By IB Times Staff Reporter | September 9, 2011 9:15 AM EDT
iPad 3 is one of the most anticipated devices from Apple this year. As always, any Apple device that is about to hit the markets make rounds on the web with different rumored features and specifications.
Here are the top 8 iPad 3 rumors that took every tech analyst and enthusiast by surprise.
Operating System: iPad 3 is set to experience a major change when the OS of the most awaited tablet is discussed. The iPad 2 was powered by iOS 4, and now, as expected, the upcoming iPad 3 will see the next-generation iOS 5. Rumors regarding the OS even went deeper as the tablet was also rumored to run OS X. Just because a quad-core processor was also rumored, analysts and tech enthusiasts said that there are high chances that Apple would also introduce OS X Lion for the tablet.
Processor: The iPad 2 flashed a 900MHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor, Apple A5 chipset and PowerVr SGX543MP2 GPU. That made the tablet one of the main contenders in the tablet market war. Now iPad 3 is about to be introduced to millions of customers. The tablet was and is still rumored to sport a Quad-Core Processor, most probably the A6. If this is true, then iPad 3 will become as powerful as any high-end desktop computer.
Multiple Modes: Rumors are rife that Apple will follow the same strategies which Samsung and Dell have adopted. Samsung offers tablets with both 10.1- and 7.7-inch displays. Dell also offered its very first Streak tablet with a 5-inch display which was later upped to 7-inches. Now, reports suggest that Apple might try selling a smaller, 7-inch version of the iPad alongside the current 9.7-inch model. Such a possibility, however, is unlikely.
New Retina Display: The retina display was expected in iPad 2, but Apple decided to carry on with the display of the first iPad. Now the iPad 3 is being heavily rumored to arrive with the retina display. An improvised resolution of 2058X1536 pixels is also expected.
Camera: Everybody expected a camera with a flash for iPad 2, but that never came. iPad 3 is on its way and is rumored to be built with one. The previous iPad 2 had a decent camera. But the question is what will it be like when the iPad 3 hits the market with a camera with a built-in flash? This was one of the many rumors that made every technology fanatic jump out of his seat.
HDMI: Previously, Apple introduced the HDMI playback in iPad 2. This, however, had problems of its own. The user needed an additional digital AV adapter. The upcoming iPad 3 is expected to end the problems regarding the additional HDMI cable with an evolved HDMI port.
Release Date: Rumors making rounds on web suggest that the iPad 3 will launch this fall. The reports claim that Apple is looking forward to deliver 4G connectivity and an enhanced display to its device before next year. It is still to be seen if the iPad 3 will arrive this fall to end one of year’s longest device sagas.
4G Compatibility iPad 3: Apple has been looking forward to a 4G-compatible tablet device as all the others in the market have already provided a tablet computer that supports the feature. The company’s previous venture, iPad 2, only offered 3G. So it is expected that Apple will definitely look forward to a 4G-compatible tablet to counter its competitors.
In Conclusion: Other rumored features of the iPad 3 included a Thunderbolt port (that will make data flow and connectivity lightning fast), Enhanced Wireless synchronization. A new SD card slot will also be expected which was previously absent in iPad 2. If rumors are to be believed, then Apple will also introduce 3D to its upcoming tablet.