Preview Of The iPad 3 Or Want An iPad 3 And I Cannot Wait Already?

At the time of writing this article - the iPad 2 is not too distant from official release, around March/April in 2011. This puts it out around 12 months from the original release of the first generation iPad, released in April 2010. For those who do not care too much, or have really wondered what all the fuss is about, the iPad is a tablet computer device that sits between the technology of a smart phone (like the iPhone) and a netbook/laptop device. One can play games, music, video, applications and web content through a wi-fi and/or internet wireless connection. The interface is utilized by using your finger or fingers to press on the screen or make sliding gestures on the top glass by touch and with a small amount of pressure and the device can handle multi-touch facility.

The iPad 3 will startle and delight Apple aficionado's with it's initial release. Since this article represents at this time, pure speculation and please note, nothing mentioned here is for certain, 12 to 18 months in this type of tech is almost the same as ten years of general technology and improvements. So there will be so much that has changed (from speculation) in that 12 months. One aspect I will personally find interesting is how much I will be spot on and how much I have totally missed the mark.

I predict that most of the update to the device will be, for the most part, changes to and improvement on, the existing iPad 2. The device will be lighter, last longer on battery and come with a raft of new hardware and software updates. Let us look into the technology crystal ball and take on some predictions of how likely (or unlikely) we will see what is the result for what we will find the iPad 3 capable of.

The third version of the device will come with a raft of updates, more memory, faster processor, better screen, greater sound output. Lets take a (speculative) look;

• Processor - 2Ghz Apple 4 system on a chip, possible 1.6 or 1.8 Ghz dual processing
• Screen - Multi-touch, 12 inch screen, 1280 x 768 pixel (allowing for full screen Full 720p HD video)
• Storage/Memory - Base 64Gb, then models of 128Gb & 256Gb, iCloud
• Higher resolution camera
• Wireless - Wireless b/g/n, 3G & 4G, Apple air port, Bluetooth
• Operating System - iOS5
• Battery - Updated Lithium/Ion 18 hours video playback, 280 hours audio, 2 months standby
• Sound - 5 speaker Dolby Surround HD playback.
• Additional Features - Headphone jack for phone calls/headphone playback, 3 cameras for 3D playback & recording, face recognition and fingerprint security, improved ambient light sensors to auto adjust in dark rooms or bright sunlight, DVI and USB 3 connection

The raft of software updates and improvements for the device will come with more software options, tighter integration for those whom use other Apple devices, a new OS, improved battery consumption (less used), and generally, more Apps. Lets take another (speculative) look;

• Languages - More languages and a facility to update via the net to update local language libraries.
• More Apps from the App store (this is a given anyway) in addition to reality based apps that offer virtual environments.
• Better software and local integration of playback and memory usage - In other words more types of software (video files, audio files, etc) will playback and will do so in a 'sandbox' mode, so if an App misbehaves one can simply close the App and not have to restart the device.
• Support for wireless/3G/4G cable TV support, watch cable via subscription on your iPad.
• Support for non touch gesture use (think Wii, XBox Kinect and PS3 Move)
• A quicker responding, more accurate and more (possibly multiple) language based SIRI - the voice recognition software introduced in October 2011 on the iPhone 4 S
• Seamless integration between any MAC items and better integrated iCloud facility on all devices handing the service/software.
• Quiet and seamless updates to software and apps when one is on a wi-fi network and not on a 3G/4G service (unless manually requested)
• Easy setup without a need to be connected to any device with iTunes.

The price I am suggesting will start at an recommended retail of $449 and will be available for use from Apple stores, the Apple website and all regular Apple reseller vendors that sell iPad 2.

One other advantage with the device is although it will be bigger, it will be more slender, but still as battery tech is also improving, we will see a great increase in battery life over the iPad 2.

Will it all be worth it?

Yes - for those who must have the latest gadget and are fans of Apple products anyway.
No - for those who are either not one to buy such a product or will buy a tablet device from the opposition, LG, Samsung, HP, Acer the new Amazon Fire and the like.

When will the device be released?

I am taking a guesstimation at around April 2012 maybe a little later, we will see what happens in the next 12-15 months (from when this article was produced in April 2011) in the world of tech first, comeback and see if I found a release date by then. The New York Post in the second week of December 2011 was suggesting a possible February release in 2012. This is before Steve Jobs Birthday, so that date may not hold.

There is also suggestions floating around the rumor mills that an iPad mini may become released to combat the Amazon Kindle Fire. But as the Amazon Kindle Fire still uses Android 2.2 and not quite the graphics and speed most hope for the device, Apple may not be too concerned for now.

The time to buy tech is usually after version 1.0.

This gives you the facility to start using hardware that has the kinks worked out of it come version 2.0. Usually by this stage its full of additional features over its predecessor and has more bells and whistles.

For a device like an iPad 3, there is most likely not a revolution in the new item here but more of a evolution. Like the iPhone 5 crowd, lots of rumor and expectation abounded and when the iPhone 4S came out, it was anti-climatic for many.

This is not a device thats going to change the world, but a device that is improved in many ways that it does with its hardware and software anyway. So you will get something slightly faster, or sleeker, or better with being more responsive, or slightly bigger screen or better battery life. Or even a combination of these things. No doubt, Siri will be right there with it.

What to buy? - iPad 2's will be cheaper when the 3 is released.

When to buy it? for iPad 2's see the line above. For the iPad 3, are there people already sleeping by Apple stores I see?

Apple is currently under siege from Android based tablets. The current is recently released Android based tablet are showing us multi processors using technology to slow down or power off multiple cores when not required, better and larger screen technology, more apps, more RAM and storage memory and for some devices the Android Ice Cream Sandwich (Android OS 4.0) update.

Apple has given alot of ground away and this will become something of a litmus test to provide a brand new iPad 3.0 or will it just be a revision like the iPhone 4S and become iPad 2 version 2.0