By Peter Pachal For Mashable
Apple just sent out invitations to an event next Wednesday to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Besides the time and location information, the invite only says “We have something you really need to see. And touch.” The words are superimposed on what is almost certainly an iPad.
It’s all but a done deal now: Apple will unveil the iPad 3 on March 7. The event is due to begin at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (1 p.m. ET).
The San Francisco location contradicts a rumor from earlier today that said the event would be held in New York City. Many expressed doubt over that rumor since it goes against almost every previous Apple product unveiling, which are typically held on the West Coast.
Is the reference to something that we “really need to see” a reference to the super-high-res retina display that Apple is rumored to be including in the iPad 3? Or maybe something more esoteric? What could “touch” be referring to? Feel free to speculate in the comments.
Mashable will be live on the scene on March 7, posting updates live as they happen. What would you like to see in the iPad 3? Browse our rumor roundup below for ideas, and let us know your wish list, too.
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iLounge recently reported that it saw a prototype of the next-generation iPad at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and that it looks just like the iPad 2, only thicker by about 1 mm. The camera in the top left corner is expected to be a bit larger than the iPad 2 and similar to the improved camera featured on the iPhone 4S.
It’s also been rumored that the next-generation iPad will have a high-resolution screen – possibly even double dpi -- and a stronger interior. However, the updates seen by iLounge seem to be more cosmetic than structural. Could the next-generation device be an upgrade similar to that of the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S?
Due to some international weather conditions such as a flood in Thailand, some believe there is a bit of uncertainty with Apple’s supply chain in parts of Asia that would put the release date in question. However, analysts at Citigroup believe everything is on schedule and that the launch will happen as planned, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Graphic courtesy M.I.C. Gadget
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Citigroup also expects the next-generation iPad will be unveiled in February, citing a few sources close to the matter. The iPad 2 was announced on March 2, 2011, so an announcement close to previous model launch dates is expected. Some also speculate that the event could be held on Feb. 24 – Steve Jobs's birthday.
MacRumors recently cited Japanese reports that Foxconn and Pegatron – two key manufacturing partners for Apple – have started producing the next-generation iPad and plan to ship the device in March.
According to a 9to5Mac report, Apple may be adding Siri Dictation to the next-generation iPad. A tipster noted that they were looking through the iOS 5.1 beta 3 settings application on the iPad and noted a new section called “Privacy and Dictation.” Inside included legal and feature information for Siri.
The DigiTimes recently reported that a less expensive iPad model will also be released with the next-generation iPad to offer an alternative to the Kindle Fire.
Some are holding out on purchasing an Apple tablet until price cuts occur on previous iPad models after the unveiling of the next-generation version. Since the cost of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G lowered after the iPhone 4S debuted, it’s possible that the first two versions of the iPad could experience a price drop.
With the arrival of the next-generation iPad, some expect that previous models will be used to foster research in the future. In fact, according to a report by Scientific American, some previous versions of the iPad could end up in the hands of Orangutans. A non-profit organization called Orangutan Outreach gathers donated iPads to help animals learn and even communicate with others. Scientific American also noted that iPads are a therapeutic device and help orangutans in captivity stay active and happy.
Graphic courtesy Orangutan Outreach.
