As 2011 approaches, there are several rumors floating about the next-generation iPad. Reports are indicating that the table will get a refresh ahead of its one-year anniversary in April, which would mean that production should start ramping up around now. Rumors out of the Asian supply chain are saying that suppliers have been picked for the 2G iPad and one of the financial analysts are claiming that the new model will have a “world-mode” chip that can run on both AT&T’s and Verizon’s networks. DigiTimes, the mixed source industry gossip newspaper out of Taiwan are saying that Apple has chosen circuit board suppliers for the next iPad. Production of any-layer high-density interconnect (HDI) circuit boards will begin at Ibiden, Tripod Technology, and TTM Technologies in December, according to Ingrid lee and Jessie Shen at DigiTimes, and four more suppliers will be added before shipments begin in February 2011.

On the other hand, Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair said that the next-gen iPad will have a GSM-CDMA Qualcomm chip, allowing the same device to run on both the AT&T and the Verizon networks without having to buy a MiFi mobile hotspot. Blair, in a letter to his clients, said that his sources are telling him that the new iPad will have a front-facing camera and a slimmer, unibody design. “The new iPad is thinner than the existing model and is essentially made from one piece of metal with no pins needed,” Blair wrote. “We understand it requires a new type of manufacturing process as a result, similar to the company’s unibody approach seen in MacBooks.”

Rumors with no real definite source of information should always be taken with a grain of salt though. However, the reports are generally consistent with what has been reported for some months now and make sense in terms of Apple’s developing relationship with Verizon. A story found recently in the Wall Street Journal indicates that Verizon’s 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network drew Apple’s interest and helped secure the deal allowing Verizon to carry the iPad.

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[Source: AppleInsider]

Authors: TechHead

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