iPad 3 Launch on 7th March

[Archie]

Apple sets iPad 3 launch event for March 7

Invite hints the next tablet will lack a physical home button, offer higher-res screen

Computerworld - As expected, Apple today issued invitations to the media for an event next Wednesday, March 7, where it's expected to launch the next iPad.

Invitations were received by bloggers and reporters, including those with the IDG News Service, which is operated by IDG, the parent company of Computerworld.

The news confirmed earlier speculation that Apple would debut the newest iPad -- which most have labeled iPad 3 -- in early March, which later settled on March 7, the same day of the week Apple used to launch the original tablet in 2010 and last year's iPad 2.

"We have something you really have to see. And touch," read the invitation, which continues Apple's tradition of keeping its invitation text cryptic.

The background shows part of an iPad screen, with a finger poised over the Calendar app, which is set to March 7. If the background is a photograph of the iPad 3 and not digitally manipulated, it hints that the tablet will not sport a physical home button, as have earlier iPads.

Some bloggers argued that the photo also showed a higher-resolution, or so-called "Retina," display.

Apple will host the launch event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, a regular venue for the company's press-only announcements and where former CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPad 2 on March 2, 2011.

This will be the first time that Jobs, who died last October after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, will not host an iPad launch.

The event will kick off at 10 a.m. PT, and wrap up an hour or so later.

Most experts believe the iPad 3 will feature a higher-resolution screen, a faster processor -- perhaps Apple's first quad-core -- and more internal memory. They have been split on whether the new tablet will support the faster LTE data networks like those now being deployed in the U.S. by Verizon and AT&T.

In an interview two weeks ago, Aaron Vronko, CEO of Rapid Repair, a repair shop and do-it-yourself parts supplier for the iPhone, iPod and iPad, said, "I'd be extremely surprised if the iPad 3 didn't support LTE," adding that because tablet users consume even more data than smartphone users, the faster speeds will be important as Apple faces competition from Android-powered tablets.

Verizon offers LTE in 195 U.S. markets, while AT&T boasts coverage in just 26 cities.

Apple has not said anything about the price of the new iPad -- some recent rumors have claimed it will cost about $80 more than current models -- when it will go on sale or even the official name of the tablet.

Prices, on-sale dates and naming are likely to be disclosed March 7.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9224718/Apple_sets_iPad_3_launch_event_for_March_7

 

[Archie]

iPad Mini, priced at $299, would 'crush' tablet rivals, says analyst

IHS iSuppli says 'very solid' bet that Apple will launch an 8-in. iPad in 4Q 2012

Computerworld - Apple could price an 8-in. iPad as low as $299, an analyst said today, as part of a strategy to "crush the opposition."

Rumors of a smaller iPad resurfaced earlier this week after the Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported that Apple was contemplating a tablet with an 8-in. display.

Then, several experts expressed skepticism that Apple would introduce a tablet with a screen smaller than the current 9.7-in. size of the current iPad.

Rhoda Alexander, senior manager of tablet and monitor research at IHS iSuppli, disagrees. "Based on our sources, we're very solid [in our belief] that Apple will release a smaller iPad that uses a 7.85-in. display, essentially an 8-in. screen, this year," said Alexander.

iSuppli's projection for a release: The fourth quarter of 2012.

With savings from downsizing the display and associated touchscreen, and perhaps reducing the storage memory to a default 8GB, Apple could price what Alexander's dubbed the "iPad Mini" -- perhaps a sop to the Mac Mini name that Apple uses for its petite desktop Mac -- as low as $299, although $349 would be another option.

"Apple doesn't need to compete with the $200 price point," Alexander argued, referring to the price tag of Amazon's Kindle Fire, a 7-in. device the e-tailer started selling last November.

Adding a smaller iPad would let Apple address several issues, said Alexander.

"There's a certain segment of the consumer base where the current iPad is just too big," she said. "And Apple would have the opportunity to dual-sell some people." There are some consumers, she explained, who would like to have multiple tablets, a larger one for around the house and a smaller one to take with them.

But the most important motivation would be to give the company a way to stomp the competition. "Rather than just maintaining their dominance of the tablet market share, a smaller iPad would let them make a move to crush the opposition," said Alexander.

Her reasoning was based on tablet numbers from the fourth quarter of 2011.

During those three months, Apple's share of all tablet unit sales dropped to 57% from the prior quarter's 64% as lower-priced rivals, particularly the Kindle Fire and Barnes and Noble's Nook tablets, sold in volume.

The introduction of the Fire and Nook, especially the former, forced other Android tablet makers to slash prices to move inventory, a strategy Alexander said was unsustainable.

By expanding the iPad line to include a smaller device -- as well as launch an iPad 3 and retain the now-current iPad 2 at a lower price -- Apple would be in position to grow its share, perhaps to the point next year when it could again account for an overwhelming majority of tablets shipped and sold.

 

[killerx]

waoo cant wait to see it i ipad2 gaming is the best ever i have iphone 3gs and games still look good on it

 

[hawx]

I had iphone ones,migrated to android and never looked back.

Android is the future.

 

[blackops]

Android can suc£ balls

That been said

Am so waiting for ipad 3 will buy it if it comes under 45000 inr
Will be looking out for wifi ones

 

[hawx]

Android can suc£ balls

That been said

Am so waiting for ipad 3 will buy it if it comes under 40000 inr

have you tried galaxy nexus ? IPHONE KA BAAP

 

[blackops]

have you tried galaxy nexus ? IPHONE KA BAAP

Am so sory bt i dont use cheap android cells

 

[hawx]

Am so sory bt i dont use cheap android cells

so a cell phone costing arround 42000 inr is cheap for you,sorry i didnt know mukesh ambani is also a member here

 

[Abingdonboy]

Screw this, my mum has the iPad 1 and I can't think of a more over-priced useless product, I'm waiting for the iPhone 5-when is this coming?

 

[Luftwaffe]

As always useless apple products, when I look at android based produced with their specs-designs-performance; ipad turns out to be iliar. Android OS & android based products will get stronger and more stable and is rightfully the king of market share, with windows 8 based Tablets to follow soon ios would have to satisfied its long time users-customers.

PS. apple fanbois you are controlled by apple for apple and always apple, android lets user control and explore that is a huge difference, apple imperialism would die fast.

 

[killerx]

samsung galaxy s 2 is the best phone yet full all rounder and in tables asus trasformer prime but apple store has the best game man thats for sure and some best games are only in apple store not in android

 

[Sashan]

I was pleasantly surprised when I returned home - my wife had the Ipad 3 waiting for me. She had picked one though she was running temperature.