New iPad 2 Mock-Ups Surface with Much Thinner Body and Big Speaker Grill

[Maura]

The speculation about the actual existence of the iPad 2 may now be over following Apple’s issuing of invites today to its launch event next week, but that doesn’t mean that all the feverish speculation has to stop! We’ve got one more week of endless musings about possible features for the new iPad, as well as how it will look, how much it will weigh, and so on. Hoping to answer a couple of those questions, 9to5 Mac has posted some new mock-ups of the iPad 2, obtained from a Japanese blog. The pictures of the mock-ups show that the iPad 2, if the mock-ups are accurate, is slightly smaller and much thinner (and presumably lighter) than the first iPad, with a flat back, and that the speaker grill is much larger than the current one, extending over the back of the device. You can also clearly see the location of the dual cameras, the back-facing one in the top left-hand corner, and the front-facing one in the middle of the screen at the top.

Source: New iPad 2 mockups purport to show thinner body, speaker grill | 9 to 5 Mac New iPad 2 mockups purport to show thinner body, speaker grill | Apple Intelligence

 

[NumbLock]

Hm. I'm not loving that speaker grill.

 

[freebirdforever]

Hm. I'm not loving that speaker grill.

If it produces better sound...who cares?

 

[Dr.Gee]

the only reason I might get one would be good FaceTime,but that would seem unlikely due to screen size.

 

[pcimaging]

Well I think the addition of a larger speaker is a definate plus. I know it is needed because when I am alone and want to listen or watch news and videos I would prefer to not be using headphones. That grille pictured may or may not be accurate but I would be fine with it if it works as I hope.

 

[Dr.Gee]

Hm. I'm not loving that speaker grill.

If it produces better sound...who cares?

Isn't that why we pay a premium for apple products?Slick design?

If it plays Flash, who cares if it crashes?

If it can multitask,who cares if it slows down?

If it has twice the battery life,who cares if it is heavier/thicker?


Just sayin'

 

[Gunny008]

If the new iPads speaker is like that, the sound will suck if the iPad is placed flat on its back

 

[DontUnderstandMyIpad]

If the new iPads speaker is like that, the sound will suck if the iPad is placed flat on its back

Not necessarily. The speakers in the picture are close towards the edge. So the sound might just reflect of the surface.

Many phones have their speakers on the back and the sound is great when placed on their back, as this forces the sound waves to bounce of the surface towards the user, rather than spreading out spherically when held mid-air.

 

[writerranger]

That mock-up also shows it clearly named as "iPad 2".... the launch day of March 2 is no coincidence.

 

[SweetPoison]

Well ~ I would not like smaller or thinner. I LOVE the way the iPad is now. Very much.

So ~ I'm good!

And I thought I would want the second one.

Whew!

 

[Hasty]

Oh No's the grip of doom will deaden the sound! Quick circle the wagons.
What can apple be thinking?......

 

[Gunny008]

Not necessarily. The speakers in the picture are close towards the edge. So the sound might just reflect of the surface.

Many phones have their speakers on the back and the sound is great when placed on their back, as this forces the sound waves to bounce of the surface towards the user, rather than spreading out spherically when held mid-air.

The closeness of the edge may help but sound will definitely be distorted if you are watching something that is loud and the volume is turned up pretty close to the max.

 

[freebirdforever]

The closeness of the edge may help but sound will definitely be distorted if you are watching something that is loud and the volume is turned up pretty close to the max.

That happens with any mobile speaker. Even the xooms