Rumors swirl about iPad HD

Rumors are rumbling the technosphere. The speculation du jour is that Apple will soon announce an upgrade to the already-successful iPad2 that includes increasing the screen resolution from 1024 x 768 to a stunning 2048 x 1536 (technically increasing the resolution by four times).

Arstechnica's Chris Foresman is trying to connect the dots from his various sources:

The new iPad technically would be a variant of the current iPad 2, in keeping with Jobs' "year of the iPad 2" proclamation earlier this year. The higher resolution device would instead be geared towards more advanced users—"think MacBook and MacBook Pro," according to This is my next. It would also be compatible with "something like" iPad versions of Final Cut Pro or Aperture.

Imagine being able to use Final Cut on your iPad!  This could be another step ahead of the encroaching pack of tablet computers hitting the market. Foresman adds more to his argument:

Apple started including pixel-doubled artwork in versions of iBooks for iPad some time ago. It recently added yet more 2048x1536 pixel artwork in iOS 5 betas for newer features like Twitter and Newsstand. So it seems a pretty safe bet that a future iPad will definitely use this resolution.

MSN.com is not as convinced that a high-def iPad2 will be hitting the market so quickly, though:

Somehow we don't believe that the smartdevices manufacturing giant would introduce a new version of iPad so soon. As it has shipped the iPad 2 in huge volume in the most recent quarter. Instead, there are possibilities that the new display will make its way into an iPad 3, which is expected to be rolled out somewhere around Q1 end next year.

My personal "go-to" site for tech reviews and information is Cnet.com. They have used some strong logic while trying to figure out if there is any truth to the dreams of iPad HD, asking five specific questions:

• Why would Apple do this while iPad2 is still strong?
• Is the technology available? - (maybe)
• What kind of chip is needed to power the better resolution? (speculation says a new chip may be needed)
• What good is high-def resolution? ("better" is always better, but what about battery life?)
• How reliable are the "reliable sources?" (almost all coverage quotes thisismynext.com)

Speaking of thisismynext.com here's a clip from the post that may have started this tsunami of speculation:

Our sources are saying that not only will there be a newly designed iPhone coming in the fall, but there is going to be a new entry into the iPad family as well. As hard as it might be to believe, the new tablet is said to sport a double resolution screen (2048 x 1536), and will be dubbed the “iPad HD.” The idea behind the product is apparently that it will be a “pro” device aimed at a higher end market — folks who work in video and photo production possibly — and will be introduced alongside something like an iPad version of Final Cut or Aperture.

An iPad with HD capabilities appears to be more than just a possibility. The technology exists. Based on my analysis, all Apple needs to do is manage the power issue and the chip issue. . . and get iPad HD here SOON!