iPad 3 or iPad HD? What to expect from the Apple event
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Will industry pundits eat our words? We'll find out today.
Retina Display
CNET executive editor David Carnoy is placing his bets on 2,048 x 1,536 display - which is not technically Retina Display, although that's what it's commonly called. AllThingsD is also standing by reports that the next tablet will feature the high-resolution display.
iPad HD
One of the biggest last-minute rumors is that it won't be called the iPad 3 at all - instead it will allegedly be called the iPad HD. Venture Beat argues that because the 2,048 x 1,536 display on the new iPad will be the only tablet on the market that supports 1080p high-definition at full resolution, Apple will take advantage of the marketing term.
CNET: Apple iPad live blog (Wednesday March 7)
A6 chip
Previously, The Verge reported there would be no quad-core A6 chip. However, industry pundits all agree the A6 chip will make it onto the new iPad. Currently, the iPad 2 sports a dual-core A5 chip.
Siri
Apple's digital personal assistant is on everyone's wish-list for the next iPad. While Siri is technically still in beta, the overall feeling is that Apple will port the app over to the new tablet.
I previously predicted that Siri would not make it to the iPad because of glitches in the software that stirred up a firestorm of controversy. Last December, women's groups and MoveOn petitioned Apple to fix a glitch that omitted information about abortion clinics.
4G/LTE
The Wall Street Journal reported that Verizon and AT&T would both offer a version of the iPad that feature 3GPP long term evolution (LTE), which is often referred to as 4G. The Journal cited sources close to the matter.
Service providers have been scrambling to get a proper 4G network up and running. If the next iPad offers 4G, this will be one of many tests of the networks' strength.
iPad supply problems
CNET recently reported that supply-side problems related to the high-resolution display panels might make inventory tight, according to sources in Asia. Of course, if history tells us anything, it's that Apple fans will wait.
iPad coming March 17?
According to 9to5Mac, the next iPad will be available for purchase on March 17. They are citing Apple Store sources.
Getting excited? CNET will live blog the event from San Francisco. Stay with us here at Tech Talk for full coverage.
