Mid-Range and High-End iPad 3 Launching at iWorld Seems Unlikely

[ArtOfWarfare]

Bit of a conspiracy theory here, but it seems to me that MacWorld|iWorld hugely benefits from the rumor... Can't they jack up ticket prices and expect the event to be sold out if people believe a rumor that Apple will officially unveil the iPad 3? Don't other venders present also hugely benefit from the increased attendance?

Just saying... If the rumor catches on, MacWorld might be a sellout.

 

[stormj]

As for the rest. Frankly this whole 2 model thing is a rehashed Digitimes rumor from last year about the iPad 2, which as we saw didn't come true this time either.

There has been a two-model rumor for every iDevice in recent memory. For that reason alone I call ******** on this rumor. As for the specs, it sounds me like someone just made them up. At least they didn't try the 7" rumor this time.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if there was an "iPad 2S". Knowing that Apple cares about UI responsiveness and battery life, not to mention perfect appearance, I don't see a retina display on the next generation iPad as a given, either.

Maybe even just a higher capacity iPad 2 at this point would be fine.

 

[Leaping Tortois]

Retina and Siri

iPad from $449

I also want a flying unicorn, and a supersonic UAV for $2,500....

As nice as that would be, I think that price point is a little low. Apple may give a smaller price, but with massive improvements I'd see it being at least the same price, maybe a small reduction. Price rise isn't too likely (no more than $10-20)

 

[vitzr]

My the rumors are flying. This appears to be an "event" designed to sell gadgets. There's at least two vast exhibition rooms that will be filled with iStuff. Unlike the original Macworld, this is nothing but vendors. A snoozefest for sure.

 

[Bytor65]

What?

"Digitimes has a bit of mixed record on Apple rumors with our internal tracking putting their accuracy at 55%."

What kind of tracking are you doing that gives them over 50%.

By my reckoning they are wrong >90% of the time, when they are not just quoting the obvious. Hey there will be a new iPad and iPhone in 2012. No **** Sherlock?

But when they make up crap, like the 5 times they said we would have 7" iPads, or OLED ipads, or OLED phones, or 4" screens on the next iPhone, etc....

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Retina and Siri

iPad from $449

16gb 5mp/8mp hd isight camera, retina lcd, 14mah battery would be worth every bit of the $499.

No need to make it any thinner. It's pretty nice the way it is now so if Apple can cram all that under the same case or possible redesign would be amazing. I know Apple could pull it off.

 

[commander.data]

As nice as that would be, I think that price point is a little low. Apple may give a smaller price, but with massive improvements I'd see it being at least the same price, maybe a small reduction. Price rise isn't too likely (no more than $10-20)

I don't really see Apple budging on the price if they've previously commented on their feeling that the tablet market will split with Amazon controlling the introductory tablet market at $199 with people "upgrading" to the iPad over time at the high-end which Apple controls. Personally, rather than introduce a separate 7" tablet, a dedicated mid-range model, or lower their existing high-end prices, it's more likely Apple will simply keep the current 16GB iPad 2 around at $399 ($349 if they are feeling aggressive). That won't hugely impact Amazon at $199, but it will marginalize what's left of the Android tablet market. Again, Apple's previous comments on seeing Amazon's Kindle Fire as complimenting the iPad by serving as an intro tablet doesn't support the notion that Apple needs to directly go after them on price or form factor.

 

[Westside guy]

Apple officially withdrew from Macworld in December 2008, and Apple's last official presence at the show was in January 2009. Apple had said at the time that trade shows were becoming a very minor part of Apple's overall strategy.

It's not just Apple - trade shows are dying. With the web they've become largely unnecessary; and tying your releases to once-a-year events just seem anachronistic in today's world.

I think these sorts of rumors are almost totally wish driven. People don't like it when things change. We want to go back to that time when Steve Jobs was still delivering the MacWorld keynote address every year. We want that "one more thing". Knowing that Jobs is gone just makes it much more poignant.

 

[Mr. Gates]

I'd like a $1,500.00 iPad just to keep my status.

 

[Peace]

To play the devils advocate here.
There are a few different Apple products coming out around that time.Perhaps it was Steve Jobs who decided not to do Macworld anymore and now for one special occasion Tim Cook et.al. want to introduce a few new products and Macworld would be a nice place to do it.

/devils advocate

 

[Navdakilla]

I thought they would put something out to stop the kindle fire sales, those were selling like crazy over here over christmas

 

[the8thark]

It's only a rumour that Apple are attending Macworld. I don't think they will.

http://www.macworldiworld.com/exhibitor-list/
The exhibitor list for Macworld does not have apple on it. So based on these facts I think Apple will not be at Macworld.

 

[twoodcc]

i would love to see this happen. but i don't need to get my hopes up

 

[Peace]

It's only a rumour that Apple are attending Macworld. I don't think they will.

http://www.macworldiworld.com/exhibitor-list/
The exhibitor list for Macworld does not have apple on it. So based on these facts I think Apple will not be at Macworld.

The booths are all taken except for a couple small ones. Apple won't be there.

 

[Ieo]

All I know is that I missed the original iPad because by the time you could actually get your hands on one, I had lost interest....and by the time the original iPad's potential was fully realized and regained my interest, it was too late in the product cycle to make that big of an investment.

I missed out on the iPad 2 because I felt the screen was a big gaping hole screaming for improvement, and I frankly I was disappointed it wasn't updated in the iPad 2 and decided to wait for the next round.

I see no reason why iPad 3 won't fit my needs.....but I'm to the point where I'm sincerely hoping it does.

 

[CFreymarc]

The "King is Dead" move of the iWorld crowd didn't work. They are still outside of the outer circle living off Apple press releases and this site. The occasional getting Apple employee drunk in Cupertino let's them cash in but Apple still has a retainer fee from several PI's to keep leaks like this happening. Cat and mouse again! Hope the Moscone fees don't increase next year.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I thought they would put something out to stop the kindle fire sales, those were selling like crazy over here over christmas

It's cool... Apple will get all those people next year when they realize their Kindle Fire sucks compared to their friend's iPad.

You get a Kindle Fire for $200... not an iPad for $200.

 

[derbladerunner]

Digitimes gets more incredible by the minute. Apple returns to iWorld in 2012 ? Sure.

In other news, empty liquor bottles and bongs spotted at Digitimes HQ.

 

[MacDarcy]

I also don't buy into the "two" ipad versions rumor. A regular ipad and a "pro" ipad? I doubt it. The iPad is a consumer product used by everyone from the avg person to pros. To suddenly seperate the two seems unlikely to me.

But again....what do I know? We are all just guessing what Apple will do.

 

[Ynot]

Key Note

I have it from a well informed source that Steve Jobs will be holding the Key Note.

 

[adildacoolset]

Someone please post that SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY picture

 

[Mess]

More likely they are testing 2 devices but as we know only 1 we see the plpublic limelight.

If the new battery info is correct that would be awesome. Though it would be needed to power the screen.

Im sure i seen a patent filling on here about a year or so ago about apple regarding new battery tech with being more dense to be able to hold more power. Maybe they have got the tech there ready somewhere now?

 

[Piggie]

I still think, sooner or later it's inevitable that Apple will have more than one model of tablet in its range.

Given the general public have different tastes and different budgets, if you think about it, you are really limiting yourself if you stick with one model forever and letting the other brands clear up with models all around your one and only model.

It would be like Apple selling only 1 model MacBook. Now, you would think that's a crazy idea now.

Perhaps not this year or next, but I'm sure in time you will have a choice.

There is a massive market where even thinking about an iPad for every member of the family (as its not made by apple to be a multi user device) is just crazy due to the high price point.

Do Apple really want families going for other brands?

Apple could in some way relieve the need to do this by accepting that for many families a Tablet device, like a TV would be a single device many in the home may use and allow "user accounts" I know many, even hear have asked for this. To allow say 2 or 3 different people the ability to "log in" to the iPad and have their own apps, email and settings.

 

[D-Dave]

I can't imagine how heavy it will be with such a battery. I don't mind thicker, but not heavier.

Hm, doing a quick search I found this:

http://www.digitalland.de/f-14000mah-akku.html?tracker=22

14000 mAh...check
90mm high, 32.2mm diameter ... a big sucker but flattened out it just could fit...
230 gramms heavy ... i have no idea how much the current ipad battery weighs so !?
Also this Battery is Ni-MH while the current ipad has a Li-Po so the different types may also differ in Size?!

So maybe, just maybe there is a way to build such a battery...

 

[tdream]

50% accuracy is no better than guessing.