Now that Apple has officially sent out event invites for the predicted media event on October 23rd, we can be rest assured that Tim Cook and his executive team are planning on introducing us to the miniature iPad that has been so heavily speculated on over the last few months. As the company gears up to present their new mid-range tablet to the world; it looks like they also have one eye on the next major iPad release coming in 2013. According to new reports that have surfaced today; Apple has already been in contact with parts and components suppliers regarding the next version of the 9.7-inch iPad.
If the reports are accurate then consumers should be able to expect a new iPad to be launched into the market during the mid of 2013, a release schedule that would see it pass 12 months since the launch of the current third-generation iPad model. Although the time isn’t right to discuss the potential design and features of any new tablet that will be shipped next year, it is being suggested that the suppliers have been told that the new iPad will see a number of LED chips being used for backlighting purposes reduced from the current 84 to a lower number.
Although the most valuable company in the world is planning on launching a smaller 7.85-inch variant of their industry leading tablet in the coming weeks, there aren’t any plans to make significant changes to the form of the main iPad model. The same reports are indicating that any new major iPad release will see the same 9.7-inch display, but will make significant changes internally to ensure that the design and manufacturing process can be as streamlined as possible. Intricate information regarding the possible changes isn’t yet known, but it is being said that Apple will use two-chip packages for the LED backlight units rather than the current one.
It’s definitely too early to be getting into any in-depth conversation regarding the overall form, function and included technologies of any product that will ship in mid-2013, but with Apple planning on announcing an iPad Mini and possibly some new Mac machines in the next few weeks, it’s comforting to know that their minds are already on the future and looking at how they can innovate and stay ahead of the game going forward.
(via DigiTimes)
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