Apple could be set to unleash a third iPad with a retina display early next year, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
We've heard no end of iPad rumours, but this one does come via a reputable source. Citing "people familiar with the situation", the report reckons Apple has already ordered components for the iPad 3, including display panels and chips.
Apple has allegedly ordered parts for about 1.5 million iPad 3s. That sounds like a big number, but Apple managed to shift 9.25 million iPads between April and June this year alone.
The most interesting nugget is the hint of a retina display on the next iPad. Apple's incredibly hi-res displays are already in place on the newest iPod touch and the iPhone 4, and it's one of the features we were expecting to make it onto the iPad 2. Obviously that didn't pan out -- the second iPad has the same display as its predecessor.
The iPad 3 could feature a resolution of 2,048x1,536 pixels, which would quadruple the iPad 2's 1,024x768 pixel resolution.
So, are we likely to see a retina-rockin' iPad 3 early next year?
Quite possibly. Improving the display seems like a natural next step for the app-packin' tablet, and a release early next year would be roughly in keeping with previous versions. The iPad 2 was announced on 2 March.
That said, we've also heard mysterious whispers in the wind of a new version of the iPad coming out in the next few months. We think that's unlikely though, and our money is on Apple focusing on the iPhone 5 for now, not wanting to overwhelm our wallets with too much new gadgetry.
For everything you need to know about the third iPad, check out our iPad 3 rumour guide. And once you're done, head back here to empty your opinions into the comments section below, or all over our Facebook wall.
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anonymous 22 August, 2011 07:03
Everyone, who owns new ipad2, will wait for ipad4, or ipad5.Retina display is not enough to sell new ipad.Ipad is not iphone or laptop ,is too big, and no as good as laptop.
anonymous 26 August, 2011 12:41
That's not how I feel. My iPhone is back to being a phone with mail and one or two interesting features. My iPad is used for hours each day and increasingly as a business tool. Sure, I am not dumping the laptop yet but my iPad is connected to Box.net so all my company files are there and with docs to go, a print programme and the mac Office suite I have a great deal of functionality in my hands. It's mostly for 'show what I prepared earlier on a PC' use but I do also make edits. And who can fault the mail and calendar functionality. The key benefit is that the iPad fires up instantly so it van be an impulsive 'well let me just show you what I mean...' solution. Still feel the lack of flash though.