ipad3

Supplier chatter points to smaller 8-inch iPad

The supply chain--that gaggle of component makers behind the products people actually buy--is talking about a smaller iPad again.

On Tuesday, a report in The Wall Street Journal claimed that suppliers have shown Apple samples of a device with an 8-inch class screen.

Suppliers of the sample 8-inch class panels include AU Optronics and LG Display, according to the Journal.

This follows a CNET report--citing supply-chain sources--back in October when suppliers were yapping about a 7.85-inch screen.

If Apple commits to commercial production of a smaller iPad--which is unknown at this point--it would be a big step in … Read more

On back of iPad 3, Apple tablet numbers to jump in 2012

Shipments of the iPad 3 are expected to zoom this year, based on orders placed for displays, an Asia-based report said.

Those orders for iPad 3 displays may go as high as 70 million this year, according to a report in the Chinese language Commercial Times.

That would be more than a 60 percent jump over iPad sales in 2011, which were about 40 million.

The Times mentions Samsung and LG Display as suppliers of the iPad 3's Retina 2048x1536 display but does not mention Sharp. Based on separate reports, Sharp is expected to ship an IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) … Read more

4G iPad reportedly slated to be sold by Verizon, AT&T

With rumors circulating about the debut of the "iPad 3" in March, there was word today that a version of the next iPad will take advantage of next-generation 4G LTE wireless technology.

Both AT&T and Verizon will once again be carrying the new iPad, which is slated to use the 4G network, according to The Wall Street Journal. However, it's not yet clear if other carriers, like Sprint and T-Mobile, will also sell it.

Compatibility with 4G networks has been talked about since before the second-generation model came out last year. And as iPad aficionados … Read more

iPad 3 debut once again rumored for March

Got a calendar and hopes for a new iPad? If so, you might want to pencil in Wednesday, March 7.

That's according to iMore (formerly Tipb), which citing "sources who have been reliable in the past," says that's the day Apple will be holding a special event to take the wraps off the iPad 3.

That date matches up pretty nicely with the more general "first week of March," reported last week by All Things Digital, and with Apple picking a Wednesday as its go-to date for last year's unveiling of the iPad … Read more

Does Apple really need to launch iPad 3?

Do you want your new iPad to have a soft, seductive voice? Do you want that voice to tell you what the weather will be in Copenhagen tomorrow? Do you want her to send e-mails to your lover for you?

Apple, you see, is reportedly, allegedly, rumoredly announcing a new iPad in March.

Naturally, many speculate that this will be called the iPad 3, just as many speculated that the last year's iPhone would be the iPhone 5.

That turned out to be the iPhone 4S. So why shouldn't one believe that the new iPad will be the … Read more

Microsoft has tablets on its mind

Microsoft has tablet computers in mind for the next generation of its operating system.

The software giant plans to release a flavor of Windows 8 on ARM chips at the same time it releases one for the so-called x86 chips that power traditional PCs. That was an open question ever since Microsoft previewed Windows 8 in September. And it's important because the ARM version of the new operating system will be the one that powers many of the tablets that Microsoft hopes will compete with Apple's industry-leading iPads.

In a blog post, Windows President Steven Sinofsky said "… Read more

How much better will the iPad 3 be?

I was talking to a friend and tech enthusiast the other day--let's call him "Chuck"--and he sheepishly admitted that he'd taken the iPad plunge.

I was shocked. Not so much because Chuck had never bought an Apple product before (take note, Android fanboys), but because he'd bought an iPad 2 with the iPad 3 just around the corner (if the rumors are to be believed).

I told him he was crazy. In buying his first Apple product, he'd not only broken the cardinal rule of buying Apple products (don't buy within six … Read more

Otterbox getting an early jump on iPad 3 case

Well, here it is. The first e-mail for a case for the iPad 3.

It comes courtesy of Otterbox, which is getting a jump on its competitors and is already asking media members to line up for review samples of its new Defender Series case. (Average civilians can sign up to receive an e-mail alert when the new case launches). … Read more

Should Apple stop holding its big launch events?

There's a new Apple launch event in February. No, wait, March.

It will be the announcement of the iPad 3. No, wait, it might be the iPad 2S.

For years now, the Apple faithful have allowed their nervous systems to respond to these excitements. For years now, the rumors have been even lengthier and more outrageous than the launch events themselves.

Yet, the whole purpose of these events wasn't merely to get the media, fanboys, and media fanboys fulminating. It was to allow Steve Jobs to use his enormous powers of make-believe in order to make everyone believe.… Read more