Apple Foregoes iPad 3 Dubbing in Favor of "iPad HD" - Reports

Reports are coming from all over the place that Apple has somehow decided to ditch the rather predictable iPad 3 moniker in favor of a new dubbing - iPad HD.

Sources talking to VentureBeat said “Apple’s next-generation iPad will be called the iPad HD, not the iPad 3.” This person is actually described as a “reliable” source that has proven track record. Moreover, the same person allegedly told the site that Apple is sourcing “7.1-inch screen components in preparation for a smaller iPad release later this year.”

CNet corroborates the first half of the story, saying that they’ve also heard that “the next iPad uses the HD moniker instead of […] ‘iPad 3’”. This information reportedly came from “a developer who’s previously provided reliable information with respect to things Apple.”

There’s a good chance Apple is, indeed, using the HD moniker this time around, the main reason being the "Retina" display which regular consumers would much rather understand as HD-capable.

In fact, Cult of Mac’s Alex Heath provides the perfect example using a real-life scenario. Sitting at a dinner table, Heath was surrounded by “average consumers who like technology that works and makes their lives better.”

“After reading reactions this afternoon from bloggers and Apple fans I follow on Twitter about the possibility of an iPad HD, I decided to ask the people at the table what they thought about the name. When asked whether ‘iPad 3’ or ‘iPad HD’ made more sense in light of the high-quality Retina display, every single one of them said they preferred iPad HD.”

The reason is simple, Heath concluded. “Because it just makes sense.” The average consumer couldn’t care less about the pixel density on that iPad’s screen. All they want is a great experience.

Of course, there's a pretty good chance Tim Cook will debunk these rumors at tomorrow's event in San Francisco, California. In other words, don't used to that iPad HD dubbing just yet.

Posted in: Preview, Tablet