iPad 3 Launching March 7: 10 Things to Expect From Apple

Apple is holding its special iPad 3 event on March 7. The big day is expected to show off the company’s new tablet plans€”and potentially show off not one, but two new iPads. For its part, Apple has not commented on what it has planned for the show, but that’s not necessarily out of the norm, given the company’s history. As a result, there are a host of major question marks surrounding the iPad 3 event.

But rather than focus on what the iPad 3 might come with, it might be a better time to discuss some of the things that will likely happen at the event. From an appearance from Apple CEO Tim Cook to the possibility of a new Apple TV launching, the company’s iPad 3 event is slated to be the biggest one we’ve seen in a long time. And consumers around the world will be anxious to see what happens.

1. Tim Cook to fall back€”again

At recent press events, Tim Cook has come out on stage initially, but left much of the presenting work to his top executives. Chances are this will happen again. Cook is simply not comfortable in the spotlight, and it seems he doesn’t want to be a Steve Jobs copycat. So, while he might unveil the iPad 3, don’t expect him to talk details.

2. iOS 5.1 talk

Apple’s iOS 5.1 is expected to be shown off at the iPad 3 event. The operating system is currently in testing and is getting closer to its public launch. What better place to unveil the software, which will come with a host of security and bug fixes, than with the iPad 3?

3. Sales figures, galore

If Apple likes to do anything at its press events, it’s tout its success. At the March 7 event, expect the company to kick things off with the latest iPad, iPhone and maybe even Mac sales data. That usually provides the foundation for all Apple announcements after that, and it shouldn’t be any different this time around.

4. Android comparisons

At the same time, Apple likes to draw distinctions between its products and those offered by other companies. So there’s a good chance that Apple will show iPad market share compared with Android share. There’s also a good chance it’ll talk about future consumer and enterprise buying expectations. Oh, and expect all that to be glowing.

Apple TV, iCloud Updates?

5. A new Apple TV

According to the latest reports, the Apple TV has been taken off many store shelves around the world, and its stock elsewhere is dwindling. Either Apple is preparing to remove it from store shelves entirely or it will update the device at its March 7 event. Given the company’s history of hating to admit it was wrong, expect the latter.

6. iCloud updates?

Apple’s iCloud, which launched last year, was a good first step. But the time has come for Apple to show off some improvements and promise to make things a bit better for customers. An iCloud-based video-streaming service would be nice. And according to some reports, it might be launching sooner rather than later. What better place to show it off than at the iPad 3 event?

7. A Steve Jobs mention

Over the last several months, a host of reports have cropped up, saying that Steve Jobs was heavily involved in the development of both the iPhone 5 and the iPad 3 prior to his death. If that’s the case, expect Apple executives to point that out and make it clear that their co-founder and former leader’s expertise is still playing an integral role in their decision-making.

8. App developer talk

As with any new product launch, Apple this time around will be showing off applications developed by third parties that can take advantage of the new iPad’s features. The company will also likely flank that talk with a mention of its App Store recently hitting 25 billion downloads. Apps are extremely important to Apple, and the company will make that clear at its iPad event.

9. New faces

Remember that mention of Tim Cook not taking center stage at the iPad 3 event? Well, following that, it’s important to note that a host of new faces will be at the iPad 3 event. Whereas Steve Jobs controlled the vast majority of the shows Apple held, Cook is content to unleash a line of executives to talk about the new improvements. Remember Eddy Cue, Apple’s iTunes head? Although he doesn’t speak often, expect him to be at the iPad 3 event.

10. Oh, yeah: the iPad 3

All this talk of the iPad 3 event leaves out one key announcement: the iPad 3 itself. Apple’s tablet is expected to come with a quad-core processor, Retina Display, an improved design and several other improvements. The iPad 3 could very well be the biggest improvement to the iPad we’ve seen yet. That’s awfully exciting, isn’t it?

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