WSJ reports that “people familiar with the matter” say Apple has started production on the new iPad. The device will include a camera and a faster processor. While the display resolution will remain the same, the device is supposed to ship with a faster graphics processor.
The new iPad will be thinner and lighter than the first model, these people said. It will have at least one camera on the front of the device for features like video-conferencing, but the resolution of the display will be similar to the first iPad, these people said. It will also have more memory and a more powerful graphics processor, they said.
Even without Steve Jobs in the driver’s seat, Apple seems to be continuing to move forward. This makes sense as the iPad is critical to Apple’s bottom line and the competition isn’t slowing up at all. The iPad should debut within the next couple of months in a similar price range as the current iPad.
Piper Jaffray & Co. estimates Apple will sell 27 million iPads in 2011, and some investors expect as many as 35 million units in sales. “It’s going to be a critical growth driver,” said Gene Munster, an analyst with Piper Jaffray.
On the flip side, with competition like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and HP’s upcoming WebOS tablet, research firm IHS iSuppli estimates the iPad’s market share will decline to less than 50% of the overall market by 2013.
It remains to be seen how successful the iPad will continue to be when it may not offer many of the features other tablets are packing.
via WSJ.com