IPad 3 Invite? Apple Announces March 7 Event

Mark your iCal, everybody: The next iPad is almost certainly going to be announced on March 7.

According to a tweet by the New York Times' Nick Bilton, Apple on Tuesday morning sent out invitations to a special event.

The invites sport a high-res photo of an iPad and the note: "Please join Apple on March 7 for a special event."

The event itself will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST).

Check out the invite (below), courtesy of The Verge:

The next iPad -- which the New York Times has noted will not necessarily be called the iPad 3 -- is expected to upgrade the iPad 2 internally, rather than radically changing its design; in October, Apple offered a similar update to its iPhone, boosting the power of its signature smartphone's processor and antenna and adding voice assistant Siri without significantly transforming the case or body of the phone.

What will change? Apple has been typically tight-lipped in the run-up to its iPad unveiling. Based on rumors and supposed leaks from the supply chain, however, the biggest change is expected to be the iPad's screen. The iPad 3 could feature a Retina display, which Apple defines as a "pixel density is so high your eye is unable to distinguish individual pixels." The iPhone and iPod Touch have Retina displays, and the iPad is expected to join those two with this upgrade, doubling the resolution and quadrupling the amount of pixels on the iPad from 1,024x768 to 2,048x1,536. (The Apple blog MacRumors claims to have a prototype of an iPad 3 display, which they confirmed was indeed 2048x1536).

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the next iPad is set to be compatible with the faster 4G networks of AT&T and Verizon, which would mark Apple's first 4G device; a quad-core processor, Siri and improved camera are also rumored add-ons. The iPad 3 is also rumored to be receiving a larger battery, which, in addition to the Retina display, could bump up width of the iPad 3 about one or two millimeters.

We'll know for sure on March 7, when Apple execs take the stage in San Francisco. The Huffington Post will of course keep you updated with all the latest.

Take a look through the slideshow (below) to see 11 gorgeous (absolutely unofficial) iPad 3 concept designs.

Loading Slideshow

• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aatmastudio" target="_hplink">Aatma Studio</a> posted this amazing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9s2oYUy_cVY" target="_hplink">iPad 3 concept video</a> on its <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AatmaStudio/videos" target="_hplink">YouTube channel</a> on February 28. The 3D animation and digital content studio presents a stunning iPad 3 design with an edge-to-edge display, holographic display capabilities, and the ability to connect magnetically and wirelessly to other iPad 3 devices.

• This iPad 3 concept, featured on design site <a href="http://thewondrous.com/" target="_hplink">The Wondrous</a> in <a href="http://thewondrous.com/the-10-most-inspiring-designs-concept-of-ipad-3/" target="_hplink">December</a>, turns the usual iPad design on its head -- or, rather, on its side. This iPad 3 is meant to be held horizontally, according to how the home button and camera are positioned. The artist who created the mock-up isn't mentioned, though it's likely the original was made by someone associated with <a href="http://www.looprumors.com/" target="_hplink">LoopRumors</a>.

• <a href="http://macmagazine.com.br/2011/05/05/rumor-ipad-3-podera-ser-na-verdade-ipad-3d/" target="_hplink">MacMagazine</a> featured this iPad 3 mock-up, which takes into account <a href="http://news.cnet.com/rumored-ipad-3-to-get-glasses-free-3d/8301-17938_105-20060013-1.html" target="_hplink">rumors</a> that this next generation gadget will offer 3D video -- <em>without</em> the 3D glasses. The designer's name wasn't mentioned.

• <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DakotaAdney" target="_hplink">Dakota Adney</a>, a 16-year-old Oklahoma-based amateur filmmaker, posted this cool (but fake) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GqTME_hBpMA" target="_hplink">iPad 3 commercial</a> on his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AdneyFilms" target="_hplink">YouTube channel</a> last May. It features an iPad 3 concept that is completely transparent. Some of its other startling, hypothetical specs include a weight of just .6 lbs, 16GB of storage (impressive for a device so thin), 10-hour battery life, and 3G connectivity, according to the video's description.

• Designer Guilherme Schasiepen created this iPad 3 concept for <a href="http://macmagazine.com.br/2011/07/18/depois-do-iphone-4s5-leitor-cria-mockup-mostrando-como-podera-ser-o-ipad-3hd/#leitura" target="_hplink">MacMagazine</a> in July of last year and also posted the designs on his <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilhermescha/" target="_hplink">Flickr</a>. If you want to get a better look of the mock-up, check out this <a href="http://msgui.vilabol.uol.com.br/ipad3.html" target="_hplink">360-degree view</a>.

• <a href="http://rvanhauwere.deviantart.com/" target="_hplink">Robrecht Vanhauwere</a>, a talented 15-year-old Belgium art student, posted this super-skinny iPad 3 design on his <a href="http://rvanhauwere.deviantart.com/art/iPad-3-209743835" target="_hplink">deviantART</a> page.

• Vanhauwere actually designed three separate iPad 3 concepts -- here's one of <a href="http://rvanhauwere.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d3lloqy" target="_hplink">the other ones</a>, which features an interesting two-toned design detail. You can view the last one <a href="http://rvanhauwere.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4qhvpt" target="_hplink">here</a>.

• This unique, all-silver iPad 3 design was featured on <a href="http://www.ipad3releasenews.com/" target="_hplink">iPad 3 Release News</a> <a href="http://www.ipad3releasenews.com/2011/06/ipad-3-concept-designs/" target="_hplink">last June</a>, but the concept was not attributed to any artist.

• <a href="http://www.ipad3today.co.uk/" target="_hplink">iPad 3 Today</a> featured this chunky concept by an unknown artist <a href="http://www.ipad3today.co.uk/2011/06/ipad-3-concept-design-gallery/" target="_hplink">last June</a>. The design seems to be a step backwards from the iPad 2 of today -- unless there's some serious hardware in its interior to account for its thick exterior.

• This iPad design, <a href="http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/ipad-3-in-pictures-our-favourite-concept-designs-50006869/" target="_hplink">previously featured on CNET</a>, includes a stylus and wireless keyboard. While the concept's creator, <a href="http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/index.html" target="_hplink">Mike James</a>, didn't specify <a href="http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/ipad_ipen_01.html" target="_hplink">this mock-up</a> as one for the iPad 3, specifically, he does offer a unique perspective on the iPad device's endless possibilities.

• This iPad 3 design by an unknown artist was also featured on <a href="http://www.ipad3releasenews.com/" target="_hplink">iPad 3 Release News</a> <a href="http://www.ipad3releasenews.com/2011/06/ipad-3-concept-designs/" target="_hplink">last June</a>. It has oversized front and back cameras and seems to be a bit stouter than the iPad 2; other than that, however, it doesn't look very different.

Comments

[DryElectrix]

10:39 AM on 03/02/2012

The IPAD definitely has a much better design, and this should hopefully create a large influx of more killer apps. IPAD apps are so awesome, and a better processor and better screen resolution will open the door to much more advanced apps. These will probably be video games or media apps.

Either way, I've got high hopes for the IPAD 3

[Scvoter1]

02:27 PM on 02/29/2012

Why would anyone buy an IPAD instead of a laptop or notebook computer?

Apple products, especially the tablet IPADs, are more intuitive and less cumbersome to use, and require less additional hardware and software to maintain than traditional desktops and laptops.

Read books, magazines and newspapers on an IPAD by simply turning it on and holding it in one hand like a brochure. Touch the screen to turn the page. Full color - or not, your choice. You can set text size (like a notebook), or use your fingers to expand or contract information on the page.

The touch screen allows you to move items around, resize, darken or brighten the background, or touch an item and e-mail it when you have wi-fi access. Wi-fi - why yes - restaurants, libraries, businesses, schools, and even at grocery stores.

Got a minute, read a book, play a game, check the weather, GPS, update your calendar, make a note, update your reminder list, use a calculator, dictionary, search the internet, etc.

IPAD 3 - can't wait...

[Go Giants]

01:32 PM on 02/29/2012

the chinese people don't care as much as we do. during the chinese boom years, they kept all the cash and built INFRASTRUCTURE. During our boom we gave them the Panama Canal and now all off our faucets leak and bridges are collapsing. We are the idiots. They laugh at us and our useless peeves. As they should.

[DryElectrix]

10:43 AM on 03/02/2012

I know China has been introduced into the comments of the IPAD 3 article, but I am not sure what relevance it has to the product. In retrospect, this comment has nothing to do with the actual article.

[jswendner]

09:03 AM on 02/29/2012

Why don't all you bleeding hearts that are so worried about chinamen,Move to china and help them out..You could organize protests,unions and ...oh all sorts of things and be sure to bad mouth their government!!Enjoy!!

[Pectin]

09:51 AM on 02/29/2012

The Chinaman is not the issue! I'm talking about drawing a line in the sand, Dude. Across this line you do not, uh--and also, Dude, Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American. Please.

[jswendner]

08:03 PM on 02/29/2012

Is pectin a chinaman name dude?? And dude...don't call me dude!! I am a native American dude.....Indianman

[idealist2]

07:54 AM on 02/29/2012

So how many people in China committed suicide making this Apple product ???
We need to know ... just how many slaves does it take to make an Apple ??

[Channa]

08:09 AM on 02/29/2012

Check your facts. The suicide rate in the general Chinese population is MUCH higher than at Foxconn. Foxconn employees are paid MUCH better than average Chinese workers. Apple has also conducted an independent audit of the facilities in view of bringing better conditions. Foxconn has increased worker salaries after that.

Your post shows ignorance.

[Channa]

08:13 AM on 02/29/2012

Although the number of suicides at the company is large in absolute terms, the suicide rate is still low compared to the rest of China.[13] A journalist from ZDNet even concluded that "working at Foxconn dramatically reduces people’s risk of suicide".[19]
The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says on its web site that the suicide rate in China is 22.23 per 100,000, making it one of the highest in the world.[20]
In 2010, Foxconn's worst year for suicides with a total of 14 deaths, their total employee count was 930,000 people [21]. The suicide rate for Foxconn this year was 1.5 per 100,000 making it well below the national average (around 7% the national average). Even if calculated as if all the employee deaths were from the Shenzhen factory complex alone (to simulate a localised area suicide rate), which in 2010 had a workforce of 450,000 [21], the rate is still well below the national average at 3.11 per 100,000 (around 14% the national average).

[rw302361]

07:39 AM on 02/29/2012

CHINA HOME of FREE LABOR

[rw302361]

07:37 AM on 02/29/2012

I love APPLE product COST alot BREAK easy and PROUDLY BUILT by CHINA SLAVE LABOR

[rw302361]

07:34 AM on 02/29/2012

CHINA looking to JAIL more to BUILD MORE .....PROUDLY BUILT BY CHINA HOME OF FREE LABOR

[prusd]

06:57 PM on 02/29/2012

waaa waaaa, Why is everyone blaming China? Did they come over here and take the jobs or are they the ones who forced Apple and others to bring their products over there or did American companies take the jobs and production over there? Unfortunately if they built here fewer of you Apple fans would be able to afford any Apple product or other, but of course everyone knows this. Write Washington, obama or someone you think will back you. Have you ever heard the saying,"Money talks, everyone else stand in line"so unless your willing to accept the fact that our goverment allows this, supports it and goes to bed each night feeling good about themselves and could really care less about the american people until they want a bail out or vote. Enjoy the quality work and appriciate the chineese sacrifice being made on your behalf!

[rw302361]

07:57 PM on 02/29/2012

its really not about CHINA its about big corperations taking advantage soon as China starts to eaise their fee big corperations will find another country they can take advantage of without obeying iviorment laws free to polute without any risk or cost to them advantage of low wage and so on soon as they find another to take advantage of welcome to the world order all for them none for any one else

[vermithrax]

07:34 AM on 02/29/2012

Thanks apple, you save me a fortune in unnecessary gadgets. Every year I plan to buy an apple phone and an ipad and because you renew them every 6 months to a year |I decide to wait for the new one to come out. Since I know there will be a iphone 5 and an ipad 4 in the making I will just wait for the next one and what do you know, I never really needed them anyway.Keep making them and I will keep saving my money.

[jswendner]

08:57 AM on 02/29/2012

I have the same non-problem!!

[bigmaldevon]

11:52 AM on 02/29/2012

I thought I was the only one with this problem. You just know that as they launch the "latest" version that it is already out of date because the next one is already on the pad, probably the real reason for the name ipad. They lauch "updated" versions faster than rockets on bonfire night.

[mountainweb]

11:43 AM on 03/03/2012

Yes, they are called "features" until they can find a fix for them (major updates to "features"!

[dogspeed]

07:18 AM on 02/29/2012

iPad: To die for.

[mountainweb]

11:44 AM on 03/03/2012

And China slave labor does that on a daily basis!

[rw302361]

07:07 AM on 02/29/2012

CHINA BUILT PROUDLY WITH SLAVE LABOR

[Bavatar]

07:31 AM on 02/29/2012

That's why every day thousands of people in china line up for a chance at a job making them. Besides, unless you sent your comment in by pidgeon, I can almost guarantee your device was made in the same factory, as are dozens of products from numerous companies.

[rw302361]

07:44 AM on 02/29/2012

DELL it just make me sick we need to bring back to AMERICA or STOP buying all these stupid GAGETS developed here

[rw302361]

07:05 AM on 02/29/2012

PROUDLY built in CHINA form CHINA APPLE

[rw302361]

07:02 AM on 02/29/2012

Another peace of dog poo from CHINA BUILT

[sheoples]

06:00 AM on 02/29/2012

Only when the last tree has died
and the last river been poisoned
and the last fish been caught
will we realise we cannot eat money
--Cree Indian Proverb

[mountainweb]

11:45 AM on 03/03/2012

Way to much commonsense in one post! You may get banned!

[sheoples]

06:00 AM on 02/29/2012

“It is a sad fact that because of fear, comfort, complacency ...and our proneness to adjust to injustice, the Western nations that initiated so much of the revolutionary spirit of the modern world have now become the arch-anti-revolutionaries.”
--MLKJR