Apple could release two versions of its iPad 3 and we could be seeing the tablet a soon as late January according to new reports from the far east.
The reports come from Korean publication Digitimes who has spoken to those loose-lipped supply chain sources, who have apparently confirmed that there will be two versions.
Digitimes’ source reckons the new tablet will be unveiled at the iWorld/Macworld conference which is scheduled to take place January 26. However, within the Mac world it is well known that Apple withdrew their attendance from the MacWorld tradeshow back in 2008, and haven’t returned since. The company claims that tradeshows have diminished in importance to their business model, so we’re skeptical as to whether to believe DigiTimes’ estimated arrival time for the iPad 3.
The iPad 3 has been at the centre of plenty of rumours over the last few months, with many experts expecting the screen resolution will see a significant increase. If the rumours are true the iPad 3 will come with a 9.7-inch screen with a QXGA resolution, which is an impressive 1536 x 2048.
Other upgrades being tipped for the new tablet are a A6 processor, two cameras, 5 and 8 megapixels respectively, and a new battery that could be as high as 14,000mAh (the battery tech of the iPad 2 is a mere 6,500mAH). So it could feasibly have a battery life of upwards of 20 hours which would be ideal for heavy gamers and film buffs alike.
As for two new versions of the iPad – this does make sense, but only if Apple is looking to take Amazon on at its own game and offer a budget-friendly tablet and then make its money back from apps and other media. Its worked for the Kindle Fire so far, so why not the iPad?
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