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iPad with stereo speakers pictured in alleged manufacturing render, claimed to be larger iPad prototype

It looks like it is the season of sketchy schematics and component leaks again. Posted by NowhereElse.fr, this image is supposed to confirm the existence of an imminent larger iPad. According to the site, the images come from a source that was reliable in the past, passing over sketches of iPhone 6 chassis that turned out to be the real deal.

The render is rather boring, but an additional row of speaker holes — shown on the top side of the device — is visible. This supports the rumor that the larger iPad, commonly dubbed ‘iPad Pro’, will have stereo speakers. Otherwise, the picture looks like the side of an iPad Air, presumably larger (the image doesn’t give any indication of relative scale).  The source apparently claims the device measures between 6.9 and 7.5 mm in thickness in line with the current iPad range.

Obviously, the reliability of this image is very questionable and should not be treated as hard evidence. At this point, it does seem that a larger iPad is on its way — whether this is a real render of it is another question. KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the larger iPad is to be expected in the second quarter. In August, a Bloomberg report said to expect a >12 inch iPad in early 2015. Some people have assumed that Apple’s yet-to-be-released split-screen multitasking mode for iPad will be a key feature of the larger iPad.

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Comments

  1. philboogie - 9 years ago

    Without seeing another side without a speaker grill this could be a mono iPad as well. That said, it would only make sense for a device to gain stereo if it is large enough. There are many people complaining Apple needs to release stereo speakers on all iOS devices, a sentiment I simply cannot share as one does not benefit from it if the device isn’t large enough.

    • Derek Wildstar - 9 years ago

      from what I can tell, this is at the “top” where the volume keys and on/off switch is. Maybe stereo if you hold it sideways?

      • TechSHIZZLE.com - 9 years ago

        Guess that depends on what you mean by “sideways”. Looks like it would be stereo if holding it in landscape orientation.

    • Laughing_Boy48 - 9 years ago

      It would seem to me stereo speakers that are placed narrower than a person’s ears wouldn’t see much benefit at all from stereo speakers. Stereo speakers are more like pissing contest specs. Instead just whip out a decent pair of headphones and you’ll be golden.

  2. Just Great! Now my Wife will have something else to want.

  3. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Lines up with previous rumors and those sketches that leaked out a few months back. Most interesting will be whether or not this larger iPad can “reinvigorate” sales. While I don’t think iPad sales are really in danger (given the difference in upgrade cycles vs. iPhone) it will be interesting to see how many folks want a larger iPad. Definitely will appeal to the business and education markets.

  4. silas681- - 9 years ago

    This could obviously be faked by a teenager with a hooky copy of solid works/ creo and number of other cad packages, but this is an interesting propect, if (from my point of view) there is an effective stylus to allow sketching and image processing. Cintiq might be worried!

    *All opinions are that of the author and valid from his/her point of view

  5. patstar5 - 9 years ago

    I hope they do 3:2 ratio. I would like up to buy it. Only 3:2 tablets were nook hd+ and surface pro 3. It works good in portrait and landscape. IPad is to square and videos don’t work good in landscape. 16:9 and 16:10 is horrible in portrait.
    Apple please make 3:2 ratio tablet!

    • philboogie - 9 years ago

      That’ll never happen. This would need a rewrite of every app Apple has, including the 1.5M apps from 3rd parties. And what to do with the content? Redesign everything for a new AR? Of course that won’t happen. The beauty of the current lineup is that it required a little bit of effort from devs for the new sizes that came after the first 3.5″. Would you expect everything to ‘just work’ when streaming to the AppleTV?

      Why do you think they’ve kept the CMOS AR the same all these years? For your photo to be viewed fully you’ll need to zoom out a bit to see the whole photo. It’s unfortunate, but they’ll never change the AR of the sensor as that has all sorts of ramifications.

      • patstar5 - 9 years ago

        How come android developers can support a whole range of screen size from 1.5 inch to a 100 inch tv while when apple changes something everyone complains?

  6. Kacey Oneil - 9 years ago

    I am definitely doubtful of its ability to run OS X as well as iOS. My current MacBook has already has so many problems, I have had to go to detoxmymac.org to speed it up again! If Steve Jobs was around, I wouldn’t doubt that this device would be able to support both OS X and iOS; it seems Apple has caused more problems with recent forced updates and whatnot… at least for myself.

    • jigsaw4life - 9 years ago

      I agree, they need to slow down and have more testing. They have been pushing so many products out and havent effectively kept them updated and running smooth on the software side of things. I see an iPad pro running iOS with multitasking and “developed for pro” apps. A screen with remarkable quality and accuracy for drawing and the power to process hq video would be great. If Apple released a stylus like a former poster had mentioned to work excellent with the touch panel tech in their screens than they could be on to something. Stereo “Beats” upgraded speakers I can see happening. iOS and Mac os has been coming closer and closer to being fully integrated. I don’t think it will happen yet, if ever. The iPad pro I can see integrating even moreso than the phones and current iPads with Mac os.

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.