More 'iPad 5' Cases Surface Showing Smaller and Thinner Design

[MacRumors]

With both front and rear casing parts and several case designs for the fifth-generation iPad having surfaced over the past several months, we are starting to get a very good idea of how Apple is drawing on design cues from the iPad mini to design a thinner and narrower full-size iPad.

Building on this concept of an iPad mini-inspired design, several more cases have appeared today offering a additional glimpses at what we might be able to expect from the next iPad.

iPad 5 case (left) and iPad 4 case (right)

The first set of images comes from case maker Tactus, which shows cases for both the current iPad and the fifth-generation model, with a clear plastic mockup of the fifth-generation model showing how its features would mimic those of the iPad mini.

Meanwhile, Engadget shares photos of another iPad 5 case leaking out of Hong Kong, with a number of comparison shots showing how the device size and various physical features line up between the fourth-generation and fifth-generation cases.

iPad 5 case (blue) and iPad 4 case (gray)

With parts and cases already circulating, it can be difficult to tell whether new case leaks such as these are based on genuinely leaked specs or merely on previous information, but the case designs remain consistent with previous leaks and rumors and may offer a decent picture of Apple's plans.

Article Link: More 'iPad 5' Cases Surface Showing Smaller and Thinner Design

[Popeye206]

cases means it's close! Maybe a WWDC announcement?????

[notabadname]

Hope the 5th is out by Summer.

[Brian Mage]

Those cases look like they'd feel more 'snappy'

[Jsameds]

Originally Posted by Brian Mage

Those cases look like they'd feel more 'snappy'

**Insert joke about Safari here**

[furi0usbee]

Wow... watermark much?

[Jsameds]

Originally Posted by furi0usbee

Wow... watermark much?

Non-watermarked gallery over at Engadget

[e-coli]

Wake me up when it's released.

[ajvizzgamer101]

I expect a 9.7inch iPad Mini.

[fatlardo]

Darn, still single speaker. Was hoping it would get updated to 2.

[slffl]

Can't wait!! The thinner and lighter the 9.7" gets, the better.

[carlgo]

I was more intrigued by the fingerprints and the name Tactus which seemed like fingerprint technology was being promoted. If the phone gets it, then obviously iPads and computers would too.

[slffl]

Originally Posted by fatlardo

Darn, still single speaker. Was hoping it would get updated to 2.

Looks like a dual speaker to me.

[HadrianM]

most obnoxious watermark ever. Oh.. there is an iPad in there too.

I though the thicker border screen on the iPad - instead of the thin one like the Mini - was a good idea. In many instances you have to hold and iPad with your thumb on the screens edge. This thinner screen and border means my thumb will be on the visible screen and in the multi-touch area. This seems like it would cause problems. Unless they plan on redoing the iOS with a completely horizontal lay out?

[gabicava83]

Originally Posted by slffl

Looks like a dual speaker to me.

Me too.

[newdeal]

all I want is for the smart cover to hold when folded around the back instead of flopping around and also the speaker to exit the front so I don't have to cup my hand around it to hear. Doubt either of those things will happen but I will buy anyway lol

[roadbloc]

Somebody had sticky fingers. Left fingerprints everywhere.

[Menel]

edit

[andy9l]

Originally Posted by HadrianM

I though the thicker border screen on the iPad - instead of the thin one like the Mini - was a good idea. In many instances you have to hold and iPad with your thumb on the screens edge. This thinner screen and border means my thumb will be on the visible screen and in the multi-touch area. This seems like it would cause problems. Unless they plan on redoing the iOS with a completely horizontal lay out?

...or if they plan to simply use the technology already plugged into iOS for the past 8 months, which prevents your fingers being recognised as part of an intentional tap or gesture when on the edge of the screen.

Source

[MewTech]

Now we'll get octa-core graphics for everyone to load Facebook even faster!

/s

[shaunp]

I've just bought an iPad 4 to replace a gen 1 iPad and while I'm not so interested in thiner and lighter I'm interested to see the direction the platform is going in. iOS 7 is going to have a lot more impact than it being slightly lighter and thinner.

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by Popeye206

cases means it's close! Maybe a WWDC announcement?????

Possible but I'd say likely not. As it's a developer and not a hardware event. But Apple has talked hardware in their keynotes there in the past. SO anything is possible.

[t76turbo]

Isnt that an odd ratio of height v width? Or is it just the photo making it look that way?

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by shaunp

I've just bought an iPad 4 to replace a gen 1 iPad and while I'm not so interested in thiner and lighter I'm interested to see the direction the platform is going in. iOS 7 is going to have a lot more impact than it being slightly lighter and thinner.

lighter and thinner does matter. Not generation to generation but long term. take an iPad 1 and an iPad 5 and you will surely notice the thinness difference. Little changes over time can make a bug impact.

[Patriks7]

Originally Posted by slffl

Looks like a dual speaker to me.

Personally I have been hoping they would have been able to implement one speaker on the bottom and one on the top. Mostly watching videos in landscape mode, I don't see why the speaker(s) should be blasting into one direction.