"Thinner and Lighter" seems to be the new buzz words when it comes to next generation Apple devices. Which is kind of funny when you think about it. Manufacturers worked so hard to shrink down mobile devices only to have Apple enlarge the iPhone with the introduction of their first tablet. Now a report from the Taiwan Economic News claims that the iPad 3 will feature a thinner and lighter battery.

The new battery will have a longer service life and is supposed to go into production next year. Simplo Technology Co. and Dynapack International Technology Corp will be producing the battery packs at a slight increase in price. According to 9to5Mac the new packs will cost 20% and 30% more than what the iPad 2 offers.

We're giving away more great accessories! ZAGG keeps your iPad and other mobile devices charged on-the-go with the ZAGGsparq 2.0 portable USB charger. When fully charged, the ZAGGsparq can recharge an iPhone four times or bring a dead iPad up to a 60 percent charge. When it comes to backup power, the ZAGGsparq extends iPad video playback time by five or six hours over the iPad battery alone.

An optimized USB port provides support for devices such as the iPad and iPhone that support optimized charging. For other devices, a secondary USB port is configured for the standard USB specification. The ZAGGsparq 6,000 mAh lithium polymer battery with LED indicator lights comes in a compact form factor measuring 3.5 by 3.5 inches. Use it to keep your iPad, iPhone, iPod and other electronic devices powered up when away from an outlet.

ZAGG keeps your iPad and other mobile devices charged on-the-go with the ZAGGsparq 2.0 portable USB charger. When fully charged, the ZAGGsparq can recharge an iPhone four times or bring a dead iPad up to a 60 percent charge. When it comes to backup power, the ZAGGsparq extends iPad video playback time by five or six hours over the iPad battery alone.

The iPad has a powerful battery that requires more energy to charge than smaller devices such as the iPhone. Apple ships a 10W wall charger to insure that charging will be efficient.

The iPad can also be charged by high-power USB 2.0 ports. USB ports not meeting this specification will sync the iPad but cannot charge the device. One example of a USB port not capable of charging the iPad is the keyboard USB port on a Mac.

The iPad might charge slowly on non-high-power USB ports if the device is in sleep mode. Similarly, a 5W iPhone wall charger will slowly charge the iPad.

In somewhat oddly preemptive fashion, Apple has released a support document on its website detailing the process for battery replacement on the Apple iPad. The crux of this document is that, unlike with the iPhone, iPad owners who have batteries that have a diminished capacity, fail to hold a charge, or are otherwise defective will have their entire iPad replaced instead of Apple servicing the unit and replacing the battery itself.

The cost for this replacement service is $99 + $6.95 shipping, for a total cost of $105.95 per iPad. Service can be arranged through

In the event that your iPad battery no longer holds a charge, Apple will replace your iPad for a service fee. The total charge is $105.95 per unit and service takes about a week.

Apple is not actually replacing the battery on your iPad, they are replacing your iPad entirely. You must back up all of your data using iTunes or everything will be lost.

As with other Apple mobile devices the battery is sealed inside the iPad and is not user serviceable. Apple will not replace your iPad if the battery is damaged in an accident or due to unauthorized service or disassembly.