The iPad 2.0 Preview

It is 2011 and that means you can start saving for your new iPad. You know it is coming and you know it will be better than you expected. Here is a list of things to expect, what not to expect and what won’t happen but which would be nice either way.

Camera

We all balked at the idea of a portable slate PC thing without a camera. It was one of the most uttered criticisms about the iPad when it launched: ‘What? No Camera???”. Apple’s ways are inscrutable and we will never know why they decided to go for a blind iPad. But almost everybody agrees that they will add a camera to the next iPad. They need to so they can popularize FaceTime. Front and back facing? We don’t know. Resolutions? Anyones best guess.

Thinner

Right now it is hard to imagine the iPad getting thinner. Isn’t it anorexic already? But leave it to Apple to shave off a few millimeters. That is just the way they roll.

Lighter

Another complaint has been that the iPad is too heavy. Not for regular use, as it is pretty light, but as an eReader it can get heavy when holding it up for an hour or so. Expect Apple to release a much lighter iPad, maybe even by using plastics instead of alloy?

Less reflective screen

The ipad screen is so reflective that Amazon based their ads on it. And it is true, the screen does reflecht. Good enough to serve as a mirror in some cases.

No More Fingerprints!

The iPad is such a beautiful piece of gadgetery but use it for a for minutes and its got your fingerprints all over it. Apple is rumored to sell the iPad 2 with a coating that prevents your smudges from sticking to the glass. Pfew.

Retina Screen?

Nah, don’t think so. For the iPad to offer a retina screen the resolution would be insane if it did. Skip that one.

USB Ports

You can buy a flimsy little piece of plastic that will connect your digital camera to the iPad dock connector, but come on, why not just add one tiny little cute USB port so we can read from USB sticks and plug into printers while on the road? Yep, I’m expecting the USB to appear on the iPad 2.

Larger speaker

BOOM Boom boom! The iPad is great for games and movies. The current speakers? Not so much. Expect a bigger and better speaker.

Different colors

I know, so far Apple isn’t doing too well with that white iPhone. But why not a black and/or white iPad? If you plan on selling millions and millions of these babies why not offer a tiny little bit more choice there?

Different sizes

Steve Jobs made it very clear he doesn’t believe in smaller form factors. Okay, point taken. But how about bigger? Can i get a 14 inch tablet please? Imagine watching a movie on THAT! Angry Birds HD? Oh yeah…

Bigger screen, smaller package

Don’t you agree that the black frame is a tad big around the screen? About half that would do too. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new iPad taking a cue from the iPhone 4 with stainless steel on the sides and more glass.

What did I forget and what are you hoping for? Can’t wait to hear from you.

Here is a video mock-up done by fast company. Realistic enough?

The only questions left to ask is; will you buy the new iPad?

UPDATED: for a lighter preview check out this cartoon.