iPad 3

Are Suppliers Beginning to Prepare Materials for the Next iPhone and iPad?

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 1, 2011

According to a report published this morning by DigiTimes, Apple's suppliers are being told to start preparing materials in order to initiate production of two of their most popular products -- the iPhone, and the iPad.

While it's obvious that after breaking their normal summer release schedule we'll see a new iPhone this fall, the iPad 3 news is interesting to say the least.

Another interesting point of note included in the report, is that Apple will only release one new iPhone instead of the rumored two....

Leaked AT&T Documents Hint at LTE-Flavored iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 24, 2017

Last night, the 6-man hacking group known as LulzSec ended their 50 days of chaos with one last act of mischief. The team once again published confidential data recovered from their latest attack. One of the folders in the stolen archives is titled "AT&T."

In digging through the data, the folks over at iFans have come across some interesting information. The internal AT&T documents reveal that the carrier is planning to roll out their new LTE network in the first week of July, but that's not all...

Court Denies Samsung a Peek at iPhone 5 and iPad 3

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Apple and Samsung are currently in the middle of a heated copycat lawsuit. Apple accused Samsung of stealing the iPhone's design, and Samsung retaliated by asking to see Apple's unreleased products for comparison.

Both companies believe that their products designs are being copied, but one thing's for sure: Samsung won't be seeing any unreleased products from Apple.

Bloomberg: New iPhone Coming in September, A5 Chip, 8 MP Camera

Alex Heath ∙ Updated October 25, 2016

Hot off the heels of yesterday's rumor from BGR that pegged an August announcement for the next iPhone, Bloomberg has decided to enter the rumor mill and back up previous reports that put the next gen iPhone's release at a September date.

Among a September release, Bloomberg corroborates other reports that Apple's next iPhone will not, in fact, be a "radical" redesign of the iPhone 4, but instead a mere hardware boost.

Retina Display iPad Referenced in iOS 5 SDK

Alex Heath ∙ June 15, 2011

After doing some sleuthing in the iOS 5 beta SDK, the folks at 9to5Mac have discovered graphics for the next generation iPad that are 2X the size of the iPad's current, 1024 x 768 resolution. These graphics are capable of fulfilling the requirement for Apple's 'Retina Display' that is currently used on the iPhone 4 and fourth generation iPod touch.

It was originally dismissed when 2X iPad graphics were discovered in the iOS 4 SDK, but 9to5Mac believes that this Retina Display-worthy resolution references the iPad 3's screen.

3D Screen Crammed Into an iPad?

Oliver Haslam ∙ June 14, 2011

3D is one of those technologies that really seems to polarise people. Some people swear by the latest technology and point to the huge success seen at the box office with Avatar and say that it's finally come of age. Others will say that 3D is just another gimmick thought up by hardware manufacturers to sell TVs now that everyone has bought a HD set.

3D is proving to be the big new thing in mobile devices whether we want it to or not, with various Android tablets and smartphone devices sporting 3D capability. Even Nintendo is in on the action with its 3DS handheld gaming device, but as yet Apple isn't in the 3D market.

Of course, that hasn't stopped anyone else from taking Apple's hardware and shoehorning 3D technology into it...

iOS 5 Firmware Hints at Future iPhone and iPad Models

Alex Heath ∙ June 7, 2011

Since Apple unveiled iOS 5 at the WWDC keynote yesterday, developers have been diving into the software to discover the hidden secrets within. The latest development actually points towards future models of the iPhone and iPad.

As would be expected, there are code placeholders for the next gen iPhone, and there are also references for two future iPad models. Ladies and gentleman, start your rumor mills...

Samsung Demands to See Apple’s Next iPhone and iPad

Alex Heath ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Samsung has filed a motion to Apple requesting to see the iPhone 5 and iPad 3. According to This is My Next, Samsung's lawyers want to get their hands on the iPhone 4S/5 and iPad 3 to see if Apple's future products are similar to Samsung's future devices, like the Droid Charge and Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Apple and Samsung have already been at each other's throats in the courtroom over claims of playing 'copycat' in product design. Apple sued Samsung for copying the "look and feel" of the iPhone and iPad, and now Samsung says that “fundamental fairness” requires Apple to turn over its upcoming devices for product comparison...

OmniVision Unveils Super Slim 5MP Camera Sensor, iPad 3 Bound?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 27, 2017

The current iPad 2 is good at a lot of things. It's extremely thin, easy to use, and lightning fast. It's no wonder why it continues to be a consumer favorite. However, the device could also use some serious upgrading in some categories, camera quality being one of them.

The current version of Apple's tablet has a camera capable of shooting 960 x 720 pixel photos, that's 0.7 megapixel. Apple's latest iPhone is sporting a camera that takes 5 megapixel photos, why the big difference?

The Cupertino company set out to make the iPad 2 thin. Not just thin enough to impress folks, but thin enough to call itself one of the slimmest tablets around. In fact, it lead that category until Samsung went back to the drawing board with their Tab 10.1 and shaved a few more centimeters off the top.

But contrary to popular belief, being thin has its disadvantages, and in this case it cost the iPad 2 a decent camera. Obviously due to design restraints, the camera module that Apple used in the iPad 2 had to meet certain size requirements. At the time there must have not been a decent sensor that fit the bill, so they used the same one that's in their 4G iPod Touch.

Well 9to5Mac is reporting today that OmniVision has unveiled a 5MP camera sensor, that is smaller than its predecessors. Since the digital imaging solutions company happens to be the main supplier of camera sensors for iDevices, it's likely that we will see this (or something similar) in future Apple products.

"The OV5690 offers best-in-class low-light performance and image quality while also enabling 20 percent thinner camera modules..."

Not only does the camera take 5MP stills, it records video in full 1080p. The current iPad camera records video in 720p, so the upgrade would be quite noticeable. Since the camera seems to be one of the tablet's biggest downfalls, it would be logical to assume Apple is looking to upgrade it in future iterations.

What do you think of the current iPad 2 camera? Would you get an iPad 3 if the camera quality was improved?

iPad 3 Retina Display? Samsung Thinks it's Possible

Cody Lee ∙ May 13, 2011

The iPad 2 hasn't even been out a full 3 months yet, and speculation regarding the next iteration of Apple's tablet has already begun. While we've heard rumors of a potential launch date and possible 3D technology, little else is known about the device.

Even though a new iPad isn't expected for quite some time, it is an Apple product. Investors and tech heads alike want to know every detail possible about it and how it's going to measure up to the competition.

The latest speculation regarding Apple's next tablet comes from a report that Samsung will be demonstrating a new 10.1-inch display next week at Display Week 2011. The screen has a resolution of 2560 x 1600.

Not only is the display sporting 300 dots per inch (iPhone 4 has 326 dpi), it uses Samsung's PenTile technology which allows it to consume 40% less power than its counterparts.

Why is Samsung's new display connected with the next iPad? The Korean company has been providing components (including display panels) for Apple's iDevices since their inception. Even if Apple doesn't use this exact model, the fact that the technology is available is a testament in itself.

Expect to see something similar to this in the iPad 3, as Apple tries to keep up with the Jones' in the tablet market. They couldn't possibly try their 1024 x 768 again, which has quickly fallen to the back of the pack.

What do you think?

[Tuaw]

iPad 3 to House a 3D Display?

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

3D has been quite a popular technology lately. First we saw it in theaters, then it made its way into our homes. More recently, it's been finding its way into our portable electronic devices.

The Nintendo 3DS led the way with their glasses-free 3D implementation. HTC has also been showing off their latest smartphones, capable of capturing and viewing in 3 dimensions. Heck, even RIM has been touting their PlayBook's ability to output 3D graphics.

While Apple has yet to add 3D to any of their products, the rumor mill is certainly turning on the topic. RCR Wireless is reporting that they are hearing from a "Hollywood insider" that Apple's next tablet is already in advanced planning stages, and very much 3D. The source is quoted by the website, saying:

"The fact that the iPad 3 is 3D is a dead cert"

She claims that major film studios are currently running around like "blue arsed flies" trying to get their 3D content in order, in time for the launch of Apple's next tablet. Music industry insiders have been dropping tidbits about Apple's future cloud service, so it's no secret that folks in the entertainment business hear exclusive information from the Cupertino company.

If Apple is really going to include 3D technology in their next tablet, I hope it's glasses-free via head-tracking technology. I personally don't see why you'd want 3D graphics in your iPad, I'd rather see something closer to retina display.

I've also read rumors that Apple has been experimenting with layered E-Ink displays, you'd think that'd make more sense in a tablet than a 3D display(especially with Amazon building a tablet). I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Steve Jobs and company have up their sleeves.

What do you think?

No iPad 3 Coming Later This Year?

Cody Lee ∙ April 12, 2011

Even before the iPad 2 was launched, speculation that an iPad 3 would be released later this year has been rampant. It was rumored that the iPad 2 was more of a bridge between the original iPad and a more powerful version to launch this fall.

DigiTimes is refuting the gossip, reporting that their sources inside a major component manufacturer say a fall release of the iPad 3 would be nearly impossible. They claim they were only recently visited by Apple regarding the next version of their tablet.

They went on to say that it appeared the product was still in early planning stages, as Apple was inquiring about panels that supported higher image quality. It's believed that Apple has been looking for an AMOLED-type display with full HD capabilities for the next iPad.

Honestly it wouldn't makes sense to see another iPad release this year. I can see why Apple would want to move the iPad's release cycle out of March (so soon after Christmas), but a fall release this year seems so unlikely.

I would think if anything new was to come out of Cupertino regarding their iPad line, it would be the addition of LTE or other 4G technology. Their iPad 2 sales are too hot to extinguish with another model built from the ground up.

What do you think?