“Apple’s November launch of the iPad Pro didn’t really do much to alleviate slumping iPad sales,” Yoni Heisler reports for BGR. “In fact, Apple’s most recent earnings report revealed that year over year iPad sales were down 25% while iPad-based revenue was down 21% year over year.”
“Nonetheless, Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly stated that he remains confident in the iPad’s long-term success,” Heisler reports. “That being the case, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Apple will reportedly release an iPad Air 3 sometime in early 2016.”
“Most recently, a new leak of a purported iPad Air 3 case suggests that Apple’s next-gen tablet will feature a four-speaker design and LED flash support,” Heisler reports. “What’s more, one of the leaked case images includes a cut-out suggesting that the iPad Air 3 will incorporate a Smart Connector for various accessories.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Pencil support, please!
Apple Pencil OR Force Touch?
Prferabbly both but most likely pencil only.
Sounds interesting but if it lacks 3-D Touch I won’t buy one (unless I would be seriously “Wowed”). My 6S has spoiled me.
It’s a big screen to implement 3 -D touch on, which may make it prohibitive still, at this early stage of the technology.
Yeah, I understand and heard that Apple didn’t have the technology ready yet for the iPad (I can only hope!). I think when Apple gets it right, the concept will sell more iPads. The pen, though, could be a big selling point for the new iPad – but would it do so at the cost of “Pro” sales?
I don’t think so becuase the iPad Pro’s size lends itself to professional markets better, if anything, the pencil will broaden the iPad 3’s appeal and encourage adaptation and expansion of the iPad usefulness.
At this point, whatever works to sell more iPads would be good for the stock. I can agree on the pen’s potential to increase adoption of the device.
👍
While I think the Pencil is cool, I am more excited about the Smart Connector. When I bought my daughter’s iPad PRO, I also bought her the Logitech keyboard case for it. I thought that case was incredible, and very useful. I liked that the Smart Connector allowed for a backlit keyboard – and has since been shown to be the conduit for a firmware update for the keyboard. Ultimately she did not like having a keyboard attached to the iPad PRO (as it was cumbersome when using it in Portrait mode) – so we returned the keyboard. We have an Apply BT keyboard for her to use when she’s got a lot of typing to do – which she is fine with – I think the extra steps of connecting, and the keyboard not be physical attached make that solution less than ideal.
My interest in the iPad PRO was to use it as a replacement laptop – so the keyboard would be integral in my setup. If the Smart Connector, and similar Logitech keyboard will be available for the iPad Air3 – then I am definitely in for a new iPad for myself soon!!
Of course iPad sells are down. The iPad is not a throw away item. It’s built to last. The only reason I “upgraded” from the iPad 2nd Gen to the iPad Air2 was because of the weight decrease. I was fine with the iPad 2nd gen.
It’s the price. It cost too much.
I guess this is what is meant when people complain about a company being too big to change quickly? The price too much with too many choices. wifi, wifi + cellular, 3 sizes, several different colors, memory size… there’s just not that big a demand at the current prices.
When Jobs came back to Apple he eliminated a bunch of products, the future needs to repeat it’s past. And the macs, oh man! 3 different types of light weight portables, good grief!!! A mac pro that only corporation can afford and it’s not upgradeable. Ok, sure part of this problem is the over priced intel chips. ( come on AMD! get in the game )
We’ve become an “upgrade” society. What Apple’s latest results proved is that if you don’t update the product on a regular basis (even if the update is minor) sales will fall off.
I bought my daughter an iPad PRO and have been toying with the idea of buying one for myself. If the iPad Air3 has the same features, I might consider that instead.
What a great Dad! 👍😀
Bought the original iPad in May 2010 and waited until the iPad Air to upgrade. At that point, Apple had hobbled the first iPad by stopping the upgrade cycle at iOS 5 and it was getting laggy and crashy. Still happy with my iPad Air 1 but am saving up for a Gen 2 iPad Pro.
You mean even more exciting than the “revolutionary” iPad Pro?
I am ready for an upgrade (from my 2012 iPad 3rd gen) as I suspect many are. And the iPad Pro, as cool as it is, is too big for my use. It would be great if the iPad Air 3 is a real step up in many respects.
Four speakers YES about time. I’ve wanted proper stereo sound when in landscape mode forever. That is a welcome addition if true.
I won’t buy it UNLESS it has the ability to use the Apple Pencil. Come on, Apple, don’t let us down!
I vote for an iPad Pro Mini !!!