iPad 3 rumors: A guide to what's likely, unlikely, and totally bonkers

Probability: Unlikely

Better camera

Considering the fairly crummy cameras on the iPad 2, there’s a lot to be desired from the third iPad’s cameras. Photos of the tablet’s glass panels suggest that the new tablet’s main camera will be located at the top of the tablet, just like the iPad 2. But both of the iPad 2’s cameras are a far cry from the iPhone 4S, which shoots at 8 megapixels. It’s only fair that the third iPad should keep up with photo capabilities as its little sibling. (The downside? iPad users continue to look awkward taking photos with tablets. But to each his own.)

Probability: Likely

Microsoft Office

Apple and Microsoft might seem like sworn enemies, but they’ve had a number of good collaborations in the past. Rumors abound regarding a Microsoft Office that’s iPad compatible, despite the fact that Apple has word processing and spreadsheet software in the form of iWork. Reporters at The Daily say they got ahold of a prototype in late February, so it’s entirely likely that the new iPad will have touchscreen Office just like Windows 8 tablets.

Probability: Likely

Haptic feedback

Apple has been playing around with touch technology called “haptic feedback” that, in the case of the upcoming iPad, could mean physical responses and vibrations from the iPad to the user. Bloggers have theorized that Apple’s promotional poster for the third iPad, which says “We’ve got something you have to feel. And touch,” means that there will be some sort of haptic technology included. The idea is that the iPad would sense the amount of friction between your finger and the screen and in turn, create the feel of different textures. This is a wild card feature for the new iPad – it’s possible that it’ll be included, but it’s also likely that the highly sensitive technology is still being experimented with.

Probability: Maybe

Near field communication (NFC)

Near field communication is arguably one of the most pragmatic, underused technologies out there. Otherwise known as “the digital wallet,” it allows users to make transactions by tapping their phones to a register (no tablets have enlisted this feature yet). As for the third iPad, there’s no telling if NFC will be included – reports that the iPad 2 would have NFC were proven wrong upon its release last year. As for the practical applications of NFC for a tablet? That’s up in the air. It’s unlikely that many iPad users will be using their tablets to pay for groceries at the supermarket – it makes much more sense to use something phone-sized. Maybe we should stick to hoping NFC is one of the iPhone 5 features.

Probability: Unlikely

Apple TV

Because consoles are so 2011, it’s likely that Apple has an update for Apple TV in mind. And what better way to revamp Apple TV than to include a streaming service with the latest iPad? “[The new Apple TV] sports a variation of Apple’s dual-core, ARM-based A5 processor that can stream 1080 video,” the 9to5 Mac blog reports. It’s not clear if the new Apple TV will be unveiled alongside the third iPad, or if and how they’ll be connected, but it’s safe to say both updates are imminent.

Probability: Maybe

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