Apple to roll new Dock connector out across entire iOS product lineup this fall
iMore has learned that Apple intends to update their entire lineup of iOS device products to support the new, miniaturized Dock connector, and to do it as early the rumored September 12 special event this fall. This would include the new iPhone 5, the the new iPod nano and iPod touch, the rumored 7-inch iPad mini, and an updated version of the current 9.7-inch iPad.
The information comes from the same sources that told iMore about the new, smaller Dock connector back in February, and about a mini Dock adapter to fit legacy accessories last month.
We've gone over the reasons why Apple would release an iPad mini and how they could implement it before, but refreshing the iPad 3 so soon after it's March, 2012 launch, especially considering past updates have occurred only yearly schedules, is something equally interesting to consider.
Apparently, Apple believes consistent Dock connectors across the line, and other improvements they're able to make to the new iPad this point, are more important than sticking to yearly release schedules. Apple has previously shown little aversion to extending release schedules, with a 16 month gap between iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, and no substantive iPod touch updates for 23 months and counting. But what about significantly shortening them?
Rumors of early iPad updates also aren't without precedent. Last year Daring Fireball, TechCrunch, and iMore and others heard the iPad 3 was being considered for a fall 2011 launch before ultimately getting scheduled into the "regular" spring 2012 slot.
Furthermore, iLounge reported last week that they'd heard from their own sources that an updated 9.7-inch iPad was in the works, but framed it in the context of a 4th-generation device that would include the new Dock connector, a rear-mounted mic, and address heat issues. They felt it was unlikely, however, due to Apple's typical iPad release schedules.
Yet Apple is firing on all cylinders are the moment, confidently moving OS X updates to the same yearly schedule as iOS updates, and beginning the process of bringing Retina displays to the Mac.
Whether a new, new iPad this fall would be an iPad 4,1 or simply a new iPad 3,x is unclear. Certainly Apple could decide again to hold off on any and all updates until next spring, or could do a more modest iPad 3 update this fall and a proper iPad 4 next spring.
In the meantime, it sure sounds like Apple is planning to run the line when it comes to iOS device updates this September.
Additional resources
- The 16:9 iPhone: How Apple could handle the longer screen on the next iPhone
- Everything you need to know about the iPhone 5
iPhone 5 discussion forum
Solving for 7: How Apple could implement the iPad mini interface
- Everything you need to know about the iPad mini
- iPad mini forum
Rene Ritchie
Editor-in-Chief of iMore, co-host of Iterate, Debug, ZEN and TECH. Cook, grappler, photon wrangler. Follow him on Twitter, App.net, Google+.
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I hope and pray they do not update the 9.7 iPad so soon. Please please keep it at the same yearly update time.
I'm sure it won't, Apple has never released a product so soon, they usually wait a 1 year +.
Also, the speculations of the iPad Mini are also a bit of a stretch. It might be marketed as an iPod Touch XL. It will be fun to see that revelation happening in the Fall.
You're sure they won't do something for the first because...it would be the first time?
Apple does what it wants to do/feels is necessary. If that means there is a change in scheduling, that's not unheard of. Early/late may not make a huge difference to them - especially because at may mean that they can ramp up production of accessories that fit the new connector and eliminate or more aggressively downshift production on what will be the "old school" connector accessories.
Well, yeah sure, every company would do whatever they want to do, but Apple needs to make sure that they don't burn their costumers. I really doubt that they will bring out another version of the iPad just for the simple reason that whoever bought it early this year would want to have an exchange or even something free out of this device.
I remember the time when I bought my iPad 2, and during the holiday sales season the rumors went ablaze that Apple was coming out with the iPad 3 in December. It came and went and nothing. The introduction of a new iPad 3 will steal sales from the earlier model and that's something that Apple will not want it to happen. If anything, the iPad Mini will be the production of the night, and it makes sense not to have the iPad 3 come out at the same time. Its all about sells, if the new iPad 3 and the iPad Mini come out at the same time, they will be competing against each other, apple wants you to buy both, not the cheaper version of the two.
That reminds me of my second point from the other post. Apple DID come out with an altered version of the IPad 2. I am not sure if it was after or before the iPad 3 - maybe after.
Anyway, I am one of those who bought theipad 3 and I'm glad of it. I'd prefer it to a model with a new connector.
Lol oh yeah, I remember about that one, the elusive iPad 2.4. Came out after the iPad 2, supposedly with better processor that will help with battery life, if I could get it, believe me I would have tried to return it for it. But it was red herring, you couldn't just go to the store and purchase it, it was more like a golden ticket, you wouldn't know you got it until you unwrap the box. I'm very happy with my iPad 2 though, I don't see myself updating it for a long time, love reading comics on it.
Why? What happens to you if they update the iPad sooner?
A change this soon to the new iPad simply doesn't make sense. In the past when apple released a new line of laptops and software, if you bought a laptop prior to the new release but within the year they allowed you to upgrade your software for free, so would they do something to allow all the people who are buying the new iPad to get some kind of dock converter for the new accessories at a discounted price? The change over would make sense but it doesn't seem to fit Apple's style to do so on a new product so early. Doing so would be like saying oh we had something new but it wasn't really finished so we put it out anyway.
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