New iPad Predictions before the rush

Well I was a little behind the curve on the new iPhone features, so I am hoping to be able to be first out of the block with new iPad predictions.

OK, so first I have to remind everyone that I work for AT&T and I have no insights into the AT&T/Apple relationship or Apple’s product plans. I’m just a geek who likes to pontificate on technology.

I expect Apple to announce new iPads with both front and rear facing cameras (like the iPhone). The existing iPad will be renamed the iPad Classic and they will also announce smaller form factor iPads called the iPad Mini and iPad Nano. No the naming schemes are not original, but they do have a product history.

There will be a price reduction for the “iPad Classic”, i.e. fire sale, with the new iPad at the same price point ($499 64GB to 128GB and 9.7” diagonal screen). I think the iPad Nano will replace the iPod Touch at the low end of the price point ($199 32GB and $299 64GB 3.5” diagonal screen) and the iPad Mini at ($399 64GB 6.5” diagonal screen). Facetime will be included on all iPads, the Mini may offer an AT&T data plan, but the Nano will be Wi-Fi only. All of the iPads may also include the new Retina display.

I expect the new products to be announced with the new iPods. And what can I say about the new iPods? More memory, new colors, and Retina display, oh and of course no more iPod Touch.

And, in closing, I will include one more rant on the Verizon iPhone rumor, will not happen as long as Verizon’s 4G network is in limited deployment. Having an iPhone on another announced dead-end technology (Verizon’s 3G Network) is like CISCO announcing a new product for Token Ring networks. Would your company do this?