retina

The iPad Mini design explained

So, why did Apple go with an unremarkable display for its iPad Mini and how is this related to the overall design? An IHS iSuppli analyst explains.

The iPad Mini sports an average-resolution display that falls short of the super-high-resolution Retina displays on most of Apple's other mobile products like the 9.7-inch iPad, iPhone, and iPod.

I asked Vinita Jakhanwal, a display analyst at IHS iSuppli, to give me her thoughts about Apple's design decisions.

"I think there are a lot of other issues involved in creating a new form factor device," Jakhanwal said.

"… Read more

Lightroom 4.3 test version gets partial Retina support

A test version of Adobe Systems' Lightroom 4.3 has added partial support for Apple's Retina displays and other high-resolution screens.

The Lightroom 4.3 release candidate, available on Adobe Labs, shows photos in the develop module so that one pixel in the original photo occupies one pixel on the screen. That means a much sharper and detailed image than with the older Lightroom 4.2, which scales images so that one pixel on the photo occupies four pixels on the screen.

I was worried that Adobe would Retina support for Lightroom 5, which presumably will be a paid … Read more

Reconciling the iPad Mini with Apple's Retina obsession

The iPad Mini is an exception to Apple's Retina obsession. Will that change?

David Hsieh, an analyst at DisplaySearch, tried to answer that question in a research note today, saying that Apple has become a victim of its own marketing success.

By creating a class of super-high-resolution Retina products -- including the iPad, iPod, iPhone, and MacBook Pro -- Apple has sparked an industry-wide scramble to match or exceed the resolution of its displays.

Apple created the term "Retina display" not just as a marketing phrase, but to educate end users about high resolution. Apple has been … Read more

iPad Mini Retina rumor arrives early

Just days after the iPad Mini landed at stores and doorsteps, we have a tantalizing rumor from the Asia supply chain about a future Retina version of the 7.9-inch tablet.

Chinese-language DoNews said in a story dated November 7 that iPad Mini display maker AUO is working on a 2,048x1,536 pixel resolution display for the next iPad Mini.

That would be the same resolution of the 9.7-inch Retina display on the third- and fourth-generation iPads. And would translate to a 300-plus pixel density (versus the iPad 4's 264 pixels per inch) because you're packing … Read more

Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD 'outperform' iPad Mini display

A display expert echoed today what reviews have already said: the iPad Mini's display is not Apple's best display effort to date.

The Mini's display is "capable" but not great, said Raymond Soneira of DisplayMate Technologies in display "shoot-out" published today.

And it's rated lower than higher resolution displays of its main rivals in some key areas: the Google Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD. "The displays on existing mini Tablets from Amazon and Google outperform the iPad mini in most of our lab tests," Soneira wrote.

And the … Read more

Google's Nexus 10 goes for the iPad's jugular

On paper, at least, Google's Nexus 10 is a remarkable-sounding tablet that challenges the iPad on key hardware metrics.

Those metrics would include size, weight, and display. Not to mention price.

"What we're seeing is the establishment of the new high end," said Richard Shim, an analyst at DisplaySearch.

Google's high-end 32GB Nexus 10 model is priced at $499 ($399 with 16GB). By comparison, Apple's 32GB Wi-Fi iPad is $599.

And the lower-priced Nexus 10 includes impressive iPad-busting hardware specifications, making it harder for Apple to distinguish itself on hardware alone.

"Apple has … Read more

Apple Byte: Has Apple lost some of its magic?

Apple's iPad Mini event was received by onlookers with mixed reviews, so has the company lost its edge? We'll break down everything Apple didn't tell you at the iPad Mini keynote presentation.

There were plenty of exciting hardware releases, including all-new iMacs, Mac Minis, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, but it was the updated, fourth-generation iPad that caused the most controversy. Just seven months after the "new iPad," we're getting another? I'm throwing out the Bad Apple.

Did Apple reignite your passion for technology with its latest keynote address? Or … Read more

Apple launches ad for 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro

Want to get a better look at all of the gorgeous angles of Apple's new 13.3-inch Retina MacBook Pro? A new Apple "Colors" ad does just that.

With "for the pro in all of us" as the tagline for the ad, it appeared during ABC's "Modern Family," as well as other shows earlier.

In the ad, Apple does a 90-degree pan and seems keen on showing the display from all angles to underscore the wide viewing-angle attributes of its IPS tech.

As a quick refresher, the just-announced 13.3-inch MBP has … Read more

Is Apple trying to bury Microsoft under a product avalanche?

Can Microsoft crawl out from under the stack of Apple products announced today?

I don't think I'm the only one stunned by the crush of new Apple products. What, a fourth-generation iPad already? New Mac Minis? Then the new iMacs on top of the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro?

Apple seemed to throw everything but the kitchen sink out there today. But that's only because the rest of the kitchen sink -- the new iPhone and iPod -- was already out there.

Maybe Apple just felt it was time to do a mega-upload of new products. Or maybe, … Read more