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

[pmz]

If the only features mentioned are the display and cameras, I wonder if that means we will not see a dual core iPad. Seems silly to me not to offer a dual core version.

What do you know about anything? What Inside knowledge do you possess relating to iOS running on a dual core? Whose dual core?

Do us a favor and don't bother.

Apple will design its next iPad hardware with the perfect processor to meet all of their goals. Period.

 

[solipsism]

What do you know about anything? What Inside knowledge do you possess relating to iOS running on a dual core? Whose dual core?

Do us a favor and don't bother.

Apple will design its next iPad hardware with the perfect processor to meet all of their goals. Period.

Your last sentence is certainly true, but I think there is enough evidence to suggest that Apple could very well use the dual-core Cortex-A9 in their next run of iOS-based iDevices. These certainly aren’t uncommon at CES and Apple has been following the ARM CPU upgrades of other products since the iPhone first arrived. I think the best bet is to assume Cortex-A9 MP will be standard.

 

[pmz]

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.

#1 Stop using the word Retina to describe the improved iPad 2 display. It's a misnomer that shows a lack of understanding of display technology and pixel density. Expect a resolution of 1280 x 960 or similar. Pixel density close to 200 dpi.

#2 RAM will likely not exceed 512 mb. iPhone 4 has proved that it's not necessary.

#3 HDMI? Are you kidding? Have you ever heard of AirPlay? This isn't 2006.

#4 Regardless of what the EU thinks is best (a crap standard which is already obsolete), Apple will not be complying. They do not comply. They call the shots with their products. Mini USB is TERRIBLE, Apple know it, and will never cripple their products with it. If any, it would be the iPhone, and that's it.

 

[sam10685]

Too many ungrateful pessimistic people on this site. My goodness...

 

[pmz]

Your last sentence is certainly true, but I think there is enough evidence to suggest that Apple could very well use the dual-core Cortex-A9 in their next run of iOS-based iDevices. These certainly aren’t uncommon at CES and Apple has been following the ARM CPU upgrades of other products since the iPhone first arrived. I think the best bet is to assume Cortex-A9 MP will be standard.

If it provides the horsepower and battery life they are looking to achieve, then of course they've chosen it to build their next generation iOS processor. If it doesn't, then they didn't. Point is Apple actually cares about their products, rather than pulling the latest brand name off the shelf to sell boxes.

 

[solipsism]

#1 Stop using the word Retina to describe the improved iPad 2 display. It's a misnomer that shows a lack of understanding of display technology and pixel density. Expect a resolution of 1280 x 960 or similar. Pixel density close to 200 dpi.

I posted this earlier in the thread but I’m reposting it since I did the math.

If you remember the iPhone 4 introduction, the justification for Retina Display was defined as 20/20 vision when held 10-12” from the eyes. To feasibly maintain this marketing term Apple only needs to justify that same 20/20 vision and a minimum distance you are expected to hold a tablet from your eyes.

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.

• 3438 * (1/18) = 191 ppi
• 3438 * (1/20) = 172 ppi
• 3438 * (1/22) = 156 ppi

(Where 3438 is the scaling factor derived from a 1 arc minute visual acuity for 20/20 vision.)


Now that we have that squared away we can easily use a PPI calculator to see what difference displays would be. Here’s a simple site I like to use: http://thirdculture.com/joel/shumi/computer/hardware/ppicalc.html

• XGA: 1024 x 768 = 786,432 pixels = 132 ppi*
• SXGA: 1280 x 960 = 1,228,800 pixels = 165 ppi*
• SXGA+: 1400 × 1050 = 1,470,000 pixels = 180 ppi*
• UXGA: 1600 × 1200 = 1,920,000 pixels = 206 ppi*

That’s a lot more pixels to render even going the minimum Retina Disaply classification outlined above based on about 22” away from eyes. Still, I think the SXGA+ is actually doable on the newer Imagination Tech GPUs. It’s almost 2x as many pixels of the current iPad, but Apple isn’t close to using the most powerful GPU they offer. Whether that is viable for power efficiency reasons, if they can even source these displays when the current IPS displays seem to be holding the iPad production up already, of it they need to wait a year (or more) for other reasons is obviously unknown.


PS: For comparison, the iPhone 4’s GPU is only pushing a 614,400 pixels.


* Assuming a 9.7” display.

#2 RAM will likely not exceed 512 mb. iPhone 4 has proved that it's not necessary.

I would bet on 512MB RAM unless we start getting believable rumours of the greatly increased display resolution, then 512MB might not be sufficient and could hamper it further when iOS 5.0 comes along. But that’s only if we do see an increase in the number of pixels being rendered.

#3 HDMI? Are you kidding? Have you ever heard of AirPlay? This isn't 2006.

This is a feature that I think has barely scraped the surface of its potential.

#4 Regardless of what the EU thinks is best (a crap standard which is already obsolete), Apple will not be complying. They do not comply. They call the shots with their products. Mini USB is TERRIBLE, Apple know it, and will never cripple their products with it. If any, it would be the iPhone, and that's it.

IIRC, Apple is one of the 14 companies that agreed to it. The benefit is that Apple has been supplying a universal remote with USB-A on the EPS for 8(?) years now. I don’t think they have to change anything, but if so certainly not on their iPad since this is a law for smartphones.

 

[pmz]

Good post ^ solop.

I thought i was closer to 190 dpi with 1280 x 960 but I guess my math was wrong. Still, 165 dpi would be a lot on the iPad and would look excellent. There is no way they go higher than this with v2. Need room to go for v3, v4.

On the RAM, they released iPad with 256mb which was too little for 3.2, let alone 4.0. PLANNED obsolesence my friend. Decent performance, slightly lower cost.

Which feature did you want to see explored? Clearly you meant AirPlay, not HDMI, right?

 

[solipsism]

If it provides the horsepower and battery life they are looking to achieve, then of course they've chosen it to build their next generation iOS processor. If it doesn't, then they didn't. Point is Apple actually cares about their products, rather than pulling the latest brand name off the shelf to sell boxes.

What I wonder is how involved is Apple’s ARM tweaking at this point. How involved is it?

Meaning, is it possible that the turn around time for Apple’s tweaking of ARM puts them a year behind other vendors when using the latest chips, even though it puts them ahead of other vendors because they can spend the time to optimize the chips in ways their competitors, well, can’t compete with?

 

[alent1234]

How are you supposed to play media without hdmi if the person doesnt have apple tv?

#1 Stop using the word Retina to describe the improved iPad 2 display. It's a misnomer that shows a lack of understanding of display technology and pixel density. Expect a resolution of 1280 x 960 or similar. Pixel density close to 200 dpi.

#2 RAM will likely not exceed 512 mb. iPhone 4 has proved that it's not necessary.

#3 HDMI? Are you kidding? Have you ever heard of AirPlay? This isn't 2006.

#4 Regardless of what the EU thinks is best (a crap standard which is already obsolete), Apple will not be complying. They do not comply. They call the shots with their products. Mini USB is TERRIBLE, Apple know it, and will never cripple their products with it. If any, it would be the iPhone, and that's it.

 

[0815]

How are you supposed to play media without hdmi if the person doesnt have apple tv?

You are supposed to buy a appleTV !

Like the iPod is a device to drive iTunes sales and the iPhone/iPad is a device to drive app sales - now the devices become tools to sell additional devices (now that the $99 apple TV is no longer a big obstacle).

It's all about selling additional stuff (and I'm getting closer and closer to buy an appleTV - once it has apps I will for sure)

 

[solipsism]

Which feature did you want to see explored? Clearly you meant AirPlay, not HDMI, right?

AirPlay. Was discussing yesterday the troubling logistics of how this could be used for an SDK and apps for the AppleTV.

I think that is coming since they included 16GB NAND on each even though the margins seem pretty thin already and even the new MBAs store SL and iLife on an 8GB NAND USB restore drive.

How are you supposed to play media without hdmi if the person doesnt have apple tv?

Apple has been using that 30-pin Dock Connector for 8(?) years now. They offer both component and VGA out. I can see an HDMI option once 1080p is possible. What I can’t see is Apple adding HDMI to an iDevice.

 

[0815]

#1 Stop using the word Retina to describe the improved iPad 2 display. It's a misnomer that shows a lack of understanding of display technology and pixel density. Expect a resolution of 1280 x 960 or similar. Pixel density close to 200 dpi.

Agree - Retina Display is just an over-used, under-defined marketing term. It means nothing. But the iPhone display in deed looks gorgeous - and I hope for an improved display, no matter how the call it.

 

[Glideslope]

Why is everyone so sure that Verizon would announce its own iPhone, if its the same version with a couple tweaks then i predict that Apple is going to hold an event to announce both along with firmware 4.3 then Verizon will have a special event for the iPhone.

And btw, if the next ipad has a dual-core processor and hopefully 1 gb of ram \ than i don't think it'll have any problems running a retina display res. Considering the iPhone is capable of running in 1080p video, iPad 2 should be able to do it unless OS requires more processing power than video

Im tired of apple only doing the bare minimum when it comes to hardware refresh, the only thing thats keeping the iPhone on top is hardware/software unity and popularity + clean and simple designs.

It's not an issue of "ability". It's one of "Meeting Production Numbers".

 

[gorgeousninja]

Im tired of apple only doing the bare minimum when it comes to hardware refresh, the only thing thats keeping the iPhone on top is hardware/software unity and popularity + clean and simple designs.

You are a consumer not an engineer and seem to have no understanding of the technical achievements in making these things. it's an attitude indicative of a whole generation of people where nothing is ever good enough. It's been a whole year since the iPad first made an appearance, and only now have some other manufacturers been able to put together their so-called iPad killers. That's how far Apple are ahead of the game. People really need to stop spec chasing, and either enjoy that product, or design, build, manufacture, and sell their own... and then sit back and wait for the thousands of people to moan about what it doesn't have.

 

[solipsism]

Agree - Retina Display is just an over-used, under-defined marketing term. It means nothing. But the iPhone display in deed looks gorgeous - and I hope for an improved display, no matter how the call it.

I expect a better display even if the resolution stays the same.

— I expect the display, touch panel and glass to be one unit giving it that painted on look of the iPhone 4’s display.

— I expect the backlight to be brighter.

 

[Glideslope]

You are supposed to buy a appleTV !

Like the iPod is a device to drive iTunes sales and the iPhone/iPad is a device to drive app sales - now the devices become tools to sell additional devices (now that the $99 apple TV is no longer a big obstacle).

It's all about selling additional stuff (and I'm getting closer and closer to buy an appleTV - once it has apps I will for sure)

Spot On. Go ahead and pick up that ATV 2.0. After 1 week you'll say "wow, should have bought this for the Holidays".

You are a consumer not an engineer and seem to have no understanding of the technical achievements in making these things. it's an attitude indicative of a whole generation of people where nothing is ever good enough. It's been a whole year since the iPad first made an appearance, and only now have some other manufacturers been able to put together their so-called iPad killers. That's how far Apple are ahead of the game. People really need to stop spec chasing, and either enjoy that product, or design, build, manufacture, and sell their own... and then sit back and wait for the thousands of people to moan about what it doesn't have.

Outstanding. Direct. Accurate, and Satisfying.

 

[pmz]

How are you supposed to play media without hdmi if the person doesnt have apple tv?

Buy an Apple TV. It's all of $99. You'll get way more out of it than sticking a stupid HDMI cable into your iPad and laying it on the tv stand. Its not even a question anymore.

The hilarious thing to me is that most people pay half that or more for an HDMI cable. Biggest rip off joke of the century. My HDMI for my apple tv cost $2.35 from monoprice.com

 

[13astion]

Im tired of apple only doing the bare minimum when it comes to hardware refresh, the only thing thats keeping the iPhone on top is hardware/software unity and popularity + clean and simple designs.

Yeah, 'cause those things aren't important. Stop being a gearhead -- Apple products have never been about hardware specs.

 

[pmz]

Spot On. Go ahead and pick up that ATV 2.0. After 1 week you'll say "wow, should have bought this for the Holidays".

It's honestly the best Apple product I own. Best value the Apple stores has to offer.

 

[EiriasEmrys]

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I think the mockup lacks the apple finesse. It is quite ugly. It looks like a acer or hp design. The grill speaker probably would more closely resemble the MacBook pro speaker grills. Subtle, not glaringly obvious. Also, the curved surfaces seem awkward...

 

[0815]

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?

for many people its just specs specs specs and features features features - no matter how useful or not.

Of course I would love a higher resolution. But if the price of it is slower and/or less battery time and much higher price? Than no. If they can keep those the same, yes please.

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I think the mockup lacks the apple finesse. It is quite ugly. It looks like a acer or hp design. The grill speaker probably would more closely resemble the MacBook pro speaker grills. Subtle, not glaringly obvious. Also, the curved surfaces seem awkward...

Nobody can design like Apple can ...

 

[Xtremehkr]

#1 Stop using the word Retina to describe the improved iPad 2 display. It's a misnomer that shows a lack of understanding of display technology and pixel density. Expect a resolution of 1280 x 960 or similar. Pixel density close to 200 dpi.

#2 RAM will likely not exceed 512 mb. iPhone 4 has proved that it's not necessary.

#3 HDMI? Are you kidding? Have you ever heard of AirPlay? This isn't 2006.

#4 Regardless of what the EU thinks is best (a crap standard which is already obsolete), Apple will not be complying. They do not comply. They call the shots with their products. Mini USB is TERRIBLE, Apple know it, and will never cripple their products with it. If any, it would be the iPhone, and that's it.

1. Apple is not going to stop using 'Retina Display' and it's only a matter of time before the retina display makes it to the iPad. It would be pointless to stop using that term because everyone knows exactly what I mean I use that term. If you want to stop using that term, feel free to.

2. RAM will likely exceed 512MB. It's not what is required of it right now, it is what will be required of it 18 months from now when people have discovered new uses and implement new features.

Though, once again, you're entitled to your opinion. We'll see before too long.

3. Relying solely on AirPlay would seriously restrict the number of devices that an iPad could be extended to. It would be limiting and pointless to do that. Once again, it's not only what you can think of when it comes to HDMI but it's all of the different things that can be done with HDMI. I can think of endless possibilities where an hdmi port would come in handy, in business situations.

4. You're completely and utterly wrong about that one. Apple has already agreed to comply, as have all of the major manufacturers, and the mini usb standard is coming to the US this year.

5. Thank the stars you aren't running Apple, you're not even a good troll.

 

[iansilv]

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Is it possible that the increased resolution would still be doubled each way, but not meeting the definition of the retina display being above 326ppi or whatever Jobs defined it as being? That would mean the display would be 2048 by 1536, which would be pretty amazing, IMO.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

iPad 2 will have the label Retina Display and will either have the resolution of the MBAir 1366x768 or 1440x900. My bet in on 1440x900. A standard 15" screen resolution on a 9.7" iPad display is what will be released. Marketing the 9.7" iPad display as supporting the resolution of a standard 15" laptop display.

 

[benspratling]

= A number of observers have noted that an iPad display at "Retina" pixel densities would be extremely difficult to achieve given the horsepower necessary to drive a display in the range of 2560 x 1920 pixels as would be required.

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to go with the same pixels per inch as the iPhone; exact pixel doubling (2048 x 1536) makes much more sense. Since the iPad is usually held further away than the iPhone, larger pixels could still achieve the same angular resolution. But you're right, it will take much more compute power to handle that kind of display; I wouldn't be surprised if we saw either double-speed processors, or two processors, or a little of both, and definitely a vamped up graphics chip.