Production of Apple’s next-generation iPad is reportedly under way with a few minor tweaks expected along with some major ones. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, said the next iPad will have at least one front-facing camera, a faster processor, and will be thinner and lighter than its already slim predecessor.
The Journal has a good track record on Apple, having correctly reported late last year that Verizon Wireless would sell the company’s iPhone early this year, which had only been rumored until that point.
The report said the new iPad, the first major product release since the departure of CEO Steve Jobs on medical leave, will have a display similar to the current iPad, despite earlier reports that it would have a higher-resolution Retina display like the iPhone 4. It will also have similar price points to the current six iPad models, the Journal said.
No New Carriers
Also not likely to change are the iPad’s wireless carriers.
AT&T initially had the exclusive right to sell 3G data coverage in the U.S. for the first iPad and stock the device in its stores. The iPad came to Verizon Wireless in October.
But Apple isn’t expected to spread the wealth by sharing its runaway hit device with smaller carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel. The Journal said only the top two carriers will get the new iPad.
With more than 14 million iPads sold, far ahead of rival tablets that came late to the party, it’s likely not worth the trouble for Apple to branch out to more carriers, said technology consultant Rob Enderle.
“The reality is that most of this class of product isn’t sold through carriers but in retail anyway, and the Wi-Fi versions are the most popular,” Enderle said. “Even for those that buy the 3G versions of the product, most never turn…