Friday, March 30, 2012

Newest iPad (iPad3), my review

Normally I am all about teaching and instructing but recently (yesterday) I received the newest iPad.   As with all the gadgets I am lucky enough to get my hands on, all other work went to the wayside.  I currently have all three generation of iPads.  I have enjoyed the new features and enhancements with each model/version/release of the iPad.  The top 3 things that thrill me with the latest iPad are...
  1. The Retina Display - until you see it you can't believe the difference from the iPad2 to latest iPad.  Immediately the resolution on the 9.7 screen is sharper, more vibrant with more pixels (1536 x 2048) packed into the screen.   The clear crystal clean image as well as the color reproduction brings a reality to images.  Simple terms- great picture!
  2. Quad-core graphic processor - faster graphics, faster downloads-- performance, speed, web browsing are great improvements to an already awesome device. 
  3. 5MP iSight camera -the camera improvements allow you to record HD video in full 1080p.  It is also optimized for different lighting.  It gives you 8 mega pixels (better than 50% more pixels than the camera on the iPhone 4).  You see a dramatic difference in the resolution and details of your images.  The uses for the camera improvements extend farther than personal use.  Consider sports- coaching and training- have you seen that new app Coaches eye?  Education- field trips, special events, moments that can be shared with family.  Use photos and video to engage student learning and the writing process.  Health care- an iPad in the hands of every doctor/technician, and physical therapist.  Corporate American can also make use of this product, marketing your company brand.  I believe this allows all users the ability to capture a moment and share in some might say is "real time" enhancing their customers experience. I am all about good customer service.
Additionally, the iLife apps add another element to the tablet experience.  Mobile Hot Spot is also supported but only through Verizon.  If you purchase the new iPad Wi-Fi + 4G you can share your network with up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices and if you can believe this ---at no additional cost- per Verizon's website.   Voice dictation is another bonus I have yet to explore, but from what I have read it is spot on almost 95% of the time and it supports US English, British, Australian, French, German, and Japanese.

The newest iPad is a little heavier and maybe it gets a little warmer (so they say).  My opinion is that the improvements are significant and a good reason to support purchasing the latest and greatest iPad!  This company is amazing; the strides they continue to make in technology could have an impact on health care and assist in health care reform. Apple seems to be 1-2 steps ahead of the rest, such vision- Go Apple! 

Let me know your thoughts, what do you like or don't like about the newest iPad? What do you do with your iPad? We learn by sharing.  Keep smiling!

App Resources: 
Free Math Apps By Grade Level via Tutor House