Category Archives: iPad 3rd Gen. (New iPad)
Gazelle: 3rd-gen iPad trade-ins spiked after iPad 4, mini announcement
On October 23, 2012 when Apple announced the 4th-generation iPad and iPad mini, the TUAW newsroom was abuzz with questions, one of which was “How many owners of 3rd-generation iPads are going to get rid of their ‘old’ devices to get a new iPad?” Thanks to Gazelle, a company that accepts trade-ins of Apple gear in return for cold, hard cash, we how have an answer of sorts.
On that day, Gazelle recorded a 700 percent increase in the volume of iPad trade-ins, with 450 percent of that increase happening immediately after the end of the Apple announcement. So, how many of those trade-ins were third-gen iPads? Gazelle’s numbers show that a whopping 70 percent of the trade-in offers made were for iPad 3s, with the 32 GB Wi-Fi model being the most popular trade-in.
Report: October a record month for tablet trade-ins
It’s not just original iPads that are still very much in demand — it’s all tablets, past and present. According to a new report by trade-in site SellCell.com, October 2012 was the biggest month for tablet trade-ins in history, spurred by brand new tablet announcements from Google (the Nexus 10 was officially revealed), Microsoft (the long-awaited Surface saw release), and of course Apple, with the long-rumored iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad. The release of new tablets like these sent the trade-in rates on older tablets soaring, resulting in iPad trade-ins specifically up 500 percent just a week after the iPad mini announcement. In terms of devices coming in for trade, Apple’s iPad claims 76 percent of trade-ins, while the BlackBerry PlayBook is next at 10 percent and then the Samsung Galaxy Tab at 7 percent.
Of course, more tablets available for trade-in means that prices drop as well, and SellCell says that’s exactly what’s happening. Trade-in values for the iPad 2 with 3G dropped from $375 to $275 in just the last month. But the good news is that more new tablet models also makes older tablet models more affordable, so even if you can’t drop the cash on a new iPad fourth generation, maybe you can find something a little cheaper on Craigslist or trade-in sites like SellCell itself.
Buyer’s remorse on 3rd-gen iPad? Check with your Apple Store
It’s all sunshine and Lightning for everyone who loves new Apple hardware — except for those cranky not-so-few who bought a full-size 3rd generation iPad (Retina) in the run-up to today’s announcements. Although some late rumors suggested a revamp to the iPad mini’s big brother would include the new interface port and upgraded internals, that’s cold comfort now if you really had your heart set on having the latest and greatest for more than a few short months.
There might be some wiggle room, however, if you bought your 3rd generation iPad in the last month and you feel like exchanging for a 4th generation model. Cnet is citing the experience of a few readers who were able to get AppleCare confirmation of a 30-day return window (the usual no-questions-asked-if-it’s-undamaged return policy is 14 days after purchase). Reporter Sharon Vaknin says that the Stockton Street Apple Store in San Francisco is waiving the 14 day policy — but that might be a discretionary change that is only available at certain stores.
We’ve emailed Apple for comment, as this store-by-store exchange policy (if that’s what’s going on) seems a bit flaky and unfair. If you’re still inside the 14-day margin, you should be able to exchange up for the current model if you want to, keeping in mind that your docks and accessories won’t be directly compatible. If you’re between 15 and 30 days, call your local store or AppleCare and see what they say.
Apple Will Replace Your iPad 3 With An iPad 4, Provided You Bought Within The Last 30 Days
Apple really threw up a surprise today by announcing the fourth-generation iPad. We expected to see a few touch-ups to the third-gen, including a Lightning dock connector and a more efficient battery, perhaps, but we certainly didn’t predict so many changes.
The third-gen iPad arrived in March, and we’ve become accustomed to Apple’s annual release brackets. That, for some, was even too soon for a device to become obsolete, so one only has to imagine the outcry of those rocking a third-generation iPad.
As one of those people, I was pretty astonished (and somewhat angry) that Apple had decided to break the mold and release an iPad with significant upgrades on an iteration released just eight or so months back.
Apple sued for LED lighting in iPad 3, MacBook Pro
Another day, another lawsuit.
Patently Apple reports that LED Tech of Tyler, Texas has named Apple in a patent infringement suit, claiming that the third-generation iPad and MacBook Pro are infringing products. These products use pulse-width modulation signals to drive light-emitting diodes, and LED Tech says that during the discovery process, it found that Apple willfully infringed its patents.
