As I’ve argued before, there’s a good chance the third-gen iPad will be called the “iPad HD.” The rumored tablet is expected to feature a pixel-packed Retina display as its flagship feature, and the “HD” suffix could help differentiate it as a newer, higher-quality device.
Two separate reports have been published today stating that Apple will indeed call Wednesday’s tablet the iPad HD.
The Verge originally introduced the idea of an iPad HD last summer when it claimed the completely redesigned iPhone 5 would launch in the fall. The iPhone 4S launched instead, and The Verge got its dates wrong. Things got quiet on the iPad HD front until Gizmodo reignited the HD rumors last week with a post referencing accessory listings from Griffin and Belkin.
Venturebeat adds fuel to the fire today:
Apple’s next-generation iPad will be called the iPad HD, not the iPad 3, a reliable source tells VentureBeat. Additionally, we’re hearing that Apple is now buying 7.1-inch screen components in preparation for a smaller iPad release later this year.
Separately, CNET reports:
A developer who’s previously provided reliable information with respect to things Apple and otherwise tells us the next iPad uses the HD moniker instead of going with “iPad 3.”
As stated above, I’ve already given my stance on the possibility of an iPad HD. Most people in the tech scene hate the name for multiple reasons, especially the fact that Apple has already engrained “Retina” as its high-quality display moniker. While that’s true for the tech-entrenched geeks who read Apple blogs and news sites, it’s certainly not true for the average consumer.
I was sitting at a table during dinner tonight with a group of people that are not tech enthusiasts. They don’t follow the Apple rumor mill and they don’t know the difference between IPO and ISO. They are the kind of people Apple markets to: average consumers who like technology that works and makes their lives better.
After reading reactions this afternoon from bloggers and Apple fans I follow on Twitter about the possibility of an iPad HD, I decided to ask the people at the table what they thought about the name. When asked whether “iPad 3” or “iPad HD” made more sense in light of the high-quality Retina display, every single one of them said they preferred iPad HD.
Why? Because it just makes sense.
The average consumer doesn’t care that a Retina display iPad is actually leagues beyond the quality of true HD. I’ve heard arguments saying “HD” iPad apps in the App Store would create confusion. Why on earth would playing Angry Birds HD on your iPad HD be confusing? The two suffixes are actually the same, therefore connecting the experience for the user. When developers update their apps for the iPad’s Retina display, buying a “HD” app would cause me to think I’m downloading an app optimized for my shiny new tablet, and I would be doing exactly that because those apps will be updated with Retina graphics.
Then there’s the chance Apple sticks to its numbering guns and calls it the iPad 3. Either option would work, and it depends entirely on how Apple wants to market the product. In my opinion, there’s nothing confusing about marketing a Retina display-equipped iPad HD to the average consumer.
Remember how people hated the idea of an “iPhone 4S?” Yeah, we all know how that turned out.
(Also, compare this post’s top image with this page on Apple’s website. See if you find any similarities.)
What do you think? iPad 3, or iPad HD?
[teaser-top]Would it really be a bad name?[/teaser-top]
