Apple on Wednesday unveiled the latest iPad, which it’s calling “the new iPad,” as opposed to an iPad 3 or iPad HD, as well as a new Apple TV.
Reports predicting a retina display, faster processor and LTE connectivity were all right. The New iPad features an A5X quad-core graphics processor, retina display with 3.1 million pixels, as well as both LTE and Wi-Fi models. The New iPad also has an improved 5-megapixel camera system.
AT&T, Bell, Rogers, Telus and Verizon were mentioned as LTE partners in the United States.
The new iPad Wi-Fi-only models will be available in black or white on Friday, March 16, for $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), and $699 (64GB). LTE models for either AT&T or Verizon will be available for $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB), $829 (64GB).
Apple said it will continue making the iPad 2, which will be available in Wi-Fi only for $399 (16GB), and $529 for a 16GB 3G-capable model.
Apple also introduced a new Apple TV device, which features a new UI, and support for 1080p content. That device will be available for $99 on March 16.
On the software side of things, Apple announced a revamp of its iLife suite of software for the iPad, introducing iPhoto for iPad and iPhone, as well as major updates to iMovie and GarageBand.
Apple has increasingly shifted its focus from PCs to smartphones, tablets and portable devices like the iPod line. Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, said that Apple has sold 315 million iOS devices through last year, with 62 million of those devices sold in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Apple stock dropped slightly following the announcement from Wednesday’s open of $536.80 to $526 per share.
