newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

We’re only a few days into 2012, and the iPad 3 rumors have been heating up already. And so have the denials.

Stories of an impending launch would tend to follow because the Consumer Electronics Show will be happening on Jan. 10-13 and MacWorld/iWorld is scheduled for January 26-28.

According to CNN, early details are saying that the new models will have a new, faster processor, a higher resolution screen, a bigger and better battery, and perhaps Siri. And DigiTimes from Taiwan reported that Apple sources said the company will begin using indium gallium zinc oxide flat panels from Sharp to upgrade the display resolution of the iPad 3 to full HD level.

The IGZO deal with Sharp was first reported in November. Apple Insider says the collaboration could give resolution of up to 330 dots-per-inch without the need of dual-bar LED backlights.

CNET reports that Apple commentator Jim Dalrymple is denying the rumors. "I checked with a number of my sources today and an iPad 3 is not planned for release at Macworld, or CES either," he said.

According to eweek.com, there were also rumors that the iPad 2 would become available at a lower price to compete with Amazon’s successful Kindle Fire. Latest rumors said the new tablet would launch February 24, the anniversary of Steve Jobs' birth, or in March, when the iPad 2 was released last year.

Analyst Richard Shim told CNET that the January reports are "a little suspect." He said, "When they make them available they want to have as many as possible. And my sense is that they will wait."