ipad 3

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the new iPad in San Francisco today. At just 9.4 mm thin and weighing just 1.4 pounds, the new iPad is slightly heavier than its predecessor and comes with improved features over the iPad 2. Let's check them out, one by one below:

• Improved display — The next iPad will come with an amazing 9.7-inch 2048 x 1536 Retina display that contains 3.1 million pixels, 264 pixels per inch — that's more than your HDTV screen at home. The new screen is definitely the conversation point here, as it also has better color saturation as well (44 percent better to be exact).
• Better processor — The iPad will be stocked with an Apple A5X processor that offers four times the performance as a Tegra 3 processor that you'd find in other devices, which means the next-gen iPad will be blazingly fast when watching movies, surfing the web, and flipping through photos.
• Better camera — There will be a 5MP iSight cam with an illuminated sensor that offers auto exposure and auto focus.
• High-def video recording — The iPad will be capable of 1080p recording with footage stabilization that helps shaky hands capture great videos on the fly.
• Voice dictation — Not quite Siri, but the iPad will offer voice dictation for notes, texts, and other applications and support US English, British, Australian, French, German, and Japanese languages.
• 4G LTE — The next iPad will come with 4G LTE speeds, capable of 21, 42, and 73Mbps download speeds (depending on band — HSPA+, DC-HSDPA, or LTE), which is a huge improvement compared to the iPad 2's 3.1Mbps download speeds. LTE partners will be AT&T, Verizon, Rogers, Bell, and Telus, while 3G connectivity will be world-ready. Additionally, the new iPad can be used as a personal hotspot if the carriers support it.

The next iPad will be available on March 16 with preorders starting today. Prices start at $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB WiFi-only iPads. WiFi+ 4G-capable iPads will go for $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB.

The iPad 3 (or iPad HD is being announced tomorrow, and if you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to sell. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

• Back up your data and do a clean sweep — First thing's first — make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
• Polish the exterior — Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor — you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

The iPad 3 will be announced this Wednesday, March 7, in San Francisco, but the rumors on what it will look like and what kind of specs it will be packing have been swirling for months. While we'll have to wait until Wednesday to know for sure, take a look at what the iPad 3 announcement might include below.

• 4G LTE — The iPad 3 could be blazing fast with 4G LTE download speeds, likely from both AT&T and Verizon.
• A better camera — The current iPad model comes with an HD rear-facing camera and a VGA forward-facing cam, but rumor has it the iPad 3 could top that, making Facetime calls even clearer.
• A bit thicker — Leaked casing photos indicate that the iPad 3 could be 1mm thicker than the iPad 2.
• A Retina display — Sources say that the iPad 3 will come with an incredible 2048×1536 Retina display.
• Larger battery — Though the iPad 2 has great battery life, the iPad 3 is said to be coming with a larger battery for longer browsing time.
• A mini-iPad? — Though this rumor seems the most far-fetched, there are rumblings of a smaller, mini-iPad that will be priced under $400.

Update Looks like invitations are being sent out to the iPad 3 announcement next week, March 7 in San Francisco!

Past rumors have placed the iPad 3 announcement in "early March," and a new tweet from CNBC all but confirms that the iPad 3 will be announced next week. Instead of the traditional California announcement, though, this unveiling supposedly will take place in NYC. CNBC also leaked that the iPad 3 will be packed with 4G LTE speeds, and according to other supposed leaked photos, it will also sport an improved camera. Of course, these leaks and rumors are unconfirmed, but we won't have to wait long to find out if they're legit.

With a projected March announcement date, we're seeing iPad 3 rumors hit the Internet at a rapid pace. According to new leaked images of what is reported to be the iPad 3, the next generation device will have an improved camera and may measure 1 mm thicker than the iPad 2. There's also increased buzz on the prospect of a mini-iPad, priced under $400, to be released later this year.

It's that time of year again — the iPad 3 rumor mill is working overtime! According to a new report, the iPad 3 could be announced in March alongside the iOS 5.1 update, said to be coming on March 9. Though the iPad 3 is said to be coming with a similar form factor as the iPad 2, it should include a 2048×1536 Retina display and a larger battery.

Right on schedule, the iPad rumor mill is heating up! According to Digitimes, iPad 3 production will begin in January for a early 2012 release. Panels for the iPad 3 are similar to those on the iPad 2, and suppliers have already shipped one million screens, with two million more expected this month.

Additionally, reports say that LG and AU Electronics have delivered samples of a 7.83-inch screen for the fabled "iPad Mini," but there are no signs that this tablet will actually exist in the coming year.