Rumors

The iPad mini rumors are starting to pick up steam again. On Monday, analyst Brian White told investors he believed Apple would launch a "lower entry-level" iPad in 2012. White said the name "iPad mini" didn't reflect the size of the new iPad, just the price. White is most likely referring to comments made by Steve Jobs in 2010. Jobs said 7-inch tablets would be useless and dead on arrival when asked about a possible 7-inch iPad.

Apple may have changed their minds about 7-inch tablets after Amazon's new affordable Kindle sold so well. On Tuesday, UND reported LG Display and AU Optronic sent samples of a 7.85-inch display to Apple for approval. The rumored tablet is said to have the same resolution as the iPad 2.

Apple fans might not be ready to hear this news, but the recent HP TouchPad fire sale and the new Amazon Kindle have brought about a transformation in the tablet market. A lot of people view tablets as a luxury, not a necessity, and they're not willing to shell out $500 for an "oversized iPhone." The iPad may be great for business and working on the go, but the Kindle Fire is perfect for people looking to kill time at the airport or entertain their children. A tablet doesn't need all the bells and whistles for people to play Facebook games or color on Dora the Explorer.

All these reasons are why it would make sense for Apple to release a lower entry-level iPad in 2012. After talking with Taiwanese and Chinese component suppliers, Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White thinks that's exactly what Apple plans to do. White believes Apple will release the iPad mini in the first few months of 2012.

Many Apple fans were let down by the announcement of the iPhone 4S. Especially since it's been revealed the iPhone 4 can handle its ace in the hole Siri. At least we can realistically dream about the iPad 3 while we grow bored of the new iPhone. Because who knows how long it will take before the iPhone 5 rumors start again.

Susquehanna Financial analyst Jeff Fidacaro got the Apple rumor mill churning after he told AllThingsD there are 600,000 to one million iPad 3 builds showing up in the supply chain. Apple's fourth-quarter iPad builds are up to 12 to 14 million, from 11 million to 13 million.

October 4th is the day new Apple CEO Tim Cook will announce the next generation iPhone(s) and the Facebook iPad app! While I'm sure some people are looking forward to the new app, it's hardly as exciting as the iPhone 5. Especially since it was already leaked in July.

Engineer Jeff Verkoeyen said he left Facebook for Google because they have been sitting on the app since May. Apple and Facebook have had a strained relationship in the past, but things seem to be getting better between to two, since they both have a common goal to defeat Google. This is probably why Mark Zuckerberg has finally decided to release the app, and announce the revamped version of the Facebook iPhone app at the upcoming Apple media event.

J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz says Apple fans will have to wait to get their hands on the iPad 3 because their is no rush for Apple to release the new device.

“In our view, Apple should be in no rush," he wrote. "The other tablet entrants have stumbled so far, and that trend-line could persist deep into 2012.”

Apple has a tight grip on the tablet market share, but Amazon may challenge their lead by releasing a rumored $250 slate in November. It looks like Apple trusts the iPad 2 to hold off Amazon until they get around to releasing the iPad 3 in 2012. Meanwhile, they're concentrating on increasing their mobile phone market share by introducing a low-end iPhone on more carriers. Moskowitz said investors should expect a "big bang" come October when Apple taps into the Chinese mobile phone market and expands its carriers in the U.S..

The possibility of an iPad 3 launch later this fall is not a new concept. Reports as early as February claimed Apple would try to get a jump on the competition by launching an iPad 3 before Christmas. More evidence has appeared that seems to corroborate this claim.

If the screenshots of Target inventory computers found by TiPb are real, then the massive retail chain has already discontinued the iPad 2. Retail associates speaking to the blog claim that none of the current iPad models are slated to be ordered by the company going forward.

There have been all kind of signs pointing to Sprint joining the iPhone family in October. Including a leaked internal memo informing Sprint employees of a vacation blackout in anticipation of a "major phone launch" starting September 30th.

On Wednesday, 9to5Mac reported that a Sprint-compatible iPad will be "joining the family of GSM (AT&T) and Verizon capable Apple tablets before the holidays." 9to5 believes that the Sprint iPad will launch soon after the Sprint iPhone is released in October, but they can't confirm if it will run on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network.

"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.

The Apple rumor mill has spun so far out of control that I'm preparing myself for a complete fanboy meltdown soon. Especially if the latest rumors turn out to be true. Several sources (mostly unreliable) are reporting that the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 won't be available until 2012.

The most realistic sounding report, pertaining to A6 processors, comes from the Taiwan Economic News. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is purportedly testing the next-generation processor, and it won't be completed until early 2012. If the TEN is correct, and assuming the iPad 3 will run the A6, this means the iPad 3 won't be available until the middle of 2012.

Other less reliable rumors claim that Apple will release all their next-generation devices in March of 2012. Various sources have reported that Apple will announce a new affordable iPhone in September, and launch the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 in 2012. This is somewhat believable since many believe Apple plans to tap into the mid-range mobile phone market this year. Why not release a cheaper iPhone for the holidays, and draw out the wait for the iPhone 5?

If you believe the latest Apple rumors, then you believe that the next generation iPhone will be here this October, and the iPad 3 will be close behind. According to the newest iPad 3 rumor published by the Taiwan Economic News, the iPad 3 will be released around Thanksgiving or early next year.

The report cited industry executives who believe that Apple will discount and discontinue the iPad 2 to make room for a new iPad to be released in the upcoming months. Asustek Computer Inc. is gearing up to take on the cheaper iPad 2 and iPad 3 by launching their own tablet PC to coincide with the iPad's current price points. The Asustek tablet is rumored to be lighter, thinner, feature more battery life and have quicker response time when starting up. But we've heard this all before.