Next-Generation iPad May Be CDMA-GSM With Thinner Unibody
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Posted November 19, 2010 at 1:41pm by iClarified
Apple's next-generation iPad may feature a thinner unibody design with a CDMA-GSM chip, according to speculation from Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair.
"Recent checks…suggest Apple is going to be ratcheting down production of the existing 3G iPad over the next two months in anticipation of ramping up a new World iPad that is powered by Qualcomm and will run on both GSM and CDMA based networks around the world," Blair writes. "Given our recent checks that suggest Apple is preparing to build approximately 48 million iPads in calendar 2011."
AllThingsD notes that Blair's checks also suggest these next-generation iPads will include at least a front-facing camera and some design adjustments. "We…understand the new iPad is thinner than the existing model and is essentially made from one piece of metal with no pins needed," he says. "We understand it requires a new type of manufacturing process as a result, similar to the company’s unibody approach seen in MacBooks."
Apple is expected to announce the iPad 2 in the spring of 2011.
To me, it sounds like someone is confusing CDMA (IS-95) with WCDMA (ask HSPA or UMTS). Blackberry already had released CDMA/GSM device, it's possible to make a CDMA/GSM/HSPA device, but why and how much? Sure, Verizon is a nice market to grab, and roaming agreements with Vodafone makes it interesting for Verizon users to go outside the US, but making all devices around that platform seems like an increase in production fees too high to be justified. Unless Qualcomm is getting less money hungry and gave Apple a nice deal. Time will tell, but I would bet it's WCDMA, not IS-95 (aka CDMA, 1x)