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| Apple's iPad 2: The new device will reportedly look similar to the old version, but will offer a much higher-resolution screen, a new processor and will offer voice control |
- San Francisco 'special event' to launch iPad 3
- Same size and shape as current iPad 2
- Will offer high-definition screen and voice control
- New apps being tweaked to work with fast A6 processor
Apple is to launch a new version of its hit tablet computer in March at a special event in San Francisco, according to reports.
The company is said to be in the final stages of manufacturing the device.
The gadget will look similar to the current iPad 2, but will have a much higher-resolution screen and offer Siri voice control.
The date and location originally came from All Things D, a blog owned by Dow Jones, but were confirmed by sources speaking to the New York Times.
Apple is reported to be in 'accelerated lockdown' working on the device, and tweaking apps to work with its new A6 processor.
Ezra Gottheil, an analyst with Technology Business Research said that the March debut of the gadget was a 'sure bet'.
'It will have a higher-resolution screen,' said Gottheil, talking to Computer World.
'That's important to them because it means the iPad will work well with home cinema systems., since it will display full HD.
'Siri will be there for sure,' he said, referring to Apple's hit voice command software for the latest iPhone 4S handset.
Images which leaked this week also hint at a casing that looks similar to iPad 2.
Apple launched iPad 2 at an event in March.
Various Apple accessory companies were showing off iPad 3 cases behind closed doors at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, all of which hinted at a gadget broadly similar in shape to last year's.
Popular Apple-watching website iLounge claimed to have seen a prototype behind the scenes at the show.
Apple itself never exhibits at CES, but the various third-party companies that make cases and add-ons for iPad do - and it's from these that iLounge claims to have had its sneak preview.
The site's editor-in-chief, Jeremy Horwitz said, 'I’d show you a picture, but there’s honestly nothing to be seen. Think iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S: this device so resembles the iPad 2 that differences are only obvious when they’re placed next to each other.'
The new iPad’s body is so slightly thicker than the iPad 2 that the change is unnoticeable on first inspection; a roughly 1mm increase will barely be perceptible to users.'
'From the front, the next iPad and iPad 2 appear to look basically the same—apart, of course, from the screen. That’s going to be Apple’s big focus when the new device is announced.'
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