Apple Inc's “secret” product launch is still a week away but the rumour mills are already working overtime. As is the norm before any new launch by the company that almost always manages to hold thousands in awe of their product design, speculations abound about what might be the third iteration of the immensely successful Apple iPad.

Upgrading the current iPad would inevitably involve a better screen (higher resolution), a faster processor and hopefully a sharper camera than what most consumers have had to use till now. But what about features that never existed in the previous iPad? Like near-field communication that enables smartphones to make contactless transactions.

The nascent technology has never been incorporated in any Apple product till date, so there's good reason to believe that they might just pop this in to give the new device that extra edge. Included in the software suite might be Siri, the voice-guided digital assistant and an upgraded operating system.

A characteristic trait of every Apple product is its premium price tag, which cyber-mongers are already claiming will be at least a good $60-80 more than the current version (the base model of which costs $499).

“We have something you really have to see. And touch,” says the invite sent out to mediapersons. While everyone's at it, we'll let our imagination run wild and wonder if this could be a hint at a redesign, completely devoid of the only button the iPad has had. It wouldn't even come as a surprise, considering the fact that Steve Jobs hated buttons, and not just on the iPad (there was a reason behind those black turtlenecks).

As far as dimensions are concerned, we are not sure if the company will flout Jobs' conviction in 9.7 inches being the ideal size for a tablet but the company's known to feel adventurous ever so often. So we'll have to wait that one out.

mahananda@thehindu.co.in

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