Since its launch (to much speculation) in 2010, the Apple iPad has become the latest ‘must have’ gadget. Based on the very same operating system that powers the iPhone and iPod touch devices, the iPad is a touch-screen tablet computer that lets users do all sorts of things – from writing articles to doing their weekly shopping. It really has become the gadget all-rounder, giving people their choice of thousands of apps. Many of the apps are made for iPhone are also compatible with iPad, so there’s a huge crossover of utilities, tools, and games. And of course there are plenty of iPad-specific apps too. So whether you need to order some moving boxes for an upcoming house move, or you want to read the latest bestseller, the iPad is a great choice.
The Evolution of Apple Products
Due to Apple’s ever-increasing development cycle, new devices are being released every single year, which is why there have now been two versions of the iPad (the latest incarnation having being released in early 2011). As expected, it was faster and thinner than its predecessor, and (of course) sold like hot cakes. So, by extension, we should be able to expect the iPad 3 within the first few months of 2012 – but what will it offer users that they haven’t already got? And, perhaps more importantly, will the device have the same success now that Steve Jobs has stepped down as CEO of Apple?
Better, faster, stronger
This is a concept design of what the iPad 3 could look like:
As a rule of thumb, we can rely on Apple to follow a similar formula for each of their product launches. That means that the iPad 3 will likely be thinner and faster than the iPad 2. The device already has dual cameras, so the next one will likely retain this future. So how can Apple better the second version, and what innovations can they include that will make people want to line up outside the Apple Store at midnight to get their hands on it?
A screen with twice the resolution of the current iPad 2 device?
Well, according to rumours, the iPad 3 will include ‘contactless’ payment technology. It may sound completely bizarre, but industry insiders have it on good authority that Apple will include this contactless tech in the iPad 3 (though in saying that, it was also supposed to feature in the iPhone 5, but this didn’t surface in the recent 4s). In a nutshell, it will allow users to tie their device to an online ‘wallet’, and let them use contactless payment simply by swiping their device rather than a card. Yes, it sounds crazy – but knowing Apple, they’ll probably pull it off. The iPad 3 will also most likely have a higher resolution screen to give even sharper graphics. Some people have even suggested that the new iPad will change its form-factor and become more ‘widescreen’ with a 9.7 inch display. Time will tell!
iOS 5.0
Every year Apple also releases a new version of their iOS operating system, and 2011 is no exception. iOS 5 has only been out for about a week at the time of writing, and so far the reception has been positive.
We can safely assume, then, that the iPad 3 will also use this OS. Probably the key benefit here is its slicker performance – a barely noticeable improvement when applied to the iPhone, but something developers and hardcore gamers/designers may relish in its bigger brother.
Apple Without Steve?
Even Apple’s most staunch critics paid their dues to Steve Jobs following his untimely demise. The question not far from people’s minds is, however, whether Apple will continue to dominate the market without Jobs at the helm? By extension, is another iPad release likely to be as successful as previous incarnations?
The answer to this is, very likely, yes.
Apple has now become a leviathan that almost no other company can touch. Steve Jobs had an invaluable role in achieving this status, but now the business almost takes care of itself. The next in line, Paul Cook, will now announce all of the latest devices, and there’s no doubt that he will do a good job of getting people excited and enthusiastic about the next generation of the Apple iPad.
So can anyone stop Apple’s apparent world domination? Well, at this stage it seems that they’re just getting started – and the iPad 3 is the next step now that the iPhone 4s has surfaced. But is that really such a bad thing? Their products bring joy to millions of people across the world, let us have face-to-face conversations with our nearest and dearest, and have given us access to our favourite music for years. Perhaps one day someone will challenge the crown, but for now we can all keep holding our breath to find out what their next ‘big thing’ is going to be.
- Guest Author, Dee.
