What can you expect from iPad 3 when it will be launched? People are already in love with their iPad 1 and 2. So, what will the third one in the series bring to you. Here is a list of prospective features that may be seen in the forthcoming iPad 3.
People still aren’t over the beauty and finesse of the iPad 2, that has successfully taken a few steps ahead of its trailblazing predecessor, and now the new iPad or iPad 3 is rumored to be launched in early 2012. It was heavily speculated earlier that the super-gadget will be launched in September of 2011. However, the month went off pretty uneventful except for the impending release and sale of iPhone 4S.
In fact, the new iPad release date may very well be February 24, 2012, the birthday of Steve Jobs, as a tribute to the works and contribution of Apple’s former CEO. So, your wait to update from your iPads seems to be getting over soon. Unsurprisingly, Jobs had announced 2011 to be the year of the iPad 2, hinting at the further delay in the iPad 3 release date much ahead and stimulating anxiety amongst prospective buyers of the gadget. It is rumored that the delay was declared to accommodate the release of A6 processor alongside iPad 3.
The iPad 2 was a slightly better upgrade of iPad, but the new iPad will be the real deal. Its rumors began circulating even before Apple launched iPad 2 in the market. Already daydreaming about the iPad 3? Oh, then, let’s do it together! You can surely expect the iPad 3 to be better than its predecessors but there is so much that we would still want, if only it were a genie in a bottle.
iPad 3 Features: Rumors
While there are some features we would like to see on the upcoming iPad 3 like – a built-in HDMI port, better notification system, one-touch button to access the home screen, personal media locker, an improved voice navigation system and GPS, the new iPad features listed below have a strong plausibility to turn into reality. Watch out for the must-have iPad 3 features.
Better Resolution
The iPad 3 may come with a retina display just like the one on the iPhone 4S, which is absolutely beautiful and pristine. The resolution on the new iPad is rumored to be as high as 2048 X 1536. This will mean 4 times the pixels and better image quality. Some bloggers have called this feature an uncalled-for addition. However, this one feature alone could help the existing tablet market leader, Apple, to capture a large market share from its competitors. LCD panels are to be supplied by Samsung, LG Display and Sharp.
Split Keyboard
I would call this a clever move on part of Apple to come up with a simple but much-called for innovation. It will now be easier to use two hands on the tablet and type quickly. The keyboard will split to the left and right hand side of the screen.
3D Display
Recently, a video was leaked showing an iPad with a 3D feature. So, you can expect a 3D glass-free experience with your new iPad, if rumor mills are to be believed. You will easily be able to watch your videos at a pristine resolution with your friend from opposite sides as it sends images in different directions.
A5/A6 Processor
The CPU of iPad 2 is A5. Although we would love to see the iPad 3 run on the quad core A6 processor, it may run on the A5 processor too. However, A5 would need some tweaking so it runs faster and more efficiently to be in sync with the needs of the retina display. By June 2012, you may expect an upgrade to A6.
Upgraded GPU
It will possibly come with an improved GPU. Some of its hardware manufacturers are ST-Ericsson and Texas Instruments. Hopefully, the GPU will match up with iOS 5 to deliver an excellent user-experience.
Thunderbolt
If the new iPad comes with a Thunderbolt port, it will make multimedia transfer much faster. Also, it will give an excellent data connectivity speed. This technology is witnessed in MacBook Pro presently with a speed of 10 Gbps.
Thicker
Samsung’s Galaxy tabs 10.1 and 8.9, both are 8.6 mm thick. Although the iPad 2 is significantly lean at 8.8 mm thickness, Apple could deliver a slightly thicker tablet this time. The increase of 0.7 mm thickness can be attributed to the improvised retina display. That is a sacrifice we are all willing to make for breathtaking visuals.
Lighter Weight
iPad 2 was much lighter and sleeker than the iPad. Although thicker, we can expect a much lighter weight, possibly with a carbon-fiber body. Let’s hope that it will be somewhere close to 1 lb to match shoulders with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the PlayBook, which are lighter than the iPad 2.
Multi-tasking
Finally it’s not just women, you will see your iPad 3 multi-task too! With the swipe of your four fingers. Literally. Yes, Apple is believed to soon take the swype technology to the next level. If this is true, you can easily switch between apps. Not just this, it will also make closing down apps an effortless task by just pinching icons.
4G LTE
The world is moving onto 4G with many Android gadgets, that were recently launched or are anticipated to be launched soon, sporting the fourth generation of LTE feature. It is also expected to have a 4G LTE as the recently released iOS 5 supports it too, this means now your videos will also buffer fast and the download speed would be like a breeze.
2GHz Dual-Core Processor
A 2GHz dual-core processor promises a better CPU speed. Since Apple is also planning to launch its A6 processor soon in the market, it will come with a new and improvised NFC chip set with a promise of better performance. This also increases the probability that Apple will release the new iPad on a quad-core processor.
Better Speakers
Many iPad owners have also complained about the audio quality of its speakers that are located only on one corner of the iPad 2. So, if you are to rotate it for a landscape or vertical view, you’d end up with audio from only one direction. However, the rumored iPad 3 comes with stereo speakers and contributes to a better movie viewing experience, for which the previous tablets have often been used.
Camera Flash
There has been much talk about the original iPad’s poor image capturing quality, in response to which, Apple launched its iPad 2 with a front camera to support video calling and a rear camera that zooms up to 5 times. However, it still did not have flash. Rumor has it that iPad 3 won’t miss out this feature and may even come out with a 5MP camera. That would be a dream!
Longer Battery Life
It will be interesting to watch how Apple accommodates a better battery life on its iPad 3 with such powerful features like a retina display, 2048 X 1536 pixel resolution, a powerful processor and improved audio quality. The battery life of iPad 2 has been a disappointment to many.
SD Card Slot
One of the possible iPad 3 features is an SD card slot that will help you store your data externally too. This feature has been in great demand by all iPad owners because it has been missing in the previous versions that were available in the market for 16GB, 32GB and 64GB in-built storage capacity with a simultaneous increase in prices.
Built-in Cloud Services
This possible feature will set a trend for future tablets and smartphones. How does it make your iPad 3 better than the rest? It increases storage capacity within the iPad 3 alone so you can send and receive large data wirelessly, hence, you won’t need much external storage. It fulfills your need for a large data storage device without slowing it down.
MagSafe Charger
MagSafe Chargers are currently being used in MacBooks by Apple. However, you may soon see them in newer versions of the original iPad. MagSafe chargers will provide protection against power fluctuations as well as it will shockproof the hardware considerably. If you were to accidentally trip over the charger, it will save the tablet from some damage.
Your MOM!
Well, that is the first thing that popped up in my head when I first heard of this new feature that may be a part of the enhancement plan for your iPad. I am absolutely referring to mothers here. This forthcoming release from Apple turns to-do lists in to smart programs that will remind you task(s) based upon your location. Quite a smart utilization of mobile GPS, I must admit. Whether it is as effective as mothers is a subject of debate post its release.
This time around, the iPad 3 will probably be compatible with both CDMA and GSM networks. Also, it will be available in black and white color. Your iPad 3 may have a 9.7 inches display this time, which will make it 2 inches shorter than the iPad 2. While a larger display will improve video viewing experience on 3D technology, it would be fascinating to see how Apple prevents this from hindering iPad 3’s expected lightweight feature and help it compete with its competitors.
While it may be too soon to comment, the iPad 3 prices are likely to follow iPad 2’s footsteps, at around $499 as a starting price as there is an anticipated $100 drop in the latter’s prices. This year, Pegatron has acquired the manufacturing rights for Apple’s iPad 3, over Foxconn reportedly due to the latter’s poor work conditions making headlines. The ongoing speculation about the slated launch of iPad 2 Plus close to the iPhone 5 release date has created much furor about the features you can expect in these gadgets and the day when iPad 3 will be really coming out.
It is almost the end of 2011 and there have been no official announcements from Apple regarding the release dates of its forthcoming gadgets. After the fire that broke out in one of Pegatron’s factories that was manufacturing back panels for iPad 3, the disruption in the supply chain may cause further delay in its launch. Do not be surprised if you get to see your beloved iPad 3 in March or April 2012.
**Please Note: The image in the article in no way represents Apple iPad 3.