Apple’s Third Generation iPad Hits Stores Today

New Features on the iPad
Today the new, third-generation iPad went on sale at Apple stores around the world. The iPad 3 brings many of the innovations that Apple has released with the iPhone 4s to the iPad line of devices. The first in a laundry list of new features that the new iPad has included is an enhanced Retina display that boasts 3.1 million pixels and a 2048 x 1536 resolution. The new iPad is powered by the A5X chip which despite the enhanced performance, Apple claims will still command a 10 hour battery life. The new iPad features a 5-megapixel, 1080p, full HD, iSight video camera. The camera will shoot 5mp stills and has built in face recognition software that auto balances exposure across up to 10 different faces. The aperture on the new iPad is an f/2.4 which lets in more light and produces better looking pictures. The HD video also has auto stabilization built-in. The SIRI voice software which was released on the iPhone 4s, enables voice dictation. The new iPad additionally has the latest 4G LTE wireless technology. International travelers will appreciate the ability to use of a local SIM card to get a connection while traveling.  A new first is that you can use the new iPad as a personal hotspot. You can connect up to 5 devices as long as your carrier supports it. You can also use AirPlay on the new iPad to stream videos, photos, and music to your HDTV via Apple TV or to AirPlay enabled speakers over a Wi-Fi network. The device is the same size as the iPad 2 with the exception that it is slightly thicker in the middle, however the edges taper more and it is hardly noticeable.  All features combined, the new iPad comes with several new features that could convince iPad2 users to upgrade.
 
Using the iPad in Your Small Business
The iPad is a great device for small business. Ease of use, intuitive interface and instant-on capability make the iPad a laptop replacement about 90% of the time. It browses the web with ease, and handles email very well. It is also an all-in-one entertainment device on which you can watch a movie, play a game, or read a book. One of the things I had a hard time using the iPad2 for was writing. To compose an email with the on-screen keyboard is tolerable; however, writing a 5 page article was not something I would have even attempted on the iPad2. The voice dictation capability that is now built into the new iPad might convince me to write or speak my newest article. This makes taking my heavy laptop even less necessary. The iPad gives you instant access to information. Agility gives small business a competitive advantage.  If you can apply the technology of the new iPad in your small business, you will enhance your marketability. 
 
Photo Credit: Leon Lee