MacRumors

Several tech blogs have posted their hands-on impressions of the new iPad, announced earlier today.

Slashgear:

“It’s Resolutionary” Apple says of the new iPad, and we have to agree. We’ve just grabbed some hands-on time with the new Retina Display iOS 5.1 tablet, and the difference from the iPad 2 – which, remember, stays on sale alongside it – is vast. The pixels in the 2048 x 1536 display are, at regular arm’s length, completely indistinguishable: it’s only when you get up close that you can make them out.

The Verge:

Physically, the device feels nearly the same in hand as the previous model. Though it does have a slight bump in thickness, the difference is nearly unnoticeable. Since the design hasn't dramatically changed, there's not much to note in the casing department, and though there are improved cameras present, the general seating and size of the sensors seems unchanged.

Engadget:

There's no doubt that this here tablet feels every bit like a $500 product, oozing quality from edge to edge and being as delightful as ever to use. Is it the second coming of the tablet? Of course not, but if we've learned anything from the iPhone 4S, it doesn't need to be. Apple just put an insane amount of real estate in the hands of crafty developers, and frankly, we can't wait to see what they cook up.

Following Apple's announcement that iOS 5.1 would debut today, the software update is now available for existing iOS devices. Among the notable additions are Japanese language support for Siri, camera enhancements, and the ability to delete photos from users' Photo Streams.

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

- Japanese language support for Siri (availability may be limited during initial rollout)
- Photos can now be deleted from Photo Stream
- Camera shortcut now always visible on Lock Screen for iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (4th generation)
- Camera face detection now highlights all detected faces
- Redesigned Camera app for iPad
- Genius Mixes and Genius playlists for iTunes Match subscribers
- Audio for TV programs and films on iPad optimized to sound louder and clearer
- Podcast controls for playback speed and a 30-second rewind for iPad
- Addresses bugs affecting battery life
- Fixes and issue that occasionally caused audio to drop for outgoing calls

Apple's battery issues under iOS 5 were well-documented, and it appears that the 5.1 release takes additional steps to address that issue, while the update also seems to address audio issues that had been plaguing a number of users.

With the launch of the 3rd Generation iPad, Apple has increased the over-the-air download limit for the App Store to 50MB, up from 20MB.

As noted by AppAdvice, the change is presumably to accommodate larger app sizes due to the new iPad's Retina display and faster cellular data available with 4G LTE. The download limit is now 50MB across all devices, as shown in the above screenshot. This limit affects the maximum size of an App that can be downloaded over 3G or 4G networks.

Developers frequently work hard to keep their apps under the over-the-air download limit, as they believe going over that limit reduces the likelihood of spontaneous purchases.

Following the announcement today of a new 1080p-capable Apple TV, Netflix has announced that it will support 1080p streaming on the new Apple TV. In addition, users will be able to sign up and pay for Netflix service on both the second and third-generation Apple TV models, using their iTunes Store account.

Starting today, you can sign-up for Netflix directly on your Apple TV and pay via your iTunes account. Plus, with the new third generation Apple TV, you’ll also be able to watch thousands of hours of great movies and television streaming on Netflix in 1080p high definition and with room-filling Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

Now, with a software update on your Apple TV, this seamless sign up and billing experience extends to the second generation Apple TV. The new sign up and payment experience on Apple TV is available wherever Netflix is, including in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Netflix's iOS app is also available free on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

Just half an hour after the end of the event, Apple has already posted video of its third-generation iPad media event to its site.

Among the products announced at the event:

- Apple Introduces 'The New iPad' with Retina Display, A5X Chip, LTE, 5MP Rear Camera
- Apple Introduces New Apple TV Set-Top Box with 1080p Video and Updated Interface
- Apple Launches iPhoto for iPad with Photo Editing and Organization Features
- Apple Launching iOS 5.1 Today with Japanese Support for Siri Coming Soon

Apple today introduced "the next iPad", the latest generation of the company's popular tablet device. Offering a Retina display measuring in at 2048 x 1536 pixels, Apple claims that it is "redefining the category Apple created" with the original iPad. At 264 pixels per inch, the new display is considered Retina quality with indistinguishable pixels when held at the typical viewing distance of 15 inches.

Featuring an A5X system-on-chip with quad-core graphics, the Retina display offer 44% greater color saturation than its predecessor. All of Apple's stock apps have been optimized for the new ultra-high resolution display and existing apps from third-party developers will be automatically scaled up with text rendered for the new resolution. With additional work, developers can also optimize their entire apps for the new display.

On the camera front, the updated iPad features a 5-megapixel rear camera with advanced optics very similar to those found in the 8-megapixel camera on the iPhone 4S. 1080p video recording is also supported. Voice dictation as found on the iPhone 4S is also included.

Cellular-capable models of the new iPad also support 4G LTE as had been rumored by multiple sources. Supporting data speeds of up to 21 Mbps on HSPA+, 42 Mbps on dual-carrier HSPA+, and 73 Mbps on LTE, the new iPad offers a significant improvement in cellular data capabilities. LTE partners include AT&T and Verizon in the United States and Rogers, Telus, and Bell in Canada. Due to differences in frequency bands, AT&T and Verizon support will require separate models.

On the battery life front, the new iPad offers the same levels as before: 10 hours on Wi-Fi or 9 hours on 4G LTE. As for the device's size, it comes it a scant 0.6 mm thicker than the iPad 2 at 9.4 mm thick, and weighs 1.4 pounds versus the 1.33-pound iPad 2.

Pricing remains as before at $499/$599/$699 for Wi-Fi models and $629/$729/$829 for 4G LTE models, with capacities coming in at 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. The new iPad launches on March 16 in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

Apple will also continue to offer the 16 GB iPad 2 in both Wi-Fi ($399) and Wi-Fi + 3G ($529) models.

With the introduction of a Retina display on the new iPad, Apple has updated all of its stock applications to support the higher resolution, also adding updates to several of its applications including GarageBand and iMovie. But the company has also filled out the remainder of its iPad versions of its iLife suite with the launch of iPhoto for iPad, a new application offering photo editing capabilities right on the device.

iPhoto for iPad offers a broad array of photo editing and comparison features, including auto-enhancements such as straightening photos and fixing contrast. Brush palettes offer a number of editing tools including red-eye removal, lighten, sharpen, soften, and darken. iPhoto can handle images up to 19 megapixels.

iPhoto, Apple’s popular photography app, has been completely reimagined for iOS to take full advantage of the Retina display and intuitive Multi-Touch gestures on iPad and iPhone. Simple gestures can be used to select and compare photos side by side and flag your best shots. iPhoto gives you full control over color, exposure and contrast, and you simply touch the parts of the image you want to change. You can enhance pictures by adding beautiful Apple-designed effects with just a tap, or apply adjustments exactly where you want them with fingertip brushes. In addition to posting photos to Facebook, Flickr and Twitter, you can beam photos between your iPhone and iPad; stream photos and slideshows to your Apple TV with AirPlay; and use iCloud to publish photo journals to the web and share your stories with friends and family in a whole new way.

iPhoto for iPad launches today and is priced at $4.99.

As expected, Apple today introduced an updated Apple TV offering support for 1080p video, which is now also available through the iTunes Store. The company is also rolling out an updated interface for the set-top box, with icon-based category buttons and large billboard-style artwork for content.

The new Apple TV maintains the same $99 price tag as its predecessor and is available for pre-order today. It launches on March 16th.

“People are going to love streaming movies and TV shows in 1080p with the new Apple TV, and photos look beautiful displayed at the maximum resolution of your TV,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Apple TV is easier than ever to use with its new icon-based interface and the ability to access your purchased movies, TV shows and music right from iCloud.”

Apple's iCloud services have also been updated to support 1080p video, allowing users to stream their content to any linked device including the new Apple TV. AllThingsD notes, however, that not all studios are participating in the iCloud video streaming, with Fox and Universal having to hold out due to agreements with HBO.