This is part two of a six-part op-ed series in which I make my predictions for Apple’s product line-up for 2012. Today we’ll look at the company’s tablet, which I think will evolve into a family of products.
The iPad 3 will arrive sometime between late February and early March. The design will be the same, though just slightly thicker to accommodate more storage and a high-res screen. The iPad 3 will come in a model with 128GB of solid state storage; the iPad 2 tops out at 64GB.
When it comes to displays, the next gen iPad will boast an HD display with a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536. Other spiffy features will include wireless charging technology, Siri support, 1GB of RAM and an A6 processor. Oh yes, and better cameras — though not as good as the iPhone’s.
Per my crystal ball, the iPad 3 will come in the following price points (for Wi-Fi only versions, add another $100-$125 for Wi-Fi plus 3G models): 16GB, $399; 32GB, $499; 64GB, $599; and 128GB, $699.
The iPad 2 will remain in the line-up with lower pricing. However, after all the current inventory is gone is will only be available in one model: $299 for a 16GB model (again, add more for the 3G version).
Despite what the late Steve Jobs said about the iPad’s nine-inch screen being the optimum size for what Apple wanted to accomplish with the device, Apple will roll out a 7.85-inch model to combat the Amazon Kindle Fire. It will be an 8GB model offered at $199 (and, of course, more for the 3G version.)
Tomorrow: the iPod.
— Dennis Sellers