An iPad 2 unveiling looks set for next week – yesterday’s AllThingsD report confirming this has “controlled Apple leak” written all over it. We’ve heard whispers, seen patent applications and even fondled supposed iPad 2 cases.
So, putting the pieces together, what do we think Apple will unveil next Wednesday? Here, the Electricpig team give their thoughts and predictions on the upcoming iPad 2.
James Holland
Apple product updates always move in increments. I’m not expecting a radical redesign from the iPad 2, or even much more hardware grunt. Rather slightly improved battery life, maybe an SD slot built-in and better speakers, giving the iPad stereo abilities and a louder volume. More likely though, is a slimmed down body, built-in cameras and some serious revisions to iOS to allow the iPad to function more freely as a computing device.
With Android Honeycomb breathing down its neck, the iPad needs to step up as a true portable computer. That means access to the file system, a sensible way of adding attachments of any sort to e-mails, and notifications that don’t monopolise the screen. Apple can learn a lot from Android, and if it doesn’t act soon Jobs and Co will have squandered the iPad’s 12 month head start.
Ben Sillis
It appears Apple’s already been on damage control duty with the iPad 2, leaking word to the Wall Street Journal of a mild upgrade after online iPad 2 rumours started getting out of hand. I don’t think we’ll see a sharper screen – instead we’ll get memory to match the iPhone 4, a slightly slimmer build and of course at least one camera. All of that may well still lead to the best tablet on the market. Again.
But you know what? I think you may want to dodge this one, and not because of upcoming Honeycomb and webOS tablets, as promising as they look. You should skip it because the Apple watchers reporting that an iPad 3 will debut in the Autumn are onto something – it makes perfect sense for Apple to shift the launch closer to Christmas, when it racks up a huge chunk of its sales. I’m willing to bet that Apple will play this card soon after a fairly pedestrian iPhone 5 upgrade. Who wants to take it?
iPad 2: Five killer features we want
Jennifer Allan
More than anything I’d like to see the iPad lighter and slimmer. Secondly, I want to see these camera rumours materialise. An iPad 2 with a front facing camera is what Apple needs to get more people using FaceTime. Without that, it’s reducing the FaceTime user base by a fair chunk. A decent rear facing camera could be a really valuable addition for lots of people, particularly in business and academic uses. Lots of academics now use digital cameras for research, to take pictures of texts they’ll look at later for example. HD video calling could also be invaluable in business uses. The hurdle is quality. Apple needs to better the resolution of the iPhone 4 camera if they’re going to make putting a rear facing camera in the iPad 2 worthwhile.
Stephen Ebert
Yeah, the iPad 2 will be getting a camera; two, if rumours are to be believed. One on the front for awkward FaceTime chatting, and another on its smoothly contoured rear to take snaps of folk gawping at you using it on the train. Of course it will. It had better. Can you imagine the Apple-hating fanboys and girls if it doesn’t have at least one of these?
So I’m not excitedly hoping that will be the case. I’m expecting it. What I am hoping for is Apple to capitalise on an area Apple has blazed a new trail for itself – gaming. That means the addition of a gyroscope, letting players view the virtual world in all its multi-axis glory as on the iPhone 4. I want better speaker placement too, as anyone who has juggled their iPad around to prevent sound muffling will testify.
What do you think Apple’s put in the iPad 2? Are we way off the mark? Shout up in the comments below!
