Apple iPad3 rumours ramp up as predicted launch date looms

While the majority of the mobile fraternity is gearing up for Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week, Apple will (as always) be elsewhere plotting its own event: In this case, the launch of the iPad3.

The word on the street is that it will feature the ridiculously titled ‘retina display’ seen on the latest iPod Touch models. Apple claims that with these displays the individual pixel density is so high your eye won’t be able to distinguish individual pixels, hence the name (we presume).

Apple fanboy site MacRumors has added some meat to this rumour's bones this week, featuring pictures it has taken and research done on an actual production line display it claims will be the one on the new Apple iPad3.

If true, this backs both the retina display notion and the rumoured launch date of March 7 – seeing as the tablet is already in mass production, so nearly ready to roll. Other rumours centre on a new A6 chip to run the device, alongside LTE mobile broadband support for those lucky enough to live in countries supporting it (America and some parts of Europe – and maybe us in 2013 if we’re lucky).

Also, if it really is a display of this quality, even more pressure will mount on Android based tablet PCs. In the realm of smartphones the likes of HTC and Samsung were quick to equal and then improve on the technology Apple brought to market. But in tablet PCs, Apple clearly has a lead the others are struggling to come to terms with at the top end.

The Apple iPad3 could have a touchscreen capable of 2048x1536 pixels, adding to its clear superiority in the tablet specific apps department and general cool factor: a combination that’s hard to resist. Over to you, Android.