Tech giant Apple has confirmed it will hold a press conference next week that is almost certain to be the launch pad for the second version of the iPad.
The announcement was made on the same day as the company’s annual general meeting, where the board rejected a shareholder’s request to reveal more information about the giant’s succession plan in light of chief executive Steve Jobs’ extended medical leave.
The proposal was prompted by reports showing a frail Jobs entering and leaving medical clinics in San Francisco.
The press invitation was sent out overnight and in typical Apple fashion limited information was provided with only the date “March 2” and text that said “come see what 2011 will be the year of”.
The press ad shows the calendar peeling away to reveal an iPad in the background, prompting speculation that the event will be focused on the next version of the best-selling device.
Confirmation of the event comes after the Wall Street Journal reported this week that a new iPad would be launched in early March. It also comes after tech trades published rumours about components and features to be included in the next device.
AppleInsider reported claims early this week that the next iPad will feature a faster CPU, more RAM, better graphics and the ability to work on GSM and CDMA networks. Various reports from component manufacturers say the iPad will come with two cameras.
The Apple board knocked back a request from shareholders to reveal more about the company’s succession plan.
The proposal was put forward by the Central Laborers’ Pension Fund and was supported by the Laborers’ International Union of North America, with a spokesperson saying Apple needed to be upfront with shareholders about how it would handle Jobs leaving his post.
The proposal was voted down, keeping Apple’s plan shrouded in secrecy, with the company saying it had a plan but revealing those details would inadvertently reveal confidential information.
“The company recognizes that a highly talented and experienced management team, not just the CEO, is critical to Apple’s success. Accordingly the board already implements many of the proposed actions,” it said in a regulatory filing.
”The board has a formal evaluation process in which it identifies and recommends development of internal candidates for succession based on criteria that reflect Apple’s business strategy.”
Questions over Apple’s planning have been raised since Jobs announced he would take leave in January and since then reports have shown him appearing quite frail entering medical clinics – prompting calls for more information on succession planning.
Apple also revealed more details about its data centre in North Carolina being used to host iTunes and MobileMe data.
It is rumoured that the centre will be used to host files for a cloud-based version of iTunes, but Apple has not confirmed those reports.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
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