APPLE HAS LAUNCHED its highly-anticipated iPad 3 tablet at an event in California today. It will go on sale in Ireland on 23 March.

The new tablet, the third generation of the device, includes a new 5 megapixel camera, greater screen resolution with retina display and a faster processor – additions that were all mooted before the launch.

The main features of the device, which physically looks similar to the current iPad 2, are:

• Better display – retina display – 2048 x 1536 – 3.1 million pixels
• Faster – A5X processor with quad-core graphics
• Better camera – new iSight camera with 5 megapixel backside illuminated sensor and 1080p video recording
• Heavier – 1.4lbs and 9.4mm thick
• It will retail at between $629 and $829 in the US for Wi-Fi + 4G models. It works out roughly at the same price as the iPad 2 currently retails at the low end in Ireland – €480.
• It will have 4G capability – though this is not available in Ireland.
• It has ten hours of battery life, the same as the current device
• It will have a personal hotspot
• It will launch first in the US, the UK and other countries next week – 16 March – before going on sale in Ireland on 23 March.

The company also announced a new set top Apple TV with an updated user interface, the capability to play 1080p video and to hook into the iCloud service meaning you can view photos taken on your iPhone on your Apple TV.

This will also allow users to store movies on the iCloud remote storage service so as they can be accessed on PCs, iPhones and through other Apple devices.

This is expected to retail for $99 – the same price as the current Apple TV.

Earlier: Here’s your iPad 3 rumour round-up ahead of Apple’s expected unveiling