Apple iPad 2 : Release Date, Hardware Specs, Leaked?

New unverified reports claim that the next generation Apple iPad aka iPad 2 is set to be released by end of January 2011 and will have a back panel similar to that of iPod Touch.

Quoting Macotakara of Japan;

[The] [...] next iPad will be 3mm smaller than the current one. The height of the new iPad will be 239mm and the width will be 186mm.

The LCD screen will remain the same in size and the back face shape of the case will be flat like an iPod touch.

Some leaked photos show that a hole in the lower right of the rear panel is neither a USB connector nor a SD card slot. It is a large, wide-ranged speaker unit covered with metal mesh.

Ambient Light Sensor (ALS) has been moved to the upper center of the rear panel and has new 3mm slim hole. [...]

It is unreliable information but new iPad may have two cameras. One in the front is for FaceTime and the other in the back is the same quality as iPhone 4. The rear camera will be able to take movies.

I believe the new rear design is meant to resolve criticisms that the first generation iPad's curved back is rather impractical. While iPod Touch 4G has tapered edges, which make the device look thinner than it actually is, its rear nonetheless sits flat on the table.



According to Macotakara's source, preparation for iPad 2 stock production has started and projected release date is sometime between the middle and end of January 2011 -- in other words, very soon.