iPad 3: 10 Hot Features Apple Needs to Include

Apple will be holding a special even March 7 at which the company is expected to finally unveil the iPad 3. Historically, Apple has used this time of the year to show off its new tablet, and if all the rumors are to be believed, this will be no different. The big question now is no longer when it will come€”but, rather, what will the iPad 3 come with to entice consumers to buy it?

Alas, Apple is notoriously secretive and has always been loath to reveal details about upcoming launches. So, all the reports surrounding the iPad 3 are based solely on rumors that have floated around Cupertino, Calif.; the company€™s supply chain; and elsewhere around the world.

However, that doesn€™t mean today€™s consumers and enterprise users can€™t hope for something new and exciting in the iPad 3. In fact, at this point, it€™s best for those folks to list out the features they€™re hoping for and see if Apple plays its part in making them happy.

While no one but a few Apple executives knows for sure what€™s in store for March 7, it€™s worth looking at some different features that customers and business users are hoping the iPad 3 delivers.

1. Retina Display

Apple€™s Retina Display is wildly popular on the iPhone and iPod Touch. But the time has come for Apple to deliver the same feature to the iPad. After all, Retina Displays really are the future of screen technology, and not to bring it to its flagship mobile product would be a mistake on Apple€™s part.

2. Siri

Last year, Apple introduced Siri to the iPhone 4S. So far, the technology isn€™t running on any of the company€™s other products. However, chances are that Apple will be bringing Siri to the iPad 3 as it starts to roll out the feature across its product line. I€™m sure you€™re awfully excited to hear that.

3. 4G support

One of the things missing in the iPad 2 is 4G connectivity. In order to connect to the Web when you€™re away from a WiFi signal, you€™ll need to connect to 3G. And as you know, 3G is so 2010. It would be awfully nice if Apple offers up 4G in the iPad 3 and finally matches the many competitors that are already offering the technology.

4. The same price

Historically, Apple has delivered new iPads at the same price as their predecessors. With any luck at all, that won€™t change this year, either. Some reports say Apple will launch the next iPad at a slight premium of $60 or $70, but that has so far not been confirmed. Here€™s hoping Apple keeps the iPad€™s price the same.

Its a Good Time for Apple to Prove It Knows How to Appeal to Tablet Customers

5. Quad-core, anyone?

If you€™ve been following the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, you know that quad-core processors are all the rage among tablet makers. Realizing that, Apple really has no choice but to match them and bring a quad-core chip in its next tablet. For the average consumer and enterprise user, that means more power, more functionality and better gaming. Not bad.

6. A smaller option

Although it might not happen, many consumers are hoping that Apple will launch a smaller iPad 3 this year. Aside from its standard 9.7-inch model, the company could potentially deliver a 7-inch version that could match the Galaxy Tab, Amazon Kindle Fire and others. Smaller options aren€™t a guarantee, but they would be nice.

7. More storage

Apple€™s iPad 2 currently maxes out its storage at 64GB. Last year, Apple launched the iPhone 4S with up to 64GB, as well. Considering its tablet is far more expensive than its smartphone, wouldn€™t it only make sense for the company to offer a tablet with, say, 128GB of storage?

8. Thunderbolt

Apple€™s Thunderbolt technology has been slowly but surely making its way across the company€™s Macs and displays. The time has come for the input/output technology to also be made available in the iPad 3. Such a port would allow users to connect Apple€™s monitors and potentially transfer content seamlessly between the slate and Macs. That€™s a feature worth having.

9. A fix for the glare

One of the biggest issues with reading on an iPad is that when doing so outside, one must deal with a serious glare. There€™s talk of Apple trying to fix that in the next iPad, and most consumers and enterprise users would be more than happy to see that happen. Someone has to put an end to tablet glare. Why shouldn€™t it be Apple?

10. How about a new design?

When it€™s all said and done, consumers and even enterprise users love new-product designs. And Apple is just about the best company in the business when it comes to delivering such designs. The iPad design is getting stale; it€™s a good time for Apple to show off something new and prove once and for all that it knows better than any other vendor how to appeal to today€™s tablet customers.

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