Reports: iPad 3 Release Slated for Spring 2012 Timeframe

Reports are coming in that production of the iPad 3 has accelerated, which means 2012 will bring the third yearly March or April release for the next-generation iPad. The big news, which we’ve covered in the past, is the iPad 3 will feature a retina display. But do we really need that? Here’s what a retina display could mean for the tablet landscape and for consumerization of IT …

The latest iPad 3 production rumors come courtesy of industry site DigiTimes, which notes the iPad 3 is on schedule to be launched in …

… the next 3-4 months as makers in the supply chain have started delivering parts and components for the new tablets to OEM contractors while reducing those prepared for iPad 2, according to sources in the supply chain.

So when the mythical iPad 3 arrives, will the retina display of 2048×1536 be that big of an improvement? Actually, yes. An improved resolution could allow for enhanced usability and readability of virtualized desktop applications, essentially eliminating “fuzzy” words, icons or other desktop elements. For IT admins using an iPad to monitor VMs or remote into servers for maintenance, a retina display resolution could allow developers to build better at-a-glance dashboard-style applications. Less for the channel, but more practically, a retina display could have deeper industry impact in everything from viewing flight maps (as United Airlines has already done) or providing clarity and detail for medical imaging applications. And don’t forget the most basic of all tasks will be improved: reading. Who doesn’t remember how much better it felt on your eyes when you upgraded to an iPhone 4?

Will you be looking to buy an iPad 3 with a retina display? Do you find it a necessity or a novelty? Seeing is believing, so we’ll have to wait until 2012 and see what happens.