The new Apple iPad has been unveiled!

Apple has unveiled an updated iPad tablet with a high-definition screen and faster communications. These were the two most important expectations set for the device. At an event in San Francisco on Wednesday Tim Cook unveiled the third updated version of the tablet which he referred to as the ‘new iPad’ instead of giving it a specific name. It will become available on March 16 in the US and nine other countries: UK, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Japan.The product looks and feels like iPad 2 although slightly heavier and thicker. Rupert Goodwins stated on his technology website: ‘Unless you are a big Apple fan it will look like any other iPad.’ Its starting price is also the same: $399 for the Wi-Fi only models, or $659 for models with Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. The price of the iPad 2 is dropping to a starting price of $329. Apple tries to appeal to its users by the variety of technological improvements instead of the low price in its attempt to stay ahead of competitors.

The main features of the new iPad include HD retina display- an unusually sharp display, support for the 4G connectivity known as LTE (10 times faster than 3G found in the iPad 2) and a faster microprocessor chip with improved graphics performance that helps run realistic-looking videogames. It therefore seems like this new improved tablet is designed more as a tool for the creative class. The device important to Apple’s efforts to increase control over the number of activities consumers are able to do digitally. The new iPad proves that mobile devices such as tablets can in the future replace personal computers performing the same number of operations. Tim Cook talked on Wednesday about the ‘post PC era’; where PC is just a device not the centre of our technological world, and Apple’s dominance of it. He highlighted the company’s capability to create a broad range of digital devices that had become central part of consumers’ lives.

This launch is the first major event for Apple since the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Now Apple Executives need to show why all these innovations are worth it. Although the changes are not radical they seem to have met the expectations of technical analysts and Apple followers that have been speculating about the new device for months. Most technical experts are impressed by the improvements and believe the new iPad will sell well. However, others express their disappointment that Apple failed to include haptic touch-feedback technology in the display or access to the iPhone 4S’ voice-controlled Siri ‘intelligent assistant.’ So far there is no explanation as to why the device has not been given a specific name, like expected iPad 3, which may confuse the purchasers. It may be in connection to the trademark dispute raised by Proview but the only reason given was ‘because we don’t want to be predictable’.

Also see: ‘We have something you really have to see. And touch.’ Technological Updates

Since the introduction of the first iPad in 2010, the firm grew rapidly taking over the tablet market. Despite many disputes and lawsuits, Apple continues to dominate the market, having sold over 50 million iPads so far. More than 83 per cent of all U.S. tablet users choose iPad according to eMarketer. The company, however may face a challenge from Microsoft once tablets running Windows 8 system go on sale as the improvements introduced are not considered enough to ensure Apple’s lead in the market.

During the event, Apple also mentioned that a new version of its Apple TV device with higher-resolution video would go on sale March 16. The product enables viewers to get Internet video on traditional TV as well as purchase movies via iTunes across Apple devices. The event was closed by Mr. Cook announcing that there is still more to come this year.

Also see: Apple worth more than most countries in the world! | Apple remains in the centre of patent and trademark disputes | Patent disputes: protecting manufacturers or threatening innovation 

Apple TV | Apple iPad | Apple Accessories | Apple Covers

'We have something you really have to see. And touch.' Technological Updates

There have been some exciting news in the world of technology, new products have just been launched (or are about to).
The first product worth mentioning is the PlayStation Vita, a portable gaming console launched by Sony.  Main features of the Vita’s features include: touchscreen, similar to those in smartphones, touch-sensitive panels on the back to increase gaming control, front and rear camera, access to the internet, as well as social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The most basic model of the device sells at £219 and Sony hopes it will appeal to the gamers that would like to enjoy their favourite games from bigger consoles on smaller portable devices.

The new model comes at the time of financial struggle for the Japanese company which has recently reported losses of $2bn due to flooding of some of its warehouses. Despite that Sony has already spent $50m on the promotional activity for its new device. It seems somewhat extensive for a gaming console which cannot be used to make calls, send messages, record videos and play songs. However, as the company CEO Jack Tretton explained that the Vita brings social gaming to a whole new level and was created mainly for true enthusiasts looking for a better gaming experience.

Another creation that deserves the attention is iPad3 which will soon be launched by Apple, or that is what is expected. The company has sent out invitations to an event that will take place on 7th March in San Francisco however the purpose of the event has not been specified. The invitation read: ‘We have something you really have to see. And touch...’ Some shops, have already started discounting the iPad 2 model to make space for the new upgraded version and reports suggest that the new version of the iPad is already being shipped to the US. It was reported that Apple shares soared to $530 for the first time in the company's history after the invitations were issued.

This launch is considered the most significant event since the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs last year. It is claimed that the new model will have a quad-core processor, 4G and Long Term Evolution technology. A Retina Display is also widely hoped for, however the same expectations were set for iPad2. Judging by the success of Apple’s previous launches: the first iPad, that sold three million in 80 days after its release in 2010 and almost 15 million that year, as well as iPad2, which was bought by one million people in 28 days after launching, iPad3 can count on widespread interest.

In other news Samsung received two out of four most significant GSMA awards at Mobile World Congress. Samsung was announced the Device Manufacturer of the Year and its Galaxy S II was crowned the Best Smartphone, defeating Apple’s iPhone4 which was granted the award last year. Samsung was praised for ‘outperforming rivals in a tough market’ and its overall progress. The company seems to have dominated the smartphone market as its Galaxy S III, to be launched later this year, is supposed to raise the bar for Android devices.

Apple received the Best Mobile Tablet award for its iPad2, a product that ‘has defined the market and dominated sales.’ With iPad3, expected to come out in March, Apple became a major competitor in the tablet market. However, its dominant position may be threatened by some recent innovations: a string of tablets created by Google's Android operating system as well as new category of tablet devices powered by Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system. Microsoft will run through the details of Windows 8 on Wednesday at an event in Barcelona. It takes Microsoft one step closer to its goal: the ultimate integration of the PC, tablet, and smartphone experience, which Apple is also aiming to achieve with its iOS and OS X platforms.

It is comforting to see that new launches still take place despite patent and trademark battles that major technological players have been involved in recently. It confirms that innovation remains a central focus for manufacturers and not all efforts are concentrated on lawsuits and disputes.

Samsung | Sony | Apple | Microsoft