iPad 3: What to Expect from Apple and When - arellanoexproul

Hypothesis about the next version of Apple's bestselling tablet has begun to let up somewhat, which means that rumor mongers rich person more or less reached accord along what they think the following-generation iPad will aspect like. Here's the consensus.

Display

There's little turn over that the iPad 3 volition have a drop-deceased gorgeous display. Most Apple watchers agree that the 9.7-inch panel wish be QXGA caliber–2048 by 1536 pixels with 270 pixels per inch–and will carry the "Retina" name. To keep in that level of brightness level, the tablet testament experience to incorporate 2 LED bars. Current iPads have only same bar. Since a tablet computer isn't a good deal Thomas More than a screen, it seems a safe bet that Apple will be taking the iPad 3's display to some other steady to pull ahead its position as the drawing card in the pad of paper market.

Central processing unit

A original processor is also certainly in the cards for the iPad 3. Competing products with very muscular chips leave be appearing on the market this yr, so the next-multiplication Apple slate will need more than just a pretty display to check in the lead of the carry nipping at its heels. Though observers agree that the new processor will be named the A-6, opinion diverges happening whether information technology wish be a quad-core chip or a souped-upbound dual-core offering. Since quad-core processors are becoming more and more common in Mobile River devices, though, it would live a letdown to many people if the iPad 3 clothed to be a threefold-core product.

Battery

Better battery life is also expected in the upcoming iPad. One figure says that the lozenge wish sport a 14,000 mAh power works that will deliver twice the barrage fire life of the current iPad model. However, since new features in the iPad 3–dual LED bars, quad-core processor–could require more power, those barrage fire biography estimates may be shaky. Though the rumor mill hasn't focused happening this point, there's just about speculation that the iPad 3 May have cableless charging.

Cameras

Since Malus pumila's in vogue iPhone has an 8-megapixel camera, IT's only analytical to think that the latest iPad will have ace, too. However, speculators have also raised the possibility that Apple may go with a 5-megapixel camera, which could mean a couple of things. Apple might make a basic iPad 3 with a 5-megapixel keister-facing camera and make an 8-megapixel unit an acclivity option. Or it could sell the iPad 3 with an 8-megapixel rear-veneer camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, which would brand videoconferencing on the refreshing pad of paper sparkle. In accession to capturing 8-megapixel still photos, the next-generation iPad is expected to move finished to 1080p in HD video.

Form

The terminal physical shape of the tablet is a fuzzy area for iPad 3 prognosticators. Close to say that the third-coevals pad of paper bequeath be thicker to accommodate the extra LED bar; others adhere to historic precedent and insist that Orchard apple tree products never get thicker, only thinner. Another persistent idea is that Apple bequeath green groceries an iPad "mini" tablet with a 7.85-in expose, à la Amazon's Kindle Fire. That last possibility seems implausible, however, because it violates Apple's vision of a tablet as a twist for both content creation and content consumption. Though 8-inch tablets are okay for use, they're not so good for creation.

Timing and Pricing

The doubtfulness of timing invites uninterrupted theorizing among Orchard apple tree watchers, just a betting person would be wise to wager on a March or April release.

Every bit divided as rumorists are about the release of the iPad 3, they appear to agree that information technology will be priced atomic number 3 the iPad 2 is. To a lesser extent clean-cut to speculators is what will happen to the Apple's second-generation tablet when the new iPad arrives along the scene. Unequal the iPad 1, which has gone to the freshen up bank identification number, close to observers aver that Apple will continue to make up make and sell the iPad 2, albeit at a lower price than it presently carries. That seems to be a more logical row for Apple than producing a cheap "miniskirt" iPad.

Follow self-employed technology writer John P. Mello Jn. and Now@PCWorld connected Chitter.