Apple to Offer iPad 2 and iPad 3?

Posted by unlocker under iPad on Thursday Feb 16, 2012

More evidence surfaced that Apple will still sell iPad 2 as an entry level iPad when the company release the next generation of the device.
Taiwanese publication DigiTimes provided more evidences Apple will continue to offer iPad 2 amidst the release of iPad 3. According to the sources of the publication, Apple suppliers will ship 25 million lower resolution (1024×768 pixels) iPad 2 displays in 2011 even after Apple launches of iPad 3. The report claims that Apple suppliers are expected to ship 40 million “Retina” (2048×1536 pixels) displays in 2012. To get a perspective, Apple suppliers are estimated to have shipped 48 million LCD panels in 2011.
In the fourth quarter of 2011, Apple shipped less than a million panels for iPad 3. However, the Cupertino-based company will continue to increase the volume of the shipment of the panel that are used for the new version of iPad. The sources pointed out that, 6 to 7 million panels will be shipped on the first quarter of 2012 and will escalate to 10 million panels on the third quarter of the year.
Currently, Apple has decreased the shipments of iPad 2 panels from 16 million panels in the third quarter of 2011 to 10 million panels in the fourth quarter. This first quarter of the new year, the panel shipments amounted to 7 to 8 million units. According to the sources of the publication, the shipments for the iPad 3 will surpass that of iPad 2.
Offering a lower version of the device proved to be good for Apple business. Last October 2011, Apple released the latest iPhone, iPhone 4S. However, the company still offered the older generation of iPhone at a lower price. There were reports that the iPad 2 display panels approaching the rumored number would be indicative of continued iPad 2 production well beyond the introduction of the iPad 3.
It seems that a cheaper iPad 2 with 8GB storage for $299 or $349 will also help Apple to compete with rivals such as Amazon who launched their Android-based tablet - Kindle Fire last year for only $199.

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Leakages Suggest iPad 3 Looks like iPad 2 with Improved Features

Posted by unlocker under iPad on Wednesday Feb 1, 2012

As expected of Apple, Inc., the minimalist design will still prevail in the next generation of iPad but it features will be boosted.
The new iPad’s body will be thicker than its predecessor. There will be around 1mm increase. On the physical aspect, it seems that the casing will bear some difference from iPad 2.
At the back of the device, the camera in the upper left corner has become bigger. This will be noticeable, especially when placed alongside the iPad 2. 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 without the LED flash.
The rumors said that Apple will be going for a smaller screen. However, based on the photo, Apple will be sticking with its standard screen size. However, it is expected that the iPad 3 will be sporting a screen with higher resolution and Retina Display like the iPhone and iPhone 4S.
The switch, button, speaker and other accessories located on the side edges are all the same, as are the headphone and Dock Connector ports. In other words, last year’s accessories should generally work properly with the new model, which is great.
There is no certainty yet that Apple will release the iPad 3 as the device could be named as iPad 2S or iPad 2HD. This could be a similar case with the iPhone wherein a lot of people expected to see the iPhone 5 but Apple released the iPhone 4S.
As expected from the Cupertino-based company, there has been no confirmation of the internal changes made in the upcoming device. The shell shown in the photo seemed to be manufactured a few months back. Thus, there could be more changes integrated in the device since the shell was manufactured.
If Apple will follow the schedule, the iPad 3 will be introduced to the public in the next few months. There are speculations that the next generation of iPad will be released on Steve Jobs’ birthday.

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