Now that the iPad 2 has been unveiled, we can officially start speculating about the iPad 3 -- because as far as the Apple rumor mill is concerned, it's never too soon to start gossiping about gadgets.
First, here are the rumors we ended up seeing come true with the iPad 2's announcement:
Dual-core processor. The iPad 2 gets a custom A5 dual-core system-on-a-chip that's allegedly twice as fast as the original iPad's processor. The graphics performance is also said to be up to nine times faster than the iPad's.
Lighter and thinner "than a supermodel on a diet." The iPad 2 weighs in at 1.3 pounds and is 33% thinner than its predecessor --that's even thinner than the iPhone 4.
Multiple versions at launch. The iPad 2 will be available in its standard metallic hue as well as a white version, and it will launch on AT&T as well as Verizon -- sans the improvised MiFi setup this time.
Front- and rear-facing cameras. The Mac photo app PhotoBooth is included.
Larger speakers. Can you hear it now? Good.
And now, here are the rumors that ended up being utterly false but which might -- we said might -- resurface in the iPad 3 bubbling cauldron of hypothesis and conjecture:
Retina display.
Wireless synching
Flat (as opposed to curved) back.
USB port. However, the iPad does support HDMI output.
No Gorilla Glass. But the new covers, Apple says, should help keep your iPad 2's screen intact and pristine-ish.
A 7-inch version.