AppleInsider Staff
Images of a case purported to be that of Apple's next-generation full-size iPad appear to show a slightly thinner tablet with smaller side bezels, much like the current iPad mini.
It should be noted that case makers are notoriously unreliable in "leaking" designs of future Apple products, as they obtain information from suspect supply chain sources that many times offer up incorrect data in exchange for a paycheck. A 2011 exposé on the operations of popular manufacturer Hard Candy revealed that the company spent tens of thousands of dollars to get a leg up on competition, and bought moldings it believed to be a next-generation iPhone. The leaks ended up being false, leaving the company with $50,000 worth of useless cases worth only their scrap metal value.
An aftermarket accessory maker used specifications from what it calls a "reliable source" to build the latest, pictured iPad case, which features a slim-bodied design with thin bezels on the left and right of the iPad's display, allowing for a more narrow device width when compared to the current iteration, said MacRumors.
Little else is revealed in the one photo that shows the alleged purpose-built case alongside those made for the iPad mini and current-generation iPad. A hole near the top of the case is said to be meant for the rear-facing microphone, while the bottom port holes show a dual-speaker arrangement like the stereo offering of the iPad mini. A second photo (below), shows the side profile of the three cases in alternatively-colored material.
Recent rumors suggest that Apple may move to a twice-a-year model refresh cycle, which could see an upcoming fifth-generation iPad release sometime in March.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
56 Comments
Dear Brazil,
You're not getting this in 2013.
Love,
The company you sued over planned obsolescence.
[quote name="Suddenly Newton" url="/t/156132/rumor-purported-ipad-5-case-shows-slimmer-design-akin-to-ipad-mini#post_2282835"]Dear Brazil, You're not getting this in 2013. Love, The company you sued over planned obsolescence. [/quote] Ha, good one. Everybody else, I have one word for you. Are you listening? IGZO
It's shaping up to look like a Summer release.
I just don't see why Apple would go with narrow side bezels for the 10" iPad. It makes no sense. In the mini (which I admit i was wrong about the bezels in it) makes sense because you can grip the device with one hand (awkwardly but you can). With the 10" iPad, it makes no sense, in fact, it would make holding it more difficult, granted they have improved the accidental touch issues with the Mini but it assumes we all hold the iPad in landscape mode (quite the contrary in my case). It might make typing with two thumbs better in portrait, but I never do this to begin with. LIke I said, i have been wrong about it before, so we'll just see when it's released.
It's shaping up to look like a Summer release.
yeah, usually these kinds of leaks hint at an imminent release is forthcoming. Typically we see parts leaks about a month or two before the unveiling. All I want is lighter weight. I wouldn't even care if they continued the trend of keeping around a non-retina model to save space. I'm fine with my iPad 2, just want it lighter. It's fine being as thick as it currently is. That's not the issue, it's the weight that's always bugged me.
Edit: ok, the weight and the sharper "teardrop" edges kind of bug me too. It's fine if you're holding it for 10 minutes, but any longer and it becomes a bit uncomfortable.