Apple iPad rumour mill whirls despite problems in China
THE HUNGRILY-AWAITED iPad 3 could run on fourth generation networks when released in the US later this year, with top American wireless providers AT&T and Verizon vying for the carrier deal.
Apple is expected to announce details of its latest tablet offering in the first week of next month, with some sources pointing specifically to Wednesday 7 March.
The tech giant does not currently have any 4G devices, but the iPhone 5 – likely to hit the shops later this year – is expected to run on the new generation network, although Apple consumers in the UK might have to wait a while longer for 4G mobile devices.
Rumours are also circulating about a seven inch iPad to rival Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.
Avid speculation, alongside Apple’s recent record earnings, have rocketed the group’s share price to above $500.
However, the fate of the iPad in China remains to be seen as computer monitor manufacturer Proview Technologies, which claims to own the “iPad” trademark, seeks to ban shipments of the popular tablet to China.
The Taiwanese-owned company triumphed in a lawsuit over Apple in December and is now petitioning retailers in China – a huge consumer market – to halt iPad shipments.
This comes as Apple yesterday launched an investigation into the working conditions of its factories, including Foxconn in China where thirteen employees committed suicide in 2010 amid claims the factory made them work overtime on military-style production lines for low wages.