A FAQ list on iPad 3 – What you need to know about iPad 3: release date, specs and more

The Apple iPad 3 has been a long anticipated hot spot worldwide recently. People have spent much energy and time on discussing what Apple iPad 3 would bring out and when. After much rumors and speculation, Apple has sent out invites to US press sites, confirming 7 March as the iPad 3 launch date, explaining in the invite that it has "something you really have to see. And touch." Today, I have made a collection on Apple iPad 3 in a FAQ list to show you what you need to know about iPad 3, including the iPad 3 release date, specs and more.

When will Apple iPad 3 be released?

The iPad 3 release date will be March or April 2012. We now know there will definitely be an iPad 3 launch event on 7 March and we'll probably also see the release of iOS 5.1 at the same time. The iPad 3 US release is probably set to early March while the European iPad 3 release might be in late March.

Will Apple iPad 3 adopt quad-core processor?

According to the rumors, it's probable that the iPad 3 will have a brand spanking new processor, Apple's A6 - which will surely be a quad-core ARM-based processor. Quad-core designs are coming from various ARM partners and the Tegra 3 has already been launched by Nvidia, as well as the Snapdragon S4 from Qualcomm.

What about the Apple iPad 3 display?

Or the question might be will a Retina display on the way on iPad 3? This is the one of the most anticipated features on our wish list. The exciting news is that it looks as though it is happening, with Apple reportedly testing suppliers' current shipments of 2048 x 1536 resolution 9.7-inch displays, which would make iPad 3 a full HD player to even play HD Blu-ray movies on iPad 3.

Will iPad 3 be named iPad 2S?

It is possible that the next iPad to be released soon might be named as iPad 2S, according to the report that an iPad case maker in China has started to sell a cover for a device it's calling 'iPad 2S'. And from the iPhone 4S, we might also see that possibility.

Will there be a LTE iPad 3?

According to the Wall Street Journal report on February 14^th that: "Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. will sell a version of the coming iPad that runs on their newest fourth-generation wireless networks, according to people familiar with the matter", there might be an LTE iPad 3 version.

Update: The latest news from AppleInsider suggests that the next Apple iPad might be named as iPad HD with a Retina display, sourcing from case makers. 

What about the OS of iPad 3?

The iPad 3 is most probably going to adopt iOS 5.0, but there is possibility that we'll see iOS 5.1 come out of beta in March for iPad 3.

What about iPad 3 battery?

A back housing image of iPad 3 leaked has suggested that the Apple iPad 3 will include more battery power, which is quite reasonable, for the large screen and upgraded hardware configurations.

Will iPad 3 support NFC?

NFC is also long anticipated in Apple devices, like iPhone 5 and iPad 3. Rumors go that iPhone 5 will use NFC to take over nearby Macs, enabling you to use your data and settings with a flick of the wrist. Many devices of other manufacturers have included NFC support. The iPad 3 is also most probably to add this.

Will iPad 3 include more storage?

With the full upgrade of HD movies and video playback, 300dpi PDF eBook, improved camera resolution, etc. the memory capacity is for sure to be extended at least double, in 32G to 128G.

Will a Thunderbolt port be included in iPad 3?

The first two generations of iPads are all USB-free which may suggest Apple might not add Thunderbolt port to iPad. But the new Thunderbolt port in the 2011 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air could be another story. From my personal point of view, there might not include a Thunderbolt port.

Would iPad 3 be thicker?

The iPad 3 might be bulking out, reportedly so it can house a higher-resolution display than the iPad 2, and the extra girth is all down to pixel density.

Will SD card slot be included?

This was widely predicted for the iPad 2 and, like the Retina Display, didn't materialise. One for version 3, perhaps? Using a separate adapter to read camera cards is rather inelegant and clunky.

Will a better camera be included in iPad 3?

Camera resolution of iPad and iPhone has also been a disadvantage for Apple. The rear-facing camera on the iPad 2 isn't brilliant, while an iPhone 4S-style camera and flash would make iPad 3 more perfectly. Several reports are suggesting the new device will have an 8MP camera.

Will iPad 3 use gesture controls?

Could the iPad 3 have Kinect-style gesture controls? We're not so sure, but rumours suggested so in late October 2011.

The iPad 3 could feature a carbon fibre case

Apple has hired a carbon fibre expert, senior composites engineer Kevin Kenney, fuelling speculation that the next iPad could be encased in the lightweight material.

What is the price of iPad 3?

Speculation suggests that the iPad 3 price will be $579, rather than the $499 users are currently paying for a Wi-Fi-only 16GB iPad 2. In fact, the prices of iPad 3 would be varied due to different variants, like 3G version and Wi-Fi+3G version. Check the price of iPad 3 for detailed information. 

Apple confirmed to release iPad 3 in the first week of March with “truly amazing” screen

Just yesterday, I have written a post on the upcoming iPad 3 and Apple’s March event, namely iPad 3 back housing picture leaked and rumored February iPad 3 event delayed to March, which suggests that the long anticipated next generation of iPad might be released in early March. If that is just my speculation towards iPad 3, now, this post would be the formal one on the iPad 3 release. According to AllThingsD, which had received unnamed source, Apple's so-called "iPad 3" will debut at a special event to be held the first week in March. That means the next-generation tablet will be shown off in the next three to four weeks.

The AllThingsD author John Paczkowski said the device will be largely the same as rumors have suggested, with a high-resolution Retina Display in the range of 2,048-by-1,536 pixels along with a "much faster" processor and improved graphics processing. It looks like that Apple is going to make iPad 3 a top-notch media player for users to enjoy better video experience by watching HD videos on iPad 3.

Last year, the iPad 2 was unveiled at a media event at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Wednesday, March 2. That has provided some credibility for the March iPad 3 release issue. The month of March kicks off on a Thursday in three weeks. The rumored date comes as a flurry of pictures claim to show components for Apple's third-generation iPad, including one that purports to be a high-resolution Retina Display manufactured by Sharp for the anticipated tablet's 9.7-inch touchscreen. Separately, a pair of reports claim to show both the outside and inside of the device's back panel, suggesting it will include space internally for a larger battery.

iPad 3 back housing picture leaked and rumored February iPad 3 event delayed to March

An iPad 3 back housing picture leaked online recently from RepairLabs blog which indicates they have industry insiders in China has confirmed some changes of iPad 3. The leaked back housing of iPad 3 is pictured here, juxtaposed with the current iPad 2 back housing. Based on their analysis, the next generation of iPad would somewhat meet people’s speculations massively. The following things they found changed for the iPad 3:

A. Among the details offered by the metal housing is a new, smaller shape for the internal logic board. This would mean that the current A5 processor-based logic board would be ditched, presumably for a new design based on an A6 processor.

B. More battery. The battery problem has bothered Apple for its iPad and iPhone and most large screen display devices manufacturers. It is speculated that iPad 3 would adopt extended battery power. This picture seems to support that. The width of where the logic board sits on the iPad 2 appears much larger than that of the iPad 3. The smaller size of the logic board opens up more room that Apple may use for an extended battery.

C. The camera is different. It is hard to make a judgment just by looking at the casing, but what we can expect is a different camera on the iPad 3 than what we had on the 2. As the rumors going on,

D. LCD will be different than what we have had before. Whether or not it will be the super screen we have seen reported will have to wait. But the different mounting does mean that the LCD has been redesigned at the very least.

Meanwhile, the rumored February iPad 3 event has been delayed to March according to a Japanese Apple blog report , when the currently iPad 2 was released last year and also the time rumored to release the iPad 3. This is very similar to the March iPad 3 release. This Apple blog named Mactokara said that the "special event" it heard about from an "Asian supplier and a source from the United States" would bring the official unveiling of the iPad 3 is actually taking place next month. Considering the release date of iPad 2, this seems to be much credible.

In fact, when the iPad 3 will be released is not the top important. The top concern towards iPad 3 is about the specs of iPad 3. What iPad 3 would bring to us matters greater, among which the screen display of iPad 3 has been a hot topic. The above leaked picture of iPad 3 back casing hints the possibility of the rumored quad-core A6 processor in iPad 3. What’s more, the rumored iPad 3 would feature with a Retina Display with up to 2048×1536 screen resolution, fourfold the resolution of the first two iPads. Together, the iPad 3 would produce even better video experience for users to watch HD videos on iPad 3. And from the leaked back casing picture and rumors, the iPad 3 would be thinner than the currently ipads, which makes it more convenient and lighter for carrying.

Anyway, these are just our speculations towards the next iPad. We will believe it when we see it. So, keep patient for the official release of iPad 3. I would like to share more news about iPad 3 with you, so, stay tuned for more.