On The iPad 3 Retina Display And Absence Of Home Button

It was only yesterday when Apple sent invitations to the much waited media event where Apple will show off the iPad 3. As previously rumored, the iPad 3 will be announced on next Wednesday, March 7th in San Francisco, California. Apple mentioned that they have something you’ll really have to see and “touch”!



The invites includes a picture of what most think that it’s Apple’s next-generation iPad. The picture attached with the invitation brings some exciting news if we compared it to a one of the iPad 2.

In case you’re one of our regular readers, you surely have seen the picture that was attached with the invitations sent for the iPhone 4S. The event was on 4th October and there four icons which indicated it’s iPhone “4″S event. Moreover, the icon of the phone call showed one missed call which meant it’s a launch of one phone not two.

The same happens in the picture of the new event for the iPad 3; The iPad shown in the invitation appears to be missing a Home button which lead most to speculate that Apple’s iPad 3 won’t have a home button.



Gizmodo did a deep comparison between the iPad in the picture and the iPad 2. Here’s what they concluded:

Not only that, but there seems to be NO home button, which explains the mention of the “And touch.” in their invitation. How can we know? First, the photo they are showing is on portrait mode. You can’t achieve that icon spacing in the landscape mode (which is the only explanation for the lack of home button).

Moreover, the icon falls right onto the same water drop that the current iPad 2 falls while in portrait mode. The same happens with the reflection on the dock.



Adrian added about the Retina Display:

Both icons zoomed. The difference is clear. Look the low pixel count on the Wednesday typography onthe right image. Also, look at the alignment and the quality of the edges and the background.

However, Hackerajax has another opinion:

Apple pre-leaking a major design change in a press invite image — or — Everyone reading waytoomuch into what is essentially an advertisement?

There will still be a home button. Take my word for it, or wait for The Wall Street Journal to break the news in a week when they see it on stage at Apple’s event. Up to you.

Thoughts?