News of the next iPad, boldly predicted as the iPad 3, has been spreading like wildfire. The successor to the iPad 2 will undoubtedly be thinner, faster and if the latest rumours are true will come equipped with a retina display.
The latest news comes from ‘sources in the know’ who blabbed to the WSJ, they say Apple has already lined up most of the major components for the iPad 3. Most notably the ‘source’ confirmed that it will include an upgraded Retina display, at least 2048 x 1536 pixels.
The display will remain 9.7 inches but will quadruple the pixels of the current iPad 2 which has the same 1024 x 768 pixel count as the original iPad. This would effectively double the resolution. This isn’t the first time we have heard about an iPad 3 Retina display, code was discovered in one of the earliest iOS 5 Beta releases and various other sources have added to the speculation.
The manufacturer of the screens has also been a contentious issue, early reports suggested that LG and Samsung where in the running. This week a DigiTimes report countered this by saying Sharp is the only company with screens available, LG and Samsung have been unable to keep up with demand.
However, pricing has apparently been a sticking point between Apple and Sharp, some say this has pushed the release date back from 2011 to 2012. We’d argue the iPad 3 would have stuck to Apple’s annual refresh cycle anyway.
The WSJ report also suggested that trial production for the iPad 3 would begin in October, which would suggest the iPad 3 will be released in the first quarter of 2012. Again this is inline with the companies usual schedule, it seems 2011 rumours have been forgotten and the media has rebooted to a 2012 schedule.
Do you think the iPad 3 should come equipped with Retina display?
I don't own any Apple products, and generally dislike Apple…but…if true, Apple gets a gold star from me.
That is an INSANE resolution. Props to Apple for pushing the industry standard and raising the bar for everyone.
It's technology and the consumers that benefit.