iPad 3 Rumors

It doesn't take long for people to speculate about what Apple has in store for the iPad. Before the iPad 2 even launched, iPad 3 rumors began making the rounds. And with the iPad 2 only a few months old, rumors about the next generation device are only getting more frequent.

The rumors about the iPad 2 were right about some aspects of the device, such as the easily-predictable dual core processors and both front and back facing cameras. But most rumors turned out to be false, which is usually the case. And we can bet that most of the iPad 3 rumors will turn out to be false as well.

That said, here's a few of the rumors being whispered about the iPad 3:

• It will come out in late 2011. This rumor started soon after the release of the iPad 2, but don't expect to actually see an iPad 3 before 2012. Releasing a new device so soon after the previous release is a move that could endanger consumer confidence, which is the last thing Apple plans to do with its iOS products.
• The device will have a 3D display. Perhaps it is the "3" tacked on to the end of the name, or maybe it is the release of a 3D Nintendo DS, but this is a rumor that will likely continue to surface until the device is finally revealed.
• The iPad 3 will have a retina display. The iPhone 4 introduced the idea of a retina display, which is a resolution so high that the human eye cannot distinguish individual pictures. And it makes sense that Apple should have a goal of moving the iPad towards this display, especially considering the competition is upping the quality of their displays.
• It will use Samsung's AMOLED display technology. This rumor actually started for the iPad 2, but has started back up with the iPad 3.
• The display will have Fringe-Field Switching (FFS), which will give it a larger viewing angle and better visual quality in sunlight. Apple is definitely looking at ways to reduce the glare of sunlight in order to be a better eBook reader compared to the Kindle.
• It will be powered by a 2 GHz dual-core processor. While it may be a bit of guesswork to predict the speed of the next dual-core processor, we can rest assured that it will be faster than the one in the iPad 2. As will be the chip powering the graphics. It is safe to say that each year will see an increase in these chips.
• The iPad 3 will be an iPad Mini. While the idea of the true successor to the iPad 2 being released this Fall might be a bit off the mark, the idea of the iPad getting a little brother could turn out to be true. There are rumors that Apple is working on a 7" iPad with a lower price point to better compete with the Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook. If true, expect this tablet to support the same resolution as the iPad (1024x768) with a chipset nearly as powerful. Apple will take care to make sure most apps work with the 'mini' version.
• The iPad 3 will support 4G LTE. This rumor involved a new setting for the 4G LTE network in iOS 5.
• The iPad 3 will have a new dock connector and will not be compatible with accessories using the old 30-pin connector. The new connector will be smaller in size, but may still have the 30 pins.

The iPad 2 had several rumored features vanish into thin air when the actual release did not include them. Two of these rumors -- the inclusion of a USB port and a design that would rid us of the home button -- are bound to make the rounds again with the iPad 3.

As flowing links from 
<http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/a/iPad-3-Features-Details-Rumors.htm >