IPad 2 Rumours Revealed!

With the anticipated release of the IPad 2 just a couple of months away, the buzz surrounding the potential features of the device is hotting up.

A couple of weeks ago, we reported that the rumoured features of the second g generation IPad were a Face Time camera, gyroscope, a thinner form, a better display and a USB connector. Now, however, the list has become a great deal longer so we’ve had a look at the most interesting rumours.

Wide-Range Speakers

Japanese blog Mac Otakara were among the first to report that the new IPad would have wider speakers for a longer range of sound projection. We expect this (supposed) improvement has come as a result of the poor sounds on the IPad which has 2 internal speakers that only push out mono sound.

Flatter

There have also been rumours that the new IPad will be around 3mm thinner than the 1st generation, with a flat back. To us, this sounds just like a giant Iphone 4 - which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, if the IPad hadn’t already been slated for just being a giant Iphone, without actually being a phone. It comes as no surprise given the success of the Iphone 4’s slender shape. Let’s just hope you’ll be able to hold the IPad 2 in your left hand without losing signal…

Smaller

Along with the width rumours comes the size rumours. Not only has it been reported that there could be a 7” IPad 2 built more for of an ebook purpose, it has also been suggested that Apple could be introducing a 5.6”, for which reasons we’re not quite sure… other than making a giant Iphone…

USB & SD Card slots

One of the first rumours to emerge about the IPad 2 was that it would have not one, but two USB ports but, once again, we’re not quite sure why. The IPad, and in fact tablet computers in general, were developed to be wireless. The IPad specifically is designed to be “on hand” and on the go, it prints wirelessly, you can play music through separate speakers wirelessly, email, internet, share photos; everything you do on a computer, you can do on the IPad wirelessly. It seems like a bit of a step back to put two USB ports in, especially if Apple are making the device slimmer. Why do you need a USB if you’ve already made a device that can do everything? We don’t see this happening.
The SD card is still very much in the rumour stage. The only reason this has come to light is because supposed IPad 2 cases were found online that suggest an SD card sized space. However, most speculation suggests this additional slot in the case is for the supposed bigger speakers.

Non-Smudge Screen & Gyroscope

There are rumours that as well as having a non-smudge screen, the IPad 2 will feature a three-axis gyroscope like the IPhone 4. Although a gyroscope wasn’t featured in the original IPad its thought that the ever growing presence of Apps based around tilting and changing orientations has encouraged Apple to invest in the technology.

Front & Back Facing Camera

With the introduction of Apples video calling service FaceTime and with software like Skype attracting millions of users, it is a strong possibility that Apple have introduced a front facing camera on the new IPad. The supposed IPad 2 cases that have been found online also have a suspicious front camera sized slot which has thrown a lot of weight behind the rumours. Its in no way surprising Apple have decided to do this, FaceTime alone is reason enough, and since Apple have announced the IPad 2 will follow more in the footsteps of the Macbook, they’ve essentially just added on a webcam.

3 Versions?

This rumour appeared after AllThingsDigital analyst Brian Blair said that both GSM and CDMA networks would be supported by the IPad 2, enabling it to get online anywhere in the world. This encouraged the rumour that on top of the separate Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 3G IPad 2’s, there will also be a third that will support Wi-Fi and CDMA. Theres no indication how significantly the additional CDMA technology will affect the price of a new IPad, however, its more than likely that its happening anyway.

Dual Core Processor &More Memory

With the Iphone 4 (512mb) already having twice the memory of the 1st generation IPad (256mb) its no surprise that this has been circulating as a strong possibility.

However, the Dual Core Processor rumour is still very much a shaky one. It began after Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman & Renshaw, suggested that “A key component upgrade across [the Iphone and IPad devices] will be a dual-core processor featuring a pair of 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 cores." Apple have neither confirmed nor denied the use of a dual core processor, however, the technology is already present in the LG Optimus 2X Android smart phone and we certainly cant see Apple being out done by Android.

Baring in mind that all of these points are rumours and Apple haven’t confirmed them or released an official spec, which makes a 2011 1st quarter release seem quite unlikely. Its unclear how all of these changes will affect the price of the IPad, although if they can shift it at anywhere near the same price and speed the original IPad is selling at, we’ll definitely be seeing an IPad 3 in 2012.