iPad 2 coming in April with USB and Cameras

The blogosphere is currently abuzz with rumours surrounding the next generation of Apple’s iPad after a Chinese site published all sorts of interesting details about it, none of which we’ve heard “officially” yet.

The information came originally from China Economic Daily News which has a pretty good reputation for getting it right. Remember they were the first to report that Apple was producing a tablet when everyone else wrongly assumed it would be a Netbook.

So what are they saying now?

Basically there are five new features we can expect in the next generation iPad. The first of these is that there will supposedly be a front and a rear facing camera included, which makes a lot of sense as people wanted that and Apple’s FaceTime app would allow video calling too, which is great.

We are also apparently getting a USB port which will open up all sorts of options and again, we wanted it, we wanted that badly, so I guess Apple does listen.

The article also suggests a new touch display screen on the iPad 2 with retina display, as well as 3 axis gyroscope and hints that it will be a 7 inch device and lighter and thinner than the previous iPad. There’s also likely to be an increase in storage space.

The question most people really want an answer to though is when will they will be able to get their hands on the Apple iPad 2?

Well according to the Chinese sources the new Apple iPad will be released some time in the first quarter of 2011 so not long to wait. Again that fits with Apple’s pattern as the first iPad was announced in January and shipped in the April.

Perhaps Apple also relish the idea of stealing some thunder from RIM as if it launches in the spring and it looks that way at the moment, then it will be around the same time that the BlackBerry PlayBook is scheduled to make its debut.

The only disappointing thing is that the iPad 2 isn’t likely to be any cheaper than the first iPad and if you already have that, are you really going to splash out again, particularly as there will be other cheaper tablets available by then, including the PlayBook.

It’s all very exciting but we have to remember that until we get the official word on the new iPad 2 it’s all still speculation and rumour.