Rumors are on the rampage about the Apple iPad 2 in production, yet Apple is sitting Cool Hand Luke style, both hands in their pockets, not saying a damn thing. The word on the Tech boards is the second generation model should be shipping out within the next couple months (March-April). From AppleInsider, we already gather it’s going to be faster, lighter, thinner, packing more RAM, a FaceTime-Ready camera, upgraded graphics,and possibly the exclusion of its “home” button (unconfirmed). The only question is, just how bad do you need an upgrade, knowing the third generation could be out in just the next eight months (September-ish, in time to take on the HP TouchPad).
The dude behind the rumor crank is John Gruber, who has slyly predicted the iPad 2 could very well bump up against the iPad 3 if it’s release is dragged out any longer. This gives us two possible scenarios. One, the second generation will be sliding out within the next couple weeks, giving it a few months in the limelight before the third generation hits the stores. Two, the iPad 3 may actually be a 7-inch iPad mini tablet in wolves clothing, ready to devour its punier screened competitors come next holiday season. In this last scenario (and probably most likely), the third generation will not be replacing the second, but rather stepping in as its slightly sexier, younger sister.
A sister that is not only easier (to use), but also better in bed (I’m talking about reading in bed with the bigger screen), and will work seamlessly in conjunction with the desktop operating system, offering a virtual tech-gasm to the Apple aficionado. Either way, it’s a win-win for the consumer who is happy with their current digs, and prepared to wait it out until the finale is announced (hopefully by the end of summer).