Hello Siri!?

Against everyone's expectations, Apple did not include its Siri digital assistant on the new iPad3 at least, not entirely. Siri's voice-to-text dictation capability has migrated to the iPad, but that's it. If you want to find nearby sushi restaurants, you're going to have to search for the answer online, like a neanderthal.

Still, the addition of voice dictation is a welcome feature, and it can be handy for composing quick e-mails and bypassing the touch-screen keyboard when searching for information online. Its accuracy leaves a little to be desired, though. Just like autocorrected typing, the iPad's dictation isn't infallible.

iPad3 Rear Camera

There's the iPad's updated rear camera, which the company calls its iSight camera. It is a huge improvement over the iPad 2's 0.7-megapixel shooter; this updated shooter is now 5 megapixels. If you've spent any time over on Apple's iPad page, you've probably seen the exploded view of Apple's five-element lens system, which was adopted from the iPhone. However you want to explain it, the photo quality is exceptional for a tablet, and we have the photos to prove it.

Jivo Executive Case for iPad

Protect your delicate Apple tablet in style with the Jivo Executive Case for iPad, its as pretty and elegant as a Hermes Birkin without the extravagant price tag. Hand made from genuine top layer Brazilian buffalo hide, this tough leather case not only cushions the iPad’s sensitive touchscreen, but it also looks a darn sight neater than so many other iPad cases out there. After all, those fashion-savvy techheads at Apple spent a long time perfecting the look of their iPad; it would be a shame to hide it inside a scruffy cover.

Product Features:

Hand crafted from the highest quality Top Layer Brazilian Buffalo Hide
Non-abrasive interior
Brass buckle securely holds case closed
Compatible with iPad 1 and iPad 2


The Jivo Executive Case even features a solid brass buckle instead of a regular zip, velcro or magnetic strip. Finished to a high standard, it’s the case of choice for any discerning gentleman or lady about town.

G-Form Extreme Sleeve

When you need rock-hard protection for your iPad 2 above all else, look no further than the Extreme Sleeve. The promo video shows some PR loons dropping it 1300 feet without damage - that's the sort of everyday practicality we look for at T3.

Life is tough, especially if you’re wafer-thin with a big glass screen. That’s why it makes sense to protect your precious iPad when you’re on the move. But why go for a wimpy case when you can slip your gizmo inside the G-Form Extreme iPad 3 Sleeve. Tough? It’s the well-built Chuck Norris of the iPad sleeves.

Soft, flexible and lightweight this phenomenally rugged water-resistant sleeve utilises Reactive Protection Technology, a composite blend of PORON XRD (no, us neither) and G-Form materials to achieve its incredible strength. Indeed its makers have dropped bowling balls on it and even chucked one from a plane to test its protective muscle.

Product Features:

Reactive Protection Technology, a composite blend of PORON® XRD™
Soft, flexible and lightweight
Water-resistant
Will accommodate the iPad 2 or iPad 3 with Smart Cover

The Chinese Invasion on the US iPad Launch Day

You can trust China to replicate what's hot in the market and any Apple product is no exception. But even in China, no one wants a knock-off. Why should they? When one can get the real deal, an original China-made Apple iPad from US stores, the hip gadget without waiting for the product's regional launch.

 

In an ironic twist, US-launched iPads are sent back to the country which built them, not for repairs, but to be sold to Chinese buyers at $1,000 a pop. This unbelievable smuggling op for the latest tech leaves an illicit trail that crosses international borders and tariffs, a situation only Jason Bourne would readily get into and hunt down.

As far as product launches go, the US consumer market always has dibbs on the iPad release, hence the long queues, with the insane limit that Apple buyers can only buy two iPads as a quota. So the smugglers have people line up on launch day, so they could have buyouts at the nearest parking lot and by the time the first flight out of the US to China touches down- you got iPads hitting Beijing. Cray cray, if you ask me.

Whatever the case, Apple is definitely worth GOLD on launch day.

Say Hello to the iPad3

Apple's new iPad is a mix of the familiar and the futuristic. Its design remains practically unchanged from last year's iPad 2. Its internal components and wireless capabilities have only received a predictable bump. You'd think Apple fell asleep at the wheel with this one--until that moment when you turn on the screen.

When I tell you that Apple has doubled the iPad's screen resolution to an unprecedented 2,048x1,536 pixels, your eyes should water a little. No other screen in your home can compete with this resolution--not your laptop, not your desktop computer, not even your 1080p TV. For a device that fits in your lap and costs as little as $499, a screen like this is an impressive feat.

Speaking of pricing, the going rate for an iPad hasn't changed since the tablet's introduction in 2010. The $499 entry-level price buys you 16GB of built-in storage; spending $599 buys you twice the room (32GB); and $699 will bring you up to 64GB.