If you've been sneaking into your neighborhood Apple store during your lunch breaks and gently caressing the iPads on display, it's time to put an end to your ill-advised fling.
Walk away. You're no good for one another. You'll live to regret the purchase.
Don't get me wrong. I love my iPad, but I'm already having buyer's remorse. It's too late for me, but there's still time for you. Wait a couple of months, I tell you. The iPad 2 is coming -- and it's going to be worth the wait.
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) hasn't spilled the beans. It's in the tech giant's best interests to keep consumers in the dark, selling a ton of original iPads until the next generation rolls into stores. Unfortunately, third parties are starting to spill the beans.
Tech blog Engadget is offering up early snapshots from this week's Consumer Electronics Show, including a third-party iPad 2 case with some pretty nifty features. We're talking about slots for both rear-facing and forward-facing cameras -- or two more than the camera-less original. There's also a bigger opening for the speaker, another welcome upgrade over the current model. There's also a Bluetooth keyboard accessory that snaps on magnetically to give the iPad a laptop form factor.
These aren't official cases, naturally. Apple isn't about to shoot itself in the foot by leaking upcoming features.
However, the unofficial news continues to trickle in. From iPads that play nice with Verizon (NYZE: VZ) to assembly line reports that indicate production starting up as early as this month, the only real shocker right now would be if the iPad 2 isn't out in time for the April anniversary of the original.
Why would somebody buy an iPad that is going to feel obsolete in a few weeks? The only justification would be if iPad 2 will be more expensive than the original, but Apple tends to stick to its price points as it tacks on new features.
Apple also can't afford to price itself out of the market it has created. There are already plenty of cheaper tablets powered by Google's (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android. Research in Motion's (Nasdaq: RIMM) PlayBook is also on the way. This week's Consumer Electronics Show has been tabbed Tabletpalooza by Forbes' Eric Savitz, given the sheer volume of new tablets on display.
The tablets are coming, so let that original iPad down easy. You should both be seeing other tablets, even if it's ultimately Apple's iPad 2.
What would you like to see in the iPad 2? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
