On Wednesday, Apple is expected to announce the next-generation iPad. For the most part, it has been assumed that the device will be called the "iPad 3," but now reports of a different name — iPad HD —are resurfacing.
Venture Beat's Devindra Hardawar writes that "a reliable source" told the publication that the next-generation iPad will be called the iPad HD. He uses prior reports by This Is My Next— now called the Verge — and Gizmodo to support this claim.
Hardawar explains that the iPad HD name would make perfect sense if the device really does have the high-resolution display we've heard so many rumors about:
Apple’s next iPad is expected to sport a ridiculously high-resolution display running at 2,048 by 1,536 pixels. By comparison, current iPads feature a much lower resolution 1,024 by 768 display. The higher-resolution display will not only make text and pictures sharper, it’ll also make the iPad HD the only tablet to support 1080p high-definition at its full resolution (1,920 by 1,080). Expect Apple to market the [heck] out of that feature.
In addition to a source who discussed the next-generation iPad's name, Hardawar has another who claims that Apple is "buying up 7.1-inch screen components." Such a detail has been previously reported by Digitimes, though the displays discussed in that were 7.85-inch versions.
If we combine the information from Venture Beat's two sources, we wind up with something that's almost identical to the claim This Is My Next made nearly a year ago— that Apple is intending on splitting up its iPad line into two models, one high-end and one low-end.
We should find out how all this Apple gossip pans out on Wednesday though, when the Cupertino-based company holds its big press event. Msnbc.com's own Wilson Rothman will be in the audience and keep us posted on any news while tweeting up a storm as @wjrothman.
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