Today we have a trio of Apple rumours circulating around the blogosphere. We have heard that the iPad 2 could be launched on the 2nd March and could have the same release date as the iPhone 5. Today has also speculated that the iPhone 5 may not launch until September, let’s look at each in turn to discuss the sources and likelihood of them actually being right.
iPad 2 Launch
The New York Times, All things Digital and Reuters have all confirmed that the iPad 2 launch event will be on March 2nd 2011. We are well overdue an event which has actually been expected for the last few weeks and the three sources are all well known and respected. Other news outlets have also received invites to an Apple event with the words ‘come and see what 2011 will be the year of’, with a calander image of a number 2 backed with a tablet.
The event is detailed as being hosted at the BBC television centre in London; surely we will see the iPad 2 at the event, especially when you consider shops are already selling out of the current iPad.
The iPad will release alongside the iPhone 5
For us this is a non starter, why would Apple choose to launch both products at the same time? It doesn’t make financial sense for either them or the consumer. Reports have suggested that both devices will launch in the summer meaning Apple would fall far behind other tablet release dates and the iPhone 5 would break its stringent annual renewal deadline – don’t count on both coming at the same time especially going on the strength that the iPad 2 could be launched and subsequently released in March.
iPhone 5 in September?
Regarding the September release date of the iPhone 5, again this is probably untrue. Craig Berger, of FBR Capital Markets said “For the iPhone 5, we continue to hear that a July launch is unlikely, with various casing suppliers and touch suppliers still ramping up, with some chip vendors not having yet received firm iPhone 5 orders, and with other sockets like the image sensor… still in flux.” So this one is plausible but still unlikely.
What do you make of today’s Apple news, do you think Apple will launch the iPad 2 at the event in March?
