Apple rumor watch: iPad 3 March, iPhone 5 LTE

 By Jonny Evans

"The nature of rumor is known to all."
Tertullian

The Apple [AAPL] rumor machine kicks into high gear this weekend, as veteran iWebsite, iLounge, claims a well-sourced rumor: that the iPad 3 ships in March while the iPhone 5 will boast a metal back and LTE support.

[ABOVE: An amusing bit of marketing shows you an iPad surviving a 1,300-foot drop...]

Can I take a little salt with that?

"It is certain because it is possible," wrote Tertullian way back in c.160AD. And that's the thing about rumor -- as he also wrote, "It is certain because it is impossible." Do these directly contrasting phrases offer enough subliminal suggestion that all these rumors could be misconstrued or false?

Let's take a look at the claims, first for the iPad 3:

The report claims the next iPad will be slightly thicker (an additional 0.7mm) but this thickness will be to hold a twin light bar system for the much higher-resolution display. The report claims we may see the device take a bow in January for a March release.

My take? iLounge have been around for some time, and have established some good relationships in the Apple device space.

However, most of these claims aren't new -- they've been percolating for a few months and I don't feel comfortable with the proposed release date, bar that Apple may want to accelerate change in the tablet market in order to finally exterminate the tattered remains of its competition. I think it more likely to make an appearance during the second quarter, late March and on, I don't really expect it to debut until Q3, to be honest.

I also think it possible we'll see a new processor and that this tablet may even be made available with a couple of pro apps, for pro-level video or music production, for example, leveraging Final Cut or Logic technologies.

Second claim: the iPhone 5

iLounge has dismissed all those anxious testaments the next-gen iPhone will use a teardrop design. They do confirm a 4-inch display and say the new smartphone will be 8mm "longer" than before. They also confirm a metal case. Release date? "Summer". (I reckon late summer.)

There have been unsubstantiated but much repeated claims an iPhone 5 was just weeks away from release, but Apple's then CEO, Steve Jobs, canceled the product which suffered poor battery life as a result of the inclusion of an LTE radio. Not that LTE is especially ready for prime time just yet.

These claims tally nicely with a report from the Korea Times which said: "Next year's iPhone to feature a 4-inch display by LG Display, half an inch larger than the 3.5-inch display and retina display resolution will remain unchanged because LCD is currently being regarded as the right solution to offer value with better cost-cuts," an unnamed LG Display executive reportedly said.

What else can we expect from this phone? Variously -- a new processor, faster graphics, LTE support, potential NFC support and a non-mechanical touch sensitive Home button.

How likely do I think this is? There's no doubt a new iPhone on the schedule, I believe it will boast LTE. It will be faster, better, and potentially slimmer...

The iLounge report also claims a MacBook Pro update -- expect this to get thinner. I also anticipate a 15-inch MacBook Air.

That's this weekend's Apple device rumors. Take care and have fun.

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