Apple is set to be releasing its newest tablet, during its March 7th media event. Rumors of the iPad 3′s release date, features, specs, and pricing continue to float around the internet as tech sites are buzzing in anticipation of the newest Apple tablet. While most of the rumors continue to remain unconfirmed, we took a look at the more popular reports to present you with a guide that manages the speculations about the upcoming iPad 3.

When will the iPad 3 be released?

According to the rumors, the iPad 3 will be released sometime in early March. Many people seem to believe that March 6th or March 7th is the likely release date. According to the folks over at CNBC, a quad-core iPad 3 with 4G LTE will be unveiled in New York next week.

How will the iPad 3 differ from the iPad 2?

Speculation is pointing towards the iPad 3 improving upon the following features:

Battery Power

The iPad 3, according to some, is said to have a longer-lasting battery than the one found in the iPad 2. According to a report from DigiTimes, the iPad 3′s battery capability may double the power of the iPad 2. Some sites are still claiming the iPad 3′s battery power may not be quite as long-lasting due to the need for more power from the higher screen resolution, more powerful processor, and enhanced functions.

Camera

The new iPad 3 is also expected to have a better camera than the current iPad 2. Some sites are speculating that the iPad 3 will come with an 8 megapixel camera and a front-facing HD camera also capable of capturing HD video. The tablets should also feature LED flash to support the new and improved camera function.

Name Change

Some sites are even spouting rumors of the name, claiming that it won’t be called the ‘iPad 3″ this time. Some sites are claiming that the updated tablet will be called the iPad 2S, mimicking Apple’s decision to call the new updated iPhone the iPhone 4S instead of the iPhone 5. Other sites are claiming that the new iPad will receive a new name all together, such as the iPad HD.

Screen Resolution

The iPad 3 is known to have a much better and higher screen resolution. A slew of reports are speculating that the display on the iPad 3 could be as high as 2048×1536 retina display, making it four times as clear as the current screen resolution of the iPad 2. With the anticipation of higher screen resolution, movies, television shows, pictures and face-to-face interaction would appear as sharp as HD videos according to the reports.

Siri

Unlike the iPad 2, the iPad 3 is said to come with Siri, the personal assistant introduced originally with the iPhone 4S. The new voice-enabled feature is currently only available on the iPhone 4S but may be more useful on a multi-media device like the iPad 3.

Size

Size is something that also seems to have two completely different opinions on. The iPad 3 is rumored to be thinner and lighter than the current iPad 2 according to some. Others are however reporting a larger, longer-lasting battery would make the iPad 3 a bit thicker, adding potentially 1mm of thickness.

Speed

The iPad 3 is also expected to be significantly faster than the iPad 2. Although the exact specs of a new processor have not yet been revealed, the iPad 3 is expected to have a faster processor than the current dual-core A5 in the iPad 2.

Will the iPad 3 be LTE-enabled?

A report on The Wall Street Journal claims that the next generation iPad will be available on Verizon and AT&T’s LTE networks. The 4G option would make browsing the internet and multi-tasking significantly smoother and faster than the current 3G speeds however the 4G connectivity would come at a higher price point. ABC News is speculating that the LTE version could run for about $120 more than a Wi-Fi only iPad 3.

How much will the iPad 3 cost?

There has been much speculation about the cost of the iPad 3 but the pricing revealed by Apple shows it costing the same price as the current models so as of right now, it seems to be following the same scheme. This does put doubts on the availability of a 4G LTE model but Apple is full of surprises so we’ll find out at the unveiling.

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