Leaked display may be definitive proof of iPad 3 double resolution, 4 times the pixel!

MacRumors claims that they have scored an iPad 3 display. According to their analysis, the new iPad - which should be well into production at this point - will have two times the current generation's resolution: 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. Four times the pixels! That's pretty insane. The current 9.7-inch iPads have 1024 x 768 pixels. That's a density of 132 pixels per inch. If this part turns out to be the real McCoy, the iPad 3 will have two times this resolution: 263.84ppi. It's not the 326ppi of the iPhone 4, but it's really high. If true, the new iPad 3 will have a razor-sharp display. So sharp that you will not to see the pixels from a normal reading distance (which would allow Apple to call it Retina Display, according to their definition). If the iPad 3 really ends with this new display, a similar panel may also make its way to a next generation MacBook Air 11-inches. This new generation of high density screens - along with the new OS X's HiDPI mode already present in the latest Lion update - may also signal a similar resolution jump in the incoming MacBook Pro 2012.

Redesigned iPad 3 with 8-megapixel camera pictured for the first time

Purported images of Apple's next-generation iPad have been published by Chinese language Apple Daily ahead of the new tablet's official announcement. The slate had leaked only in bits and pieces until now, however alleged photos of an assembled iPad 3 show a device that is very much in line with earlier reports. The case is very similar to the one found on the iPad 2, though it has apparently been redesigned with a more gradual taper leading from the back to the edges. Apple Daily also states that the iPad 3 features a 9.7-inch Retina Display, which was confirmed last week, and an 8-megapixel camera as had been rumored previously. Apple is reportedly planning to unveil the iPad 3 at a press conference in early March, and the tablet is also expected to feature a quad-core Apple A6 processor and embedded 4G LTE connectivity.

iPad 3 confirmed to have a 2,048 x 1,536-pixel Retina Display

Following various leaks and rumors, it has been widely speculated that Apple's next generation iPad will feature a new high-resolution display. Now, using a purported iPad 3 display that was examine under a microscope, MacRumors has confirmed everyone's suspicions: the iPad 3 will have an ultra-high resolution Retina Display. The iPad 3 display is the same 9.7-inch size as the panel used on its predecessor and looks similar to the naked eye. When compared under a microscope, however, the iPad 3 display's pixels appeared to be one-quarter the size of those on the iPad 2. The next-generation iPad is rumored to be equipped with a new quad-core A6 processor, 4G LTE, better cameras and a larger battery, and Apple is expected to announce the slate on March 7th.

Chinese firm may sue Apple for $2 billion in U.S. over iPad name

On Friday, the Chinese company that claims to hold the trademark on the “iPad” name, threatened to sue Apple in the U.S. for $2 billion dollars, reports the AFP. Proview Technology claims it owns the Chinese rights to the iPad name and the company's lawyers are looking to prevent Apple from importing or exporting the popular tablet in China. “Right now we are selecting from three American law firms to sue Apple in the United States for $2 billion in compensation,” said the chairman of Hejun Vanguard Group, a company working with creditors to restructure Proview. Proview's chief executive Yang Rongshan has repeatedly denied allegations that the company is extorting Apple in order to pay off its debt.”We own in China,” Rongshan said. “If you were in my position… you would try to protect your rights.” Apple has said that it previously licensed the iPad trademark and Proview is failing to honor its earlier agreement.

School to use Windows 7 tablets instead of iPad

While we know that the iPad seems to be the tablet of choice when it comes to using it for education (universities and schools use it), it looks like it won't be for the schools in Charlottesville. According to reports online, CCS (Charlottesville City Schools) will be deploying Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 tablets to students from grade six to twelve as a learning tool. Their reason for choosing it over the iPad? Its durability and security. Apparently the integrity of the iPad's glass was an issue, and since the Fujitsu tablet can withstand shocks from drops and can also operate in demanding environments, they make suitable candidates for going into the backpacks of kids. More durable tablets mean less maintenance costs, which can help schools save money. Also, because the tablet runs on Windows, enterprise tools make it easier for IT managers to remotely manage the tablets. Back when I was a kid, I would've been over the moon if I was given a computer to do my work on, let alone a tablet. But then again, times are different, and I can already picture kids complaining about being given a Windows tablet instead of the iPad. What do you think about tablets in high schools? Necessary? Or should they only be used when they are older i.e. in college/university?

Apple's iPad loses market share in Q4 to… the BlackBerry PlayBook?

It looks like one of our favorite tablets finally managed to put a dent in Apple's market share. Apple posted the second most profitable quarter in U.S. history late last year, and it managed to move a record-setting 15.4 million iPads between October and December. While the rest of the world was buying up iPads at an incredible rate, however, a number of consumers in Canada were turning their attention to the home-grown BlackBerry PlayBook tablet instead, Globe and Mail reports. Market research firm Solutions Research Group conducted a survey of 1,000 Canadian consumers and determined that the PlayBook's market share grew to 15% in the fourth quarter last year, up from just 5%. During the same period, Apple's share of the Canadian tablet market fell from 86% to 68%. The deep discounts on RIM's PlayBook tablet ahead of the holidays are credited for the market share boost, but the findings further illustrate market demand for a quality tablet that is affordable. RIM will have competition if it hopes to aim for lower price points in the future, however - Amazon's Kindle Fire is a big hit at $199 and Apple is expected to shave at least $100 from the price of its iPad 2 when the next-generation iPad 3 launches next month.

iPad trademark battle heats up as more Apple tablets seized

Chinese authorities have seized iPad tablets in at least two more cities as the battle over the “iPad” name rages in the East. Officials seized a small number of iPads earlier this week related to a complaint filed by Proview Technology, the China-based owner of the iPad trademark. Proview is seeking to block sales of Apple's iPad and to stop the wildly popular tablet from being exported from China. Now, an unknown quantity of iPads has been seized by authorities in Zhengzhou and Qingdao, China according to Reuters, which citing a website belonging to the China Business News newspaper. Proview says it has asked regulators in more than 40 cities across China to investigate Apple's alleged trademark violation, while Apple argued earlier that it had reached an agreement to license the iPad name. ”Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China," an Apple spokeswoman said this past Tuesday. “Our case is still pending in mainland China."

WSJ: Apple testing 8-inch iPad

The invites haven't even been sent out and yet the frenzied speculation about what Tim Cook will whip out on stage at next month's purported announcement has begun. The Wall Street Journal believes Cupertino's planning to produce a smaller, 8-inch slate to partner its 9.7-inch flagship. Unnamed sources at the company's suppliers say it'll pack a screen with a resolution close to the 1024 x 768 display on the current model. This jibes with what we've heard about the iPad 3 toting a Retina Display — unless the smaller unit is aimed at budget buyers. The report claims test panels are being produced by AU Optronics and LG Display and that this model might also run on LTE. It's probably fair to point out that Apple is famous for producing prototypes in a wide variety of sizes that will never see the light of day, so don't get your hopes up too soon. Besides a mini-iPad, courses "familiar with the matter" also told The Wall Street Journal a rather unequivocally rumor that both AT&T and Verizon Wireless are set to begin selling LTE versions of Apple's iPad. The latest revelation is hardly a leap of faith, as rumors to this effect have been swirling for a month now. Still, it coincides rather nicely with the recent chatter surrounding the launch of Apple's next iPad, which is currently thought to launch during the first week of March. It remains unknown whether Sprint will be stocking a 4G version of the iPad to call its own. Perhaps Mr. Hesse and crew will be forced to sit this one out.

Grefu M97 iPad clone has pretty decent specs

As most of you guys are aware by now, Apple is facing a legal issue in China that may result in seeing the export of its iPads banned over an alleged trademark infringement. While that may or may not happen, if you're in the market for an iPad-lookalike, the Grefu M97 might just be the clone you are looking for. Granted in no way does the Grefu M97 resemble the iPad in terms of software, but if you were going for physical looks, the Grefu M97 cuts it pretty close. The M97 sports a design that is somewhat similar to that of the iPad 2. It even features the same screen size at 9.7" and even sports both rear- and front-facing cameras, 3MP and 2MP respectively. Under the hood the M97 will be powered by a 1.2GHz Freescale iMX535 CPU with 1GB of DDR3 RAM, 16GB of internal storage and with Android 2.3 Gingerbread on board. However interestingly it seems that Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the Grefu M97 is currently being worked on, so that's something to look forward to. So if you wanted a tablet with the iPad 2's design but with Android in its place, the Grefu M97 is probably as close as it gets, although we're guessing you'll probably have to go to China if you wish to get your hands on it.

Apple's iPad 2 pulled from Amazon China as lawsuit looms

Apple's class-leading iPad 2 tablet has been pulled from Amazon's website in China following a lawsuit filed by Chinese firm Proview International. Proview recently filed suit against Apple for using its trademarked “iPad” name, seeking to ban sales of the iPad in China and abroad. Apple contends that it licensed the name from Proview, which has now unlawfully reneged on its deal. ”Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China," and Apple spokesperson said on Tuesday. “Our case is still pending in mainland China." While no ruling has been made, Chinese officials reportedly seized a number of Apple tablets earlier this week and now Amazon has pulled the iPad from its website, as has rival Chinese retailer Suning. It is not currently clear if the sales halts are court-ordered.