Soft Reset Explained:

Although the iPad is pretty robust in so far as there are not actual moving parts in it, there are still a few things that can go wrong. With this in mind Apple have incorporated a ‘soft reset’ function into the device. This is particularly useful if the system ever freezes. By just holding the top or the power button at the same time as the Home button for a few seconds, allows users to reset the device.

Cut and Copy Pasting Explained:

Copying long texts on an iPad is a long and tiresome process. With this in mind Apple created an easy solution to the problem. Users can copy a whole paragraph without having to stretch the blue knobs on their screens. All they need to do is tap any of the text four times and this automatically highlights the whole paragraph. However, this only works on text that can be edited.

Importing Free eBooks Explained:

Users can benefit from free e-books on their iPads and this includes books that are no longer copyrighted.

Easy Mute Explained:

This is an easy to use function on an iPad that allows you to automatically turn off the volume on your device. Just by pressing the volume down button for a couple of seconds, users can turn off the volume on their devices.

Supersized Screenshots Explained:

Users can increase the size of a screenshot by simply holding the power and home buttons down simultaneously for half a second.

Bringing the Virtual Keyboard Back

Many people thought this would be difficult to achieve on their iPads but in fact it is easily done. All users have to do is touch the eject key on the real physical keyboard to get the virtual one back up.

Apple marketed the iPad as having specifically designed apps and that these ranged from leisure and educational ones right through to business applications that the average person would not be able to live without. Currently there are more apps being developed for the iPad which could mean there will be one for just about everything imaginable.

The iPad is loaded with apps, thousands of them and although some of these may appear to be useless at first, they are however available on the device should you ever need to use them. Some of the apps are really high tech but then the option is there for those who might know how to use them.

With this said there are lots of very useful ones too and this includes Epicurious which is a comprehensive cookbook that’s indexed for easy use. Simply by using one ingredient as a keyword search brings up recipes with that ingredient in them and then you can narrow the search by adding another keyword. With other lifestyle apps like Grocery iQ, these are fun to use and very useful to have at your fingertips.

When it comes to gaming and entertainment, there is a wide choice of things to choose from which includes high speed racing to more scholarly apps. Gaming is a great experience on the iPad because of it’s great display and ultra fast processor as well as it’s multi-orientation screen. This allows users to flip the tablet to whichever position the like best whether it’s portrait or landscape.

On an educational note there is Scrabble and Soduko which are extremely popular game puzzles that have been integrated into the iPad apps. But there are plenty more of them including Labyrinth, Monkey Flight, Traffic Rush to name but a few.

If you are a racing fan then the iPad apps available will get your head spinning. There’s Real Racing 2 HD, Asphalt 5 HD, F1 2011 GAME, Fastlane Street Racing Lite and many, many more. The total amount at the present time is around one hundred racing games which should keep anyone busy for a while.

There is even more choice when it comes to adding apps to an iPad. All you have to do is visit Apple’s App Store where there are thousands to choose from which means you are bound to find one or two that catch your eye.

Although Apple is pretty independent, it does however, have in-built support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and 2007. Microsoft’s Business Email service cannot be ignored and as such Apple would not let their users get left behind should they choose to buy an iPad.

This enhanced software feature allows iPad users to manage specific calendar details as well as search global address lists and inbox messages that are stored in their Microsoft profile.

Apple is known for it’s high level of security and this is just as important on the iPad. Data exchanged over the Internet or over-the-air can be encrypted. Corporate communication over-the-air is also very well protected using a certificate-based authentication process via VPN and Exchange. If users lose their iPads or they are stolen, people are able to delete any vulnerable data that’s stored on the device by way of a remote command app.

There are loads of specialized apps which include business metrics tracker, proposal reviewer and many more that have be specifically developed with business users in mind. Apple hosts the iPhone Developer Enterprise Program which is much the same as the enterprise edition of the BlackBerry RIM. The real difference between the two is that iPad users can create their own apps and they can share these with colleagues as well as employees when deemed necessary.

Companies are able to set up on their own profiles on their iPads and this includes their details like VPN, email, password as well as wireless networks which they can then share with their colleague through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the Internet.

For business users, the iWork app allows them to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations. These applications have been specifically designed to be accessed by the iPad’s multi-touch screen system. They can create and present keynote slides throught the touchscreen device and manage Numbers and Pages by simply tapping the element on it.

Users can share these documents in different ways including via a VGA adapter that connects the iPad to a projector which allows the device to display a much larger image, this is particularly useful when a presentation needs to be given to a roomful of people. One good thing about the iPad is that users can import Microsoft documents onto their device. Users can share their presentations, spreadsheets and text document on a much wider scale if they upload to iWork.com as this allows a much larger audience to view the files when they need to.

The applications cover a wide range of categories from entertainment to business with games, education and sports in between. Apple have thought of just about everything imaginable to be run on the iPad which means whatever a user needs, Apple’s engineers have developed an app for it.

One of the nice features is it’s iBook app which is an e-book reader. The screen size is perfect making it easy to read wherever the user happens to be at the time. Readers can adjust the background light to suit them. They can also change text size and fonts which is great because people do have their own personal preferences when it comes to fonts and text size when they are reading.

One of the best features of the iBook app is it’s graphics, the crisp clear screen with it’s high speed memory means that images appear instantly as text is being read. Reading illustrated books and graphic novels on the device is a very nice experience.

Marvel Comics even has its own e-book reader app on the device so these are easily accessible by a downloading them when you want to. Users can enlarge or minimize images by just pinching the multi-touch screen and it is very easy to navigate through the pages of Marvel comic books by simply tapping the thumbnails.

There are so many apps available on the device that users are spoilt for choice and this includes things like the Wall Street Journal as well as the New York Times, both of which created an app that is exclusive to the iPad.

Users can get apps from Apple’s App Store and again there is a special app on the iPad for users to do this easily and quickly. The iBook app comes pre-installed in the device whereas other apps like the Marvel Comic’s app have to be purchased from the App Store. Users can go to Amazon to buy the apps they need too and a. Amazon holds the record for offering the best titles around and have a greater selection than anyone else, this is one place where you’ll find everything you’ll ever need. Users have the option of previewing any books or comics before they commit to buying them which is a great advantage. Ipad owners also have one other advantage and this is to order Marvel Comics in print if they want to.

First we need to take a look at the things that make the iPad a device that really is not worth buying.

 Apple are constantly releasing new versions of the iPad in the very near future, so is it the device we all need to rush out and buy?

 A lot of people have expressed their pure disappointment in the iPad so when it comes to a new tablet PC, the big question on everyone’s lips is ‘will the device be any better’? The fact that questions are being asked is enough to hurt Apple’s sales because it is mostly ‘techies’ who don’t like the iPad. Bad press always puts a large number of people off buying a product.

 With a new upgraded version soon to be released, a lot of people would rather wait for the it to be launced because the device might have a few of the features that Apple did not incorporate into the iPad in the first place and this includes a built-in camera. If it means waiting a few months for a better version of the device, then people would prefer to do this than fork out $500 on a device that lacks some fundamental features that will be outdated very soon by an upgraded version.

On factor that many people find annoying about the iPad is the fact is does not support Flash which is a standard on the web. Flash runs videos, audios as well as games but for one reason or another Apple does not like this application which some people find understandable. Apple prefers a less vulnerable application that’s more stable and harder to hack into. As such the company uses it’s own HTML5.

However, as the majority of websites use Adobe Flash, this can be a little annoying. Users have to visit sites using the iPad’s Safari browser and although this is great, this causes a few problems that can be very annoying.

As mentioned above, there’s no in-built camera either and there’s no guarantee that a newer version will have one either. This is a huge downside of the iPad as people can’t communicate over skype or any other way they might want to.

Multitasking can only be done when running Apple’s native applications, it does run on third party applications. So if users want to multitask the simple answer is they won’t be able to if they are running any application that are not native to Apple.

The conclusion is the iPad is great if you want a sophisticated gadget that has multi-function applications like a multimedia player, a laptop hybrid or that represents a really great toy. However, if you like to be online then you might find you reach a dead end pretty quickly without Flash support and you won’t be able to make a video call on Skype while listening to iTunes.

The Smart Cover uses magnets within the iPad to align it perfectly to the iPad. Third party cases can sometimes be a bit of a struggle to line up on the iPad – sometimes the case slips and the home button is not easily accessible, or it can be a struggle to fit the charger lead into the socket. So the magnetized Smart Cover is a welcome change.

The Smart Cover can automatically wake the device when the cover is opened, meaning users no longer need to hit the home button or power button to access the iPad. This is just a small and simple feature but incredibly useful.

The Smart Cover is also capable of supporting the iPad in a standing position so that you can easily view movies and videos. The cover simply folds behind the iPad to prop it up. This is also very useful for FaceTime and Skype sessions. The cover can also be folded at a different angle to prop up the unit to make typing easier. This can be especially helpful if you are composing a long email or document.

There are two material choices with the Smart Cover, and a whole range of colors to choose from. For bright vibrant colors, the obvious choice is the polyurethane cover, available in black, gray, pink, green and blue. There is also a traditional leather cover which comes in brown, black, gray, white and red. Both of the materials are lined with microfiber which works to remove smudges and fingermarks from the screen when the cover is closed, as well of course as keeping it safe from scratches.

No matter your personal preference in terms of color and material, the Smart Cover cannot be beaten on functionality and usefulness. Many cases for the iPad can be quite bulky and add a significant amount of weight and bulk to the device. However the Smart Cover is slim and sleek while still giving protection. In addition, the extra features make it a great and stylish choice for any new iPad owner, or a great gift choice for the iPad owner in your family!

Now that the new iPad has been unveiled, it became apparent that Apple had not quite lived up to the dreams of the A6. The new iPad features a processor called the A5X – an update on the A5, but still a dual core processor. However, the onboard graphics processor is now a quad core. This is a great performance boost if not quite as dramatic as the rumors originally suggested!

The new graphics processor is probably driven by the new retina display which has pushed the iPad’s screen resolution from 1024×769 to a massive 2048×1536. This resolution improvement gives 4 times the number of pixels the previous iPad had, which is a taxing task for any unit. The new quad core graphics processor makes this a lot more manageable.

The new A5 chip carries an increased cache and a slightly increased clock speed to boost the iPad 3′s performance and enable the new hardware to run smoothly. One interesting fact is that although the RAM has been increased from 512mb to 1gb, it’s no longer on board the processor chip but is over the other side of the unit. It’s been speculated that this could be in order to avoid issued with overheating.

So is the new Retina display and improved quad core graphics worth upgrading from the iPad 1 or 2 to the new model? Yes, definitely! The new iPad’s high resolution will allow HD movies and videos to be played. Photos will be crisp and clear. Ebooks are also likely to be much clearer to read and a great many apps are being upgraded to take advantage of the new processor and new display.

The new graphics processor brings benefits beyond just the screen display. The new iPad’s rear camera can now shoot video in 1080P High definition, and allows on board editing in iMovie rather than having to transfer it back and forth to your Pc or Mac. Also if you buy the newest version of Apple TV you can get AirPlay streaming at 1080P.

The new iPad 3 has some very big improvements over the previous models, and the quad core processor is a big part of those enhancements.

New improved battery = a thicker iPad?

While the actual battery life on the iPad 2 and new iPad is around the same, the ipad 3′s battery is a much better one. The iPad 2 battery was approximately 6930mAh, whereas the new iPad’s battery is 10,000mAh – an increase of around 44%.

As the battery produces more power, it is also larger than its predecessor. This meant some slightly cosmetic changes to the new iPad. At 9.4mm thickness, it’s 0.6mm thicker than the iPad 2 – nothing to write home about, in other words! The iconic sleek design and tapered shape of the iPad is still there.

Battery Life

In benchmark tests the new iPad 3 battery life lasts for around 10 hours. However, if you’re using 4G connection, you can expect to see that go down to around 8 hours. This is average for most iPads and realistically mean that you can get a full day’s work out of the new iPad 3 without having to recharge it.

Drain on Battery

Although the battery is larger and more higher powered than the iPad 2 battery, the new iPad 3 lasts the same amount of time as the iPad 2. The new features available in the iPad 3 can really drain the battery quickly – and when you think about the innovations in the camera, sounds quality and Retina display, it’s easy to see why. If Apple hadn’t included this new battery then we’d have been seeing battery life reduced probably to around 4-5 hours.

Tips to Increase Battery Life on the New iPad

There are a number of ways to improve the battery life of the new iPad 3. The first port of call is to turn off the notifications and location services for most (if not all) of the apps that you use. This will immediately save the iPad having to dedicate battery power to these unnecessary functions.

You can also reduce the screen brightness to 50-70% – this will decrease the amount of power that goes into the screen display. As long as you’re working indoors this setting should be fine, although you will need to increase brightness in strong sunlight.

Set the iPad to auto-lock after a short time period, say 30 seconds. This will automatically turn off the display when you’re not using your device.

Bottom Line – Is It Worth It?

The battery life in the new iPad 3 may be the same as the iPad 2, but the battery itself is much stronger and more powerful, and is absolutely necessary to handle the more power-draining new features that make the new iPad 3 such a desirable piece of kit.

The Camera App

The new camera is a massive upgrade on the iPad 2 and is something that many users will be attracted by specifically. Not only the camera hardware but also the new camera app itself has been redesigned with a view to allowing buyers to make the most of the massive 5MP camera and the new iPad’s revolutionary Retina display.

With iOS 5.1 there is also a change to the way the face detection works. This feature previously was only able to focus on one face per picture, which was perfect for individual portraits but not so good for group shots. It’s now possible to detest many faces in one photo, so group shots will be much easier to set up and the photographer can concentrate on composing the image instead of messing about with the settings.

Improved Photo Stream

A great new improvement under iOS 5.1 is the enhancements to the Photo Stream. Prior to this edition, users could not delete individual photos from the Photo Stream, which meant that if you were going to use it, you had to accept that along with your perfectly composed shots you would also get a bunch of blurry images and accidental photos of your feet. This really was a ridiculous oversight and put many people off using the Photo Stream service completely.

However with iOS 5.1 users can now individually select photos for sharing with Photo Stream and discard the remainder, rather than having to reset the whole stream of 1000 pictures every time.

Improved User Experience

iOS 5.1 brings with it a host of other updates which bring an enhanced user experience to the iPad. Sound quality has been greatly improved, meaning watching videos and movies and listening to music on the new iPad will be a more enjoyable experience.

Playback speed can now be controlled on each video, and a 30 second rewind function has been implemented. The Safari browser has some enhancements to its bookmark functionality, too.

And finally (and importantly for those who are using their iPad on the move and need to download and sync large files) the bandwidth limit has been raised – instead of the maximum 20mb download size previously you will now be able to download up to 50mb.

In conclusion, the new iOS 5.1 brings several important improvements and enhancements to the new iPad 3, but the OS features alone will not be reason enough for most people to consider upgrading to the new iPad 3.

The twin benefits of the high resolution and the pixel density are what make the Retina display something special. The resolution is 2048×1536, exactly double the resolution available on the iPad 2. The main competitor to the iPad in terms of resolution has been the Asus Transformer, but its 1920×1200 resolution now looks a bit sad compared to the new iPad! The new iPad’s massive 2048×1536 is plenty of screen to play HD movies and view hi-res picture without missing any details.

However, the resolution is only one part of the deal. The amount of pixels in the display (“pixel density”) is what makes the display really special and worthy of the Retina labelling. 3.1 million pixels have been included in the new iPad’s Retina display. In layman’s terms this means that the eye cannot discern individual pixels on the iPad screen. At 3.1 million pixels the new iPad 3 is now well in front of many DTV models. It is a 400% increase on the number of pixels on the iPad 2 screen.

Another great aspect of the Retina display is color saturation. This feature is 44% better than the iPad 2, and this has been heavily publicised by Apple. So not only will the new iPad 3 display images with amazing clarity, they will also have a much deeper and richer depth and accuracy of color.

So what about existing apps that weren’t built to render on the Retina display’s huge resolution? No need to worry about that. Apple has adjusted all the pre-supplied iOS apps to take full advantage of the extra screen size, and with third party apps they will automatically be optimized so that they look great on the Retina display. Any text display on the new iPad 3 will be automatically adjusted to the optimum size for the resolution to give the best clarity.

When you put all these features together, the Retina display is definitely the most exciting feature on the new iPad, even considering all of its other benefits. Once you’re seen the display yourself first hand you’ll understand what all the fuss is about. It really does leave standing every other mobile device out there on the market today. It’s set the standard for tablet PCs in the same way the iPhone 4S set the standard for smartphones. The new iPad 3 Retina display is definitely a huge selling point.