The iPad3 is approaching the market soon, if the volume of rumors offers any indication. The data is getting a bit more real, too, as we see pictures of parts from a reseller that seem to match many of the rumors as well as each other. The pictures show comparisons between iPad 2 parts and the new parts, and show how a new high resolution LCD screen from Sharp will fit right in to the attachment points.
The high resolution screen is 2048 x 1536, or twice the resolution of the previous screen in both directions, while being the same dimensions. Also apparent from the pieces is that the camera opening is somewhat different, which leads to the obvious assumption that Apple will upgrade the camera in the iPad 3. The camera in the iPhone 4s, with full HD video and 8 megapixel resolution, would probably be relatively inexpensive to add into the iPad 3 since they are already buying it in huge volumes.
Some people are calling the new device the “iPad 2s” because the physical dimensions are almost exactly the same, and they don't necessarily think that Apple will use a quad-core A6 chip inside, but instead a somewhat faster version of the A5 chip already in the iPad 2. Whatever the name and specs of the chip included, if the screen is 4x the current resolution then the chip will need to be significantly faster in order to refresh the screen without any delays or lag. Responsiveness in iPhones and iPads is something that Apple has always made a priority, so it seems unlikely they would have a higher-resolution iPad that performed more poorly than the previous version.
Another major development rumored is the inclusion of 4G LTE connectivity for higher-speed wireless communications. Apple has held off from including this feature in iPhones until 4G LTE chips were smaller and less power-hungry, which seems to be happening with the introduction of a new Qualcomm chip. Also, the iPad line has a big enough case and battery to handle larger, more power-hungry chips.
Other rumors say that Apple is testing a smaller iPad with an 8” screen, that could be at a lower price to compete with the Kindle Fire. Speculation also continues that Apple may just decide to keep the current iPad 2 around at a $399 or even $299 price point in order to keep the Kindle Fire from continuing to burn into Apple's market share.
Apple remains silent on the issue of new hardware, as is their usual policy. However, with past hardware releases All Things D has generally had very accurate advance information, leading some to speculate that Apple lets some info slip through deniable channels, in part to increase anticipation and in part gauge response to various features. The bottom line: We won't know exactly what the next iPad will be like or how much it will cost until Apple holds its unveiling. We would sure like to see, though, a 4x-resolution screen, better cameras front and back, longer battery life, a quad-core A6 processor, a 4g LTE option, and Siri, all at a base price of $499. If the iPad 2 were kept around at a base price of $299, Apple's stranglehold on the tablet market would continue, and tablet sales for 2012 would probably meet or beat analyst expectations.
