Ipad 3 Rumour or not ?? Rumor or Release

According to a recent report at Digitimes, the iPad 3 is just a few months away from gracing the tablet world. The proposed scaling back of iPad 2 production at the beginning of 2012 is a clear indication that the next-generation device is going to see a Q1 release.
The iPad 3 is expected to be released in the next 3 to 4 months while component makers in the supply chain are already delivering parts for the Apple iPad 3 to OEM contractors; said the inside sources.

“OEM production of iPad 2 will remain at 14-15 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 but decline to 4-5 million units in the first quarter of 2012, paving the way for the launch of the new iPads.”

Long-time partner Foxconn Electronics is expected to begin full assembly production sometime in January of 2012, and full scale production volume will happen shortly after in February to ensure supply is ready to meet all of those ready to upgrade to the iPad 3.
As of right now, estimates by the supply chain sources for the production of the refreshed tablets will hit somewhere around 9.5 to 9.8 million in Q1 2012. 2011 was the year of the iPad 2 and 2012 will be the year of the iPad 3, although it won’t be coined by Steve Jobs (god rest his soul).
The tablet market is one of the fastest growing in the world right now, with iPad products expected to reach 40 million at the end of Q4 2011. In the upcoming year, the iPad 3 should put Apple well on track for just as successful of a 2012, as 2011.

4G LTE iPad 3

The iPad 3 was seen referenced by the identifier iPad 3,1 iPad 3,2 and iPad 3,3; yes that’s right – there are apparently three variations of the tablet in the pipeline.  Apple may have a few different things up their sleeves as they continue to work with prototypes; however these three monikers are likely the final ones to be rolled out since they are embedded within the iOS 5.1 beta code.
This also may be a true indication that the next refresh will indeed be named the iPad 3 rather than the iPad 2S like previous rumors suggested.  At this time the three different references are believed to be the Wi-Fi tablet, 3G, 4G, or even the possibility of getting a dual-mode iPad 3.

The latest iPad 3 rumor that has surfaced links Tim Cook in negotiations with NTT CoCoMo; and the possibility that the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 could very well be getting LTE radios.  As long as all the complaints of 4G LTE are worked out, Apple fans would gladly welcome the increased speed on their devices.
Apple has been testing LTE technology with their devices, however they have held off for a number of reasons with the most important being: design issues, and battery power consumption.  If Apple has struck a deal and found an efficient LTE chip, then I believe this rumor could hold true.
There were also rumors circulating in the past that carriers were performing some testing of an iPhone LTE on their networks, however there is no confirmation on the matter at this time.

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Brace yourself Apple lovers, because a new rumor has surfaced claiming that the iPad 3 will need to gain some thickness in order to accommodate that beloved Retina Display. The rumor has been traced to an insider within Apple’s supply chain who goes on to expose the reason at this time.

According to the unnamed source, the last news we published about Apple’s intentions to go with a dual light bar in order to get the brightness in check on the refreshed tablet; is the guilty party. While the iPad 3 is apparently going to gain around 0.7mm it would still be around 0.4mm thinner than the iPad. So if you didn’t upgrade to the iPad 2 and are still using your original iPad this might not be so bad of news to you anyway.

Everybody wants the Retina Display to find its way into the iPad 3, but what I’m wondering is if Apple connoisseurs could live with a little extra girth. The trade-off would seem highly worth it considering you’d get the crystal clear Retina Display running at that 2048 x 1536 resolution; or in simpler terms – the best display on the market.

iPad 3 Retina Display Shipments

On a more positive note, Apple has apparently ordered somewhere to the tune of two million displays from LG, Samsung and Sharp; set to arrive throughout November. The report also says that these displays are “high resolution,” likely the Retina Displays with 2048 x 1536 resolution.
This news points to the normal production timeline for Apple to release the new tablet in Q1 2012. The supply chain sources also noted that the displays would pair up with the rest of the components being ordered sometime in January when assembly by Foxconn would begin.
At this point I think it’s safe to assume that you will see the iPad 3 released in a similar fashion to the iPad 2; but this time around supply should be able to better meet the demand.
The iPad 3 gaining some extra chunk is only a rumor right now, so we will have to wait and see what becomes of the insider’s claim. Apple did have another option to get the Retina Display running properly; so let’s hope they found a working solution since then. Traditionally devices get thinner with each refresh as a selling point, and this would arguably be a step backwards in some people’s minds