iPad

Two cameras for FaceTime and HD video recording. The Apple dual-core A5 chip. The same 10-hour battery life.¹ All in a thinner, lighter design. Now iPad is even more amazing. And even less like anything else.

Thinner, lighter and
full of great ideas.

Once you pick up iPad 2, it’ll be hard to put down. That’s the idea behind the all-new design. It’s 33 per cent thinner and up to 15 per cent lighter, so it feels even more comfortable in your hands.² And it makes surfing the web, checking email, watching films and reading books so natural, you might forget there’s incredible technology under your fingers.

Dual-core A5 chip.
It’s fast, times two.

Two powerful cores in one A5 chip mean iPad can do twice the work at once.³ You’ll notice the difference when you’re surfing the web, watching films, making FaceTime video calls, gaming and going from app to app to app. Multitasking is smoother, apps load faster and everything just works better.

Super-fast graphics.
Go, gamers, go.

With up to nine times the graphics performance, gameplay on iPad is even smoother and more realistic. And faster graphics help apps perform better — especially those with video. You’ll see it when you’re scrolling through your photo library, editing video with iMovie and viewing animations in Keynote.

Battery life keeps on going. So you can too.

Even with the new thinner and lighter design, iPad has the same amazing 10-hour battery life.¹ That’s enough juice for one flight across the ocean, or one film-watching all-nighter or a week’s commute across town. The power-efficient A5 chip and iOS keep battery life from fading away, so you can get carried away.

Two cameras. And a big hello to FaceTime for iPad.

You’ll see two cameras on iPad — one on the front and one on the back. They may be tiny, but they’re a big deal. They’re designed for FaceTime video calling, and they work together so you can talk to your favourite people and see them smile and laugh back at you.³ The front camera puts you and your friend face-to-face. Switch to the back camera during your video call to share where you are, who you’re with or what’s going on around you. If it’s worth filming, let the back camera roll. It’s HD, so every movie you shoot is a mini-masterpiece. And you can take wacky snapshots in Photo Booth. It’s the most fun a face can have.

LED-backlit display.
The view is amazing.

iPad is one big, beautiful display — 9.7 inches of high-resolution photos, films, web pages, books and more. LED backlighting makes everything you see remarkably crisp, vivid and bright. Even in places with low light, like an airplane. And there’s no wrong way to hold iPad. It’s designed to show off everything in portrait and landscape, so with every turn (even upside down), the display adjusts to fit. Because it uses a display technology called IPS (in-plane switching), it has a wide, 178° viewing angle. Hold it up to someone across the room, or share it with someone sitting next to you, and everyone gets a brilliant view.

Multi-Touch.
Everything’s at your fingertips.

Technology is at its best when it feels completely natural, almost like there’s no technology at all. That’s Multi-Touch on iPad. You use your fingers to do everything, so everything you do — surfing the web, typing email, reading books and swiping through photos — is easier and a lot more fun. How does it work? When your fingers touch the display, it senses them using electrical fields. Then it instantly transforms your taps, swipes, pinches and flicks into lifelike actions. Just like that.

iOS 4.
The world’s most advanced mobile operating system.

iOS 4 is the operating system for iPad (along with iPhone and iPod touch). It lets you browse, read and see everything just by pointing your finger. It includes all the powerful, innovative and fun built-in apps you use every day, many times a day. And it’s the platform on which more than 90,000 other amazing apps have been created for iPad. It’s highly secure, stable and responsive, and it’s made to work seamlessly with the iPad hardware. iOS 4 is the reason no other device has yet come close to iPad.Learn more about iOS 4

Instant On.
The fun starts fast.

Pick up your iPad, press the Home button and it wakes from sleep instantly. That’s because iPad features fast, efficient and reliable flash storage that lets you access data quickly. So everything effortlessly springs to life.

Wi-Fi and 3G.
Two great ways to stay connected.

Every iPad is built with advanced 802.11n wireless technology. It automatically finds Wi-Fi networks, which you can join with a few taps. iPad is also available with 3G connectivity. So if you’re somewhere without Wi-Fi, such as outdoors on a camping trip or on the road, you can still surf the web, check email or get directions.⁵
Learn more about Wi-Fi and 3G

Gyro, accelerometer and compass.
iPad knows your every move.

With the built-in accelerometer, you can rotate iPad to portrait or landscape, or even upside down, and whatever you’re watching, reading or seeing adjusts to fit the display. And now the accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope and compass all work together. They sense where iPad is, which direction it’s facing and how it’s moving. So games, maps and other apps know your every twist, turn, tilt and 360. It’s an epic win for gaming. And it’s just the beginning of better-than-ever iPad apps.

Video mirroring. What you do is what they see.

Video mirroring is new for iPad and for every app, web page, presentation, video, film or photo you want to show a big audience. Just plug in the Apple Digital AV Adapter or Dock Connector to VGA Adapter (sold separately) and your HDTV or projector becomes a bigger version of your iPad. One plug, that’s it. Everyone sees what’s on your display — even when you rotate iPad from portrait to landscape or zoom in and out on photos. Faster graphics performance from the A5 chip means a bigger (and better) performance in the classroom, boardroom or living room.

AirPrint. Print everything wirelessly.

Print your email, photos, web pages and documents straight from your iPad over Wi-Fi.⁶ There’s no software to download, no drivers to install and no cables to connect. With just a few taps, you can go from viewing something on the iPad screen to holding a printed copy.

• Some features, applications and services are not available in all areas. See your carrier for details. Application availability and pricing are subject to change. App count refers to the total number of apps available for iPad worldwide.

1. Compared with previous iPad. Battery life varies by use and configuration. See www.apple.com/in/batteries for more information.
2. Actual size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
3. Requires a FaceTime-enabled Mac with an Internet connection or a FaceTime-enabled iOS device with a Wi-Fi connection. Not available in all areas.
4. iPad Smart Cover is sold separately.
5. 3G data plan is sold separately.
6. Requires an AirPrint-enabled printer. See www.apple.com/ipad/features/airprint.html for a list of compatible printers.

Watch the iPad
Smart Cover video

iPad Smart Cover. Designed for iPad. And vice versa.

iPad 2 and the iPad Smart Cover are made for each other. Literally.⁴ We designed the iPad Smart Cover to work side-by-side with iPad — and on top and underneath it too. Smart magnetic technology built into each really pulls them together. The iPad Smart Cover falls perfectly into place and stays put to protect your iPad screen, yet doesn’t add bulk to its thin, light design. Open the Smart Cover and your iPad wakes up instantly. Close it and your iPad goes to sleep automatically. And here’s another smart part: it transforms into the perfect film-watching, game-playing, web-surfing stand. It comes in 10 bright colours — including five in rich, aniline-dyed Italian leather. Choose your favourite, and your iPad will be smart all round.
Learn more about the iPad Smart Cover

Apple May Launch iPad 3 in March, iPad 4 in October

• The Apple iPad 2 includes two cameras, a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime and Photo Booth, and a rear-facing camera that captures 720p HD video, bringing the FaceTime video chat feature to iPad users.

Apple plans to launch a new “iPad 3″ with a Retina Display this coming March, and then a second “iPad 4″ model in October -- and ship them with “killer applications.” 

Citing unnamed sources from within Apple’s component supply chain, DigiTimes on Friday reported that Apple is prepping both new iPad models for a 2012 launch. The first model, dubbed iPad 3, will feature a QXGA 1,536 x 2,048-pixel HD display and significantly longer battery life, and Apple reportedly has plans todrop the price of its current iPad 2 model to $399 when it launches its new tablet in March. Read on for more.

A second new iPad referred to as the iPad 4 by component suppliers will then launch in October, perhaps alongside Apple’s next-generation iPhone. BGR exclusively reported in December that a redesigned iPhone with an aluminum case will launch this coming fall. Few details surrounding the iPad 4 were provided, though the site did say it would include a 9.7-inch display along with “much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications.”

DigiTimes has claimed in multiple reports that Apple plans to launch two new iPads in 2012, but other sources suggest the second model is in fact an early prototype of Apple’s 2013 iPad model. Instead, Apple will reportedly launch a new iPad model in March while maintaining iPad 2 production and selling a single model of the older tablet at a lower price.

Apple iPad 2 Launched in India – Specs, Features & Price

The Apple iPad 2 has already been launched in the US and several other countries on March 25. Now, approx. 1 month later, it’s coming up in India as well. The new Apple iPad 2 is the successor of the popular Apple iPad Tablet. It is one-third thinner, lighter than the old iPad, more powerful with double speed CPU and 9 times speed GPU. Also comes with the latest iOS 4.3.

Rumours and speculations have made the Apple iPad 2 as the much awaited gadget of 2011. So here are the Apple iPad 2 specifications:

• Dimensions (HxWxD) : 241.2×185.7×8.8mm
• Weight : 601 GM or 1.33 pounds
• Storage : 16GB/32GB/64GB
• Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
• 3G : UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA , Quad band GSM/EDGE
• Digital Compass
• Sensors : Three-axis gyro, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor
• GPS with A-GPS
• Display : 9.7-inch LED-back-lit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology , 1024×768 resolution
• Processor : 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 Processor
• Camera : 5MP Rear and Front VGA
• HD Video Player and Audio Player
• Battery :
  • Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi
  • Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using 3G data network
• Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system
• 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
• Built-in speaker
• Micro-SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model)

Apple iPad 2 Features:

iPad2 is coming in 2 models: Apple iPad 2 WiFi and Apple iPad 2 WiFi + 3G. Have a look on below mentioned features list:

• 9.7 inches LED-backlit Multi-Touch display, IPS technology, Fingerprint-resistant coating.
• Dual Core Processors – A5 chip
• Up to 2x faster CPU
• Up to 9x faster graphics
• Low power consuming processor
• 8.8mm thick, i.e. 33% thinner
• Lighter – up to 15% lighter
• Two colors – Black and White
• Up to 10 hours battery life
• 1 month standby
• WiFi + 3G connectivity (in iPad 2 3G model)
• Dual Camera – Front and Rear
• FaceTime HD
• Sensors : Gyro, accelerometer, and compass
• iPad Smart Cover – Available in various vibrant colors

Apple iPad 2 WiFi Prices in India:

• 16GB – Rs.29,500
• 32GB – Rs.34,500
• 64GB – Rs.39,500

Apple iPad 2 3G Prices in India (3G +WiFi):

• 16GB – Rs.36,900
• 32GB – Rs.41,900
• 64GB – Rs.46,900

Apple iPad 2 is launched in India. It’s now available in India at Apple India’s premium resellers like Croma, eZone, Reliance Store, iMagine, Staples and probably other popular stores. Watch out the video launch:

7 Virtual Reality Technologies That Actually Work

                              

7 Virtual Reality Technologies That Actually Work

So far, virtual reality has mostly been a colossal disappointment. But VR has had its share of breakthroughs and innovative applications. Here are seven VR technologies that work, and that may yet point the way to truly successful virtual reality.

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Anxiety Therapy

For years now, virtual environments have been used to treat anxiety problems with exposure therapy. Psychologists treat phobias and post traumatic stress disorder by exposing the patient to the thing that causes them anxiety and letting the anxiety dissipate on its own. But this proves difficult if your stressor is a battlefield in Iraq.

Enter virtual reality. Military psychologists use simulated Iraq war situations to treat soldiers. Other therapeutic VR uses include treating a fear of flying, fear of elevators, and even a "virtual nicotine craving" simulator for smoking addiction.

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VR Training Programs

Virtual reality environments have also been used for training simulators. The earliest examples were flight simulators (most of us probably remember "Microsoft Flight Simulator"), but VR training has expanded beyond just that. There are many modern military examples, including Iraqi cultural situations and battlefield simulators for soldiers. Other examples include counter-terrorism, paratrooping, welding, and mining training sims.

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Multiplayer Online Gaming

One result of virtual-reality research is the existence of entirely separate virtual worlds, inhabited entirely by the avatars of real world users. These worlds are sometimes referred to as massively multiplayer online games, and the World of Warcraft is the largest virtual gaming world in use now, with 11.5 million subscribers.

Another example is Second Life. The world of Second Life can't really be classified as a game, since the goal seems really just to be to wander around and interact with people, much like the real world. There is even a Second Life Shakespeare Company that performs Shakespeare's works within Second Life.

(Image: The Second Life Globe Theater, from Pathfinder Linden)

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The Nintendo Wii

Probably the most successful cousin of virtual reality on the market today is theNintento Wii. The Wii owes its motion capture and intuitive interaction concepts to the virtual reality technologies of the past. The controller is basically a simplified version of the "virtual reality glove." Both the Wiimote and the Wii Fit offer users another way of interacting with their virtual environment without having to wear any bulky equipment.

(Image: a new take on Wii tennis by Mesq)

Medical Procedures

Modern medicine has also found many uses for virtual reality. Doctors can interact with virtual systems to practice procedures or to do tiny surgical procedures on a larger scale. Surgeons have also started using virtual "twins" of their patients, to practice for surgery before doing the actual procedure.

(Image: the Karlsruhe Endoscopic Surgery Trainer)

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Project Natal

The latest entry in the virtual reality inspired gaming world is Project Natal, a new piece of technology under development now for the Xbox. Project Natal proposes a new way of interacting with games, and indeed with computer systems in general. In their demo video, they propose a system that requires no keyboard and no controller, where a user's voice and motions serve as their method for interacting with the system.

The demo video is impressive, but the technology has not been completed and released yet. When it does get released, however, virtual reality will take another giant step towards total immersion and common home usage.

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The Cave

The term "CAVE" refers to any virtual reality system that uses multiple walls with multiple projectors to immerse users in a virtual world. The first CAVE was built in 1992 as a method of showing of scientific visualizations. Now, many universities have their own CAVE systems. The CAVE is used for visualizing data, for demonstrating 3D environments, and for virtually testing component parts of newly developed engineering projects.