New iPad rumors have started to circulate for a few weeks now and the more rumors we see, the more clear it is that Apple is working on the second-generation iPad. The iPad 2 is now expected to hit by Christmas 2010, a lot faster than anticipated.
Apple usually takes its time between refreshes, no matter what product we’re talking about. But the iPad, that started selling in the USA in April, might have its successor, the iPad 2, hit a lot earlier than April 2011. The tablet has truly been a hit product. Cupertino reinvented the device, since we did have tablets before the iPad, but none had a similar selling success, so a second-generation device is definitely due.
The iPad is great, but not perfect. In fact it has a few flaws that would prevent some from buying it. The lack of a proper camera and webcam have been highly criticized since the iPad was unveiled last January, and considering that the Samsung Galaxy Tab and probably all the other tablets hitting this holiday season will have front-facing and back cameras for video calls and picture taking, Apple definitely needs the next iPad to offer those features.
The word on the street is that Apple is already testing an iPad with FaceTime support, and this isn’t the first time we hear it. But what we hear now is that the new iPad might arrive this holiday season, or very early in 2011. If that indeed happens then Apple will deliver an important blow to the competition. While everyone is coming out with their first-gen tablets, Apple would already start selling the second-gen tablet to anyone interested in FaceTime video calls.
It’s too early to say if the next-gen iPad will have that many extra features that will differentiate it from the first-gen iPad. But it will definitely be interesting to see if first-gen iPad buyers will ditch their iPads in order to get the new model just because it comes with FaceTime on board. And if that happens there’s going to be a ton of second-hand first-gen iPads selling for less than all the new tablets available in stores once the new iPad 2 arrives. In other words Apple will come out a winner as second-hand iPads will still bring in lots of iTunes, iBooks and App Store cash.
Is it possible though that Apple will launch a 7-inch iPad model, one that has been mentioned in lots of rumors so far, in late 2010 / early 2011, and refresh the next-gen 9.7-inch model only in April 2011, thus maintaining its regular refresh policy?
Apple usually takes its time between refreshes, no matter what product we’re talking about. But the iPad, that started selling in the USA in April, might have its successor, the iPad 2, hit a lot earlier than April 2011. The tablet has truly been a hit product. Cupertino reinvented the device, since we did have tablets before the iPad, but none had a similar selling success, so a second-generation device is definitely due.
The iPad is great, but not perfect. In fact it has a few flaws that would prevent some from buying it. The lack of a proper camera and webcam have been highly criticized since the iPad was unveiled last January, and considering that the Samsung Galaxy Tab and probably all the other tablets hitting this holiday season will have front-facing and back cameras for video calls and picture taking, Apple definitely needs the next iPad to offer those features.
The word on the street is that Apple is already testing an iPad with FaceTime support, and this isn’t the first time we hear it. But what we hear now is that the new iPad might arrive this holiday season, or very early in 2011. If that indeed happens then Apple will deliver an important blow to the competition. While everyone is coming out with their first-gen tablets, Apple would already start selling the second-gen tablet to anyone interested in FaceTime video calls.
It’s too early to say if the next-gen iPad will have that many extra features that will differentiate it from the first-gen iPad. But it will definitely be interesting to see if first-gen iPad buyers will ditch their iPads in order to get the new model just because it comes with FaceTime on board. And if that happens there’s going to be a ton of second-hand first-gen iPads selling for less than all the new tablets available in stores once the new iPad 2 arrives. In other words Apple will come out a winner as second-hand iPads will still bring in lots of iTunes, iBooks and App Store cash.
Is it possible though that Apple will launch a 7-inch iPad model, one that has been mentioned in lots of rumors so far, in late 2010 / early 2011, and refresh the next-gen 9.7-inch model only in April 2011, thus maintaining its regular refresh policy?
