iPad 3 coming out in March... Here's some things you might want to know...

Rumor: New iPad 3 will be very similar to iPad 2 with improvements to camera, screen definition, processors etc..

Link Here

Apparently the new iPad 3, "could've simply be called iPad 2S" since there really isn't any radical differences between the two..

Maybe the mistake really was to give the iPad 2 (or the iPhone 3) a different name than the previous model. No one's complaining the 2011 Macbook Air wasn't radically different than the 2010 model... they just accept that new products tend to be an evolution of the previous one. What would make the new iPad radically different from the previous one -- maybe if it had a round screen?

There's another image somewhere depicting a previously rumored iPad 3, which looked like a macbook screen attached to an iPad body.. Very wide screen almost to the point of having the screen all the way to the edge.. I'm hoping iPad 3 will have telephony functions though like the android tablets..

But who am I kidding? apple will never do that..

I get they have to keep pumping out new versions every year or so to make it appear there is something worth buying that is new and i`m a huge sucker for that but I was hoping i`d have good motivation to buy the iPad 3 from 2 but sounds like I`m going to be sorely disappointed.

From 2 to 3 probably isn't worth it.. From 1 to 3, definitely..

My rule of thumb on apple products has always been to skip a number since that's when and why buying it makes much more sense..

I'll probably buy it and do what did with the iPad 1: donate the iPad 2 to a less technology-addicted family member. My dad would have never bought aniPad, and now he loves using his and it's more useful to him than his computer since it's always ready to go (the computer is a desktop).

So far, I've had more than several cellphones donated (or rather forcefully taken) by my parents to my less tech-using family members. iPads will probably be the same thing. And I'm trimming my cellphones from 7 to probably 2 or 3.. Unless new and exciting models come out this year..

7 cellphones! are they all functional?

For Apple-afficionados there is a world of difference in just the upgraded version name, so it will likely sell like crazy once the media starts the hype.

Fully functional and none are older than 2009..

It is true.. For me all I need is to replace my old iPad 1.. As long as it's an upgrade from that, I'm fine with having it..

Being in Japan (like me), just curious if you have ever taken advantage of those "free" ipad offers from Softbank?

Is it worth it to sign up for their internet plans (better or as good as cable internet) or should I just buy one at the apple store?

Yeah i looked at that too and realised i could have got a wifi iPad for the same price as buying a normal iPad outright and best of all you pay it on a monthly basis so it`s a win/win for you. By the time i realised this it was too late and i bought my iPad 2 and didn`t investigate the matter further however if iPad 3 comes out and the above is true then i`d go softbank deal even if the reception is so terrible that you`d never be able to connect to the internet.

I'm on the other cycle from you. iPhone 3Gs was my first one, so I just upgraded to the 4s. iPad2 was my first, so I'll probably wait for iPad4. Ideally though, I'd be on a cycle where I upgrade one iDevice each year rather than two every other year. But... This year will probably be time for a new computer/laptop, so maybe it works out better since that's the cost of at least two iDevices.

Agree with you on the phone, Boss. 4 to 4S is absolutely no value to me. The value is of course 4G.

But on the iPad from 1 to 2 is a huge difference, but from what I've heard so far, 2-3 doesn't make a lot of sense for wifi. If the 3 comes with 4G, I see a great value

Or if it will have telephony functions like the android tablets, would be the biggest value for me..

There are a few apps for that

I really don't like apple mostly because it so cost prohibitive to many users.

We are the 99% and we need an iPad!

I know..

I just want a built in function that allows me to call instead of internet call.. Or is there really a call function now?

Like this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dominic/4493843575/

Any hints on price ranges for this yet..?

Hehehe, well I think the use of headset or better loudspeaker for the iPad would generally do it..

Although I have to admit, doing that has a certain 'nerdy-ness'..

I think as far as pricing goes, it doesn't change..

It would be nice if they allowed for a wired hook-up to the internet as well so folks could get online when there's no wireless connectivity, but that's probably too 2010 for Apple.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com