Apple will today confirm the next step for the iPad tablet computer range, and the rumour mill is currently in overdrive with theories about what to expect from the world's most valuable technology firm.
An invite for the launch event, at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco at 10am PST (6pm GMT), says that Apple has "something you really have to see - and touch".
It is expected that Apple chief executive Tim Cook will lead the presentation, which will be live streamed at a UK press event in London's Kings Cross.
Will it be the iPad 3, or the iPad HD, or something else entirely? We dissect the biggest rumours and speculation.
The overriding expectation about what will be announced at the event is the iPad 3, as this would fit with the past three years of activity around the tablet computer - spring 2010 saw the original iPad launch and go on sale, followed by the iPad 2 in spring 2011.
In terms of specs, the iPad 3 is widely rumoured to have a "super screen" LCD display and the image on the invite, featuring a crisp and glowing iPad screen, would appear to back this up.
Previous leaks of supposed iPad 3 casings appeared to suggest a slightly redesigned form factor to support a new back-lit display boasting a massive 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution, a big rise on iPad 3's 1024 x 768.
Other speculation has indicated that the device will have a hugely powerful A6 quad-core processor and come with Siri, the voice-activated assistant that debuted in Apple's iPhone 4S last year.
Following the surprise announcement of just the iPhone 4S by Apple instead of the iPhone 5 in late 2011, certain sources have suggested that the tablet will actually be called the iPad HD, or the 'iPad 2S'.
The iPad HD is expected to have the same rumoured specs as the iPad 3, including that whopping resulution screen, but this would represent a change in strategy for Apple with its iPad range.
Rather than releasing annual major new iterations of the product, Apple would instead now be making interim steps forward to mirror the approach with the iPhone and iPad lines. This may mean that the full-blown iPad 3 will actually launch in 2013.
Apple is likely to sign up a range of graphics-focused apps to accompany the launch of the iPad HD today to show off its screen and processing power, similar to the way it picked Epic Games' Infinity Blade 2 for the iPhone 4S launch.
Better camera, thicker iPad and longer-lasting battery
Whether it's the iPad 3 or iPad HD, there are some major improvements expected in the new tablet.
The iPad 2 was rightly criticised for the quality of its camera so Apple is expected to include an up to 8-megapixel snapper (with flash) in the new model.
Apple's tablet has always had an impressive battery life, but the expected higher screen resolution with backlight is expected to require the inclusion of a better and more efficient battery.
All this extra tech could result in the product being slightly thicker than the iPad 2, a fact which was recently backed up by a leaked video claimed to be of the new iPad casing.
Wi-Fi and 3G say hello to 4G
It was reported last month that the new iPad model will support 4G, the next generation mobile spectrum that can support superfast broadband and high-end web services.
A new 4G iPad would put Apple right at the top of the innovation curve, but the mobile service is currently used by just a small number of mobile users, and is not expected to even launch in the UK until 2013.
This has led some commentators to suggest that Apple views the 4G market as too small at present to warrant the inclusion of expensive new chips.
That's it for the today's Blog
Rest in Next
An invite for the launch event, at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco at 10am PST (6pm GMT), says that Apple has "something you really have to see - and touch".
It is expected that Apple chief executive Tim Cook will lead the presentation, which will be live streamed at a UK press event in London's Kings Cross.
Will it be the iPad 3, or the iPad HD, or something else entirely? We dissect the biggest rumours and speculation.
The overriding expectation about what will be announced at the event is the iPad 3, as this would fit with the past three years of activity around the tablet computer - spring 2010 saw the original iPad launch and go on sale, followed by the iPad 2 in spring 2011.
In terms of specs, the iPad 3 is widely rumoured to have a "super screen" LCD display and the image on the invite, featuring a crisp and glowing iPad screen, would appear to back this up.
Previous leaks of supposed iPad 3 casings appeared to suggest a slightly redesigned form factor to support a new back-lit display boasting a massive 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution, a big rise on iPad 3's 1024 x 768.
Other speculation has indicated that the device will have a hugely powerful A6 quad-core processor and come with Siri, the voice-activated assistant that debuted in Apple's iPhone 4S last year.
Following the surprise announcement of just the iPhone 4S by Apple instead of the iPhone 5 in late 2011, certain sources have suggested that the tablet will actually be called the iPad HD, or the 'iPad 2S'.
The iPad HD is expected to have the same rumoured specs as the iPad 3, including that whopping resulution screen, but this would represent a change in strategy for Apple with its iPad range.
Rather than releasing annual major new iterations of the product, Apple would instead now be making interim steps forward to mirror the approach with the iPhone and iPad lines. This may mean that the full-blown iPad 3 will actually launch in 2013.
Apple is likely to sign up a range of graphics-focused apps to accompany the launch of the iPad HD today to show off its screen and processing power, similar to the way it picked Epic Games' Infinity Blade 2 for the iPhone 4S launch.
Better camera, thicker iPad and longer-lasting battery
Whether it's the iPad 3 or iPad HD, there are some major improvements expected in the new tablet.
The iPad 2 was rightly criticised for the quality of its camera so Apple is expected to include an up to 8-megapixel snapper (with flash) in the new model.
Apple's tablet has always had an impressive battery life, but the expected higher screen resolution with backlight is expected to require the inclusion of a better and more efficient battery.
All this extra tech could result in the product being slightly thicker than the iPad 2, a fact which was recently backed up by a leaked video claimed to be of the new iPad casing.
Wi-Fi and 3G say hello to 4G
It was reported last month that the new iPad model will support 4G, the next generation mobile spectrum that can support superfast broadband and high-end web services.
A new 4G iPad would put Apple right at the top of the innovation curve, but the mobile service is currently used by just a small number of mobile users, and is not expected to even launch in the UK until 2013.
This has led some commentators to suggest that Apple views the 4G market as too small at present to warrant the inclusion of expensive new chips.
That's it for the today's Blog
Rest in Next
