Although rumors and tip-offs about new devices don’t necessarily tell us much, a sure-sign that we are about to see a new product – particularly in the case of Apple – is when supplies of said device’s would-be predecessor become somewhat scarce.
The same sequence of events occurred before the release of the iPad 2 back in March of last year, and also tends to happen prior to the launch of new and improved Macs. According to the usual "sources familiar" with the Cupertino company’s distribution quarters, it’s happening now in the case of the latest addition to its tablet roster.
There’s been much talk of the device, dubbed ‘iPad 3’ for obvious reasons, particularly concerning which features it will or won’t include. We’re expecting a Retina display to match a couple of new-and-improved cameras of similar specs to the iPhone to redeem the mediocrity in both fields of the second iteration. Despite the iPad 2 continuing the success of the initial iPad in terms of sales, those of us with an eye for tech have remained a little more skeptical. Having been teased with the sharp optics of the iPhone 4, Apple does owe consumers a little more pixel for the rather heavy price point.
The stock of the WiFi 3G iPad 2 models are currently constrained, and we needn’t simply take the word of sources as gospel. Many retailers are reporting iPad 2s as "out of stock", with UK smartphone retailer Carphone Warehouse and carrier Orange both seemingly bereft of most of the range. Carphone Warehouse is missing five from six of their 3G iPad 2 models – offering the 64GB black model only, whilst Orange reports shortages of half of its 3G iPad 2s, with both 32GB models and the white 64GB unit unavailable.
It’s important to note that the iPad 2 WiFi-only models don’t currently appear to be constrained, with the 3G version seemingly in short supply. It’s also worth pointing out that consumers aren’t really buying the 3G version – sticking to the Wi-Fi model in an age where hotspots are aplenty. It could signify that Apple plans to retail the Wi-Fi version as an understudy to the next iPad once launched, but of course, I’m simply casting assumptions.
I’m sure you’ll agree, we cannot wait to see the new and improved device to be revealed. That is, of course, if it is indeed revealed.
(via 9to5Mac)
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