New and faster iPad with sharper screen unveiled

Apple has added a bunch of new features to its iPad but is not going with a new name, as many speculated it would prior to today’s unveiling. When it goes on sale next week in the United States and several other countries, it will simply be “the iPad” or perhaps “the new iPad,” not “iPad 3” or “iPad HD,” as most assumed. The lack of a new name could cause confusion for buyers, particularly since the older model, the “iPad 2,” will still be sold. But the naming practice is consistent with Apple’s practices for the iPod. New models were simply called “iPod,” and consumers were left to figure out which generation of the product they were looking for. The new iPad revealed today has, as expected, a sharper screen and a faster processor. What is more surprising is that the new features mean the tablet will be slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad 2 because it needs a more powerful battery to drive the high-resolution screen. Prices aren’t changing from the previous models. They will start at $499. Versions capable of accessing cellular networks will cost $629 to $829. Apple is keeping the basic model of the iPad 2 in production and dropping the price to $399.