Rumors about Apple breaking away from their traditional launch cycle have been floating about since before the iPad 2 surfaced, but the latest rumors suggest iPad 3 will launch this fall with iPhone 5 and Apple will discontinue iPad 2 soon after!
The rumors started up again over a possible Fall 2011 iPad 3launch earlier this year, when Apple seemingly bit the hand that feeds them by suing Samsung. Apple claimed that Samsung had infringed on certain Apple patents in their Galaxy smartphone and tablets regarding icon design (of all things!).
The legal battle ended up with Apple moving to a Taiwanese manufacture of processors meaning that once Apple discontinues the iPad 2, iPod 4 and iPhone 4 and launch the Apple A6 CPU they will be free of Samsung (at least for their CPU’s).
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This on it’s own might not be enough proof that iPad 3 is coming this Fall, but Foxconn’s recent announcement that it plans to invest in robots for it’s factories, to replace human workers, might be a hint that a major production run, possibly the iPad 3 is on the cards!
The latest piece of the puzzle comes from the Taiwan Economic News, which claims the iPad 2 is heading for a price slash to shift stock and make way for the iPad 3 launch this Fall. The newspaper claims a $100 discount will be offered on iPad 2’s just in the run up toward the September launch of iPad 3.
If the iPad 3 were to hit at the same time as the iPhone 5, iPod 5, iOS 5 and iCloud Apple will more than likely dominate the headlines and devices sales well in to next year, making it even harder for makers of Android devices to find a niche!
What do you think? Will Apple discontinue the iPad 2 to break ties with Samsung and launch a double whammy with the iPhone 5? Or is it all just stuff and nonsense?
Not a chance. I think yes on the Phone, but the iPad 3 will wait until spring. They have to have SOMETHING to release in the first two quarters of next year, or else we’d all get bored and venture into android world. Apple can only handle rolling out one big new device at a time anyway. Have you seen an apple store when a new device is released?? Example. Utah’s main Apple store can’t even get MacBook Airs with the i7 right now. The company would be slitting their own throats trying to roll out 3 new devices and scale a brand new highly technical cloud service to all of them at the same time. They’ll stick with what they have and add a new Phone this September. The rest will come within 6 months. I predict, Phone, Touch, NANO, and then iPad 3 by next April.
Very good points! and I have to say it does sound a little unlikely that an iPad 3 would come out so soon after the 2. However, there is supposed to be at least one surprise launch this Fall from Apple, but what could it be if not an iPad 3? Perhaps iOS is going to bring apps to the Apple TV, are Apple dropping the iPod touch and replacing it with a budget iPhone? or is the iPod touch 5 going to be the surprise (as it does seem to be sitting on the back burner in most people’s minds).