Rumor: Two iPads to be unveiled in January

By Jeffrey Van Camp December 29, 2011

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Apple rumors are a dime a dozen, but here’s the latest. DigiTimes, a site known for many true and false rumors, reports that Apple will unveil two new versions of the iPad at iWorld/Macworld on Jan. 26, 2012. The new models will both have 9.7-inch screens like the current iPad, but at least one of them will have a QXGA screen (1536×2048 pixel resolution). A previous DigiTimes rumor, pointed toward a model with a 7.85-inch screen, but DigiTimes now says that is not the case. One model may have an 8MP rear camera while the other may have a 5MP camera. Oh, and at least one of the units will have a larger 14,000mAh battery (bigger than any tablet we can recall off hand).

It does seem odd that Apple would release two iPad models that are the same except for some minor camera, screen, and battery improvements, but stranger things have happened. Odder is the timing of the unveiling. The first iPad was unveiled in April 2010, and the second was shown in March 2011, so a January reveal could be feasible, but Apple has not participated in Macworld for three years now, instead opting to hold its own events.

The presence of a high resolution screen on the next iPad has been floating around since the iPad 2 launched. It was originally rumored that the device would be unveiled around Sept. 2011. Another recent rumor pins the release date for the tablet Feb. 24, 2012, the birthday of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

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As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

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