iPad 3 Update, Rumor Roundup, and More

It’s no secret that the iPad 3 is in the works by Apple, but it does seem that Apple is trying to keep almost every other aspect of it secret. Because countless rumors have been spread and leaked, it is nearly impossible to predict what features the iPad 3 will actually hold.

One of the most popular rumors state that it will boost 4G LTE compatibility. This, of course, would only be available for Verizon users. Yet another says that the iPad 3 may even be the first real 3D tablet, in which case Apple will probably use similar technology to the HTC Evo 3D. This will be highly improbable, though, due to Apple already having trouble with retina display.

One thing that is constantly changing for this upcoming Apple device is the release date. Originally, the iPad 3 was thought to be released simultaneously with the iPhone 4S/5, but this theory has been confirmed as incorrect. Since then, it has been delayed and scheduled to be released in early 2012.

Some people fear for the future of this project and Apple itself after Steve Jobs resigned from his position as CEO of Apple, but he will still serve as chairman for the company, overlooking the iPad 3 and making sure it stays true to it’s original design. Since leaving his prime spot in the company, the Apple stock has dropped, illustrating just how powerful Steve Jobs was. New CEO, Tim Cook, may not be as iconic or recognizable, but if the iPad 3 is successful, he could very well be the new face of Apple. Experts say he should have the skills to lead Apple just as well, if not better, than Steve Jobs, but only time will tell how big of an impact he will have on the company.

We are still quite far from the unveiling and actual release of the iPad 3, and until then, we can only dream of what features it may bring to the table. Retina display has already been confirmed, so it may just be a matter of time before more features are confirmed, and we slowly piece it together. What features do you want most on the iPad 3?

BlackBerry PlayBook receives certification for US government use

The BlackBerry PlayBook may not have exactly won over consumers en masse, but it looks like RIM can now at least put a feather in its cap when it comes to one of its key customer bases: government agencies. The company announced today that the PlayBook is the first tablet to receive the so-called FIPS 140-2 certification which, according to RIM, means that the US federal government can "buy with confidence knowing that the PlayBook meets their computing policy requirements for protecting sensitive information." Of course, those agencies will still need to make sure to supply a BlackBerry smartphone as well so folks can access some of that information -- although this may be one instance where that's considered to be more of a feature than an omission.

Sprint Keeps Quiet About the Latest Rumors, iPhone 5 to Have Smaller Display

Sprint Employees Not Allowed to Talk About the iPhone 5

According to Sprint Feed, Sprint employees have received a memo instructing them on how to deal with customers who are asking if they will carry the iPhone, or when the iPhone 5 will be released. The employees are permitted to acknowledge rumors that have spread through the media, like the article in Wall Street Journal which says that Sprint will carry the iPhone 5, and to refer the customer to Sprint.com Newsroom for the latest info.

The rumors that Sprint will carry the iPhone 5 has been around for some time now, but so far, neither Sprint or Apple have confirmed or denied this. This latest development will only make customers more restless, as the predicted launch date is almost here and we’re not even sure who will carry it yet. The iPhone is currently only available from Verizon and AT&T; the addition of Sprint as the 3rd iPhone carrier will make a lot of iPhone fans happy.

iPhone 5′s Display to Be Smaller than 4 Inches

A new rumor contradicting the previous “4.2 inches screen” old one has surfaced, courtesy of DigiTimes. According to their source, a big panel supplier, the upcoming device’s screen will measure less than 4 inches and will be somewhere in the 3.5-3.7 inch range.

If the newest rumors are true, and the new iPhone will get a 3.5-3.7 inch display, then it may be possible that we’ll actually only see a 4S this Fall, but if they do come out with a 4.2 inch screen, the iPhone 5 will look a lot different than the current 3.5 inch display iPhone 4 and will be on par with most current smartphones.
It also looks like the back side design will be changed. The current reinforced glass chassis will be changed to a metal one.

Just like with any other rumor out there, no one can tell for sure how the iPhone 5 will look like, what its capabilities will be, or who will carry it besides AT&T and Verizon. Hopefully, the latest rumored release date, October 7th, will prove to be true. Until then, we can only hope that Apple will make the right decision and bring us an iPhone that will rival any other smart phone currently on the market.