Apple iPad 3 to Launch in Summer 2012 on 4G LTE Networks
Apple could launch the iPad 3 by next summer, according to a story in the Japanese publication Nikkei Business.
Japanese blog Macotakara recently cited a story where the publication revealed that NTT Docomo, Japan’s predominant mobile operator, would have the new iPad available for customers by next summer.
“NTT DOCOMO releases iPad LTE in the summer of next year and releases iPhone for LTE by autumn,” said Nikkei Business.
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Both the next generation iPhone and iPad are expected to be compatible with 4G LTE networks.
The timing for the 4G LTE iPhone 5 launch also seems to be an accurate prediction, because the iPhone 4S debuted this autumn, and it would make sense to release the new one in a year’s time.
NTT Docomo’s President Kiyoyuki Tsujimura, along with the company’s Vice President Takashi Yamada, allegedly met with Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss the new devices in November.
The publication adds that both companies agreed to offer both the LTE iPad and iPhone on the carrier.
Apple avoided rushing into releasing devices with LTE chips, because the current crop of 4G LTE chips is not fully optimized for low power consumption on mobile devices.
“The first generation of LTE chipsets force a lot of design compromises with the handset, and some of those we are just not willing to make,” said Apple’s Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer referring to the rumored LTE iPhone in an April 2011 earnings call.
Both the iPad 3 and next generation iPhone are expected to include Apple’s new A6 chip that gives the devices quad-core processing speeds.
Other rumored specifications for the next-generation iPhone include a 4-inch display, along with an aluminum backing.
Rumored specifications for the iPad 3 include a retina display and a dual-LED bar system for illuminating the new screen on the tablet.
