iPad 3 Rumor Roundup – Next Generation Displays Shipping from Sharp
Rumors surrounding the iPad 3, particularly those focusing on the possibility of a retina display, were given a further boost this week, with the Wall Street Journal having reported that Sharp are to supply the required high-resolutions displays for the upcoming tablet.
According to sources from the newspaper, one of Sharp’s pants is already manufacturing the next-generation touchscreens, following heavy investment from Apple to ensure they are able to keep up with the expected titanic levels of demand for the iPad 3.
Of course, Sharp had always been perhaps the most likely contender for the role, as they currently supply the retina displays for the iPhone 4S.
The general consensus at this stage is that Apple will be looking to quadruple the current resolution of the iPad 2, so as to reach a peak resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. Needless to say, this would immediately put the iPad 3 leaps and bounds ahead of all competitors, the majority of which are unable to offer in excess of 1280 x 800 pixels.
However, the iPad 3 would still essentially lag behind the iPhone 4S, by offering a pixel density of 264ppi, as opposed to the 326ppi of the 4S.
With regard to the all-important release date, the most optimistic analysts expect to see the new iPad at least make its first appearance as early as January 2012, though in realistic terms the public launch may not come about until closer to the fall.
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