Apple expected to show next iPad March 2

The next iPad is due to show at an event in just over a week, insiders claimed Tuesday. A special event in San Francisco is "firm" for March 2. While the invitations and location weren't given to AllThingsD, it expected official news shortly and for the event to take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, much as for the original iPad event on January 27 a year ago.

The release is expected to an aggressive update. While it won't get a Retina Display, most expect it now to use a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 chip and matching dual-core PowerVR SGX543 graphics that combined will give it a major leap in performance. Dual cameras should also be central to the strategy.

A thinner, more iPod touch-influenced body may come about along with a display that better handles the outdoors. Most have since ruled out talk of an SD card slot or full-size USB ports.

The release will be critical to Apple's strategy, since it will have to compete against a much fiercer tablet market that was virtually non-existent in January 2010, including the Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Most of these will be at least on par in most areas and are counting mostly on more open software and extras like eventual Flash support.

By Electronista Staff