How to Get the Most out of Your New iPad 4G

Unless you have been living in total isolation you are probably aware that Apple recently released the new iPad 3 with 4G connectivity.  If you are thinking about getting the new iPad or you have recently upgraded from one of the previous versions, the iPad 3 is packed with features which are robust and convenient for the Apple enthusiast.

Along with the great new features and innovative technology built into the new iPad 4G are a few aspects which leave iPad users puzzled as to how to make the most of the not so great aspects.  In this article we will cover a few of the features of the new iPad 4G and how you can optimize some of the features to improve your computing experience.

iPad 4G Features

Without a doubt the new iPad 4G is packed with an endless array of features but in this article we will highlight some of the most popular technologies which are included in the iPad 3 with 4G or iPad HD which the iPad was also previously called.

  • Retina Display:  This feature in the new iPad 4G is one of the reasons the device was previously named the iPad HD.  Although the screen size is the same as its predecessor the new Retina display offers an impressive high definition resolution of 2048×1536.  This is more than the viewing quality of high end flat screen televisions.
  • iSight Camera:  The iSight camera which is located on the back of the unit has been upgraded to capture sharper images in 1080p which is a resolution used in high definition flat screen TVs.
  • iOS 5.1:  The new iPad 4G is equipped with an upgraded operating system which supports a system that offers speech to text in four different languages.  The system is slightly different than the popular Siri search but nevertheless delivers a competent technology for converting speech to text.
  • 4G LTE:  iPad 4G provides you with a super-fast high speed Internet connection and offers a powerful antenna which is capable of reaching a wide variety of mobile broadband networks.  If 4G is available in your area this feature will be useful in getting things done fast.  The only drawback on the 4G connectivity is the risk of overcharge which we will cover later in this article.
  • Battery:  In terms of battery life Apple has not made a lot of improvements despite the fact that there are new features packed into the iPad 4G which can quickly deplete your battery.  The battery is designed for up to ten hours of use.  More later on how to optimize the battery life to get the most out your iPad 4G.
  • Video Editing:  The previous iMovie application has been upgraded to provide easier video editing which also supports 1080p.  There is also an expanded selection of new templates to enhance the editing experience.
  • Photo Editing:  Apple installed a new application in the new iPad 4G which allows for easier photo editing.  The new app offers a wide variety of tools which make editing your photos a snap.

These are a few of the features which are included in the new iPad 4G.  So far, the two main drawbacks of the iPad 4G are the battery life and the overcharge fees for using the 4G network.  As you can see in some of the features a few of the applications require high end battery performance and are bandwidth intensive.  The fact that Apple did not improve the battery from the iPad 2 makes for a shorter battery life and, the fact that the display and some of the applications are demanding on bandwidth makes it easy to incur overcharge fees when you connect to the 4G network.  Here are a few ways that you can get the most out the battery life and the use of the 4G LTE network.

Improving the iPad 4G Battery Performance

When you use the new iPad 4G you can use the battery for up to ten hours.  If you are connected to a 4G network the battery life is about nine hours and if you are using a WiFi connection you can use the battery for its maximum potential of ten hours or more. Also, depending upon the applications you are using in addition to the new high powered high definition display, the battery life may be depleted before it is necessary to recharge.

Although the battery is not bad, most iPad users do not want to be separated from their mobile device and typically use it for longer than the maximum battery life.  Here are a few ways you can optimize the battery life to get the most out of the iPad 4G:

  • Adjust the Display Settings: The new iPad 4G Retina Display automatically adjusts to the amount of light required to view the screen in different types of environments.  Since the Retina Display has a much higher resolution than the iPad 2 it can consume battery power.  Rather than using the default setting which automatically adjusts to the amount of light in your surroundings you can set the display brightness slightly lower by manually adjusting the display settings on your new iPad 4G.
  • Adjust Wireless Connectivity to Your Surroundings:  The iPad 4G is equipped with both WiFi and Bluetooth capability plus it has 3G and 4G built capability built into the unit.  If you are within the range of WiFi it will automatically use WiFi.  In the event WiFi is unavailable it will utilize the 3G or 4G connection which can drain the battery.  You can maximize the battery by adjusting the settings to your surroundings.  For example, if you know you are in an environment that uses WiFi connectivity you can deactivate the 4G connection and turn off the Bluetooth.  On the other hand, If only 3G and 4G are available you can turn off the WiFi setting when not in use to enhance the battery life.

In addition to regulating the WiFi and cellular connection you should also do the same with the location services feature on the iPad 4G.  You can choose to deactivate the GPS service altogether or limit the number of applications you use when the service is activated.

  • Sync the iPad:  When you sync your applications such as email on the iPad 4G the unit will periodically wake up and check the applications you have synced.  This can consume a lot of battery power.  Instead, you can adjust the settings to sync the device manually so the iPad will only check the applications when you access them.

Eliminating iPad 4G Overage Fees

The new iPad 4g utilizes a significant amount of 4g bandwidth as a result of the robust applications and features which are built into the unit.  Depending upon the 4G carrier you use this can really add up to a lot of extra fees.

The good news is there are a few steps you can take to prevent overcharge fees which result from high bandwidth data transfer.  First, make sure you utilize WiFi whenever it is available to save on the use of 4G.  As we mentioned earlier this will also increase the life of the battery as well.

You can also prevent overcharge fees by becoming familiar with some of the applications that utilize a significant amount of bandwidth.  These include streaming high definition video, downloading new applications, listening to music, and accessing bandwidth intensive multimedia applications such as online games.  You can save these activities for when you are in an area that offers WiFi connectivity and plan the activities ahead of time so you always know what activities you will be performing while accessing a 4G LTE network.

By following through with the tips we mentioned here you can get the most out of your new iPad 4G while saving money on data transfer and preserving the life of your battery.

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