New iPad 3 Specs & Features Surface: Thicker Profile & Smart Cover Support

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One of the first new Apple products to be launched next year is going to be the iPad 3, which means we’re going to get more and more leaks and rumors detailing various aspects of the next-gen iOS tablet in the very near future.

Today we hear, via Macotakara, a trusted Japanese source when it comes to Apple product rumors, that the next-gen iPad will have a thicker profile, which means current iPad 2 cases will not be compatible with the new design. But the device will apparently sport the same dimensions, which means it will still support Apple’s own Smart Cover, which isn’t really a tablet case, but just a magnetic cover that’s meant to protect the screen of the device.

Apparently the news comes from Asian parts suppliers, although it can’t be confirmed at this time, not that we’d expect Apple or its partners to publicly comment on such speculation:

Though next iPad will be thicker, Smart Cover supported?

According to Asian supplier which provides part for next iPad, next iPad has same size of screen, but case may be thicker by unknown reason. Current iPad cases, which covers backside, will not be compatible with thicker next iPad.

Also the source told, front rounding corner will be same with current iPad, then Smart Cover will be good companion with new iPad.

So why would the iPad 3 be thicker than the iPad 2? Is it because of LTE chips that are rumored to be found in next-gen iOS smartphones and tablets? That’s probably not the case as there’s plenty of space inside that iPad to add new components – unless, of course, there isn’t. Is Apple adding a larger battery to accommodate LTE support? Or is the company simply changing certain aspects of the design just to mess around with case developers, the kind of companies that started leaking all those slim iPhone 5 cases? It can’t be that trivial, can it?