Slash Lane
The part, obtained by Mission Repair, is a metal back for Apple's iPad. It shows one dock connector in the regular spot on the bottom, as well as another on the side, which would allow the device to be docked in landscape mode.
The site came to the conclusion that the obtained part is "pretty indicative" that the next-generation device will have a second dock connector in landscape mode.
Currently, docking an iPhone or an iPad with an official dock connector from Apple requires the hardware to stand in portrait orientation. This angle is not ideal for some tasks, such as watching a widescreen movie.
If the pictured component is legitimate, it's unknown whether it is a part from an upcoming next-generation iPad, or if it is an unused concept from an early prototype before the iPad was introduced early this year.
Apple has also shown interest in allowing its devices, including the iPad and iPhone, to dock in multiple orientations. In addition to designs that showed dual 30-pin connectors on the iPad, Apple has also filed for patents that describe an entirely new docking mechanism.
In documents revealed this July, Apple showed interest in adding an inductive connection to the back of an iPad, allowing the hardware to charge and sync in any orientation.
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
Malcolm Owen
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20 Comments
Weird, That dock on the side doesn't look like it is in the center of that side. Maybe an optical illusion. Actually neither is the portrait one and the logo looks off center as well.
The site came to the conclusion that the obtained part is "pretty indicative" that the next-generation device will have a second dock connector in landscape mode.
Their assumption makes very little sense.
We are likely six months away from seeing new iPad hardware. That means the next-generation iPad is probably in the second stage of a five-step process (proto, EVT, DVT, PVT/ramp, steady state production). A lot can happen between EVT and steady state production (we saw a back-cover part as well as third-party cases for a camera-equipped 3rd-generation iPod touch which never made it to market).
The fact that we are viewing this image right now makes me believe that this was an engineering sample for a rejected design of the current model.
This is a Verizon exclusive iPad. Apple finally caved in.
Weird, That dock on the side doesn't look like it is in the center of that side. Maybe an optical illusion. Actually neither is the portrait one and the logo looks off center as well.
My first thoughts too. I call BS.
What about a spring loaded shield for the dock connectors so it gives that nice flush look when it's not docked? It'd also help to keep out lint and all the other random crap that seems to get in that port. I know it's probably not necessary but I think I'd like the look better as it would make remove the look of the hole and with a dual docking configuration I don't think you'd want both of them sitting out there like that - it'd just look very un-Apple like IMO.