The iPad 2 rumors are heating up as we head into the New Year. CES 2011 is just a little over a week away and Apple’s January announcement will shortly follow. Sweeping the headlines this morning is news that Apple will release not one, but three iPad 2s next year — a WiFi, UMTS and CDMA version.


According to DigiTimes, the Taiwanese industry insider, Apple will release the three versions of the iPad in a 3:4:3 build ratio, favoring the UMTS variant ever-so-slightly. Interestingly, the website believes that production of the iPad 2 will begin in the first half of January, with about a half-million iPad 2s to be assembled.

Currently between 60 and 65 percent of the current iPad sales are the UMTS 3G model, so the Cupertino-based company will be working closely with new GSM partners. Also on the agenda for the iPad 2 is the anti-smudge and anti-reflective treatments. The success of products like the Kindle has caused Apple to improve their screen technology, specifically in direct-light environments.

Now for the numbers: Apple will reportedly produce roughly 40 million iPad 2s in 2011, representing nearly three quarters of the tablet space. Previously, DigiTimes had reported the iPad 2 would be produced at a rate of 6 million per month — significantly lower than their new estimate.


For comparison, the current iPad will have shipped approximately 16 million units by the end of the year. A remaining two to three million units will be available for retail outlets as the company begins to phase out the existing model in favor of the iPad 2.

As far as the screen itself, DigiTimes is sticking to their original claim that the iPad 2 will not feature an active-matrix organic LED display. Based on constrained supplies and the difficulties associated with mass producing an OLED display, Apple will reportedly stick with the backlit LCD display with IPS technology for the iPad 2. The improvements to anti-smudging and anti-reflective treatments will be incorporated with that display.

So now you’ve heard the latest and greatest from Apple’s iPad 2 rumor mill. Now it’s time to sound off. Let us know what you think about the move to three models of the iPad, should Apple stick with an LCD backlit screen for the iPad 2?