It is no less than astounding to manipulate photo-reality with your fingertips. It’s a joyous experience that words cannot convey. It has to be done to be believed.
Of course, not all apps take advantage of the Retina Display. Most apps simply have their pixels doubled to fill it up. They still look nice — nicer than they did on last year’s model. But apps that have been optimized for the Retina Display make it seem like you’re bending reality with the tip of your finger. And in a sense, you are.
By this time next year, if not sooner, nearly all apps will be optimized for the Retina Display. The magic will be everywhere.
So, yes, the new iPad takes better pictures and has a battery that still lasts nine or ten hours and can access Verizon’s or AT&T’s LTE networks and has quad-core graphics and all that. But so what? The new iPad is all about the screen, and there is nothing else like it available anywhere in the world at any price.
I’m in love, and I suspect you might fall, too.
ONE MORE THING: This review and all photo editing done for this review were performed on a new iPad. I love it when people call it a “consumption device.”
One other thing, Steverino. Videos shot on this baby look pretty sensational. We’re going to try to use it to stream for PJTV. If it works, it’s a…. game changer (okay, erase those two words from the English language or consign them to the dust-bin with “at the end of the day”…. but anyway… it’s cool.)
“Game changer” is still fun to say, so I’m keeping it.
For now.
And I can’t wait to see what we do with the new iPads. Can I write mine off?
Great review. Just for the record, I created that image of the 2001-ish monolith (from assorted spare parts, obviously) for the SF Canada website more than a decade ago to accompany a column I’d written called, “It’s 2001! Where’s our Space Odyssey?” (It’s still online at http://www.sfcanada.ca/spring2001/2001.htm It was funny to see it pop up here today. No worries; you’re welcome to it. Just surprised me how far afield it has wandered over the years!
All them pixels cost money, use power, generate heat.
Expect a model 3-junior with “only” an HD screen, cost $100 less, profit Apple $20 more, and go another hour on the same battery … unless they downspec the battery.