The Wall Street Journal briefly reports on a research note from Hong Kong-based analyst firm CLSA claiming that checks with Apple's suppliers indicate that the next-generation iPad will debut before the end of this year, in time for the holiday shopping rush. According to the report, the updated iPad will include improvements to the display and LTE compatibility for cellular data use.
While most vendors appear fixated on matching the specs and features of iPad2, our checks suggest Apple will release iPad3 in time for the holiday season, sporting a better display and LTE capabilities.
Rumors surfacing right around the time of the iPad 2's debut earlier this year had indicated that Apple could be planning to release yet another update to the device around the September timeframe. Excitement around those rumors has since been tempered amid reports that the next-generation iPad is unlikely to debut this year. Recent reports have claimed that Apple is just now beginning the certification process for components to be used in the next-generation iPad, with a timetable putting the device's launch into 2012.
CLSA does not have a significant track record of supply chain rumors regarding Apple's products, and thus it is not entirely clear why The Wall Street Journal has chosen to highlight the firm's report. In addition, claims of LTE compatibility for an iPad to be released before the end of the year appear to conflict with Qualcomm's development timeline for Apple-suitable LTE chips that will not begin sampling until late this year and will not appear in devices until 2012. Consequently, we are primarily pointing to CLSA's report for interest and discussion.
Top Rated Comments
I'm going to say NO.
My feelings about apple changing the ipad again is not the same as the other commentators here. And yeah I recently purchased a 3G iPad2.
To me this is a rapidly evolving technology and if indeed apple does refresh them after only 6-9months after the intro, i think I'm actually more glad than annoyed. Like other people commenting here I really love having the latest and greatest. Yeah, when the ipad2 came out, I bought an ipad1 at a reduced price (remember how apple reduced them in the first week?) and after having it for a week, decided I really wanted the 2nd edition and returned it (full refund) and got the other at full price.
So it has been maybe 3 months now of great experience. But just like the limitations of the 1st edition prevented some of the new programs like imovie and some others from being a polished app ready for that machine, I can already see how the ipad2 limitations is holding back innovation in the app market. And frankly I am enthusiastic about Apple's leadership here getting this type of device so rapidly in our faces without clear evidence it would succeed. And also am aghast at the copycat attempts to catch up thinking that it is the hardware that they need to make better while pushing incomplete and buggy software out.
So yeah I'm cheering Apple for having gotten me hooked on this great device and if they can speed up the product development timeline due to the competition out there - in other words they are aggressively responding (a far cry from being stymied by behind trapped into AT&T exclusivity and threatening market share erosion by Android which had a field day on CDMA networks) - then I say this is the price we pay for this level of sped up R&D that in the end we'll all benefit from.
Besides, who says you have to update every single refresh cycle. Sit and gloat, knowing you'll pass up on the next one and instead wait for the one after that, passing up those who got that next one. how's that?!
Didn't Steve Jobs say that 2011 is the YEAR of the iPad 2? Additionally, many people would be greatly angered if their $850 product along with the smart covers and accessories were out of date literally 1/3 of a year later.