There have been a lot of rumors about what the next version of the iPad will be like. I have a few predictions of my own based on nothing other than what I've been seeing on various news sites.
Improved Retina display. I think this all but a given at this point considering the quality of the screen on the image in the invitation.
Capacitive button on the bezel. Hate to say it but I'm buying into the notion that the image sent in the invitations implies no more buttons.
A much improved camera but I don't know if it will be 4/4S level, but it has to be better than what was on the iPad 2.
7.5-8" display. I feel like this one is a pipe dream but anything is possible.
I think there's too much hope for iPad 3, most of the rumors have been very specific to make me believe that all of it is true.
I think there will be an increase to resolution, but not on the magnitude of the iPhone 4/S's display.
If Jobs hated buttons, and didn't remove it, why now. So I think the form factor will not change. I think the button doesn't go away.
I think the front facing camera will get a little bump from VGA to support HD FaceTime. I don't see a major increase to the rear facing camera.
I think they may experiment on LTE, however they were slow to adopt 3G, so why do LTE/4G when most can't use it yet. I don't think it'll be announced on Wednesday.
As for internals, I can see Quad core A6, quoting gaming performance increases, and battery may grow If and Only If they experiment with LTE. However Apple won't go any less than 10 hrs of battery life or they lose their edge.
I won't speculate too much on specs (after all tomorrow we'll know :-)). As to the product name, iPad 3 and iPad HD have been bandied about. I'll add to the mix iPad Pro (would be nice if it had an "enterprise" slant to it), or perhaps iPad Air (if they do something really sexy with form factor or something to increase commonality with MacBooks).
The biggest possible surprise? A dramatic reduction in price.
Would anyone be surprised to see Microsoft as part of the announcement? Office on the iPad would be a huge win. And all those extra pixels would be great for excel spreadsheets. Just a thought.
Other predictable predictions:
1. Retina display
2. New processor
3. Siri
4. Improved Camera
5. New Siri controlled apple tv with Apple
Tv streaming service, 1080p, and new processor.
I've said before that I don't think apple really cares about creating a tv set, the Eco system is much more important than the hardware. If they can get people to start buying there tv service at $99 entry point, why charge them 2x current tv prices to get in the door?
I predict the iPad 3 will suffer under the Power of Android.. well just kidding, but indeed i think the invitation makes it obvious that the iPad will most likely be for people who need some special treatment. I mean look at that Icon size! it's like almost one square inch! This is nice because now every fool can hit them =) Apple reaches a whole new buyer group
I prefer a tablet in the 7-8" range for reading which is what I use a tablet for 99% of the time. So in that size it's much easier to hold for extended periods of time.
Usual spec upgrades, Retina screen, 4G, some software enhancements (Office/iPhoto?) and an Apple TV refresh. More on the blog (sorry for the self-promotion but no need to type it all out again!!)... wp.me/pZtLs-dQ
I'm conflicted over the button. I don't see any reason for its removal, and it is a distinct part of the iPad design that people recognise. But then why would Apple take the trouble to take a photo of the iPad for the invite in an orientation other than portrait? Just to confuse us!? Or maybe just to take emphasis away from the button and on to the screen.
