With a new rumor circulating that the iPad 2 may be announced as early as January, speculation has begun on what the refresh will bring. According to a Chinese newspaper, Apple may focus on five specific areas for the new model.
Computerworld is reporting that a new supply chain report from a Chinese language newspaper is detailing five new features that will be part of the iPad 2, presumably coming as early as January, according to recent rumors.
Video Phone: We’re assuming the Chinese newspaper is referring to a front-facing camera with FaceTime enabled, although it’s possible that Apple plans to take this even further. Computerworld also seems to feel that both a front and back camera is possible, although we’re not sure who would want to use a 10-inch tablet as a camcorder or digital camera in the first place.
New Display Technology: Computerworld is speculating the addition of 9.7-inch “Gorilla Glass,” the same as what’s used on the iPhone 4, and of course a Retina Display makes sense. The report also suggests the display will “enhance image and color output performance” as well.
3-Axis Gyroscope: No surprise, this was added to the iPhone 4 back in June and many games and other apps have been updated to take advantage of it.
“Better Mobility”: No idea what that means, although Computerworld suggests “Apple will be using new materials technology to make the device lighter.” That makes sense, given that many reviews of competing tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab have noted the iPad feels much heavier.
Mini-USB: This last bit conflicts with patent designs claiming the next iPad may get a landscape dock connector jack, although it could mean that Apple is shifting to a mini-USB port for their next-gen devices and doing away with the dock connector altogether. The more exciting prospect is that it may somehow allow us to connect USB peripherals, including mice, keyboards and maybe even hard drives, which would certainly make the iPad even more of a netbook replacement.
Most notably, the report makes no mention of a combined GSM/CDMA radio, which would allow the iPad 3G to connect to almost any network in the world -- specifically, both AT&T and Verizon Wireless here in the U.S.
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purplemaizenjm
November 28, 2010 at 2:09am
My dad is waiting for this ipad, we were discussing about this over dinner tonight over dinner.. I told him to be patient. Apple will come out with it soon.. and he wants it now.
