Photos of iPad3, Apple’s latest tablet set to debut in a few weeks, have been leaked on Chinese websites. According to Fox News, Apple has been having difficulty keeping its latest technology and press information from being outed ahead of schedule. While no one is disputing that the product is on its way to the market, supposedly the first pictures of the new device first surfaced on The Apple Daily.
The photos reveal a tablet with rounded edges, an eight mega-pixel camera, and the Retina screen which is now available on the iPhone 4S. MacRumors reported the screen information last week. Several other Chinese websites are displaying the new pictures as well. WeiPhone shows photos of the processor and more interior shots of the alleged gadget’s “guts.”
Consensus among the Chinese tech sites reveals that they received the confidential information through “special channels.” Coincidentally, there has been an ongoing legal battle between Apple and the Chinese over rights to the iPad name. The Chinese say the trademark belongs to Shenzhen Proview Technology. A court in Hong Kong ruled in July 2011 that Proview’s intentions are to hurt Apple. There has been no definitive link between the trademark issue and the photos of the new iPad shown on the web.
In Chinese cities where legal disputes involve Apple, retailers have been ordered to stop selling Apple products. However, there has been no national ban. The Chinese consumers love Apple just like the rest of the world. Furthermore, the devices are manufactured in the country and keep hundreds of thousands of people employed.
Apple has refused to respond to Fox News’ emails trying to confirm whether the photos of iPad3 shown on the Chinese sites are the actual product. Apple does things its own way and will launch the product officially in March.