Nothing like a component leak to firm up rumors of an upcoming device, is there? Of course, that’s provided the leak is reliable. This particular leak comes from Apple.pro which has usually been reliable with Apple news, though not 100%. A component supposedly belonging to iPad 3 has been leaked by an unnamed source from Apple’s “internal inventory”. The part labeled “821-1259-06″ looks like a dock connector with a ribbon cable attached. The fact that it turns perpendicularly instead of running straight the way it is for iPad and iPad 2 is indicative of a design change in the next gen iPad.
The dock connector includes a white plug which could mean iPad 3 will arrive in black and white colors. The iPad 2 had a black connector plug for both the black and white variants.
The leaked snapshot also includes a “Happy Birthday to Liv” message. We hope neither Liv nor anyone else gets the sack for this leak if it is indeed genuine.
Meanwhile, we’re back to wondering whether an iPad 3 release so close to the iPad 2′s launch is a feasible bet? There are also rumors of the upcoming release of an iPad 2 Plus or iPad 2 HD, whatever you want to call it. It’s purportedly the same iPad 2 with bumped up resolution. Now, that is still believable (comparatively) especially after hearing about a new Motorola Xoom that’s going to come out this year with a slimmer body, doubled up resolution with 4:3 aspect ratio and quad-core processor. Obviously, we’re not the only one with our noses to the ground. Companies keep tabs on each other’s plans. Could Apple be heightening the competition in view of Moto’s new release?
This component leak points to an iPad 3 at least. But when will it release? Your guess is as good as ours.
[via 9to5mac]
