Apple hasn’t said when a new iPad tablet will come out — the computer giant is notoriously tight-lipped about product releases — but speculation is quickly building about what new features a refresh of the wildly successful tablet will sport.
The latest hype concerns icons for Apple’s iBooks versions 1.1 and 1.2 that seem to have four different variants, two each for iPhone and iPad, suggesting the developer knows something we don’t. News of the icons were first tweeted by someone under the name Xuzz and later by Steven Stroughton Smith, a developer in Ireland, leading many to surmise that Apple will double the screen resolution of the iPad, as it did with the Retina display of its iPhone 4.
A blog that focuses on Apple products, MacRumors, said one of the iBooks icons is labeled iPadX2 and is double the resolution of the standard iPad icon, or 2048×1536. This would require a stronger processor to support the graphics, the blog noted.
More Media Leverage
“The latest rumors I’ve heard suggest that notably higher resolution/retinal display is a possibility, as are a camera for video conferencing, simpler audio controls, and SD card support — all valuable for users wanting to more fully leverage the iPad’s media capabilities,” Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT, told us. “Other possible additions include a mini-display port, which would encourage folks to use the iPad to stand in for or even replace traditional laptops or desktops. Folks are also talking up a notably improved (likely dual-core) processor, which would enhance overall performance.”
Apple didn’t respond to our request for comment in time for publication.
Flash Forward?
King said he would personally like to see better support for USB connections and multitasking as well as the ability to use Adobe Flash content, which is currently blocked by Apple’s iOS operating system.
“A continuing…