Apple has started production of its latest iPad and talk of front facing cameras and a lighter design is everywhere. The timing of this news, delivered by the Wall Street Journal, is exquisite since it could just freeze consumers as a bevy of Android devices hit the market.
The Wall Street Journal, which has been rock solid about Apple upcoming products, reports that the new iPad will be thinner and lighter, have a camera for videoconferencing with FaceTime, and be available on AT&T and Verizon. In other words, the Journal backed most of the credible rumors about the iPad.
The most notable thing about the Apple iPad 2 production news is the timing of it all. To wit:
  • The iPad is in production just as Motorola starts pushing its Xoom tablet to the masses. Motorola chose to take on the iPad with a rather bizarre commercial during the Super Bowl.
  • This news surfaces just as Hewlett-Packard plans to unveil its tablet plans, which revolve around the webOS.
  • Dell is plotting a 10-inch tablet that runs on Windows 7.
  • And it’s also worth noting that there are a bevy of Android-based tablets on deck.
Add it up and the Apple iPad production news is perfectly timed. Just as you’re about to ponder a rival tablet, there’s a great reason to hold out a few weeks—the iPad 2. Couple the prices of Android tablets, which are generally too expensive, and the potential of a better iPad on deck and I’m willing to bet more than a few consumers will hold out for Apple’s latest dream device.