Apple to Release Two iPad Models This Year

Submitted by lalit on February 18, 2011 - 2:19pm.

John Gruber of Darin Fireball believes that Apple will release two iPad models this year, one in April and one in September. He thinks that April is not a particularly good month for an annual iPad release. So, Apple will move the iPad to a September release schedule alongside the iPods. John clearly mentions that he is just guessing based on information he has heard. His guess about Apple’s iPad plans for 2011 is:

  • An iPad 2, fairly soon. Say, a March announcement, shipping in the first week of April. Faster, more RAM, maybe more storage, thinner and lighter, a front-facing camera.1 Running iOS 4.3.
  • iOS 5, announced at a developer event in March, shipping in June.
  • iPad 3, shipping in September, announced at the annual iPod event. Running iOS 5.1, same as the next-generation iPod Touch.

He adds the third generation iPad might be more like an iPad 2.5 or iPad 2 Pro – a new higher-end model that sits atop the iPad product family, not a replacement for the iPad 2 models.

So, why are we reporting John Gruber’s guestimates? Well, because John has the best track record when it comes to Apple rumors. Also, we feel John is quite right about why Apple might shift iPad annual launch to September. We think Apple will have more than one iPad model very soon and releasing the latest and greatest model just before holidays will boast iPad sales.