Apple's suppliers are preparing the next-generation iPad for mass production and will reportedly use the same touch panel technology as the iPad mini in order to make reductions in weight and size, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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The same touch-panel technology that made the iPad mini thin and light will likely feature in the next iPad, which is currently being produced by Apple Inc.'s Asian suppliers, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
What many consumers generally call a “screen” consists of multiple layers, and the “touch panel” specifically refers to the layer equipped with touch sensors, between the liquid-crystal display and the outermost cover glass. The iPad mini, according to a teardown report by research firm IHS iSuppli, uses a film-based touch panel, which is thinner and lighter than the glass-based touch panel that the current full-size model uses. Following the iPad mini’s success, Apple plans to use the film-based touch panel in its next regular-size iPad, the people said.
Earlier this month, a number of photos from a parts listing claimed to be of a genuine front panel and digitizer from the fifth-generation iPad, and followed the release of a video that also allegedly showed the front panel and back shell of the fifth-generation iPad for the first time.
Both postings appeared to show a full-sized iPad that was notably reduced in size when compared to Apple's current generation iPad, and would fall in line with this new report. A number other rumors and leaks of parts and cases dating back many months have similarly indicated that the next-generation iPad will indeed be significantly smaller and thinner than the current design.
Apple is expected to introduce the fifth-generation iPad as soon as next month, with an updated iPad mini rumored to be following fairly soon after.
Top Rated Comments
Truly horrifying.
iPad 1 - 680g
iPad 2 - 601g
iPad 3 - 650g
iPad 4 - 652g
iPad Mini - 308g
the ipad 2 design is better than the ipad 3/4 design. That thickness and heaviness they introduced really sucks
In any design there are trade offs. For me retina screen beats any added thickness or weight. That's why I hope Apple moves ahead with a retina mini and also continues to sell the non retina mini. That way those who care most about weight and battery life can stay non retina and those who want the better screen and are willing to give up some battery life will also have an option.
The main thing I will be looking at is the ram. It needs 2gb at this point with 1gb on the ipad 3rd gen I definitely feel that there is a ram issue when using icab browser with multiple tabs. If it doesn't have 2gb I will not be upgrading