Liquidmetal is in the process of shipping commercial parts to "several of its customers world-wide," according to a press release. The customers are unidentified, but Liquidmetal says that it in fact began delivering parts in December, and has more shipments scheduled into the future. Production capabilities should ramp up over coming months.
The new iPad being announced later today could have haptic feedback, Pocket-lint sources claim. Apple has allegedly been in talks with a Finnish company, Senseg, the creators of a technology called E-Sense. Unlike normal haptic feedback methods, the one Apple is reportedly using would put an electrical pulse behind every pixel, adding "texture" to onscreen objects.
While accessory makers have prepared new products for the next-generation iPad, most or all of these should work with the iPad 2, CNET reports. The site says it has heard from three company representatives who all say they expect the new iPad to have only minor changes in thickness, even if they're not absolutely certain. "We've been told there will be some minor changes in the thickness, but we don't have any specifics," one representative states.
Apple will announce an LTE-equipped iPad tomorrow, a Reuters source says. The person is described only as "familiar with the product," but their statement reinforces other claims that an LTE model is in the cards. Some speculation has held that it might be too early for Apple to introduce LTE devices, particularly as AT&T's LTE network is newer and smaller than Verizon's.
A new rumor Thursday maintains that Apple is not only building a Retina Display-grade iPad but that it will be an entirely new sister model. The new version would have the long rumored 2048x1536 screen and get an "iPad HD" name. Rather than work as a direct sequel, though, the device described to This is my next would be a pro complement and would even get pro creative apps, which could include equivalents to Aperture or Final Cut Pro.
