Apple to Release A6-Powered iPad Alongside iPad Mini on 17 Oct?
A new iPad with the designation iPad 3,6 appears in an Apple developer's log, which suggests a modified version of the current third-generation iPad model.
By Sidney Wong -
Image source: International Business Times
It seems that Apple might be launching more than one tablet on 17th October as there are signs of a modified version of the current iPad model in the works.
According to MacRumors, a developer has seen evidence of an unknown "iPad 3,6" showing up on his app analytics log. What's even more interesting is that the device runs on a processor which is based on the new ARMv7s architecture. The same architecture is used in the A6 processor of the iPhone 5.
As a point of reference, the current iPad is designated "iPad 3,1", "iPad 3,2", and "iPad 3,3" for the Wi-Fi and cellular models. An "iPad 3,6" designation could mean several things:
a derivative of the current iPad model
a tweaked version of the current iPad model with the new dock connector
a more powerful iPad model with the A6 processor
the next generation iPad model with the A6 processor or a variation of the chipset
The current iPad is in the market for about 7 months and Apple risks incurring backlash from consumers if it releases an upgraded version in the coming weeks.