New iPad Announced: Do HD Features Mean Better Battery Life?

Apple fans were sure to be glued to their computer screens today, as a San Francisco event revealed information about the next generation iPad. Simply referred to as the new iPad at the event, the gadget will feature HD display and is available for purchase on March 16. But with a host of new features there is an important question to consider: Does better display mean better battery?

According to Apple, a fully charged battery for the newest iPad will last 10 hours maximum, the same as the current iPad. The new iPad boasts a ton of visually centered features, such as a Retina display that squeezes 3.1 million pixels into a 9.7- inch screen, which is the most, ever, in a mobile device.

This is over a million more megapixels than 1080 Full HD TVs. The new gadget also features 40 percent better color saturation, and four times the number of pixels as the iPad 2.

We need a lot of horsepower, said Cook at the event.

The Apple team talked up the sharp graphics in the newly optimized app store, and demonstrated a new flight simulator game called Sky Gamblers. The new device, which runs on the iOS 5.1 that was announced today, has more memory and screen resolution than the Xbox 360 or the PS3.

Previews of updated hallmark Apple apps, such as iPhoto and iMovie, were also revealed. The iPhoto app supports up to 19 megapixel photos, and simple photo editing on the device has been described as fluid and intuitive by Engagdet's live blogger Tim Stevens.

The team has worked really hard to make all of the software you use look gorgeous, Cook said.

One of the primary power-suckers on mobile devices come from display features, which is why it's surprising that such an upgrade in graphic quality doesn't take away from the device's battery life.

Aside from the visual upgrades, there are a lot of factors that affect how long your iPad will live without its charger, no matter which model one owns. To prevent battery life from being wasted, be sure to turn off Wi-Fi and 3G when not in use, and turn off features such as Bluetooth, Data Push, and Location services. Lowering the screen brightness also saves power.

But the tech savvy crowd that demonstrated the device today emphasized its advanced aesthetics, and power usage didn't seem to be a concern.

Retina display is luscious, said Chris Cheung from Autodesk when speaking at the event. It takes it to the next level and creates an immersive environment. Professionals and everyday artists are going to love this device.