CNET gets a hands-on look at Apple's third-generation iPad.
Josh Lowensohn
Josh Lowensohn joined CNET in 2006 and now covers Apple. Before that, Josh wrote about everything from new Web start-ups, to remote-controlled robots that watch your house. Prior to joining CNET, Josh covered breaking video game news, as well as reviewing game software. His current console favorite is the Xbox 360.
Jessica DolcourtVP, Content Operations and Commerce, CNET Group and CNET Labs
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds.
Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
It isn't called the iPad 3, or even the iPad HD, like we thought. Apple's third-generation tablet is just officially known as the "new" iPad. We got our hands on the new device at Apple's launch event in San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Here's our First Take.
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Retina Display
The new iPad is all about the screen, with a Retina Display that features 2,048x1,536 pixels. Starting March 16, it'll cost $499 for a 16GB Wi-Fi model, with 4G LTE versions for Verizon and AT&T starting at $629. Preorders are open today.
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Same design
Physically, the new iPad is relatively unchanged. Its glass and aluminum build remains 9.5 inches tall and 7.31 inches wide, though it now measures 0.37 inch thick and weighs 1.5 pounds.
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Side view
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Camera
The 5-megapixel camera features a backside illumination sensor, autoexposure, and autofocus. There's also auto face detection. It includes 1080p HD video recording, just like on the iPhone 4S.
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Back
There's that familiar Apple logo.
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Controls, too
A closer look.
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Three capacities
As with the iPad 2, this iPad comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models.
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Weightier
Heavier than the original, the new iPad is a solid piece of personal technology.
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No Siri?
Apple called its voice actions feature "voice dictation," not "Siri."
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Testing that display
We pull up CNET to check out how all those 3.1 million pixels, or 264 pixels per inch, look. Not too shabby, Apple.
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Retina to retina
An even closer look at the lettering crispness.
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Logo
CNET's logo on the new iPad's Retina Display.
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Once again
We can't get enough of CNET on the new iPad.
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iPhoto
iPhoto for iPad especially caught our interest, with its multitouch editing and filters.
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Organization
The larger form factor makes organizing and editing photos much easier than on a 3.5-inch iPhone screen.
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Filled with tools
The busy app is chockablock with editing tools like brushes, filters, cropping, and exposure adjustments.
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Albums
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Vibrant and crisp
Icons look vibrant, detailed, and crisp on the Retina Display.
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iBooks
There's iBooks, right where we left it.
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Safari
Yep, the browser is still there, too.
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Google Maps
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Smart Cover
The new iPad is still compatible with the Smart Cover that Apple trotted out during the iPad 2 launch, one of its most versatile accessories yet.
