive with other tablets, the New iPad actually has a pretty attractive price tag, starting at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version. What this does, though, is push the iPad 2’s price down to $399 – now that’s a bargain. Anyone in the market for a new tablet, should definitely consider the iPad 2.

What it really all comes down to is whether or not you can live with a 1024×768 resolution display. If you can, stick with your iPad 2.

The Display: iPad goes Retina

The iPad’s most lacking feature has always been its low resolution 1024×768 display. In the original iPad, people didn’t mind, but after seeing the Retina display of the iPhone 4, people were expecting a major screen upgrade for the iPad 2 – they were disappointed.

The whole point to Apple’s Retina display is the idea that the pixels are so densely packed, that you cannot see them at a normal viewing distance with the naked eye. Apple controversially claims that this effect is achieved with pixel densities greater than 300ppi. Researchers of the field insist this number is closer to 477ppi; however, the iPhone 4’s display sports 326ppi, and they’re no denying that it is an amazing display.

And now it’s the iPad’s turn to don the retina cap. So far, there is no solid information as to what resolution the iPad 3 will have, but all signs are pointing to 2048×1536. For the 9.7-inch form factor, this would mean a pixel density of only 263ppi, so it’s uncertain if Apple will actually call it a retina display. Still, that resolution is considerably higher than the closest competitor, the Asus Transformer Prime HD which only has a 1920×1080 resolution.

The Processor: Things get faster

The next big upgrade is the processor. The iPad 3 will feature Apple’s A5x processor. Not much is known about the A5x, but reports are hinting that it will be a dual-core processor, much like the A5 found in the iPad 2. Of course, this doesn’t mean it won’t be faster. We’ve seen how Qualcomm’s dual-core Snapdragon S4 can keep up with quad-core devices already.

The A5x is also expected to have a significantly improved graphics core, necessary for driving the high-resolution display. Newer architecture will also help improve performance as well as battery life. It may also have 1GB of RAM, a trend in mobile computing that Apple has yet to catch up with, preferring to stick with 512MB for its previous processors.

Connectivity: iOS finally sees 4G

Up until now, all of Apple’s cellular data devices have been limited to 3G only (including the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S). The iPad 3 will not only be getting 4G, but full 4G LTE. Rumor has it that an LTE-enabled iPad 3 will be launching on both AT&T and Verizon.

The Software: iOS 5.1 with Siri

Owners of the iPad 2 have felt betrayed by Apple’s refusal to allow Siri voice recognition support. Fortunately, the iPad 3 will be completely Siri enabled. Unfortunately, it’s looking like those with the iPad 2 will have to upgrade if they want Siri at their disposal.

Design and other goodies

According to reports, the iPad 3 will look almost identical to the iPad 2. This comes as little surprise, considering Apple’s usual design trends. What is surprising is the fact that the iPad 3 will be a bit thicker than the iPad 2. This is likely to allow for a larger battery, necessary for powering the higher resolution display.

It’s also expected that the iPad 3 will feature the same 8MP rear camera found in the iPhone 4S. Reports also claim that the front facing camera will be receiving an upgrade to HD status. Whether that means 1080p or 720p is uncertain. Either way, it will allow for Face Time HD video chatting, similar to the new MacBooks.

And that’s the bulk of it. Will you be upgrading to the iPad 3?