As tablets like the Motorola Xoom begin to nibble at iPad's heels, attention has once again turned to Apple. With the company widely believed to be announcing the iPad's successor at an event in San Francisco tomorrow, many Apple fans are expecting a wide array of groundbreaking changes to the iPad's design. But that's not likely what they will get. Instead, Apple is likely to release an iPad that is more of an evolution than a revolution, a small upgrade to an already-winning formula. Here are the most probable upgrades.
As tablets like the Motorola Xoom begin to nibble at iPad's heels, attention has once again turned to Apple. With the company widely believed to be announcing the iPad's successor at an event in San Francisco tomorrow, many Apple fans are expecting a wide array of groundbreaking changes to the iPad's design. But that's not likely what they will get. Instead, Apple is likely to release an iPad that is more of an evolution than a revolution, a small upgrade to an already winning formula. Here are the most probable upgrades. AppleWhile a smaller iPad would certainly be more portable and easier to hold for long periods, it’s unlikely that Apple will downsize their next tablet. At Apple’s Q4 2010 earnings conference call, Steve Jobs was unequivocal. “There are clear limits to how close elements can be on the screen before users can't touch accurately. We believe 10-inch screen is minimum necessary,” he said. Citing Samsung’s Tab and RIM’s Playbook, Jobs called 7-inch tablets "dead on arrival." Don’t count on the iPad following their lead. AppleIf there is one thing that holds true for Apple products, it’s that they get progressively thinner. The iPhone 4, is 24 percent thinner than the iPhone 3GS. Following the lead of previous Apple products, the iPad 2 is certain to be more svelte than its predecessor.AppleOf all the speculation into the iPad 2’s features, few things feel more certain than the inclusion of cameras in the device. While using FaceTime on an iPad is likely to feel a bit awkward, there is very little reason for Apple not to add photo and video functionality to its next tablet. And it won’t cost much, either. A recent report from the Wall Street Journal prices the cameras in Motorola’s Xoom tablet at $14, which is pennies compared to how much Apple is set to earn on each tablet. AppleAccording to users, 1.8% percent of Verizon iPhone 4 calls were dropped, a significant number in comparison to the 4.8% percent reported by AT&T subscribers. ATT/VerizonOne of the most commonly criticized features of the iPad is the device’s feeble sound capacity. Apple would be remiss in not upgrading the sound on the iPad’s successor. More than likely, the iPad 2’s sound will take the form of adding a second speaker and boosting the sound quality. Macotakara.jpConsidering the near-mythical quality of the white iPhone, many have lost interest in the device. ienlive.com
