Smartphones iPad 5 (news and rumors)

[HighestOfHigh]

The debut of the iPad mini back in November initially seemed like a late comer to a market already filled with 7-inch tablets. But in short order, Apple's new tablet not only won rave reviews, but also prompted some observers to opine that the popularity of the smaller tablet might soon make Apple's 9.7-inch tablet all but obsolete. Nevertheless, Apple said recently that it saw strong sales for the iPad mini and the larger iPad during the fourth quarter, and now one report indicates that the company may be about include a new surprise in the next iteration of the tablet.

According to sources in contact with 9to5Mac, Apple is gearing up to release a new iPad, sporting the same design and overall features of the fourth-generation line of iPads with Retina displays. The source doesn't have details on exactly how the new addition to the fourth-generation iPad line will be different from the current models, except to say that a 128GB verison of the iPad is on the horizon.
Current models of the iPad only offer a maximum of 64GB of storage, so doubling the tablet's storage would go a long way towards putting the device on a similar footing as Apple's other mobile standouts, the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. The expanded storage would also improve the iPad's profile in comparison to the new 128GB Microsoft Surface Pro tablet being offered for $999 in February.

In addition to the 9to5Mac report, talk of a 128GB iOS device also emerged this weekend when one developer discovered a 128GB system partition key in the iOS 6.1 beta 5.

The reports come shortly after Apple news site iLounge said it saw a model of the so-called iPad 5, which will sport many of the same features seen on the iPad mini.

- http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414758,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121

Though Apple fans were surprised by the announcement of the iPad 4 during Apple's October 2012 event, one expert soon predicted that the company would turn around and release a thinner, lighter iPad 5 in early 2013. During the October 2012 event, Apple announced a host of new products, including an iPad mini along with the fourth generation full-sized iPad. But according to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for KGI Securities, that might not be enough to fend off Microsoft's new Surface tablet. Kuo wrote in a note to investors, reported by AppleInsider, that Apple may feel pressured to launch a 9.7-inch iPad 5 to cement its lead in the tablet business. "Though the iPad mini is expected to be successful, we think launching the lighter, thinner 9.7-inch iPad as quickly as possible matters more for Apple strategically," Kuo wrote.

iPad 5 release date

On 19 November 2012, Digitimes reported that the iPad 5 release date would be "around the middle of 2013", and on 24 December 2012, an "inside source" talking to Japanese site Macotakara, pegged the iPad 5 release date as March 2013. On 12 January 2012, the March release date was repeated by Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets. White cited industry insiders at the CES expo in Las Vegas, while also writing in a note to investors that Apple is moving to a bi-annual iPad refresh schedule. However, on 25 January 2013, iLounge editor-in-chief Jeremy Horwitz, who claims to have seen the iPad 5, wrote that the fifth-gen iPad would not go on sale until October. Horwitz also said that the iPad mini 2 would be launched in the same month.

iPad 5 features

Considering the iPad 4 is the same weight, thickness and price point as its predecessor, it's very possible Apple is looking to produce a slimmed-down version. Apple did give the iPad 4 a new A6X processor system-on-a-chip, which it claims to be twice as fast as the last iPad. It also gained the new lightning connector and better LTE support. But that's all the new features iPad fans got with the fourth-gen tablet.

Kuo expects Apple to pack "GF DITO" (or GF2) touchscreen technology into the speculative iPad 5. GF2 is already used in the new iPad mini, which helps to make it 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than its bigger brother. On 14 December, Macworld cited a report in Digitimes that claims that one way Apple will reduce the weight of the new iPad will be by using one LED light bar instead of the two that are found in the current iPad (and that were first introduced in the iPad 3). Macworld points out that this would also mean that the iPad 5 would consume less power and could therefore run on a smaller, thinner battery.

Brian White, who reckons that there will now be a new iPad every six months, added that the iPad 5 would feature an improved A6X processor. iLounge's Jeremy Horwitz claimed in January 2013 that the iPad 5 has virtually no left or right bezels in portrait mode, with just enough space above and below the display for the home button, sensors and front camera.

- http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/ipad-5-release-date-news-and-rumors-1107009

 

[K-A]

Can't wait for this one. The current iPad design is due for some refreshing, if only for the sake of refreshing, and the iPad mini's design language will be stunning on this size-factor.

Also, iPad 3's advanced tech forced it to be thicker than iPad 2, so iPad 5 will really be a huge improvement on that alone.

 

[Tumbo]

Meh, I'm perfectly satisfied with my iPad mini and iphone5 Perfect combination

 

[klier]

I'm still on my launch iPad 2, and I will buy a new one when they finally give it a new design. A screen all the way to the edge would be niiice! No more thick white/black bars please!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

I'm still on my launch iPad 2, and I will buy a new one when they finally give it a new design. A screen all the way to the edge would be niiice! No more thick white/black bars please!

Same situation here. I love my iPad 2, but if they change the design and give it 128GB I will buy one.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

‘iPad 5′ case with major redesign revealed in leaked photos​

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- http://bgr.com/2013/01/29/ipad-5-photos-leak-case-310594/​

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[K-A]

No more borders is definitely the future. iPad's design is great, but iPad mini's thinner look, with black backing option, and thinner borders is a necessary to push the iPad into its next phase.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Apple may use the iPad mini’s touchscreen tech to make the next-gen iPad even lighter and thinner​

According to a new report from Digitimes, the next-generation 9.7-inch iPad will be equipped with the same “G/F2 (DITO) thin-film type” touchscreen technology as the iPad mini. Apple (AAPL) currently uses a glass-on-glass touchscreen in its iPad models, however the switch to G/F2 technology will reportedly allow the fifth-generation iPad to be thinner and lighter. Digitimes notes that Apple’s move to DITO technology shows that the company is “looking to bump up its competition in the tablet segment,” adding that it is also expected to have a “more adequate supply” to the technology compared to the one-glass-solution technology Apple was said to be exploring. Recent reports have suggested that Apple will release a new iPad and iPad mini in March.

- http://news.yahoo.com/apple-may-ipad-mini-touchscreen-tech-next-gen-205745100.html

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[HighestOfHigh]

Apple’s full-size iPad isn’t dead yet: Completely redesigned iPad due in Q3​

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Apple’s (AAPL) iPad mini stole the full-size tablet’s thunder when it launched last November, and a number of industry watchers believe the larger iPad’s heyday is behind us. Not so, according to plugged-in market research firm TrendForce. In a new report, the Taiwan-based research firm says that Apple’s fifth-generation iPad is set to debut in the third quarter this year and it will feature an extensive overhaul that will reignite consumer interest in Apple’s 9.7-inch slate.

“Firstly, for the improvement on product design itself, the next generation of iPad will apply the thin GF2 touch module of the same level as iPad mini and use the narrow bezel panel design to solve the issue of larger volume, thickness, and weight that have been criticized to gain a better balance for consumers in mobility and visual experiences,” the firm stated in its report, which is based on TrendForce analyst Eric Chiou’s findings.

The research firm’s report reinforces an earlier leak suggesting Apple’s next-generation iPad will adopt a design that is very similar to the current iPad mini.“Secondly, it is to underline the product positioning, the long-beloved iPad 2 is expected to retire with honor with the reveal of new iPad,” the report continued.

TrendForce also notes that cost reductions related to the new iPad’s display panel could allow Apple to drop the price a bit on its upcoming redesigned flagship tablet, but the firm makes no assertion that Apple will indeed relay the savings to end users. The firm believes that the iPad mini will represent roughly 65% of Apple tablet shipments in the first half of 2013, but that ratio will balance out to 50/50 following the new iPad’s launch in the second half.

- http://news.yahoo.com/apple-full-size-ipad-isn-t-dead-yet-155044578.html