If you're new to the iPad, got your first one with last month's release, or you're just tired of people asking you for help learning their way around one, this video is full of common tricks and shortcuts that every iPad user should know, from how to take a screenshot to how to quit an application running in the background. We've covered some of these shortcuts before, but some of these were new to us.

The video is the work of Simply Zesty, a Dublin based PR firm. In it is a rundown of iOS shortcuts, options that are generally hidden deep in the settings that you may want to toggle, and other time-saving options that anyone new to an iPad may not immediately know. For example, most people know how to set a passcode to access their locked device, but you can also set your iPad to delete its data after 10 failed passcode attempts, keeping your data safe if your tablet is lost or stolen. Already know your way around the iPad? All of this old news to you? What are your favorite time-saving shortcuts? Let us know in the comments below.

Apple unveiled the next-generation iPad tablet today, with a super-sharp display (2048 x 1536 pixels, which is 1 million more pixels than HDTV) and quad-core graphics—four times the performance of the iPad 2.

In addition to the high-res screen, the new tablet also features:

• A dual-core CPU (the processor is Apple's new A5X chipset, which contains the GPU that Apple says is twice as powerful as the A5 found in the iPad 2 and four times more powerful than Nvidia's Tegra 3; the chip is supposed to be twice as powerful overall as the Tegra 3, according to Gizmodo)
• A rear iSight camera with 5MP sensor and advanced optics, including IR filter, autofocus, face detection, and white balance
• HD video recording (1080p resolution)
• Voice dictation (there's a new key on the keyboard for speaking into the iPad)
• 4G LTE support: HSPA+ for up to 21Mbps or dual-carrier HSDPA for up to 42Mbps or LTE for a max of 72Mbps connectivity
• Battery life is 10 hours (9 for the 4G models)

All this in a 1.5 pound, 9.4mm-thin device starting at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model.

For Wi-Fi only: $599 will buy the 32GB version, $699 for 64GB.
With 4G (AT&T or Verizon): $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, $829 for 64GB.

Pre-orders start today and it will be available in black and white.

If you don't care about these hardware upgrades, though, Apple says they'll still continue to sell the iPad 2, starting at $399.

What do you think of the new iPad?

iPad | Apple

                     You've just been given an iDevice: a magical entity that bestows the gift of more apps than you can fathom. We'll help you make sense of it all with some great apps, tips, and tricks for your shiny new Apple toy.

Title image remixed from an original by Air0ne (Shutterstock).

Before you dive in, here are a few things you should do with your new iDevice first:

• Update to the Lastest Version of iOS - There's a decent chance your new iDevice isn't running the latest version of iOS, even if it's just a very minor upgrade that's necessary. Before you sync for the first time, check for updates in iTunes or in your iDevice's Settings app, if your device is running iOS 5. If there's an update available, iTunes (or your phone) should tell you automatically but it's always good to double check.
• Get to Know iOS 5 - Once you've updated, you ought to know what you're in for. We can teach you everything you need to know about iOS 5 in 7 minutes. If you want to go more in-depth, you can learn how to configure notification center, create contact-specific vibrations and LED notifications, hide the newsstand "app" in a folder, set up typing shortcuts, add some beautiful settings shortcuts to your home screen, and make your iPhone read any text aloud on demand.
• Sign Up For Free Find My iPhone - You no longer need to pay to use Apple's great Find My iPhone app. Just download it from the iTunes App Store and follow the signup instructions. You'll need to create a MobileMe account to get it to work but you will not have to pay for it. Once you're all set up, you'll be able to find your lost or stolen iPhone much more easily.
• Organize Your Home Screen - When you start downloading a bunch of apps, your home screen is going to get cluttered very quickly. Stay ahead of the game and start organizing. As you download apps it'll be easier to keep track of where every app is and will be stored. Check out these reader tips for some ideas.

If you want to tweak settings and run maintenance scripts in Mac OS X, you can always take it to the command line. On the other hand, you can always turn to one of the few system tweakers available to get the job done from a graphical user interface (GUI). Our favorite is OnyX for its exhaustive feature set that provides both basic and easy options for any kind of user.

OnyX

Platform: Mac OS X
Price: Free
Download Page