Tweaked Full-Size iPad with Lightning Connector Coming Next Week

[tharitm]

This is highly unlikely! Apple waits a full year or more to complete a product cycle and this is quite strange. Since we haven't heard of any of the parts leaking or anything like that for it. If it does come out on the 23rd, sucks for those who got the new iPad...

 

[goinskiing]

There are some really good reasons for a more elaborate tweak though. For example:

1. The lightening connector needs support. The faster Apple gets people moved to the standard the faster they can get on with other things.
2. If the Sharp displays are indeed ready they would offer up a significant power savings which leads to longer battery life. This leads to marketing possibilities.
3. Microsoft is coming out with their product, Apples ability to market new and improved devices against MS hardware is a positive thing. Even if the improvements are minor, people respond to new and Improved.
4. If Apple does go A6 they will effectively be able to outperform most MS tablets with very good battery life. Not just ARM based MS tablets but even ATOM based tablets. Putting MS in the back seat performance wise would truly destroy any initiative they may have. It is bit of a brutal approach to business but if Apple can trash MS launch it could put MS tablet adoption behind by years.
5. The potential for better and more universal LTE support should not be dismissed. apple coming up short here has been a problem in some countries.
6. Christmas is coming. This should be self explanatory.
7. A major revision at this time could potentially double performance of the iPad. This is huge and frankly as much as I love my iPad 3 it could use a performance boost. At this time it looks like a doubling of performance would be a no brainer for A6.
8. Disruption of the rest of the competition. Why let the competition make progress against you.

Oh I think it is the perfect time. Hit the market right before MS introduces their hardware and right before the holiday shopping season with a device that no one can touch. Brilliant!

Agree with every point, may I also add to put some distance between the updated new iPads and the iPad mini as well. Either way, if this pans out I will be all over this and getting the updated new iPad. In the market at the right time.

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This is highly unlikely! Apple waits a full year or more to complete a product cycle and this is quite strange. Since we haven't heard of any of the parts leaking or anything like that for it. If it does come out on the 23rd, sucks for those who got the new iPad...

I don't think there have been parts leaks necessarily on the updated new iPads because they will look essentially the same with known internals (A6 or A5X). The iP5 and iPad mini have more leaks as they were new or newly designed products.

 

[MVallee]

I can't imagine them releasing a new version of the iPad 3 with only the connector changed. If its because they want all their products to have the new connector, wouldn't they have also made a resigned iPhone 4S with a lightning connector?

 

[WhoDaKat]

Who knows what they will really do, but it kind of makes sense to bump the specs. Updated lightning is a no brainer. Apple wants to get past this connector fragmentation ASAP. UK supports seems a safe bet as well. Surface is just in pre-release and a A6 spec bump, IGZO panel, and thinner body could present serious problems for it before it even gets started. And lets not forget the Nexus 10 is right around the corner. Nook, Android, Surface, they were all designed to try and compete Apple's latest and greatest, the new iPad. And then right as they come to market, Apple drops a new thinner, faster iPad with significantly better battery life. Sounds like a helluva shrewd move. Thinking about it, the lightning connector has another advantage, if Apples competitors got wind of an upgrade, Apple could put it out there that they were just updating the connector, keeping the competition focused on the new iPads older specs! Machiavellian!

The thing that really gets me though, is how we are trained to think we have to have the latest model of whatever toy has our fixation. So you just bought a 3 and now there is a 3S. So? Your processor didn't slow down, its still the same iPad you just bought, and you can probably get several more years out of it. My 3 year old is still rockin' on my original iPad even after dousing it with water twice, and spilling milk all over it at least once. Apple should upgrade when the new tech becomes cost effective to use or when it makes sense to do so competitively. Don't make as wait.

 

[Batavian]

If this is IGZO, and am so going to get this. My biggest issue with the iPad 3 is battery life and charging. 32nm will also be a plus.

 

[RMo]

This is more annoying than Android land, where the flagship device remains flagship for about 6 months before the maunfacturers tinker with the specs and release a S or + model.

Who cares? It's better than what Apple's been doing to their desktop computers lately.

If the device still does everything you need, you can keep doing those things. The fact that a tweaked newer version exists does not change this. It may tempt you to buy a new one, but it no way reduces the functionality of your existing device. (Even if the vendor stops supporting the old one, e.g., as Apple has done with iOS 6 on the original iPad and with Siri on iPad 2, you can still keep using it just the way you always have. There is absolutely nothing unexpected about any aspect of this situation.)

Damn, owned for 7 months and outdated already.

But in absolutely no way different from how it was when you bought it. Enjoy. It will be good for a while.

 

[Yamcha]

Clearly Apple is focused more on iToys, 7 months to update an iPad, 17 months for the iMac, has been 26 Months for the Mac Pro & the small upgrade on the Mac Pro can't even be considered an update..

 

[Ramchi]

Glad that I bought one new iPad recently. I don't want any tampering on display, processor & battery. A6 seems to be good but not sure as compared to the existing one. I don't think improving this display will be even worthwhile unless they move to OLED etc...The battery is doing great!

 

[rman726]

I think they just don't want to sell any more iPads with old dock connectors... They might slightly tweak the processor to be more battery efficient, but I can't imagine the processor will be anything other than the A5X...

If it is indeed so minor, and they don't advertise it as a new model, I wonder if replacement iPads will end up being this model eventually... May be worth complaining about something before Applecare ends...

 

[Jacoblee23]

I don't understand the complaints about the battery life and screen of the new iPad. I only use my laptop for homework now. I absolutely love my iPad and the screen and battery life are both outstanding. The processor does just fine also.

 

[swarmster]

As a yearly upgrader, if this sees anything other than cosmetic change from one dock to the other (if there are improved screens, battery, new chip) then Apple have just caused me to be very hesitant buying / upgrading to the new iPad each spring.

lol, what? You know... The one they release next spring/summer/whenever will be even better than this one. So if you're jealous of it, man will you like what's coming. But watch out! I hear after that they'll have another iPad coming out that's even better than that one! But you'd have to be stupid to buy that one, because then there will be an even better one out later! Apple's really out to screw you! Personally.

This is more annoying than Android land, where the flagship device remains flagship for about 6 months before the maunfacturers tinker with the specs and release a S or + model.

How is this more annoying? The (well, a) problem with the Android manufacturers is they're still stuck in their feature phone ways. So a few weeks after you buy your phone and they release a new one, you've seen the last software update you'll ever get. Additionally, rather than having one model treated as the latest, they have a bunch of different models of all shapes and sizes and resolutions and screen types and speeds and software versions and good luck. How Apple releasing a new iPad non-annually is "more annoying" I really don't understand.

If it all pans out to indeed be a newer improved iPad 7 months in to the year, I think instead of another iPad this spring, I might take a closer look at a Surface Pro this spring instead. It won't be that much more expensive than the €800 I spend each spring on iPad.

This is a fantastic idea! They'll be lucky if they _ever_ make another Surface, so you'll be super happy forever!

To each their own, I guess.

 

[iDuel]

If they do indeed add 4G support for UK and Europe in a revised new iPad, could those with iPads who bought them at launch when Apple was touting them in advertisements as 4G (before being officially told off for false advertising by the advertising complaints commission and European regulators) make a claim to Apple that they were then mislead in their purchase, and that they want their 4G iPad replaced with the revised version that actually does support their LTE network as the original advertising had led them to believe.

I believe that Apple already offered those who bought the 4G branded iPads a full refund if they wanted one, even if they were outside of the return window.

 

[Masterkona]

The revamped IPAD:

Will take advantage of the sharp IGZO display
http://www.cultofmac.com/196382/an-...d-play-video-for-24-hours-on-a-single-charge/

Will be moving from two LED backlight units to one to reduce heat, and improve internal space (Reduce Size?)
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/07/0...o-display-and-thinner-enclosure-in-late-2012/

Will take advantage of FFS technology http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/business/2012/10/14/357600/E-Ink.htm

and will have the lightning connector.

In short, the battery life will be insane, and it might be thinner. The IPad could be $200 more then the best Android tablet, and it will decimate them all during the holiday purchasing season.

I wonder what kinds of supply constraints Apple is going to experience by doing this or perhaps they are fully prepared :/

 

[MRU]

Who cares?

A lot of people who bought a 4G iPad to find it didn't support their networks despite Apple advertising it as such in their countries

If the device still does everything you need, you can keep doing those things. The fact that a tweaked newer version exists does not change this.

It does if you felt you were mislead by false advertising for 4G in March only for Apple to add it in October

But in absolutely no way different from how it was when you bought it. Enjoy. It will be good for a while.

Your right its absolutely the same...

That is its still missing the 4G when it was being advertised as such, before Apple was fined for false advertising..


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I believe that Apple already offered those who bought the 4G branded iPads a full refund if they wanted one, even if they were outside of the return window.

Really?. If thats the case I may take advantage of that offer myself .

 

[somethingelsefl]

Your parents, grandparents and everyone else couldn't care less. To them it's an iPad. Period. Only geeks care about third generation this or that or 30 pin or lightening whatever.

Um...last I checked...Apple sells the iPhone 4, 4s, and 5 at the same time. Now they are planning to sell the iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 3 (revised) and the iPad Mini at the same time.

So no. It's not just an iPad anymore. It carries varying entry levels like the Mac and the iPhone, which it didn't have even a year ago. Which is why it's confusing for more than just "us geeks". A product went from one named line into maybe as many FOUR in less than a year.

 

[japanime]

My third-generation iPad, purchased about four months ago, gets as hot as a stovetop griddle when running iBooks at full brightness.

If a redesigned iPad with better heat management is announced next week, I hope Applecare will cover replacement of mine with the cooler-running model.

 

[myrtlebee]

If this is true, I was certainly completely wrong in my predictions. I would never have guessed that they would screw with their production lines for such a minor tweak ~ 5 months before a full iPad refresh.

 

[mrsir2009]

Just in time for Christmas and the launch of the MS Surface - Excellent timing!

 

[MRU]

How is this more annoying? The (well, a) problem with the Android manufacturers is they're still stuck in their feature phone ways. So a few weeks after you buy your phone and they release a new one, you've seen the last software update you'll ever get. Additionally, rather than having one model treated as the latest, they have a bunch of different models of all shapes and sizes and resolutions and screen types and speeds and software versions and good luck. How Apple releasing a new iPad non-annually is "more annoying" I really don't understand.

Its more annoying because one assumes with Apple that they only revise their flagship tablet and phones once a year and have done so up until this point. The precedent had been set as it were. It was a reassurance in Apples iOS devices to know that my device i purchase today would be the leading device on that platform for 12 months before it was updated, as opposed to the very frustrations outlined in the Android device/handset community.

Apple if these rumours are true, has changed that conception, that security of knowing an iDevice I buy today will not be outdated in less than a year.

That is why it's more annoying!

 

[Medic311]

If this is IGZO, and am so going to get this. My biggest issue with the iPad 3 is battery life and charging. 32nm will also be a plus.

^ THAT

i miss the battery life and charging time of my iPad 2. my iPad 3 chews through the battery like there's no tomorrow. the charging is pretty slow, but usually i charge it at night so it's done by the morning.

my iPad 3 decrease by 1% each hour on standby with the screen off. my iPad 2 would be at 99% at the end of the work day

 

[Gasu E.]

Damn, owned for 7 months and outdated already.

All the other children are sure to make fun of your lame old iPad model.

 

[cyberddot]

Damn, owned for 7 months and outdated already.

Ah...you fell into the final version trap?
Apple. Those guys are such rascals.

 

[Navdakilla]

OHHH SNAPPP
So Basically Oct 23 is going to be off the chainzzz!!!

 

[Abazigal]

For those saying people should stop whining about a new model coming under the typical 1 year cycle, to some degree, I agree.

BUT... isn't one of the main talking points that Apple fans love is that their device is guaranteed to be the most modern one for a year? I mean, people LOVE saying this, I noticed. And in fact, use this against the competition that apparently is "out of date" within months.

A bit of pride is in question here, I guess.

Not me for one. To me, the whole point of being an early adopter is that you get to enjoy said device that much earlier, compared to someone else who holds out for an upgraded version. Sure, the latter eventually gets a better gadget, but he is also not enjoying a similar device during those months spent waiting.

I got my ipad3 in March on launch day. Till this day, that has been 7 months of sheer awesomeness - using it for teaching in my classroom, mirroring it via apple tv, and other cool stuff in general. If I had held out till October, that would have been 7 months of not being able to do all this.

And however they update their ipad next week, I am still going to enjoy and use my ipad. Would I appreciate a thinner, lighter version with 4G? Sure. Would it kill me not to have these features? Certainly not.

To me, all these gripes just reek of childish selfishness. You don't have the latest gadget, are not willing to upgrade to it, and don't want others to enjoy them either?

 

[Aluminum213]

lightning connector add on makes sense, the top 2 products shouldn't be using 2 separate connectors. Especially considering millions of iPads will be sold from now till the iPad 4 comes out for another 6 months.


Now if they add an A6 chip then I would be