iPad 3 and Smart Cover.

For the purpose of this post, let’s call the next iPad by the name “iPad 3“.

It makes a lot of sense that Apple would release iPad 3 in March/April timeframe since the first one hit the street on April 3rd, 2010 and the second one on March 11th, 2011. In December 2011, my ever-reliable source told me “the next iPad is coming March 2012”. I mentioned this back on December 9th, 2011.

What I learned then about iPad 3 is the followings:

  • Don’t call it an iPad with Retina Display.
  • It’s worth waiting for the iPad 3, if I were to get one in December 2011.
  • It’s compatible with the existing Smart Cover.

Existing Smart Cover?

Think of iPad 3 to iPad 2 as iPhone 3GS to iPhone 3G. Just like iPhone 4S to iPhone 4.

There were no mentions of the shape or thickness of iPad 3 back shell. I assume the back would be different and the glass front would be physically the same.

p.s. Check back Wednesday February 22nd, 2012. I have a meeting with a little birdie who knows a lot about Apple.

 

No, Apple did not plan for iPad 3 release in 2011.

We received a note from our friend in Cupertino:

“I laugh every time I read the rumor about iPad 3 to be released in Fall 2011. The fact is that Steve Jobs made it clear that iPad 2 would be the iPad for 2011. Someone definitely had been eating up the false information. There will be a new iPad in 2012, that’s for certain.”

Take it with a grain or a boulder of salt.