As accurately and poignantly pointed out by Tweeter Kris Sanchez, unlike its predecessor that was named iPad 2, “It's not the iPad 3. It's "The New iPad.”  So understandably, the question on gadget gods and goddesses lips is, what gives this version the edge (if indeed an edge – as opposed to great marketing tactics – it has)?

There has been speculation and commentary, as to why the response – both for and against – has seemingly been so radical.  Ultimately, this iPad doesn’t seem all that different to the iPad 2.  Now, when that version came out, there was understandably a big hullabaloo, since it was so much sleeker than its predecessor.  But surely, if Sanchez is anywhere near the ball – and indeed Phil Schiller (the company’s senior VP of international marketing who used the same terminology) – there has to be something worth getting excited about as there apparently was at the new gadget’s recent launch in San Francisco.

New iPad’s New Features

Let’s look at the new features?  First, there is the retina display which has four times the amount of pixels as its predecessor.  Second, there is a really effective camera that one might actually be excited to use for snapping some good shots.  Third, the HD video recording capacity is impressive.  But still, many have complained that it’s all a lot of noise about nothing.

But while Apple says “demand is off the charts,” an article in Techland was written espousing 6 reasons not to buy the “new iPad.” It dismisses retina display; claims that since it’s not an iPad 3 technically, one shouldn’t make the purchase; for those living out of the 4G LTE umbrella, they will only be getting 3G speeds; it’s bigger and heavier than its predecessor; the camera is only 5 megapixel (not 8); and there is no Siri included.   

Still, there must be some reason demand is so high.  Proponents and Apple supporters (who would probably never dismiss an Apple product) argue that the camera is much better on the new iPad than the iPad 2.  But the question others may ask is, is one realistically going to be using such a large machine (so much bigger than a phone or regular camera) to be taking pictures?  Some say, yes they will.  In addition, given that the processor is larger than this iPad’s predecessors, it renders way speedier results.

Ultimately, these might not seem such good reasons not to buy the “new iPad,” but if one cannot find real reasons to buy it (presuming they already have the iPad 2), then it might be worth giving this a miss and saving oneself the $800 price tag.

The first Macworld/iWorld Expo since the passing of Steve Jobs recently took place in San Francisco.  Now in its 27^th year, it was held at the Moscone Convention Center.  Apart from being filled with iPhones, iPads, and cool new gadgets and gizmos, the expo ended with something that really went back to basics – a drum circle led by guru Arthur Hull from the Village Music Drum Circles.  He claimed that the circle group was “ancient futurists. We're using this technology to connect with community.  Remember that who's on the other side of this technology has heart, spirit, eyes, fingers, and is sharing.”

But for those who still wanted something new and exciting from the modern technological world, the Alljack diamond-studded speakers were certainly drawing a lot of attention.  Priced at a mere $68,000 and fresh from the CES, they are probably somewhat beyond the financial capacity of most viewers but still, it was a great way for Alljack to show off its skills. And indeed, while the diamonds probably do not make the speakers sound any better or louder, they certainly add to their beauty and glamor!

The event will take place on March 2^nd at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Reporters were invited via email this week. The invitation was made to look like a calendar page with the number 2 enlarged in the center. The number is peeled back slightly to reveal a peek of the familiar iPad. The invite states “Come see what 2011 will be the year of.”

The new iPad, which will have to compete with dozens of new tablets this year, is expected to hit stores in April. Last year, Apple sold just under 15 million iPads. Analysts claim that the company should double the amount this coming year.

Industry experts believe that at next week’s event Apple will showcase a thinner, lighter, speedier version of their tablet, with the addition of a front-facing camera to enable video chat. Some hold that Apple has added a chip that enables the use of CDMA networks such as Verizon Wireless.