subject: Apple iPad 3 : Latest News And Rumours [print this page] Apple iPad 3 : Latest News And Rumours Apple iPad 3 : Latest News And Rumours
iPad 3 release date is September 2011?
Respected Apple watcherJohn Gruber strongly hinted that the iPad 3 release date will be in September.
"If my theory is right, they're not only going to be months behind the iPad 2, but if they slip until late summer, they might bump up against the release of the iPad 3."
The iPad 3 UK release date is a mystery
With Apple apparently unable to meet demand for iPad 2, we'd expect a staggered release date for the iPad 3 too: if the US gets the iPad 3 in September, we'd expect the UK iPad 3 release date to be in October, or possibly even November.
The iPad 3 specs to include a dual-core processor
It's possible that the iPad 3 will have a brand spanking new processor, Apple's A6, but if the rumoured release date is correct then time is tight
The iPad 3 hardware could include an NFC chip
Apple's very interested in Near Field Communications, and one rumoursuggests that the iPhone 5 will use NFC to take over nearby Macs, enabling you to use your data and settings with a flick of the wrist. Since the iPad 3 will follow the iPhone 5, if NFC's in one it'll probably be in the other too.
Storage
The iPad 2 has the familiar 16/32/64GB storage options, but as flash storage comes down in price a 128GB option for the iPad 3 isn't impossible!
Thunderbolt port
Two generations of USB-free iPads suggest that Apple just isn't interested in adding one, but the new Thunderbolt port found in the 2011 MacBook Pro could be another story: it's a combined accessory/display connector with astonishingly fast performance.
Camera
The rear-facing camera on the iPad 2 isn't brilliant:
an iPhone 4 camera and flash would donicely, or even better the new rumoured 8 mega pixel camera for the upcoming iPhone 5.
TheiPad 2 didn't herald a price hike, but if the iPad 3s coming in September we don't think a massive iPad 2 price cut is very likely which suggests that if the iPad 3 does appear then, it might be more of an iPad Pro with a price to match.
What would you like to see in the next release of the ipad? Or, you happy enough with the iPad 2?
