Rumor: New Apple iPad due end of Q1 2011

Credit – Stefan Blog

Straight from Digitimes, one of our favorite rumor generators with a track record that occasionally leaves a bad taste in our mouths, but more often than not delivers the goods, we’ve got news that a new Apple iPad is due to hit the market during the first 3 months of 2011. Suppliers have said that they’re in the process of testing second generation 9.7 inch panels and that they’re “ultra-thin”. The first iPad came out in April 2010, so a 1 year refresh cycle sounds about right, but we don’t know for sure since this is Apple’s new product category after all.

What types of features are you looking forward to? I’ve only just recently seen an iPad in public, on the Helsinki Metro, and it looked absolutely ridiculous. I’ve yet to understand why anyone would want a device that sits at the juncture between full blown laptop and highly capable smartphone. That being said, Apple has sold several millions of these things, and an entire industry is cropping up around throwing Android on similar sized devices, so maybe they’re on to something and I’m just being a curmudgeon.

Anyway, features … how about making it lighter? One thing I hear Apple fans complain about is the weight of the iPad. Also, what’s with the reflective screen? Glass is great to touch, but it’s hell on the eyes when you actually want to use the thing in public. Several people have also said they want a camera in the next iPad, but I can’t figure out why. How comfortable do you think it’s going to be to hold a near 10 inch piece of glass in front of a group of people just to take a picture? Front facing camera I understand, the whole FaceTime thing, but rear? You’ve got to be kidding me?

I’d rather have Apple refresh the Macbook Air than upgrade the iPad, but either way, I’ve greatly reduced the amount of traveling I’ve been doing this year so yet another new shiny toy to take with me while on the move should probably be avoided.