The embargo has lifted on the reviews for the 3rd Generation iPad, and they are starting to trickle out. Here are links and summaries of some of the more prominent reviews:
- Text in most apps will automatically take advantage of Retina display, though with some exceptions (Kindle App) - "The third-generation iPad had a frame rate 1.6 times that of the iPad 2" - 3rd Gen iPad almost identical physically to iPad 2 - Video quality of 1080p video recorded was "very good" even in low light - "AT&T’s LTE network in San Francisco was impressive." with 14.5Mbps/20.6Mbps download and upload rates.
- "Remember how startling it was to go from one of those giant standard definition projector TVs to an HDTV? That’s what this is like." - Screen is a huge difference from iPad 2. - Movies and photos are crystal clear
- "Once you see and use the new iPad, there will be no going back." - LTE: "Really fast. Faster-than-my-WiFi fast." - LTE: 40 mbps down and 20mbps up on Verizon - Bigger battery, and does get noticeably warm in lower left corner after prolonged use.
- "I'm not being hyperbolic or exaggerative when I say it is easily the most beautiful computer display I have ever looked at." - Verizon LTE: 22Mbps down, 21Mbps in mid-town Manhattan - Battery tests almost matched Apple's claims.
- "If you already own an iPad 2, and like it, you shouldn’t feel like you have to rush out to buy the new one." - Was able to use smaller font sizes to read books and email on 3rd Gen iPad vs iPad 2
- "Really, the new iPad should have been called the iPad 2S." - "Apple just took its white-hot iPad and added the latest screen, battery and cellular technologies."
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
it's somewhat ironic that tech writers are the ones who tend to be dismissive about these kinds of "incremental" updates. maybe it's b/c they're so focused on the specs and numbers that have surrounded computers for the last couple of decades.
nevermind that it's really really hard to get it that slim and the screen that beautiful while at the same time increasing the battery by 40%, putting in a new camera system, and all the while, keeping the price the same.
tech writers, for some reason, have no idea how hard it is to make something...maybe that's why they write and not make.
For people complaining about the 3rd gen. iPad, you really can't. It offers a phenomenal user experience. The app store, ease-of-use, responsiveness and ecosystem were already amazing, but now you have an iPad with an ultra-high resolution display, more speed, better graphics, a better camera and dictation.
Enjoy it. There's nothing else comparable to the iPad right now.
There hasn't been a tablet comparable to the iPad since it was released.
Looks like the reviews are going to make all of us pre-orderers just a little more happy tonight.
Come on, Friday!
The screen was the reason I bought it. I fail to see how a spec bump would affect user experience as much as the display, which is the whole point of the device.
