Apple to Announce Second-Generation iPad Within 3-4 Weeks?

[Xtremehkr]

I hope it will have a retina display, I doubt it will be as sharp as the iPhone 4 but it should be noticeably better than the first iPad.

The cameras aren't a surprise and the new shape is probably ergonomically better than the old shape.

I'm more curious about what will happen with the ports. Will Apple extend their agreement to use mini-usb on phones to their tablets. Will there be some combination of mini usb and hdmi.

The inclusion of a gyroscope would improve the gaming potential of the iPad.

The next iPad is shaping up to be the iPad that is missing none of the features or parts found on your iPhone.

Correspondingly, the amount of RAM in the next iPad should be greatly improved, it's likely to have a full gigabyte.

None of that is really surprising though, it's just in line with what is already being done.

Delivering something acceptably close to a retina display would be surprising.

 

[louis Fashion]

iPad killed the iPod star

I will skip the iPad 2. V.1 works great. Why not wait for V.3? It can only get better!!!

 

[3282868]

The last event was pretty much dedicated solely to the Mac. You got a new MacBook Air, a Mac App Store, a preview of 10.7 and a new iLife suite. Jobs had already promised a new version of Final Cut Pro, notebook and desktop updates are imminent and Apple's Web site can't stop promoting iWork '11 which will surely be out soon.

Yet, you're still bitching. This is the most Mac activity we've had in years.

We got one event in months dedicated to desktop platforms. One.

How many threads/news reports do we get in one day on iDevices? 5-6.

I recall the days when Tiger and Leopard beta's were leaked and discussed. Those were far more interesting as features in the beta's that were quite unique never made it to the GM build (the "Answering Machine" in iChat for Leopard was a cool feature that would have made iChat a more functional application).

I was commenting on how much Apple has been focusing on mobile devices. Steve Jobs stated that the desktop market won't be vanishing any time soon, yet Apple has been focusing so much on iDevices that Apple employees were taken off of Leopard to prepare for the iPhone launch that OS X 10.5 was delayed. Granted it's been a success that has brought Apple much market value, but even before the appearance of the iPhone and iPad Apple was doing very well.

Recall the days when Apple had three displays (and PowerMacs that were reasonably priced)? Now they manufacture ONE 27" LED LCD (which is a great buy), but it's based off the 27" iMac just as the 24" LED LCD was based off the 24" iMac. Apple doesn't have a true display line as they are simply iMacs without the computer. Then they switched to server grade chips for their Mac Pro's creating a lack of an affordable tower and finally ceased manufacturing XServe and now suggest businesses use Mac Pro's as servers.

I'm not bitching, in fact i love my iPhone and am typing this on my iPad. As others I'm watching the mobile market and Apple's iOS take a front seat while the Pro line is becoming Apple's red headed stepdaughter.

 

[Brradley]

I will skip the iPad 2. V.1 works great. Why not wait for V.3? It can only get better!!!

Why not wait for V.10? It can only get better!!!

 

[GnillGnoll]

I wish people would stop talking about the "horsepower" it takes to "drive" the pixels as if drawing a simple GUI, scaling and scrolling were highly demanding tasks. They're not, at least not for a well integrated system that makes good use of a state-of-the-art embedded GPU.

The demanding stuff is mostly games, and games don't have to render at the native resolution to look good. Infinity Blade doesn't use the native resolution of the iPad, either.

At that resolution, the GPU's framebuffer would be 150MB. (2560x1920x32 bits per byte) / 2048.

2560 * 1920 * 32 / 8 = 19660800 bytes, or 18.75 MiB. That's per buffer. Since you want at least double buffering, the minimum would be 37.5 MiB.
At 2048x1536 it would be 24 MiB. Currently it's 6 MiB for the iPad.

They can make this up as they see fit, but they do have to be able to justify it or risk irrevocably weakening said marketing term. I’d say about 18-22” seems about right for a tablet. Based on that criteria the PPI would need to be 156 to 191. Very doable since even 7” tablets are exceeding that lower measure.

22" is about the distance from my eyes if I hold an iPad in front of my face with my arms fully outstretched horizontally. And my arms aren't particularly short. I measured 16" as a reasonable distance when holding the iPad in front of my face (or rather in front of my belly ) comfortably. But I certainly use it closer than that, too.

For 16" distance you'd be aiming for 215 ppi, so you really want UXGA or higher for a "Retina Display"

What about the Web?

100% of Websites are made with a width of 1024 maximum, are they going to upscale and get blurry graphics on this so called retina display?

People frequently zoom and scale web pages on iOS devices anyway. I've never found the slight blur of zoomed pictures much of an issue when browsing the web on my iPhone.

Also, interpolation would reduce battery, to what amount I don't know but I would think it would be more than insignificant.

Insignificant if done right (i.e. within the display pipeline).

 

[7o7munoz7o7]

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iPhones, iPads, iPhones, iPhones, iPads…

What happened to OS X and Mac desktops? Oh, Apple released the Mac App Store, based on the, um, iOS App Store.

…I love that this article is using the same picture as an article about the possible next iPad just a few articles down...

Exactly...

I don't know what makes me more sick - news pages like MR who insist on feeding us with such rubbish or Apple who has completely lost the focus (and plot)

I am just keeping my fingers crossed for Mac and OS X to survive under all this iRubbish nonsense

Did you forget about Back To Mac...Mac OS X 10.7 Lion...just because the OS isn't on MR everyday doesnt mean they forgot about it...what do you think Apple is using to make all their products...Your comment means nothing

 

[3282868]

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Did you forget about Back To Mac...Mac OS X 10.7 Lion...just because the OS isn't on MR everyday doesnt mean they forgot about it...what do you think Apple is using to make all their products...Your comment means nothing

Read my comment on 134...

...and please, no ones comment(s) "means nothing" as yours doesn't either. Show some respect, let others voice their opinion(s) without having to worry that others will vehemently protest. If you disagree, how about using well versed logic to explain your opinion, you just might get somewhere. There are a lot of strong opinions on MacRumors, I hate it when people take the time to insult others for having opposing opinions instead of hashing them out as adults.

(and one official mention in a year of 10.7 with focus on the iOS based Mac App Store doesn't make me confident that Apple has their eye on desktop systems as much as iOS systems)

 

[gigi11192]

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I hope they announce the new MacBooks too!!! I cant wait any longer!!!

Same here.
I hate to say this but that probably aint gonna happen.
I heard, those better sandy bridge chips wont be out until Feb. So March is possible.
Well, let us just hope Apple has some sort of special channels on this, and those babies are under manufacture process as we speak.
Just think about this, new MBP with new processor, new iLife, new iWork and thinner, slighter with better battery performance...... isnt that great for someone like me who is not too much of a gamer.

 

[aplqna]

Typo

It is unknown when the second-generation iPad would become unavailable

UNavailable?

 

[WiiDSmoker]

No. Apple must not play catch up. Competition just started copying the ideas from the first generation iPad and last generation iPhone. Most 'competing' tables are still announced only. Apple won't release new features until they are ready and Jobs is happy with them. Apple never rushed anything out. Thats one thing I love about Apple - they rather have less features but those working well. What is the point of having tons of features and impressive 'spec' if things dont work well together.

Your logic fails with such things as Atennagate, multiple clock issues, thermal sensor issues, AirPlay, AirPrint, MacBook Air issues and a whole lot more.

 

[MarkNY]

If the resolution is bumped, I'll have to get one. My iPhone resolution has spoiled me. If it's close to that...

 

[Riemann Zeta]

I still doubt the higher-resolution display. The hardware would have to be much more powerful (but there is no way it will be powerful enough to drive a 2048*1536 display, which would be too expensive anyway) and developers would then have to support two entirely different iPad platforms.

 

[Kenrik]

My Round-up

iPad 2g

1280x960 Display
A5 Single Core Processor
Front and Back Facetime Cameras
New Speaker
Flat Back Case

$499

iPad 1g - $399
iPad 1g Refurbs - $349

$endthread

 

[Lesser Evets]

You rally want to use the iPad to shoot HD video??? I think the form factor would be horrible. You probably couldn't hold it steady enough, wired form to hold up and shoot videos, probably have to hold it with two hands to shoot decent video, .... just not practicable. Just imagine how funny it looks people holding up the ipads with two hands shooting video.

This post of yours is exactly what is wrong with the nay-sayers.

THEY THINK, and they think all wrong.
The screen on smaller devices is bad for outdoors shooting.
What is so nutty about shooting with an iPad? You think an iPHONE has more stability? What universe are you existing within? Both are held identical--by a person with one or two hands.

Can you imagine what people said about THIS thing? Those old cameras must have been laughed at. "TSCHA, looks like yer gonna KILL SUM'UN! PLAYIN' SPACE COWBOY."

No. The iPad, if able to shoot and edit the video, is perfectly wonderful. It's like having a camera and a computer in a nice hardware format. No one will care how they look holding out a small book in the air just like they don't care how they look while holding a plastic brick in the air.

 

[0815]

I will skip the iPad 2. V.1 works great. Why not wait for V.3? It can only get better!!!

I can understand if people skip V1 and wait until the small little problems of first generation are worked out ... but from than on its only going to be better.

That said, of course I ordered the iPad 1 the second it was available for pre-order (somehow I just can't wait and I'm willing to put up with initial problems - I always install the latest beta once available) and of course I will order the iPad 2 the second it's available for pre-order.

This post of yours is exactly what is wrong with the nay-sayers.

THEY THINK, and they think all wrong.
The screen on smaller devices is bad for outdoors shooting.
What is so nutty about shooting with an iPad? You think an iPHONE has more stability? What universe are you existing within? Both are held identical--by a person with one or two hands.

http://www.edwud.com/photos/girl_with_chinon_20p_xl_video_camera.jpg

Can you imagine what people said about THIS thing? Those old cameras must have been laughed at. "TSCHA, looks like yer gonna KILL SUM'UN! PLAYIN' SPACE COWBOY."

No. The iPad, if able to shoot and edit the video, is perfectly wonderful. It's like having a camera and a computer in a nice hardware format. No one will care how they look holding out a small book in the air just like they don't care how they look while holding a plastic brick in the air.

I'm not saying it's not happening - I'm just saying its not very practical. I even see limited use cases for it, but saying this feature is a MUST, that is what I don't get. Same for the rear camera - I wouldn't use it for taking pictures, but for quick scan of documents it might be handy. The device you show was cool at the time, when everything was huge - but times change.

 

[Mr Lizard]

To qualify for 'Retina Display' status, it only has to be sufficiently high resolution in order that pixels become indistinguishable at the distance held from the eyes.

For the iPad, this will be a greater distance than the iPhone.

 

[0815]

What is so nutty about shooting with an iPad? You think an iPHONE has more stability? What universe are you existing within? Both are held identical--by a person with one or two hands.

Well, obviously you need to do some thinking. iPad is much heavier. Just try holding it up with one hand, try to hold is very steady (otherwise the video stinks) and use the other hand for the touch controls. Doable? Yes Comfortable? NO. Camcorders have a strap where you put your hand through that you can comfortable hold it steady - you won't have that for the iPad. Again: Limited use case: YES Must have feature: NO

To qualify for 'Retina Display' status, it only has to be sufficiently high resolution in order that pixels become indistinguishable at the distance held from the eyes.

For the iPad, this will be a greater distance than the iPhone.

See that is the problem with "Retina Display" - it is mostly a marketing term and nobody knows the exact definition. I love the so called "Retina Display" on my iPhone, but that term itself does not mean much. I'm looking forward to the higher resolution of the iPad, but I don't care how the 'label' it for the marketing purpose.

 

[lilcosco08]

Hopefully this isn't the design. I perfer the current one.

 

[0815]

Hopefully this isn't the design. I perfer the current one.

As mentioned before: this is a mockup by a case design company based on rumors and educated guesses - it has nothing to do with the apple design

 

[SBeardsl]

iPad 2g

1280x960 Display
A5 Single Core Processor
Front and Back Facetime Cameras
New Speaker
Flat Back Case

$499

iPad 1g - $399
iPad 1g Refurbs - $349

^^This
add the gyro and and other assorted incremental improvements including more RAM, slightly faster CPU / GPU,,ect, all minor and none a focus of Apple's advertisements.

I wonder if the back camera be the one from the iPhone 4 (better) or the one from the latest iPod Touch (cheaper)? I would guess cheaper but on a device with a base price of $499 maybe they can find room for the better option and add support for HDR photos and HD video to the spec sheet. (Doesn't matter to me either way)

I also wonder what the storage will be a each price point, my guess:

Classic 16GB@$399 [WiFi only]
iPad 2 32GB @ $499 / 64GB @ $599 / 128GB @ $699 [add $99 for 3G&GPS]

or they could leave the storage sizes where they are 16/32/64 or even forget about the 128 option but probably not if they include the ability to take HD video.

 

[aljawad]

I agree. It will be suicidal for iPad sales to announce a V2 product in early Feb and make it available in March.

We will see the usual macrumors reports of dwindling inventories of iPad everywhere and then SJ's grand announcement of iPad 2 with immediate availability.

Thats what I've been thinking, the market for the iPad is still a healthy one with all 6 units shipping within 24 hours. The way I see it, iPad 2 should follow the release pattern of the iPhone with a special event venue other than the WWDC. Prior to that, the market would experience limited availability of the original iPad from the markets where it is now available officially. The devices will go on sale 2-3 weeks after the event, and I'm assuming we'll have more than the current choices we currently have: WiFi only and the WiFi+3G will be augmented with a third option to accommodate the upcoming Verizon market.

Then again, I could be wrong and the device will go on sale immediately, with Apple diverting all unsold first generation units to the unexplored markets around the world :-/

 

[Coukos34]

Most iPad owners don't know what dual core means. Offering dual core is only a checkbox on a spec sheet; it isn't a meaningful feature to its users. A faster iPad, sure, but it doesn't have to be dual core.

Maybe a higher res display, but it will have to be a 4:3 ratio for current software to work, and it should be a useful multiplier of the existing resolution of 1024x768. After all, do we expect developers to have to make myAppResourceImage@1.5625x.png files to include in their apps?

Double the resolution is too big for current display hardware to drive in a way that won't kill the battery, so that leaves us with 1.5. Does anyone make 1536x1152 displays?

For some reason, people forgo logic when it comes to thinking that the iPad will have a resolution upgrade. It just doesn't make sense for all of the reasons you state above. Unfortunately people cannot grasp this common sense however, which is very confusing to me. Apple is not stupid, and other tablets are not offering higher res screens anyway so why would they feel the need to do so now?

 

[fertilized-egg]

I wish people would stop talking about the "horsepower" it takes to "drive" the pixels as if drawing a simple GUI, scaling and scrolling were highly demanding tasks. They're not *snip*

The demanding stuff is mostly games, and games don't have to render at the native resolution to look good. Infinity Blade doesn't use the native resolution of the iPad, either.

Thank you! I was getting increasingly perplexed by all the commotion about the "horsepower" as well. Just when did relatively simple 2D bitmap pushing suddenly got so demanding? The limiting factor would more likely be the manufacturing cost of such high resolution LCD, not the image processing.

 

[viperGTS]

what an idiot to assume it will have a retina display....
ill just stick with the first gen iPad, especially if refurb 1st gens will only be $349, 3G models hopefully not much more expensive.

 

[scouf]

I hope it will have a retina display, I doubt it will be as sharp as the iPhone 4 but it should be noticeably better than the first iPad.

The cameras aren't a surprise and the new shape is probably ergonomically better than the old shape.

I'm more curious about what will happen with the ports. Will Apple extend their agreement to use mini-usb on phones to their tablets. Will there be some combination of mini usb and hdmi.

The inclusion of a gyroscope would improve the gaming potential of the iPad.

The next iPad is shaping up to be the iPad that is missing none of the features or parts found on your iPhone.

Correspondingly, the amount of RAM in the next iPad should be greatly improved, it's likely to have a full gigabyte.

None of that is really surprising though, it's just in line with what is already being done.

Delivering something acceptably close to a retina display would be surprising.

I really hope to see a usb port and a mini display port. If you take a look at all the tablets coming out of CES, many of them have both usb and hdmi ports. I really want to use an ipad, but I don't want to constantly have to lug around my laptop everytime I want to add videos to it. Apple needs to make the ipad a stand alone device, which is a what a tablet is meant to be.