Tag Archives: New iPad

Apr 3 2012

New iPad Tops Consumer Reports’ Ratings


Consumer Reports has announced that new iPad tops their latest tablet ratings.

The high-resolution screen of the new iPad establishes a new benchmark in excellence, providing the best rendering of detail and color accuracy we’ve ever seen on a tablet display. As a result, the iPad tops our new tablet Ratings, posted today.

Due to the amazing performance of the new iPad’s screen, Consumer Reports has had to recalibrate their display ratings for all tablet devices, lowering the score other tablets had previously received.

As a result of the standout performance of the new iPad’s screen, we have recalibrated our standard of excellence for tablet screens. The iPad alone now receives an excellent overall score for display quality. A number of current models, including the iPad 2 (which remains on sale and is a fine performer), that received excellent scores under the past standard will now be adjusted to receive very good scores overall. Likewise, some models that received good scores may also be adjusted downward, and some overall scores have changed slightly.

Consumer Reports also notes that after investigating claims of heat issues and battery problems both were determined to be non-issues.

Responding to consumer comments on the new device, and to coverage from other reviewers, we also carried out further tests that confirmed the new iPad is warmer in its hottest spots than the iPad 2. But we didn’t find those temperatures to be cause for concern. In addition, further tests of observations we made that the new iPad was not recharging when playing a demanding, intense video game, showed that the problem was limited to times when the device was playing a demanding game with the screen fully bright. Our high overall judgment of the new iPad was not affected by the results of either battery of tests. More details soon on these tests.

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Mar 28 2012

Apple Says It Will Refund Australian Customers Misled Into Purchasing 4G iPad


Apple has told a Federal Court in Australia that it will offer a refund to customers who believe that they were misled due to the company’s 4G claims for the new iPad, says ABC.

Apple has agreed to publish a clarification that states the product supports ultra-fast mobile networks but is not compatible with the Telstra network. The company says it will email purchasers offering a refund if they believe they have been misled. Clarifications will also be made at point of sale.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took Apple to court today for alleged misleading iPad “4G” claims.

Apple has entered into discussions with the group and will return to court later today.

Mar 28 2012

Apple Explains Why iOS Devices Keep Charging After They Reach 100%


Apple has confirmed earlier reports that iOS devices continue charging after reporting a full 100% charge.

AllThingsD follows up a report from CNBC which revealed that when the battery indicator reads 100%, it’s actually full enough to give you Apple’s promised battery life.

Apple does in fact display the iPad (and iPhone and iPod Touch) as 100 percent charged just before a device reaches a completely charged state. At that point, it will continue charging to 100 percent, then discharge a bit and charge back up to 100 percent, repeating that process until the device is unplugged.

Apple VP Michael Tchao told AllThingsD that doing this allows iOS devices to maintain an optimum charge.

“That circuitry is designed so you can keep your device plugged in as long as you would like,” Tchao said. “It’s a great feature that’s always been in iOS.”

Mar 27 2012

Skype for iPad Has Been Updated With Retina Display Support


Skype has released an update to its iPad app that brings optimized graphics for the new Retina Display.

Bring your Skype contacts closer with full screen video at your fingertips.
Beautiful and simple, this is Skype built especially for the iPad. Call, video call, or instant message anyone on Skype. Plus, if you add a little Skype Credit, call landlines and mobiles at really low rates.

Simple to use:
• Join Skype on our website or just sign straight in to your account.
• If you already have a Skype account, your Skype contacts will automatically be there on your iPad.
• We’ve made adding new Skype contacts really easy. Once they’re in your Contact list, call, video or instant message them in one touch.
• Flick through recent calls and instant messages in your Skype for iPad history.
• Skype for iPad works over Wi-Fi or 3G (operator data charges may apply). Call Skype contacts on their iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, PC, Mac and even Skype enabled TVs.

Access free Skype features:
• Talk face-to-face or show what you’re seeing with front and back-facing cameras.
• Use Skype for iPad to call anyone else on Skype – and enjoy near CD quality (SILK) sound.
• Instant message and add emoticons to personalize your messages.

Then unlock even more features when you pay a little:
• Make cheap calls to landlines or mobiles from your iPad.
• Get an Online Number from Skype so people can call you on your iPad.

If you want to unlock these extra features, you can pay in a way that suits you.
• Pay As You Go with Skype Credit – great for when you’re using Skype every now and again.
• Pay monthly with a subscription – best if you use Skype a lot.

What’s New In This Version:
● Optimized graphics for new iPad Retina display

Pricing & Availability:
You can download Skype for iPad from the App Store for free.

Mar 24 2012

Progressive JPEGs Are the Key to High Resolution Web Images for New iPad


If you want to display high resolution web images on the new iPad, you need to use progressive JPEGs, notes Duncan Davidson.

Earlier this week we reported on a Tom’s Hardware finding that mobile Safari downsampled web images counteracting the amazing Retina Display on the new iPad.

After examining the situation closely, users found that progressive JPEGs are not downsampled and display in full quality.

A progressive JPEG divides the image file into a series of scans. The first scan shows the image at a very low quality setting, and subsequent scans improve the quality. Each scan adds to the data already present, so the total size of the image isn’t that much different.

As you view a progressive JPEG you may notice that initially its of low quality but the longer you wait the better quality it gets.