With today’s announcement and release of iBooks 2, it provided an opportunity for people to find clues about Apple’s next move for hardware and software. Once again, @sonnydickson has provided some interesting images he discovered, as noted by 9to5Mac.

Images of a paper and leather book cover in two different sizes along with same differences in a bookmark ribbon hint to us a high ... Read More]]>

With today’s announcement and release of iBooks 2, it provided an opportunity for people to find clues about Apple’s next move for hardware and software. Once again, @sonnydickson has provided some interesting images he discovered, as noted by 9to5Mac.

Images of a paper and leather book cover in two different sizes along with same differences in a bookmark ribbon hint to us a high resolution iPad 3 is more than imminent. Also included are files with one specifically named ‘bookmark-ribbon-iPad@2x.png’. Take a look below and tell us what you think:

With Spring ‘almost’ around the corner, expect further speculation about when the iPad 3 will be announced. Well, today Macotakara claims its sources have told them Apple is set to hold a media event possibly in February to debut the next iPad, with a launch to take place in March, almost a month later:

Here’s the Google translation:

Apple iPad does hold iOS 5.1 and 3 launch in Early February? ... Read More]]>

With Spring ‘almost’ around the corner, expect further speculation about when the iPad 3 will be announced. Well, today Macotakara claims its sources have told them Apple is set to hold a media event possibly in February to debut the next iPad, with a launch to take place in March, almost a month later:

Here’s the Google translation:

Apple iPad does hold iOS 5.1 and 3 launch in Early February? ACCORDING to a source in United States and Asian Supplier, Seems to prepare to hold Apple Special Event in Early February. Because of Chinese New Year Holiday Factory Will be in, then new Product Considered is to be Released in Early March.

Recent rumours have suggested the next iPad will be a minor upgrade, rather than a whole new design. Bloomberg reported a higher resolution screen and a quad-core processor (most likely the A6 process) to be present in the next version of the iPad.

If we take a look at the transition from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S, it now looks like the next iPad will be an iteration rather than a whole new product. Really, who upgrades their iPad every single year (whoops, I may be preaching to the choir)? Also noted is the launch of iOS 5.1 in early February, which currently has its 3rd beta available to developers.

Do you have your eyes on the next iPad?

According to the latest report from Bloomberg, the next generation iPad 3 will have a higher resolution screen and connect to LTE networks.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s next iPad, expected to go sale in March, will sport a high-definition screen, run a faster processor and work with next-generation wireless networks, according to three people familiar with the product.

The company’s manufacturing partners in Asia started ramping up production ... Read More]]>

According to the latest report from Bloomberg, the next generation iPad 3 will have a higher resolution screen and connect to LTE networks.

Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s next iPad, expected to go sale in March, will sport a high-definition screen, run a faster processor and work with next-generation wireless networks, according to three people familiar with the product.

The company’s manufacturing partners in Asia started ramping up production of the iPad 3 this month and plan to reach full volumes by February, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the details aren’t public. The tablet will use a quad-core chip, an enhancement that lets users jump more quickly between applications, two of the people said.

The source tells Bloomberg the new screen is both high resolution and very fast, most likely due to the rumoured quad-core A6 processor:

The new display is capable of greater resolution than the current iPad, with more pixels on its screen than some high- definition televisions, the person said. The pixels are small enough to make the images look like printed material, according to the person. Videos begin playing almost instantly because of the additional graphics processing, the person said.

Foxconn is noted to start production later this month, with factories running 24 hours a day only to close for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, set to start on January 23rd. The next iPad is rumoured to be a ‘minor’ upgrade, similar to what we have seen with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

A new report by a Korean publication Electronic Times Internet News (via 9to5Mac ) has just hit the internet, which directly conflicts with an earlier report by Macotakara that claimed iPad 3 would be launched in early March with displays from Sharp. According to this new publication, Sharp has “failed to pass Apple’s approval process for mass production”. The report also suggests that Samsung and LG have already started mass production of iPad 3 panels ... Read More]]>

A new report by a Korean publication Electronic Times Internet News (via 9to5Mac ) has just hit the internet, which directly conflicts with an earlier report by Macotakara that claimed iPad 3 would be launched in early March with displays from Sharp. According to this new publication, Sharp has “failed to pass Apple’s approval process for mass production”. The report also suggests that Samsung and LG have already started mass production of iPad 3 panels as of the beginning of 2012. Even though the source does not exactly have a track record for breaking Apple news, the report does however mention the same XQGA (2048×1536) display as Macotakara’s earlier report.

Citing from the source:

“It has been confirmed that Samsung Electronics and LG Display will supply LCD panels for Apple’s iPad 3, which is scheduled to be unveiled as early as in Q1 this year. Sharp was originally known to be developing display panels, but reportedly failed in initial supply.”

The Korean publisher also claims that Apple is planning on placing orders for 65 million LCD panels for iPad 3 during 2012 with Samsung and LG supplying 5 million displays in the first quarter to meet demand for the device’s launch.

More next generation iPad rumours are coming your way, this time from Macotakara. According to their sources from China, pre-production is already under way by Foxconn and Pegatron (Google Translation):

According to sources in China, Foxconn Technology and Pegatron Technology are the next as the iPad begin production at a rate of 85% and 15% same as the number of manufacturing planning iPhone 4S. This is the Chinese New Year in 2012, ... Read More]]>

More next generation iPad rumours are coming your way, this time from Macotakara. According to their sources from China, pre-production is already under way by Foxconn and Pegatron (Google Translation):

According to sources in China, Foxconn Technology and Pegatron Technology are the next as the iPad begin production at a rate of 85% and 15% same as the number of manufacturing planning iPhone 4S. This is the Chinese New Year in 2012, earlier than usual, January 23 (7 of 28 holiday and 1 January 22), so one of the reasons you can do to accelerate the production of the iPad possible. The initial production run using a Sharp LCD panel, so planning is aiming to ship in early March. 

Previous rumours have hinted at the possibility of LCD panels from Sharp. Other details reiterate what iLounge previously claimed that physical changes will be minimal, although the new model will be slightly ‘thicker’ in terms of millimetres. Macotakara notes the position of magnets haven’t changed so the Smart Cover would still fit, and the position of the dock connector hasn’t changed. Again, we are hearing of a minor upgrade to the iPad, similar to the upgrade path from the iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S.

Last week we heard iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz tweet about what he was hearing from his sources about the upcoming changes in the next generation iPad 3. Now, he has claimed one day before CES he has ‘seen’ what is supposedly the next iPad, and describes the changes:

Here’s the scoop on what companies believe Apple will announce in the next two months. The new iPad’s body is ... Read More]]>

Last week we heard iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz tweet about what he was hearing from his sources about the upcoming changes in the next generation iPad 3. Now, he has claimed one day before CES he has ‘seen’ what is supposedly the next iPad, and describes the changes:

Here’s the scoop on what companies believe Apple will announce in the next two months. The new iPad’s body is so slightly thicker than the iPad 2 that the change is unnoticeable on first inspection; a roughly 1mm increase will barely be perceptible to users. We’ve heard that the only accessories that might have issues are cases, and then, only cases that were precisely contoured to fit the iPad 2’s back. On the rear, the camera in the upper left corner has become bigger—noticeably so when placed alongside the iPad 2, but not so huge that anyone would think they were different at a distance. The new camera hole is silver-ringed, and does in fact look the same size as the iPhone 4S’s much-improved rear camera system, minus the LED flash.

Jeremy goes on to mention the changes are so minor that the next iPad iteration could be similar to the iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S type of upgrade. The unit he was shown appeared to be an older unit, not one recently manufactured. He goes on to note every company he has contacted about the next iPad has agreed with what he has described about the next iPad changes.

One thing is for certain that most people are assuming will come in the next iPad is a Retina Display, to join its siblings like the iPhone 4/4S and latest iPod touch. Bring on the rumours as we head into the iPad launch season.

Digitimes previously reported on Apple releasing two iPad models, and now according to information from Taiwanese component makers, we now hear about a Spring and Fall launch for two different iPads. The next generation iPad 3 will come with its high resolution display, as predicted:

The iPad 3 will come with a QXGA (1,536×2,048 pixels) display and longer battery life although its other ... Read More]]>

Digitimes previously reported on Apple releasing two iPad models, and now according to information from Taiwanese component makers, we now hear about a Spring and Fall launch for two different iPads. The next generation iPad 3 will come with its high resolution display, as predicted:

The iPad 3 will come with a QXGA (1,536×2,048 pixels) display and longer battery life although its other hardware specifications may not be so amazing as expected, said the sources. But Apple will take the advantage of the iPad 3 launch to slash the price of its iPad 2 to US$399, the sources claimed.

The source claims the iPad 2 price will be slashed to $399, similar to an earlier rumour from iLounge.

Now onto the big ‘news’ of an apparent ‘iPad 4′, set to launch in the Fall to coincide with the Microsoft Windows 8 launch and Intel’s Clover Trail tablet platform:

The 9.7-inch iPad 4 is expected to come with much upgraded hardware specifications and integrated applications so as to compete with an array of Android-, Wintel- or WoA (Windows on ARM)-based tablet PCs to be released in the fourth quarter, said the sources.

I think it’s safe to say the iPad rumour mill is in full effect. The next generation iPad should come with the Retina Display and better cameras. It’s the logical pattern for Apple upgrades. Anything else is mere fluff. We’ll have to wait and see.

Some more iPad 3 rumours, this time once again from iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz, tweeting from his twitter account just prior to the start of CES. Here’s what his source tells him:

1) A few next-gen iPad notes, ahead of the show. Both cameras are getting upgrades. Front goes HD, rear becomes iPhone 4/4S-like (bigger).

2) Body of the next iPad is, as we previously reported, getting just a little ... Read More]]>

Some more iPad 3 rumours, this time once again from iLounge editor Jeremy Horwitz, tweeting from his twitter account just prior to the start of CES. Here’s what his source tells him:

1) A few next-gen iPad notes, ahead of the show. Both cameras are getting upgrades. Front goes HD, rear becomes iPhone 4/4S-like (bigger).

2) Body of the next iPad is, as we previously reported, getting just a little thicker to accommodate new parts – little = 1mm give or take.

3) Curve radiuses on the body will change only a little to accommodate the added thickness, not dramatically. Think iPad 2 Pro, not a redesign.

4) Looks likely that iPad 2 will stick around at lower price point, say $399, and next iPad with high-def screen + cameras will sit atop it.

5) Incidentally, our source believes that the next iPad’s rear camera will be the same as iPhone 4S’s, b/c camera hole is very similar.

6) If Apple is in fact moving the front camera to FaceTime HD, calls from the next iPad to current Macs + vice-versa will look _much_ better.

7) Source thinks date will be similar to iPad 2’s. Correctly says a January launch (never likely) would anger holiday 2011 iPad 2 recipients.

Jeremy’s source also kicked to the curb the former Digitimes story about a larger iPad with double the battery life.

iLounge similarly had a former source reiterate about the similar form factor last November:

The third-generation iPad will become modestly thicker (0.7mm) in order to accommodate the twin light bar system needed for its higher-resolution display. It’s currently on track for a March timeframe release, and according to our source could be publicly shown as early as January, depending on conditions.

It would be logical to assume the iPad 2 cameras would improve since the front facing VGA camera is horrendous, but the rear camera is 720P capable. As for the design, the iPad 2 is still very thin and to increase thickness by 1 mm would be nothing at all.

As for the iPad 2 price drop? That is plausible as Apple slashed original iPad prices the moment the iPad 2 was announced. Stay tuned for more rumours as CES kicks off. You can bet we’ll see more ‘leaked’ iPad cases like last year.

According to a new report by Digitimes Research, a substantial price drop is expected for current iPad 2 models which could completely “change the tablet game”. It is expected that Apple will keep its traditional pricing formula intact for the next-gen iPad with base model starting from US$499 as a result of which iPad 2′s price will drop to US$399. However, if Apple releases two versions of the new iPad as claimed ... Read More]]>

According to a new report by Digitimes Research, a substantial price drop is expected for current iPad 2 models which could completely “change the tablet game”. It is expected that Apple will keep its traditional pricing formula intact for the next-gen iPad with base model starting from US$499 as a result of which iPad 2′s price will drop to US$399. However, if Apple releases two versions of the new iPad as claimed by sources from Apple’s supply chain, Cupertino’s pricing strategy may change.

Citing from the source:

Sources from Apple’s supply chain have claimed that there will be two versions of the new iPad, one targeting the high-end segment and the other the mid-range. Digitimes Research believe the two new iPad models will both be equipped the A6 processor with high-end model coming with a high resolution panel (2048×1536) and the mid-tier model featuring the same grade of panel as iPad 2 (1024×768).

With the existing iPad 2, the Apple tablet series may cover all price segments – from entry-level to high-end. Apple’s pricing strategy for its iPad series is crucial to the tablet market. It remains to be seen at what price level Apple will set its entry-level iPad. For Wi-Fi only models, US$299, US$349 or US$399 may all be possible.

On average, majority of non-iOS tablets are priced between US$199 – US$399. But if Apple starts selling the iPad 2 for around US$299, it could seriously damage the non-Apple tablet’s sales including Amazon’s Kindle.

The iPad 3 rumours and ‘leaks’ continue to pour in. The latest comes from the forums over at Naver, a South Korean internet portal. An image was posted that claimed to be a display panel for the upcoming iPad 3. The screen looks identical in size as the 9.7″ iPad 2 display, but the difference lies in the purported iPad 3 panel that reveals a different cable attachment area.

The ... Read More]]>

The iPad 3 rumours and ‘leaks’ continue to pour in. The latest comes from the forums over at Naver, a South Korean internet portal. An image was posted that claimed to be a display panel for the upcoming iPad 3. The screen looks identical in size as the 9.7″ iPad 2 display, but the difference lies in the purported iPad 3 panel that reveals a different cable attachment area.

The iPad 2 screen has two attachments for cables whereas the claimed iPad 3 screen has three, as verified by images provided by teardown experts iFixit to MacRumors.

The latest rumours have pointed towards an iPad 3 screen to sport a Retina Display resolution to launch sometime in 2012, along with renewed rumours of a move away from IPS to thinner and lower power consumption IGZO displays by Sharp.

[via MacRumors]