AppleInsider Staff
An image released on Saturday claims to show a slightly modified third-generation iPad with a Lightning connector port, possibly pointing to an imminent release of the rumored device as part of Apple's move to bring parity across its iDevice lineup.
It should be noted that the authenticity of the image cannot be confirmed and is thus provided for purposes of discussion only.
The photo, posted to Apple.pro, shows a full-size iPad back case with a small dock hole seemingly meant to support Apple's proprietary Lightning connector, which was introduced with the iPhone 5 in September.
The supposedly new shell is shown resting atop the current iPad with 30-pin dock connector, illustrating the difference in size between the two cutouts.
Sitting on top of the purportedly refreshed case is a Lightning flex cable, in this case black, which appears to line up perfectly with the slot. It is unclear if the component will be used in the revamped iPad.
Apple is expected to bring Lightning connectivity to all of its iDevice products as they are refreshed, offering compatibility with upcoming accessories. The proprietary standard is seen as a long-term investment for the company, and is expected to have a lifetime of ten years, mirroring that of the legacy 30-pin dock connector.
It is unknown if and when Apple will release the slightly modified iPad, but it may take the opportunity to do so at a special event on Tuesday, where the company is widely expected to unveil the 7.85-inch "iPad mini."
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
89 Comments
Man, that's just stupid.
I believe it, given the timing of the original rumor and the second one we heard, but…
Man, that's just stupid.
I believe it, given the timing of the original rumor and the second one we heard, but…
How so? Why not standardize the port as quickly as possible? Mid-cycle updates have occurred on other lines. Why not the iPad?
Man, that's just stupid.
I believe it, given the timing of the original rumor and the second one we heard, but…
I am a bit surprised by this ... Surely they will have a fair inventory of 30-pin iPads to unload? Will the price drop for those?
What's the rationale for rushing this "upgrade"? Is it because they want to stop stocking 30-pin cables asap?
.....
Upon further thinking, it's really damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. There are win-lose arguments regardless of upgrading now or later. So might as well bite the bullet now.
How so? Why not standardize the port as quickly as possible? Mid-cycle updates have occurred on other lines. Why not the iPad?
Because doing this won't do that! No one will be making any more Lighting crap any faster because of this. If they don't update the hardware, iPad 3 pre-Lightning purchasers will be upset because they had a 7 month cycle. iPad 3 Lightning purchasers will be extremely upset because they had a five month cycle. If they do update the hardware, just the pre-Lightning purchasers will be upset and we have a new yearly cycle, which I find very odd. Putting the iPad and the iPhone so close together, much less right before the holidays leaves a big gap in the year and a probable sales drop.
And what "mid-cycle" updates?
Well now. I see we have tried to pawn off the concept of a so called "iPad Mini" as having the lighting connector. Why NOT!!! Why would a company that is a stickler for details relaese an old dock connector on a new device that is now the standard. I can't wait to see this uniot released. I plan to be watching the updates when the keynote is being performed. Yet one never knows what is gonna be presented.