Odd speculation persists about 'revised' iPad

Slightly thicker, heavier Gen 3 iPad on top; iPad 2 on bottom.

(Credit: Brooke Crothers)

Asia-based sources won't quit with speculation about a "revised" model that will fix some of the shortcomings of the third-generation iPad.

Here's the problem: the third-generation iPad's 2,048x1,536 Retina display requires twice as many backlights as the iPad 2, which potentially makes it run hotter and necessitates a bigger battery to achieve roughly the same battery life as the iPad 2.

That bulked up backlight assembly also contributes to a slightly thicker, heavier design than the iPad 2.

Raymond Soneira, the founder, president, and CEO of DisplayMate Technologies, explained the challenges that Apple faced with the third-generation iPad to CNET back in May.

Apple's original plan, according to Soneira, was to use a new technology called IGZO from Sharp -- which would theoretically allow Apple to make the third-generation iPad as thin as the iPad 2 -- but that didn't happen because Sharp's display wasn't ready in time.

"There's no question that the iPad 3 is Plan B. They pushed amorphous silicon [display tech] to a higher [pixels per inch] than anybody else. But the li... [Read more]