News: iPad 3 may be imminent

According to technology site Cnet, an analyst has reported that the iPad 3 is already in production and may be released early next year.

The rumoured next iteration of the iPad is believed to have a 2048 x 1536 resolution, double that of the highly popular iPad 2. The analyst, Richard Shim from global market research and consulting firm DisplaySearch, also reported that the company was sourcing its display from three suppliers, namely Sharp, Samsung and LG.

This comes in the wake of reports earlier this year that Apple was battling to find one supplier who could meet its volume requirements. Cnet quoted Shim as elaborating that it would take a couple of weeks for the product to go to the manufacturers to be placed in the housing.

“We could start seeing finished devices produced in December, and then being ready to be shipped in January, with volumes gearing up in February and March," he said.

Shim further elaborated that Apple’s iPad 3's display would employ IPS (in-plane switching) technology as found in the Cupertino company’s other products, rather than the AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) display, which has been impressing us of late, in the likes of the Galaxy S II phone.

No less interesting is Shim’s assertion that Apple may produce a smaller iPad, sporting a 7.8” screen, in the second half of next year.

This seems doubtful though, as Steve Jobs was dead set against a 7” device, famously deriding it as being “useless” and “dead on arrival.” It would also indicate an about turn for the company. However, working in its favour is the release of Amazon’s new Kindle tablet, which is believed to be only second to the iPad in the desirability stakes this holiday season.

In recent news, Apple released its Q4 fiscal results, reporting a record fiscal quarter for the Cupertino-based company.

iPad 3 may be imminent

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