What to expect from tomorrow’s Apple iPad 2 announcement

With less than 24 hours to go until the unveiling of Apple’s new iPad, tech geeks and pundits are gearing up for what is expected to be one of the biggest information technology announcements of the year.

And while Apple has continued its usual strategy of keeping everything tightly under wraps until the official event, that hasn’t stopped various trades from publishing rumours from component manufacturers and company insiders.

However, new rumours suggest chief executive Steve Jobs may even make an appearance, despite being over one month into a six-month leave of absence due to medical issues. Chief operating officer Tim Cook has taken over day-to-day duties while he is away.

Much has changed since Apple unveiled its first iPad in January 2010. While the device has dominated the tablet scene in the past year, competitors including Samsung, Motorola and Research In Motion have all promised powerful devices shipping in the next few months.

In fact, some analysts are saying this competition will seriously threaten the success of the iPad this year, or at least knock it off the top perch. Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White wrote this morning the growing number of competitors will make life more difficult for Apple.

“Assuming a new iPad is unveiled at this event, we believe Apple must make a convincing case for why the iPad 2 is better than the plethora of competitors coming to market, while at the same time persuading iPad 1 buyers to upgrade to iPad 2.”

However, he also points out that due to Apple’s brand power, and “the company’s powerful ecosystem”, the iPad is still expected to dominate the tablet scene in 2011.

There is no doubt that while hundreds of tablets have hit the market, Apple’s wide range of customers and iOS infrastructure is keeping the iPad on top.

So what should Apple fans expect from tomorrow’s announcement?

• A thinner design. Various component manufacturers and sources speaking to tech publications have all said the next iPad will feature a thinner design, even smaller than some customers may expect. Some also say the device could come with a flat back.
• A new, higher quality speaker that will come at the back of the device. This would make sense if the design has changed – a speaker wouldn’t be able to fit on a thinner edge.
• Two cameras. Virtually every rumour has suggested the iPad will come with two cameras – one will be a 1.3 megapixel camera for the front, and a 2-megapixel camera for the back.
• FaceTime will be included. With Apple’s video conferencing technology already available on the iPhone 4, and the new MacBook line-up, it’s a given that video conferencing will be coming to the iPad and eventually the entire iOS ecosystem.
• Most rumours seem to suggest now the screen will come with the same resolution as the first iPad. CultofMac has claimed this morning the iPad 3 will come with the higher quality screen, while the second iPad will be more of a transitional update.
• A faster processor, more RAM and a dual-mode feature so users can connect to both GSM and CDMA networks.
• The next iPad could come in white, if 9to5Mac is to be believed. They’ve supposedly gotten hold of a white casing for the next iPad that features a hole for a camera.

There are some other, less likely rumours that have taken shape over the past few weeks. Some of these include predictions that the second iPad will feature a USB port, an SD card slot and a Thunderbolt port.

These have been denied by some component manufactures and aren’t expected by all – but Apple has dropped bombshells before and they’ve often surprised customers with unorthodox announcements.

The release comes during an important time for Apple. It needs to demonstrate it can survive without chief executive Steve Jobs – several shareholders have called for the tech giant to release a succession plan to no avail.

However, like all Apple announcements, it’s almost certain they will show off at least some other product or feature – some analysts have pointed to new versions of MobileMe, or perhaps a sneak peak at the next iPhone operating system, iOS 5.

In any case, fans will know for sure when Apple holds its keynote tomorrow at 5am AEST. SmartCompany will update with all the details shortly afterwards.