No 'super-high resolution' display for iPad 2: report

Recent reports have pointed to a quadrupling of the iPad 2 pixels, with a 2048 x 1536 resolution promising a "retina" display on its larger 9.7-inch screen. However, Daring Fireball has turned up the "heat" and thrown "cold water" on the idea, based on its sources.

John Gruber of Daring Fireball said on Tuesday that his sources say that not only will the iPad 2 not sport a 2048 x 1536 display, it will keep the exact same resolution, 1024 x 768. Gruber is well-sourced, and he said:

Its display may be improved in other ways — brighter, better power consumption, thinner, perhaps. Maybe it uses the new manufacturing technique Apple introduced with the iPhone 4 display, which brings the LCD closer to the surface of the touchscreen glass — making it look more like pixels on glass rather than pixels under glass. But my sources are pretty sure that it’s not 2048 × 1536 or any other “super high resolution”.

In referring to "super high resolution," Gruber is referring to Engadget's report, which did not list an actual resolution, but instead just said the iPad 2 would have a new "super high resolution" display.

These are the sort of rumors that run prior to a product refresh cycle. Whether or not the iPad 2 has a "super high resolution" display or 2048 x 1536 resolution remains "to be seen."

Newly surfaced iPad 2 case shows locations for possible SD card, mini DisplayPort

via AppleInsider

The only real leaks for the iPad 2's form factor have been in the way of iPad 2 cases, and the latest set have emerged. The new cases show what look to be an opening for a new SD Card slot and another that could be a Mini DisplayPort opening.

The case also has an opening for a rear-facing camera, which is reportedly pretty much a done deal, and the SD card slot has been rumored before. The Mini DisplayPort is new news, but when compared to other possibilities, such as a USB port, it's the only one that comes to mind.

It's also been rumored that Apple would add HDMI to the upcoming iPad 2. Since the Mini DisplayPort jacks that Apple includes on its MacBook and desktop Mac products also support HDMI, it would make sense that Apple would add that rather than a "plain old" HDMI port.

iPad 2, iPhone 5 to sport multi-core graphics, OpenCL

When the iPad 2 and iPhone 5 debut later this year, they will get a big boost in graphics and video processing power. It will be necessary, at least for the iPad 2, which will have double the resolution and 4x the number of pixels.

AppleInsider received the information from a pretty reliable source: the same one that tipped it to the "secret 2008 licensing deal" between Apple, Imagination Technologies and Samsung. That deal led to the SGX535, which has been used since the iPhone 3GS.

For the next generation of iDevices, Apple will move to a new SGX543 graphics and video core. That graphics core will give the devices about twice the processing power at the same clock speed. At the same time, the SGX543 will support OpenCL, which is used to offload general purpose computing tasks to a GPU. The new video processing strategy will include multiple cores, as well.

A source familiar with Apple's graphics strategy says the company will not only be upgrading its video core, but also going to multiple cores, a feature that is designed into the SGX543 design. The most likely configuration of Apple's next custom chip is reportedly the SGX543MP2, which pairs two SGX543 cores to work as one, offering around four times the capability of the previous A4 in graphics and video tasks.

The SGX543 core is designed to parallel as many as 16 cores together, in a way that is transparent to higher level software, meaning that apps don't have to be rewritten specifically to benefit from the new speed boost. Imagination supplies intelligent core management that automatically determines the number of cores available and accelerates the graphic tasks by distributing them across the available cores.

All this power could also lead to the iPad and iPhone finally supporting HDMI, the report added.

We've already heard that the multi-core strategy will extend to a new CPU, as well. Apple will reportedly be using A multiple core ARM Cortex-A9, which will be dubbed the Apple A5.

iPad 2 to have quadruple the pixels: report

The latest rumors about the iPad 2 said that it wouldn't have a retina display, but instead have what was called a super high-resolution display. Now, a new report states that display will put many laptops, not just tablets to shame, with a 2048 x 1536 resolution.

That would, in fact, be double the iPad's current 1024 x 768 resolution, but at 260 dpi would fall short of the iPhone 4's retina display. That device sports a 326 dpi screen. However, it could still be a retina display, however, as the definition that Apple marketing has used is based on a distance from the screen to a person's eye.

Apple's definition for the retina display (which many have called overblown marketing statements) is over 300 dpi at a distance of 10 - 12 inches. Since an iPad would typically be used at a greater distance than an iPhone, it could still be claimed to be a retina display (assuming, of course, you believe the marketing).

The "x2" increase for the iPad 2 makes sense for a number of reasons; not only did the iPhone 4 get its resolution doubled in both directions from 480 x 320 to 960 x 640, version 1.1 of Apple's iBooks application seems to have accidentally included some bitmaps that would perfectly fit the "x2" theory.

Apple's iPhone 4 is currently the industry leader in screen resolution. The iPad 2 may break far ahead of its rivals. For example, the Motorola Xoom, best-in-show winner at CES, will have a 10.1-inch screen, but only a 1280 x 800 resolution.

Wait, think: iPhone 5 rumors should give potential Verizon buyers pause

This all falls into the category of rumor, at least for now, but none of it is out of the realm of possibility, and pretty decent probability, in fact. Engadget dished on Friday on a set of changes upcoming for the iPhone 5 and the iPad 2, along with Apple TV, with a pretty decent set of details, to boot.

First: poor, poor Infineon. It was the scapegoat for the issues with the iPhone 3G, and now it's being tossed aside for a Qualcomm chipset. Honestly, the move to Qualcomm makes sense, as Apple needs to address both CDMA and GSM needs, and the Verizon iPhone uses one, and so will the iPad 2 and iPhone 5, according to the report.

In fact, if the iPhone 5 is as good as it sounds, anyone thinking of a Verizon iPhone should stop, look, and listen. Not only will it have a Qualcomm chipset, it will have a CDMA / GSM / UMTS baseband processor, meaning Apple can sell one device for all. That implies it could be a International roaming phone, meaning even those on Verizon would be able to use it globally. However, there will be no LTE in the iPhone 5, the report adds. It will also sport Apple's new A5 CPU (a Cortex A9-based, multi-core chip).

That is the set of changes from an interior perspective. But more to the point for buyers, it is reportedly a completely redesigned handset, with a "total rethink from a design standpoint." Once again, those considering the Verizon iPhone 4 should stop and think for a second. Those who buy in early February will be unable to take advantage of this new phone, unless they want to pay a hefty penalty.

Meanwhile, the iPad 2 will share in the Qualcomm glory, with its own dual GSM / CDMA chipset. The device won't be early, but rather will land around April, which is exactly where it should be for a one year refresh cycle. The iPad 2 will be thinner and sleeker, as already rumored, and although it will not have the same retina display of the iPhone 4, but it will have a new screen technology that is "super high resolution."

Screen size will be unchanged, but (to no surprise) it will have front- and rear-facing cameras. The big surprise is an SD clot. That's a great idea, because, frankly, as it was a pain and unnecessary expense to have to buy Apple's special adapter to plug in SD cards to import photos to the device. The A5 may make it into the iPad 2, but it is unconfirmed.

Finally, a new version of Apple TV is coming, one which will include the iPhone's A5 processor. It will be able to support 1080p video; the current version is limited to 720p.

It all sounds like another banner year for Apple. Of course, we're not saying you should buy the stock. You really should have purchased shares when the Great Recession dropped AAPL pricing below $100.

Verizon Affirming The iPad Local 3G Network

Francis Shammo, chief financial officer of Verizon Communications Inc., confirmed what we already assumed: Verizon will soon have an iPad that can connect to its network without use of additional hardware. Currently, Verizon sells the iPad, but 3G connectivity for those who want it comes via a MiFi hotspot, which can provide connectivity for up to five devices.

Simply stated, there will soon be a CDMA version of the iPad. Whether that comes in the form of an iPad 2, which was already reported to be coming in three versions (CDMA, GSM, and wi-fi only), or sooner than that, is unclear.

Since October, Verizon has been selling the iPad, along with its MiFi mobile hotspot device for $629.99 to $829.99. That pricing is the same as the 3G-connected version, which can connect directly to AT&T’s network.

It's been expected for some time that with a Verizon iPhone would also come a Verizon iPad. Unlike the iPhone, there won't be any shortcomings vs. the AT&T network with regards to simultaneous voice / data support, as the iPad is not a phone.

Apple usually runs its devices on an annual refresh cycle; since the iPad is due for a refresh in April, the odds are that Apple will wait until then to introduce CDMA support with an iPad 2. Of course, that's all speculation, at this point.

iPad 2 case appears at CES, complete with iPad 2 mockup

A number of iPad 2 cases have shown up on the Web, and all of them have been very consistent in the fact that they all have a camera hole in the back, a camera hole in the front, and a speaker hole. This Dexim keyboard is the same design, although it has an added feature: a Bluetooth keyboard that can adhere to one of the flaps.

Attach the keyboard, and it's sort of like a laptop. Remove the keyboard, and there's still something else in the case that different, a machined aluminum iPad 2 mockup inside. Aside from that, it's pretty similar to the cases that have leaked online, and that means it's pretty close to the rumored iPad 2. Of note is a home button that is positioned nearer the bottom edge, implying rumors of a slimmer bezel might be on target.

One more thing of note: all these similar iPad 2 cases must mean something, as all these manufacturers wouldn't be building cases along the same design unless they knew something. On the other hand, it's possible they're all wrong. Somehow that doesn't seem logical.

Engadget has a full gallery of shots.