Apple may update the iPad in March or April, says analyst

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster believes that the Cupertino giant may update the iPad in March or April, Cnet reports. As per Munster, Apple has a tendency to update its tablet in spring. Now, Apple did update the iPad when it unveiled the iPad mini, so now Munster beleves that Apple may instead introduce new iPad body styles. Interestingly though, Munster added that he doesn't think that the company will introduce iPad mini with Retina Display, owing to the supply issues affecting the existing iPad mini. 

Munster also expects to see Apple add an update to the Apple TV in the next six month, i.e. if the company has plans of launching a television by the end of this year. 

The report quoted him as saying, "All in, if Apple does have a spring event this year, it may not result in significant new products, but we believe the pipeline for the rest of the year, including a cheaper phone and a television, will excite investors about Apple's ability to innovate."

Will Apple update the iPad next month?

One of our reports last month stated that rumours about Apple's next products were on in full swing. A report by Apple Insider at the time stated that the next iPad and iPad mini will be making their debut in March. The rumour was fuelled thanks to industry sources of Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets. This seems even odder for Apple, considering the previous versions of the iPad and iPad mini were announced just two months ago.

According to the rumour, the new iPad 5 will be lighter and thinner than the most recent iPad, and will run on an A6X processor. The second generation of the iPad mini will have the same size and overall form factor, and will likely see an upgraded internal hardware. As of yet, there is no news about a possible Retina display for the mini, but earlier rumours indicate that it will be seeing this upgrade as well.

Besides the iPad and iPad mini, the probable iPhone 6 has been generating a fair share of buzz even before it has been officially announced. Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, as per a MacRumours report does not think that the device will be launched before the middle of next year. Misek explains that issues like display yield, among other things will make its launch this year "unlikely". Interestingly though, rumours also suggest that Apple may be able to launch an iPhone 5S and a lower-cost iPhone in the middle of this year. 

Misek was quoted as saying, “We see three possible bottlenecks for the iPhone that could contribute to lower yields (and hence higher costs) and/or a delayed launch."

In December last year, Misek had stated that there were several prototypes of the iPhone 6 and he has noted that the most interesting one is the handset which features a 4.8-inch Retina+ IGZO display, new A7 quad-core processor and no home button. He also feels there is a huge possibility that it could feature full gesture control.

At the time too, Misek stated that the iPhone 5S could be launched in June or July. Misek stated that the iPhone 5S will be launched in six to eight different colour options. This prediction could turn out to be true as some of Apple’s rival’s such as Samsung and Nokia release smartphones in a variety of colour options. Apple too has recently released the new 4-inch iPod touch in six colour options.