There is no way iPad 4 will have 16GB as the base. Will 16GB be worthless next year?

[zenit]

if anything, with the world moving closer to all-cloud storage and streaming based systems, I can see devices with less storage become more popular.

 

[ZBoater]

if anything, with the world moving closer to all-cloud storage and streaming based systems, I can see devices with less storage become more popular.

Ummmm, no.

Not while we are still paying $10/GB for cellular access...

 

[iSingandiDance]

What is this iPad 4 you speak of? We all know it's going to be called the "even newer" or "new new" iPad.

In any event, 16GB of storage will not become worthless or obsolete because there are those who don't play games, store music or movies on their iPads. That sector of the buying population isn't going anywhere.

How do I know? I'm one of them.

 

[brand]

Apple tends to upgrade their HDD space across the board every 3 generations.

The iPad does not have a HDD. Flash storage is entirely different than magnetic storage technology so you can not use your three generations number.