14 DAY TRIAL // Mass production of the iPad Pro will begin soon, according to a Foxconn employee who wished to remain anonymous when he leaked a computer-generated 3D model of the tablet’s metal hull.
The leak in question consists of a single image that shows only a small area of the tablet computer, but it’s enough to give us a good idea of what the device will look like, as well as the experience.
Four speakers
What stands out from this image (pictured above, courtesy of Nowhereelse.fr) is the speaker grill positioned next to the Sleep/Wake button. According to an older leak by Mac Fan in Japan, the new tablet will boast not two but four speakers – two at the top, and two at the bottom – for an improved audio experience. The schematic leaked in November by the Japanese magazine aligns perfectly with this computer-generated iPad Pro.
The image clearly depicts a 3D model of an iPad’s hull created with CAD (computer aided design) software, which can be rotated and zoomed into for analysis and modification, etc. Most likely, it’s the actual template based on which Foxconn machines the iPad’s chassis, which is said to be 6.9 - 7.5 mm thick.
Apple changed its mind about the design
The Foxconn staffer revealed that Apple had ordered production of these devices in mid-2014, but the company had a change of heart after reviewing new prototypes and decided to halt manufacturing.
With the final design now approved by the Cupertino company, manufacturing is about to begin, according to the source. This would put the launch around spring, or summer at the latest.
The device is said to feature a 12.2-inch display, while other reports say 12.9 inches. Other rumors say that Apple will also refresh its existing iPad lines, while discontinuing the oldest models, when the iPad Pro debuts.
