iPad 3

[billybob476]

Well if they are talking about announcements they might be accurate. The iPad 1 was announced in January 2010 and released in April. The iPad 2 was announced in March 2011 and released the same month. That's not too far off base for this idea.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Just a note for forum visitors on your iPhone or iPad.  If you want to upload photos to the forum, you now can with the iCab browser on the app store.  I'm not sure when this feature was put in, because it wasn't when I originally got it.  So when you hit the select-button for attaching files to posts, you can now choose photos from your iOS device library.  :)

King

[Rico]

Great tip!  I like the iCab browser quite a bit too.

[Dangelus]

Thanks Tim that's very handy indeed :)

[Rico]

Some interesting rumors in this article.  The idea of cutting the price of the iPad 2 and keeping around for a time is very interesting.  Read on...

Another week, another fresh set of rumors about Apple's next rendition of the iPad.

The latest wave stems from Digitimes once again, who claim Apple is expected to unveil two versions of its next iPad in late January.

Perhaps the most important detail is Digitimes has backed off an earlier report that Apple was planning to launch a "mini" iPad with a 7.85-inch screen.

According to the latest Digitimes details, it appears Apple will release two new iPad models and price the iPad 2 to compete with Amazon's red-hot Kindle Fire tablet.

The new iPads will reportedly include 9.7-inch screens with retina displays, dual LED light bars to bolster brightness and quad-core A6 processors. The lone element setting these tablets apart are the cameras: one has a 5-megapixel camera while the other is 8-megapixels.

Rumors of the next iPad arrive as sales of Amazon's Kindle Fire continue to flourish. The online retailer says the $199 tablet remains the top-selling item on its site after 13 weeks. Also, Dave Limp, the vice president for Amazon's Kindle division, said earlier this month the Fire "is the most successful product we've ever launched."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/12/report-apple-to-unveil-next-ipad-in-january/1

[Bryancd]

Keeping the 2 around as a less expensive alternative to the Fire is an interesting idea, I hadn't heard that one. The chances of a smaller screen iPad are ZERO, I am surprised they even speculated that. Looking around my flight right now, everyone has an iPad. The dude to my left has an iPad AND a MacBook Air!

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Keeping the 2 around as a less expensive alternative to the Fire is an interesting idea, I hadn't heard that one. The chances of a smaller screen iPad are ZERO, I am surprised they even speculated hat.

The Apple rumor mill has convinced itself that due to the Fire's success that a mini-iPad is coming.  While the Fire has sold 3mil units+, iPad is over 43million last I heard.  I don't think it's coming, especially if the iPad 3 had a retina display.  Apple doesn't like fragmentation and avoids it as much as possible, so mini-iPad isn't coming. 

I have a hard time believing that we will be getting the A6 core right now.  Unless Apple gave the iPad 3 some serious battery life.  But time will tell I suppose. 

The rest of the rumors are interesting. 

King

[Dangelus]

Interesting and probably not far from the truth. Apple have always said they wouldn't do a 7" tablet although there is a market for it so we shall see...

[Jobydrone]

I would fall down in shock if the 16G iPad2 is priced anywhere near $199 within the next two years.  There would be angry mobs in front of every Apple store in the nation demanding refunds.

[Bryancd]

Interesting and probably not far from the truth. Apple have always said they wouldn't do a 7" tablet although there is a market for it so we shall see...

I would suggest there's a market for a cheaper, less feature filled pad and that what the Fire provides. Apple will never do a 7" screen iPad, ever.

[Bryancd]

I would fall down in shock if the 16G iPad2 is priced anywhere near $199 within the next two years.  There would be angry mobs in front of every Apple store in the nation demanding refunds.

I agree, they wouldn't need to match the Fire's price, just be in the ballpark but keep the premium for a superior product and cache.

[Jobydrone]

I would suggest there's a market for a cheaper, less feature filled pad and that what the Fire provides. Apple will never do a 7" screen iPad, ever.

I'm not sure I agree, it really depends on how popular the newer, cheaper 7" tabs turn out to be, and how it impacts the sales of the premium models including the iPad.  I don't think a 7" iPad Mini is out of the realm of possibility, especially considering how Apple loves to cannibalize their own user base.

[Bryancd]

Steve Jobs has been quoted saying he felt a 7" screen size was a non-starter for the iPad and I believe he was correct. As soon as you start scaling down the screen size, the entire experience of using the device is changed. The key to pads at the movement is to allow for a rich visual experience that is far superior to a smart phone and begins to encroach upon ultra portable laptops. Also, apple will not want to start creating different form factors with the iPad. They want the iPad experience to be universal for all users, not fragmented.

Here is the comment:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/10/tablets-steve-jobs/

[Dangelus]

But perhaps an "iPad Mini" would be a different device altogether? I could see it. There are different models of iPods and perhaps apple to provide a cut down experience in this market.

[Bryancd]

iPods are a different issue as they are pretty much either music only devices or the Touch which is the iPhone without the phone. The iPad is a visual medium experience and they won't be looking to fragment their prodct line. To be honest, there's no need for them to scale down the size and price of the iPad, it's a proven winner.