A Chinese accessory supplier has in its possession new alleged iPad 2 cases featuring extra cut-outs, indicating that Apple plans to add ports beyond the rumored SD card slot.
M.I.C Gadget and
AppleInsider have independently confirmed the existence of the flexible silicon cases whose design is akin to those featured in previous reports.
However, these case models bring something new to the table - an extra opening where the top back side of the tablet should rest.
Allegedly a perfect fit for the upcoming iPad 2, although M.I.C Gadget forgot to ask the supplier how he actually knew this, the cases feature two distinct holes - one in the upper left (when viewed from the front), another in the upper-middle.
According to the Chinese blog, the upper-middle hole seems to have been specifically crafted to fit an HDMI or mini-HDMI port, while the upper-left hole is for the rumored SD card slot.
AppleInsider, for its part, weighs the chances of seeing a video-out port on Apple’s iPad 2, touting benefits for both HDMI, and Apple’s own Mini DisplayPort.
According to the Apple-centric web site, if iPad 2 does increase its screen resolution to 2048x1536 as the rumors would have it, then HDMI would be a must - “otherwise there would be no way to deliver that increased resolution (or even a down-sampled HD 720p or 1080p signal) via the existing pinouts on the standard Dock connector port,” it concludes.
However, adding a Mini DisplayPort also sounds fairly possible, the source notes. The port is around the same physical size as mini HDMI, and supports more sophisticated signaling.
Since it is also found across Apple’s entire product range and supports HDMI output, the site notes, its inclusion in the next-generation Apple tablet would enable output to HDTVs via HDMI, as well as connection to a full resolution monitor such as Apple's 27" LED Cinema Display.
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