Thursday, June 9, 2011

Apple : Updated: iPad 3 rumours: what you need to know

Apple : Updated: iPad 3 rumours: what you need to know

Updated: iPad 3 rumours: what you need to know

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 03:48 AM PDT

The iPad 2 is out, and the rumour factory's already moved on: it's predicting iPad 3 specifications including chips, cameras and retina displays - with a little bit of help from mysterious, unnamed people who can't possibly be identified.

How very convenient. So what's the word on the street about the next iPad?

Read on to find out. But first, our colleagues at T3.com have rounded up the latest rumours in the iPad 3 video below:

iPad 3 release date

This is the biggest rumour of all: an iPad 3 mere months after the iPad 2. An unnamed Apple employee says that the iPad 2 was a bit of a rush job, and "the third generation iPad is the one to make a song and dance about."

Respected Apple watcher John Gruber added fuel to that particular fire by strongly hinting that the iPad 3 release date will be in September 2011.

Gruber, who was musing about the HP TouchPad's potential summer release said: "Summer feels like a long time away.

"If my theory is right, they're not only going to be months behind the iPad 2, but if they slip until late summer, they might bump up against the release of the iPad 3."

If Gruber is right about this and the iPad 3 features in an Apple autumn line-up, then it looks like Apple is going to start offering a new iPad every six months.

The iPad 3 UK release date is a mystery

With Apple apparently unable to meet demand for iPad 2, we'd expect a staggered release date for the iPad 3 too: if the US gets the iPad 3 in September, we'd expect the UK iPad 3 release date to be in October, or possibly even November. However, Apple could always follow the pattern it has with the previous two iPad launches and do it in the new year.

The iPad 3 specs include a dual-core processor...

It's possible that the iPad 3 will have a brand spanking new processor, Apple's A6, but if the rumoured release date is correct then time is awfully tight: we'd certainly expect to see an A5, not an A6, in the iPhone 5 when it turns up this summer.

Apple may well surprise us, of course, but we'd expect to see the same processor and graphics as the iPad 2 in the iPad 3: an A5 processor with PowerVR SGX543MP2 graphics. This one comes down to the iPad 3 release date: if it's 2011, expect an A5. If it's 2012, see below.

...unless iPad 3 has a quad-core processor

If the A6 is the next stage in the line - and we don't see a new iPad until 2012 - we could also be looking at a quad-core chip from Apple. Quad-core designs will be coming from all ARM partners late this year.

iPad 3 display

A retina display was widely predicted for the iPad 2, but of course the current iPad doesn't have a double-resolution display: for now, that's something you'll only get in the iPhone 4. Could a Retina Display be one of the features Apple didn't quite get into the iPad 2? Could be! It's the very first thing on our iPad 3 wish list.

Rumours of an HD screen on the iPad 3 gathered pace on 12 April 2011 when Digitimes reported that Apple is asking panel makers to provide screens that are capable of displaying higher image quality than the iPad 2.

On 26 May 2011, we reported that the iPad 3 could launch with a Samsung-made AMOLED screen, following rumours that Apple has been in talks on the matter with Samsung execs.

The iPad 3 hardware could include an NFC chip

Apple's very interested in Near Field Communications, and one particularly tasty rumour at Cult of Mac suggests that the iPhone 5 will use NFC to take over nearby Macs, enabling you to use your data and settings with a flick of the wrist. Since the iPad 3 will follow the iPhone 5, if NFC's in one it'll probably be in the other too.

The iPad 3 specifications will include more storage

The iPad 2 has the familiar 16/32/64GB storage options, but as flash storage comes down in price a 128GB option for the iPad 3 isn't impossible - although that might depend on the current horrible situation in Asia, where the tsunami has caused chaos in parts of the electronics industry.

The iPad 3 features could include a Thunderbolt port

Two generations of USB-free iPads suggest that Apple just isn't interested in adding one, but the new Thunderbolt port found in the 2011 MacBook Pro could be another story: it's a combined accessory/display connector with astonishingly fast performance.

There could be more than one iPad 3

TUAW says the iOS 5 code features new code files for USB devices in the iOS 5 firmware, Through this, TUAW found references to an iPad3,1 and an iPad3,2.

The iPad 3 may live in the cloud

This has been talked about and leaked about for so long that, on the same principle that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, it's bound to come true eventually: a cloud-based MobileMe for storing your stuff on Apple's servers. A new iPad with iOS 5 and a new MobileMe would be lots of fun.

The iPad 3 specs might include an SD card slot

This was widely predicted for iPad 2 and, like the retina display, didn't materialise. One for version 3, perhaps? Using a separate adapter to read camera cards is rather inelegant and clunky.

The iPad 3 specification should include a better camera

The rear-facing camera on the iPad 2 isn't brilliant: an iPhone 4 camera and flash would do nicely.

The iPad 3 could feature a carbon fibre case

Apple has hired a carbon fibre expert, senior composites engineer Kevin Kenney, fuelling speculation that the next iPad could be encased in the lightweight material.

The iPad 3 price might be higher than the iPad 2

The iPad 2 didn't herald a price hike, but if the iPad 3's coming in September we don't think a massive iPad 2 price cut is very likely - which suggests that if the iPad 3 does appear then, it might be more of an iPad Pro - with a price to match.

Tutorial: How to fix iPod, iPhone and iPad problems

Posted: 09 Jun 2011 03:12 AM PDT

What can you do if iTunes can't see your device when you connect it!?

When you plug an iPhone, iPod or iPad into your Mac, the on-screen battery indicator will change to show it's charging or plugged in. Make sure you're not just seeing a normal battery; if you are, try a different USB lead, another USB port and be sure it's connected directly to your Mac and not an external hub.

Furthermore, a device won't show up if it's very low on charge - wait a few minutes until it's got a bit more juice in it and it should appear. If the connection is okay but iTunes is still not recognising it, run Software Update to make sure OS X and iTunes are both up to date. Try switching both your Mac and the device off and then on again.

Some software, including security and anti-virus apps, can cause problems, so try disabling or uninstalling these to see if that helps. Have you got any other iPod or iPhone-related software on your Mac? Uninstall and restart.

"I've lost the music on my Mac but I have it on my iPod"

iPod

To protect against music piracy, Apple doesn't enable you to copy music from your iPod to your Mac, but in a case like yours, you have a legitimate need to get music you own off your iPhone or iPod onto your Mac. Download Senuti.

There's a free trial available or the full version costs $19 (about £12). Install it, open the app and plug in your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Your music and playlists will appear in the window - select the songs you want and click Transfer.

"Syncing my iOS device without losing what's on it"

This isn't easy, because you need to transfer your iTunes library to the new machine in order for the iPhone or iPod to continue syncing as normal.

On the old Mac, run Software Update to be sure you're running the latest version of iTunes. Next, open iTunes, press Commad+, to open the Preferences and click Advanced. If it isn't already, the Keep iTunes Media folder organised box must be ticked. Doing this will move all your music into one place.

The area above it will show you where the iTunes folder's kept (usually in /Users/yourusername/Music). Locate it in Finder and copy it to your new Mac's desktop (via an external hard drive or USB stick). Now find the iTunes folder on the new Mac. The old must replace the new, but if you've already got media on the newer machine, move its iTunes folder elsewhere on the hard drive for now.

Then put the iTunes folder from your old Mac into /Users/yourusername/Music on the new one and fire up iTunes. All being well, your media library will appear safe and sound and you'll be able to sync away to your heart's content.

"Charging is not supported by this accessory…"

If you see this message there could be a number of reasons your device won't charge. The power from the accessory or USB port may be too low, the cable may not be supported or there could be dirt in your dock connector. Try using a different accessory, cable and USB port, and carefully clean the dock connector in your device.

How to improve iOS battery life

Battery

If your battery seems to be running out on your iOS device rather quickly, there are a couple of things you can do.

Disable any features on the device you're not using - 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Push, Location Services and so on - and dim the screen's brightness. Avoid constantly skipping through songs (a better idea is to create playlists on your Mac of tracks you know you want to listen to?).

It's also worth recalibrating your battery, which you can do by running it through a full charge cycle. Essentially, this means running it right down and then charging it fully. Repeat this process once a month.

For more information about how to care for your iPod, iPhone or iPad battery and keep it living longer, have a look at www.apple.com/batteries.

Quick tip

Newer iOS devices can generally be unplugged from your Mac whenever you please, but we'd recommend you don't do this mid-sync.

Older ones need to be properly ejected first to prevent damage to the contents, so click the eject symbol next to their name in iTunes or drag the icon to the Trash and wait for the OK to disconnect message on the iPod screen.
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