But this is Apple that we’re talking about. The company likes to have its Willy Wonka moments, where the entire world sits, mouths agape at some breathtaking demonstration. It’s why “one more thing” has become one of the company’s most famous lines. So what could Apple possibly surprise us with next Wednesday when it reveals the next iPad?
Name
We’re all assuming that it will be called the iPad 3. Another name that has been tossed around is the iPad 2S. But there’s nothing stopping Apple from naming it something else entirely.
iPad HD? iPad Pro? Your guess is as good as mine. Though it will probably be called the iPad 3, we won’t know for sure until next Wednesday.
No home button
This is an old rumor that resurfaced after Apple’s teaser image for the event showed a Retina Display iPad without a home button. Was it a Photoshop job, or the real deal?
We’ll find out next week, but we wouldn’t rule out the axing of the home button. It would be a way of simplifying the product, and Apple has a history of cutting anything that isn’t essential. With the iPad’s multitasking gestures, you could argue that the home button now lands in that non-essential category.
3D gestures
If Apple uses 3D gestures in iOS, this probably won’t show until another few years down the road. But if we’re waxing poetic about potential surprises in the iPad 3, this would qualify as one. A combination of the front-facing camera and a proximity sensor could allow you to pan, zoom, scroll, and multitask without even touching your display.
Siri
Software is much easier to keep under wraps than hardware (those darn supply chain leaks do it every time), so we’re more likely to see surprises in the software department.
One software possibility for the iPad event is Siri. Though this has been bandied about the rumor mill, it isn’t nearly as highly expected as, say, the Retina Display or an upgraded camera. The virtual assistant will (probably) eventually run on all of Apple’s devices, so the iPad would be a logical next step, after its Fall debut on the iPhone 4S.
Aperture
The Retina display, upgraded processor, and improved camera would give Apple the perfect opportunity to release Aperture for iPad. Apple could use this to upstage Adobe’s promising — but flawed — Photoshop Touch.
As tablets transform into more serious content production tools, Apple wouldn’t want to miss the chance to establish its own apps as the leaders in the field. Aperture for iPad would let Apple use its moment in the spotlight to introduce the world to “the most advanced photo editing app for mobile devices.” Apple could intertwine it with iCloud, as an answer to Adobe’s Creative Cloud.
If Aperture actually takes a step forward from its desktop counterpart, and includes (thus far) absent features like layers and masks, then Apple could establish Aperture for iPad as a halo app to eventually overtake consumer-level Photoshop Elements on the desktop.
Netflix rival
This is the longest of longshots, as we would have undoubtedly heard many rumors about content deals being struck. An iTunes subscription streaming service could happen at some point, but it would be a huge surprise — and a monumental show of secrecy — for it to be revealed next week.
iCloud gaming
Onlive’s iPad app was originally set to launch in early December. But it still hasn’t made it to the App Store, and Onlive has been quiet on the subject. Could Apple be set to launch its own rival game streaming service? It has the clout (and cash) to land top-tier content deals, and it could make a splash with the right games at launch. The Onlive rejection (or delay) could then be due to the app’s “duplicating of iOS features.”
Console-quality gaming apps
Barring a streaming service, Apple could still promote the new iPad as a legit gaming console. The tablet should have an upgraded GPU, which would allow for a mind-blowing keynote demonstration of console-esque games on the iPad. This could start to plant the seed in customers’ minds that the iPad is in the same category as the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii. Getting top studios like Rockstar Games involved would be the icing on the cake.
Apple game controller accessory
Could we see an Apple gaming accessory introduced? If we’re talking about Apple pushing the iPad as a console replacement, then a controller wouldn’t be inconceivable. There were recent rumors about an unknown accessory being revealed at the event. Perhaps the physical controller would snap into place via magnets (like the Smart Cover), and connect via Bluetooth?
Apple TV update
Signs are pointing to an imminent Apple TV refresh. As the company prepares us all for the iTV (or whatever the eventual TV set is called), it could use the iPad event as a way to introduce more people to the existing set-top box.
If a new Apple TV box were introduced at the event, then Airplay would take center stage. This would fit perfectly with the above console gaming possibility. Apple could show the world that the combination of an iPad 3, iController, and Apple TV give you a home console experience that beats anything Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are doing.
Surprise, surprise
Do we think any of these are strong possibilities? Probably not. Siri and the Apple TV update are probably the most likely of these scenarios, but they’re far from sure things.No matter what Apple brings, though, here’s to hoping that there’s something left to surprise us. After all, these are just electronic gadgets. Sure, they can be useful; but we enjoy them because they’re fun. Surprises can be a big part of that fun.
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