Everything retina display
From iPhone to iPod touch to iPad, Apple has slowly but surely rolled Retina displays across their iOS device lineup, and according to the latest rumors, they may be ready to start bringing it to the Mac.
Better late than never, right? That's going to be a bit of a recurring theme for the first few items on this week's hit list, as we wrap up our new iPad coverage and dive head-long into the rest of the week that was. So let's not waste any more time...
David Barnard of App Cubby, Seth Clifford of Nickelfish, Marc Edwards of Bjango, Gedeon Maheux of the Iconfactory, and Rene Ritchie of iMore discuss designing and updating for Retina and HiDPI displays: preparation, process, tools, formats, distribution, and the future of resolution. This is an Iterate round-table!
Following the launch of the new iPad there's been a lot of discussion about how, and where or even whether, websites should update to support the needs of HiDPI screens like Apple's Retina display. If users are going to be looking at websites on a Retina display iPad, and one day Retina display Macs, HiDPI Android and Windows displays, and other high density screens, having them look as good as possible is a definite concern.
Despite the latest rounds of super-gigantic iPhone screen size rumors, iMore is hearing that, as of last month, plans for the new iPhone (iPhone 5,1) called for the same 3.5-inch screen as previous generations. While we're told that isn't set in stone, and it's possible Apple could go slightly bigger, there's doesn't seem to be any chance for anything even approaching the size of a Galaxy Nexus.
DisplayMate has just run through a set of vigorous tests that compare the new iPad with the iPad 2 and a bunch of other tablets, and have confirmed many of Apple's tall claims about the new Retina display.
The new iPad sports a 9.7-inch, 2048x1536, 264ppi Retina display, which is twice as dense as the iPad 2's equal sized, 1024x1536, 132ppi screen but packs four (4) times as many pixels into the same space. That's exactly what it sounds like -- the new iPad has 4 pixels in the same space the iPad 2 had a 1 pixel.
If you just got your new iPad and you're wondering which apps and games you need to download right now to show off that gorgeous new high density Retina display (and that fancy new A5X processor!), you're in luck. We have your list right here!
Now, it might take some time for all of your favorite apps to update for Retina display, so you'll need to be a little patient. We'll add to and update this list as new apps hit the App Store, so check back often and make sure you subscribe to our updated for Retina display forum thread for a much more complete list.
Sharp was supposed to be supplying screens for the new iPad, but they were apparently unable to meet Apple's exacting standards, and instead Samsung and LG will be making the Retina displays. iSuppli has suggested that it's only Samsung providing the panels, but other sources have said that LG is a part of the supply deal too, even though they may not be shipping screens until April.
Which app have been updated to look great on the new iPad's impressive 2048x1536 Retina display? Not very many yet by our count, but we expect the floodgates to open when Apple's third generation tablet actually hits the shelves next Friday, and for a steady stream to follow thereafter.
