The second generation version of the Apple iPad is expected to hit stores in April 2011, following Apple’s tradition of yearly releases. But, will the device be worth buying? What could change?
Camera
A variety of rumors stating the iPad 2 will come with a front-facing camera. In 2010, Apple introduced FaceTime. Obviously, Apple is pushing FaceTime for more and more devices. So, it would make sense if, in 2011, FaceTime moved to the iPad.
Japanese blog MacOtakara published a new portion of rumors concerning Apple’s iPad 2. It claims that the second-generation iPad will have a smaller bezel, a flat back panel and a wide-range speaker. These changes might be caused by a couple of criticisms of the original iPad design. The outer plastic bezel surrounding the LCD screen of the iPad was seen as large by some. Thus, the forthcoming iPad will be 3mm smaller; reportedly measuring 239mm by 186mm. LCD screen on the next-generation iPad will stay the same size. Back of the iPad is reported to be "flat like an iPod Touch". It will allow the new iPad to sit flat on a desk surface. The current iPad has a rounded back. The Ambient Light Sensor will be moved to the "upper center of the rear panel and has a new 3mm slim hole". According to rumors, production of the new iPad has already begun and it will probably start shipping in the mid of January.
Reuters' sources claimed today that the iPad 2 will have dual cameras, and its production will presumably be started in the first quarter of 2011.
This is another report that confirms the rumors about FaceTime support in the next-gen iPad. It also named battery maker Simplo Technology, chip designer Wintek Corp and "an unlisted maker of covers for electronic products" AVY Precision as suppliers for the second Apple's tablet. Read the rest of this entry »
Foxconn, manufacturer of the iPad, reports that it plans to begin shipping the iPad 2 within the next 100 days. The initial shipment will be approximately 400,000-600,000 units. Apple reportedly planed to start mass production of the next-generation tablets in January,2011, but they had to postpone it, because of the ongoing testing of the new iPad's firmware. Of course, Apple will decrease the production of the original tablets to prepare market and users for a launch of new device. The next-gen iPad is rumored to be equipped with the FaceTime front camera, will support both GSM and CDMA standards, allowing it to work on a variety of networks.
Last week we reported that the next iPad will be equipped with a gyroscope, a Retina Display and USB ports and it’s very likely will get FaceTime capabilities with a front-facing camera. Unfortunately, there is no mention of how many megapixels the cameras might be. So, resent rumor claims that Apple already selected the camera lens maker for the iPad 2. As expected, such suppler might be the Taiwanese company called Largan Precision. Largan reportedly supplies 5-megapixel lenses for the iPhone 4. It’s also unknown whether the company was selected to ship a VGA front-facing camera, a higher resolution rear one or both.
Apple seems to have grate plans for 2011. So, we’d summarized all rumors and official statement, and formed the following list, which shows Apple's plans for the new year:
Lion OS;
Mac App Store;
iPad 2
Implementing of Light Peak optical interconnect technology developed by Intel to replace such things like USB, DisplayPort and HDMI. In future, the technology has the potential to reach speeds of 100Gbps. it is also requires smaller connections and thinner cables;
New model of MacBook Pro notebooks equipped with Intel's Light Peak, 512 GB of SSD storage, without an optical drive. These MacBook Pro's will last longer, run quieter and be lighter and more power-efficient;
Apple-branded Blu-ray player/burning device which is also capable of burning standard optical media such as DVD or CD;
Subscription service via iTunes, which would be focused on video services.
9to5Mac reports that an ad for the upcoming iPad 2 may have already been filmed by David Sims, a British photographer, in New York last month. The iPads used in the shoot were all current generation models which will be swapped out with the new ones in post production. A participant at the shooting, said that there were no new products on scene, and that everyone had to sign non-disclosure agreements. At this point, the only thing may be confirmed is that the new iPad 2’s will probably be the same size as the current generation iPads.
An investment firm Detwiler Fenton & Co. claimed today in its note on Barron's that OmniVision will be the supplier of CMOS image sensors for the next-gen iPad. That means the next iPad will have a forward-facing camera to support FaceTime feature.
Moreover, it is said in the note that Omnivision will also supply another 5MP camera which will be allegedly placed on the rear side of the iPad. OmniVision is an existing Apple's partner which currently supplies sensors for iPhone.
Yesterday Verizon and AT&T announced that the iPad will appear in their retail stores in two weeks, on October 28th.
Verizon will be offering only WiFi-enabled iPads that will be optionally bundled with MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot Routers (which is showed on the image above). The latter allows up to five users to access the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband Network via Wi-Fi. The monthly data access plan for 1 GB of data will cost 20$/month.
Chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless John Stratton is excited about this new offer: Read the rest of this entry »
Configuration files within the new iOS 4.2 beta reveal that Apple's "iProd2,1" device that had been spotted in earlier iOS versions and presumed to be the next-generation iPad is actually the company's forthcoming Apple TV revision.
Appleinsider claims that Apple may already be in "advanced testing stages" of a new FaceTime capable iPads. A version of the tablet device with a built-in video camera and support for the new FaceTime video conferencing standard has already progressed to the advanced testing stages, according to a person with proven knowledge of Apple's future product plans.
Honestly, from this distance it's hard to tell what's going on, but 9 to 5 Mac says we're looking at a next-gen camera-equipped iPad fielded specifically to test video calls. The shot shows the unit in a Video Call debugging mode, hinting at FaceTime. This same mode was noted in the leaked iPhone 4 shots earlier this year. Additionally, The iPad 2 is also rumored to have a retina display.
Now that iPod touch has gotten a camera and FaceTime, can iPad really be far behind?
After the unveiling of iPad in January most of us understood that it looks like enlarged iPod Touch. French web-resourse Begeek.fr decided to think about what should we expect from Apple in the next years, so look what they concocted: