What to expect from the iPad 3

When Apple holds a press event Wednesday, everyone who's paying attention expects to see the much-anticipated iPad 3.

The latest version of the device that virtually defined the tablet market after its introduction in 2010, the iPad 3 will arrive at a time when competitors are beginning to put up a bit of a fight.

Amazon made a splash with its simpler, cheaper Kindle Fire over the holidays, and rival bookseller Barnes & Noble has countered with its popular Nook Tablet. The Acer Iconia A500 offers more memory than the iPad 2, while other companies have begun flooding the market with devices that are smaller and cheaper than Apple's standard-bearer.

And, just this week, Microsoft rolled out its Windows 8 operating system for tablets, suggesting that Windows-based tablets could be making a serious run.

So, what will Apple do to try to maintain its dominance? As usual, Apple has remained tight-lipped about what it's announcing. The company hasn't even officially said the event is for the iPad.

But it's been almost a year since the iPad 2's release, making the timing right for a refresh. And with the tech-centric South by Southwest Interactive Festival starting next weekend, it would make sense. Last year, Apple announced at the last minute it would be selling the iPad 2 at the Austin, Texas, event -- ensuring buzz among the tech influencers there.

Few people outside Apple know for sure what CEO Tim Cook will unveil next week. But assuming it's a new iPad, speculation and leaks have focused on a few possibilities:

Clearer display

One tidbit that's cropped up over and over is that Apple manufacturers have cranked out a display screen that would be a huge leap from the current model.

The story, largely originating from China where Apple products are made, is that the iPad 3 will have a 2048-by-1536-pixel retina display. That would be a major leap from the iPad 2's 1024 by 768 pixels and rival the display on high-definition television.

There have even been reports, based on parts listings provided to suppliers, that the new gadget could be called the iPad HD. (For the record, suppliers aren't told Apple's marketing plans, so take that with a grain of salt.)

Many tech observers who looked at Apple's digital media invitation to the event suspect the crisp, clear partial image of what looks like an iPad is showing off the new display.

Posted in: Apple