iPad 2: The rumor buzz

As Apple's March 2 iPad announcement draws near, the interwebs are alive with rumors. In no particular order, here's the buzz that we're seeing flick across our in-boxes today.

Will Apple produce a White iPad? That's what the 9 to 5 Mac blog thinks might happen, based on iPad parts they "acquired" early.
The Wall Street Journal suggests that the iPad 2 will be more streamlined than its big brother, with a thinner and lighter build. They're also expecting models for both AT&T and Verizon data plans.
iLounge is predicting dual-cameras. MacRumors has evidence that supports the much anticipated iPad camera scenario.
If you're looking for a louder iPad, Gizmodo believes the iPad 2 may deliver a larger speaker system along with a more streamlined iPod-styled back face.
PC Magazine notes that retail channels for the original iPad have begun to dry up, which may indicate an earlier shipping date than the more generally accepted early April timeframe, the anniversary of the original iPad.
Numerous websites including Cult of Mac are considering the possibility that tomorrow's iPad will be a "disappointing spec bump" with a major redesign happening later this year, perhaps six months down the line. Bringing the iPad into refresh synchrony with the iPod (and maybe the iPhone) could be a valuable change on Apple's part.
The Business Insider wonders if Apple will introduce a new Social App, perhaps linked to the iPad, and thinks that an iOS 5 announcement is very likely.

What other rumors are you reading about? Let us know in the comments.

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As Apple's March 2 iPad announcement draws near, the interwebs are alive with rumors. In no particular order, here's the buzz that we're...

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vzmr82

And what about this news: http://aeiou.exameinformatica.pt/amazon-mostra-acidentalmente-ipad-2=f1008809

It seems amazon.de has shown more than it should...

March 02 2011 at 9:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jeremy Horwitz

Sorry, Erica, iLounge is not predicting an SD card slot. The linked article shows a case from December of 2010 and specifically said that an SD slot seemed "somewhat unlikely in light of recent Apple design decisions." This image, which we were the first to publish, and this explanatory article discuss what we believe to be the body design, as well as the variations seen thereafter.

March 02 2011 at 9:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Jeremy Horwitz's comment

Jeremy Horwitz

The links in the comment above were broken. They are:

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/ipad-2-body-spotted-at-ilounge-pavilion/

and

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/on-ipad-2-cases-heres-why-the-holes-keep-changing/

March 02 2011 at 9:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Miles

While the features listed in the post are interesting, anyone else feel as though it's not enough to ditch their current iPads and go running to their local Apple Store? Just me?

March 02 2011 at 7:34 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

corym

I think the iPad 2 name is up there with the iPhone HD and iPhone 4G which everyone threw around last May. I can't see Apple using it.

Rear camera? It's not needed. Would anybody take photos from something the size of a magazine? Maybe once or twice, but the novelty will wear off quickly.

March 02 2011 at 5:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ree

Coming from a PC GFX perspective, can Apple not do some form of HW anti-aliasing for websites, apps through a combination of new dual-core CPU and updated GPU yet still keep the same resolution?
Would maybe solve the text 'readability' issue while we wait on iPad 3 with Retina display....thoughts?

March 02 2011 at 4:01 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

tim

I'm just hoping it has an optical drive this time.

March 02 2011 at 2:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Alistair

No one seems to be talking about delivery date. Does everyone think it will ship immediately or be delayed a few weeks?

March 02 2011 at 2:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rego

Is the event going to be live video streamed?

March 01 2011 at 8:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

timrowledge

Bah, the hot rumour is that Apple are actually dropping the iPad entirely because it just isn't selling, exactly as the analysts said would happen last year. I mean, they haven't even sold a million of them. Oh, wait, that is the *other guys*.

March 01 2011 at 8:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

frogbat

i've been holdin out for v2.0 since the original's launch and will be lookin forward to replacin my macbook

2 features i hope to see are the camera and thunderbolt... i think the latter will give the device a new range of possibilities

March 01 2011 at 7:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to frogbat's comment

Dr. Zoidberg

You know the iPad uses iOS and still requires a computer to be synced with, right?

As much as I love my iPad, replacing a Macbook just isn't very practical. Even for the most basic of users, the iPad is roughly only 80% of what people want/need from a computer - A number which dips drastically dependant on useage.

Personally, my iPad only accounts for about 30-35% of my computer useage. My iMac is 15-20% and my Macbook covers the rest.

While Thunderbolt on the iPad is a nice thought, it's just a tad overkill - like adding a race car engine into a Smart car.

March 02 2011 at 10:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

frogbat

yes in fact that's one of the probs with i devices - they still rely on you having a mac or a pc at hand to set up and get going as well as for lots of the content - though i have a feeling there might be a cloud based solution in the future

and yes, i fully understand the fact that an ipad isn't a macbook - if i needed a new macbook i'd get a new macbook. For the way i currently use my macbook, an ipad would be more than ideal. I have a 27" imac at home and a mac pro tower at work...

i'm hoping to somehow gut the macbook and use it as a nas / media server

re thunderbolt - it may seem overkill but i think apple was thinking of its portable range when it specced thunderbolt. It may be too early to see it on the ipad at the mo but i wouldn't write it off - one port that can provide video out and compatibility with legacy ports... admittedly everything is going wifi but every now and then you need those wires

March 02 2011 at 11:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply