Next Generation iPad Screen Size Half Of Current Model?

Yesterday we had published a few pictures of the casings purportedly made for the next generation iPad. While those pictures do not reveal a form factor vastly different from the iPad currently in the market, we are now hearing that Apple is in fact working on an alternative version of iPad that could come with a screen size that is nearly half of the existing model’s.

The report comes from Reuters and the source does not clarify if this is in fact iPad 2 or is another variant that could be released somewhere down the line.

“A separate supply chain source said Apple was preparing a significantly smaller iPad that is almost half the size of the current model. The current iPad has a 9.7-inch screen.”

Now this does not totally align with what Steve Jobs had said earlier this year. In October, the Apple CEO rubbished reports of a 7″ iPad saying that the screen size was too small. But then, you never know. Steve Jobs has pulled this trick many times in the past – most recently with multitasking which was earlier dissed off as something mobile phones didn’t need. So expect a smaller iPad to launch when The Jobs feels the time is right.

Full Desktop Version Of Google Docs For iPad Now Available

Google has announced that their cloud-based productivity suite, Google Docs now work in full desktop mode on the iPad. What this means is that iPad users may now use Google Docs for all sorts of document editing, including font and alignment changes on their iPad.

Of course, the earlier mobile version of Google Docs too is readily accessible as well and can be used if you want to do some basic editing work. However, if you are someone who does a lot of spreadsheet and document processing, the full desktop version is a better choice.

Is this the real deal, then? Google cautions you saying working over a desktop still brings out the best in the software. But this is still good for contingencies. You can check out the updated version of Google Docs for iPad by hitting docs.google.com on your iPad browser

New iPad 2 Features – To Include Rear Camera & SD Card Slot?

The next generation iPad 2 is rumored to launch anytime between January and April of next year. While there is little doubt about a front facing camera making an appearance (so you could FaceTime), we still reserve our judgement about the availability of a rear facing camera.

But word is now out that iPad 2 will feature not just a rear facing camera, but an additional slot for SD cards as well. These rumors are courtesy a number of iPad 2 casing pictures that have been sourced from Chinese eCommerce websites like Alibaba.

It is not unusual for accessory manufacturers in China to source designs of future electronic products to design and market their accessories. Also considering the number of sources that these pictures have come from, the rumors sound all the more credible.

Anyway, with the latest rumors pointing to a February release, it is just a matter of weeks before we get to see an official revelation of specs.

iOS 4.2 Bugs – iPad Wi-Fi Slow After iOS 4.2 Update

Bugs on Apple’s latest iOS seem to be cropping up one after another. We have earlier written about a number of issues users have been facing since they upgraded to the latest iOS 4.2. For instance, some found their music libraries go missing, others complained about their iDevice not being able to connect to their car stereo or to the 3G network.

Now adding up to Apple’s woes is a new issue with the iPad Wi-Fi network. A number of users have been complaining that their tablet is noticing an extremely slow Wi-Fi connection since updating to the latest iOS. A thread on the Apple support forums, spanning close to 700 posts has a lot of users posting about the issues they have been facing.

“My wifi is incredibly slow after I upgraded two of the three iPads in my home to iOS 4.2. The other iPad that has not been upgraded works fine. In a side by side test loading the same web page, the iOS 4.2 iPad takes 5x as long. Any ideas on why this would happen?”

“After iOS 4.2 installation the wifi connection is very slow. Unusable. Other mac and pc work fine on the same wifi lan. There are other posts on this subject, I believe this is a true bug.”

The issue is not with all iPads and the problem appears to be rather selective. In any case, if you have been affected, you may try out these solutions. Seems to have worked for some.

“I had the same problem with Ipad appearing to have a connection but IP is 169.xxx.xxx.xxx, Here is what I did that so far worked,been connected for 3 days straight now.

Or,

“I changed the passwords for my Main network and my Guest Network. After doing that, the utility instructed me to disconnect my modem’s power cord for a couple seconds and reconnect. I should say that I had already performed the disconnect of my modem’s power supply before. That accomplished nothing. The difference here was that I had changed the passwords of my two networks first.

If you read my last post, you know that I quoted terrible video performance for two specific apps…AppAdvice and MLB at Bat 2010. So, after doing the above I tried playing videos on both apps. FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE. OMG!”

Did these tips work? Tell us in the comments.

Next Generation iPad Display May Not Feature AMOLED

There is no rumor to quash here. We knew all along that the iPad 2 display may not be too different from what we see in the current version. More optimistically, we had people speculating a retina display on the new iPad.

However, if you were one of those hoping for an AMOLED display on the new iPad, there is confirmation that Apple shall not be having them on the next generation tablet. Why? Because the company is learned to have placed orders for back light units that will be used with LCD panels on the iPad 2. AMOLED displays typically work without back lights and the latest news would put to rest all speculations that the displays could be AMOLED.

If you are a fan of AMOLED, or rather Super AMOLED displays, then hold back for the next generation Galaxy Tab from Samsung. It should be coming with a 1200×600 pixel Super AMOLED display.

New iPad 2 Launch By February 2011, Claims New Report

Apple’s next generation iPad was initially thought to launch in January next year. That speculation was soon quashed by yet another report that claimed that the launch will happen on an annual cycle ending in April 2011. Now, here is yet another report that claims February 2011 as the month when customers, at least those in the US, will see the new iPad launching.

According to a note gathered from Apple suppliers by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes, the new iPad shall launch within the next 100 days – which is by the end of February 2011. The initial shipment is reported to be for 400,000 to 600,000 units though Apple is expected to place an additional order for 1.6-1.8 million by the end of January to cater to demands.

If these reports are true, then the first quarter of 2011 could be quite eventful for Apple. The company is expected to come up with a CDMA iPhone in early 2011, followed by a white iPhone launch by April or May next year. With iPad 2 launching between these, at least we won’t be needing to go through a slow news week for the next few months!

No More Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit Support For Alternate USB Devices

Apple introduced a dongle named the Camera connection kit along with the iPad back in April this year. This is a nifty accessory that lets users to connect their digital camera to the iPad in order to quickly import or browse images from a digital camera on the iPad.

As users who purchased the dongle have noted since then, the camera connection kit was also capable to connecting to other USB devices like the keyboards, microphones, etc. No longer. Users who have updated their iPad to the latest iOS 4.2 platform are reporting that the dongle is no longer capable of connecting the iPads to devices that consume more than 20mAh.

This limitation does not restrict the accessory’s original function that is to help users connect the iPad to a digital camera. But for those who were thinking of alternate use-cases, the dongle no longer seems to be a useful device.

Buying iPad In UK Becomes More Subsidized & Affordable

Apple iPad in the UK has gotten a lot more affordable. Orange, Three UK and T-Mobile each have announced a slew of new pricing options as well as contract plans that brings the iPad closer to affordability.

This pricing war was set in motion last month by Orange who announced that their iPad 3G-enabled models will now available at a price between £199 and £349. These customers also get some affordable data plans. Close on the heels of this announcement, T-Mobile has announced a plan similar to Orange, except that there is no Wi-Fi hotspot access that is available with the latter.

It is worth noting that both T-Mobile UK and Orange are now part of the same group. Three UK customers have been offered a new data plan that will give them 15GB of data at just £25 per month. Of course, all these plans are available only with new two year contracts.

New iPad Commercial Showcases AirPlay, AirPrint & Multitasking Features

Apple has started airing a new iPad commercial to audiences in the United States that showcases all the recent additions that the company has introduced to the iPad – including AirPrint, AirPlay and multitasking.

The iPad commercial begins with a demonstration of the iPad’s ability to “create” documents instead of being merely able to consume media. It further notes the other major introductions with iOS 4.2 including the ability to wireless print documents, stream media to television, multitask and be used as an education and productivity device.

You can check out the video embedded below.

Well, I have objections to the rosy picture painted by the commercial – to be fair, the iPad does not work well as a media creation tool, the Airplay and AirPrint features are pretty limited at the moment and it is really not a device you should buy if you are thinking of working on a lot of documents. But then, it’s after all an ad. So I shouldn’t be complaining.

Front and Rear Camera On Next Generation iPad Confirmed?

We have been seeing a steady inflow of  rumors relating to the next generation iPad over the past one week. Check here for a slideshow of iPad 2 rumors.

We had already learned from a few sources that the next generation iPad could come with five new features that include retina display and USB support. Now a fresh report claims that the new iPad – rumored to launch in January 2011 – could come with cameras on the front and rear sides of the device. According to the sources, Apple has been working with Largan Precision; a Taiwan based manufacturer, in the production of cameras for their upcoming tablet device. Incidentally, Largan is also the manufacturer of the 5-Megapixel camera sensors for iPhone 4.

We are hearing that Cupertino could bring a VGA front side camera for FaceTime video calling as well as a 5-Megapixel rear camera on the iPad to effectively take on competition from the likes of the Galaxy Tab and possibly Playbook.

Apple continues to lead the market in the tablet space. However, the incorporation of these features will ensure that they will hold on to the lead for some more time. What do you think?