The rendering which has been hyped up Blogs as being a leak of the iPad 2 is thought to be the creation of an Apple fan. The supposed fan created mockup takes design cues from third party case manufacturers and other rumors. The design looks similar to the leaked shell that popped up at CES earlier this year.

May Come In White

There have been rumors the iPad 2 may have a Carbon Fiber shell but the Aluminum design is likely to stay for another generation. Apple may introduce a white iPad 2 despite the problem with releasing the white iPhone 4. 9 to 5 Mac obtained an image of the iPad 2′s digitizer and bezel in white. An opening at the bezel’s top fits a FaceTime Camera.

Apple has received much criticism for delaying the white iPhone 4 but could have better success with the iPad 2. Combining a white bezel and Aluminum back would reduce potential light leakage. However, a prominent white border surrounding the iPad’s screen would dramatically reduce contrast making the device unusable for long periods due to eye strain. Images would be perceived as brighter and washed out.

Apple is starting to add SSDs to the MacBook Pro line and eventually its desktop Macs to improve battery life and shorten boot up times. However, Snow Leopard can’t optimally handle the drives. All versions of OS X treat SSDs as a Hard Disk Drive when deleting a file or formating the drive. SSDs function differently than HDDs and must erase data before new data can be written. HDDs on the other hand can write data over old data without the need to erase.

Treating a SSD in this way will degrade performance over time as the drive’s flash cells are unnecessarily taxed and will wear out after a certain amount of read/write cycles. TRIM doesn’t wear out SSDs and deletes data in a far more efficient way. Apple has implemented TRIM support in the newest developer preview of OS X Lion but is limited to drives Apple has shipped with a Mac. TRIM support means the SSD in a MacBook Air can last longer and won’t ear out due to unnecessary data erase commands.

French Apple news site Hardmac shows that OS X’s system profiler add TRIM support.

During the previous MacBook Pro revision Apple upgraded the 15 and 17-inch models with Intel’s Core i5 and i7 processors while sticking with the Core 2 Duo for the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The reason was frustrating; Nvidia’s 320M GPU gave the low end MacBook Pro its graphics kick and acted as a chipset for Intel’s Core 2 processors. This allowed Apple to shrink the size of the logic board in favor or a larger battery.

Intel eventually introduced its newest line of processors to succeed the Core 2 line dubbed Core i3, i5 and i7. However, Intel ran in to legal issues with Nvidia and blocked them from making chipsets for the newest line of processors. Intel and Nvidia’s heated legal battle which started in directly effected Apple. For Apple to continue using Nvidia’s GPU and chipset combo, Intel’s newest Core i5 processors could not be used.

Skipping Intel’s Sandybridge CPUs and sticking with a slightly faster Core 2 processor combined with an Nvidia 320 or 330M GPU would have been a bad move by Apple. However, the design constraints of the 13-inch MacBook Pro meant Apple couldn’t include a discrete GPU and was forced to use a chipset/GPU combination. The ultimate result is Intel’s HD 3000 which can barely go toe-to-toe with Nvidia’s lower end 310M and 320M GPU and has some questioning whether a Mac with integrated graphics can be really be a pro level machine.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro’s space constraints, Nvidia’s inability to create a compatible chipset/GPU combo and Apple’s reluctance to skip over Sandybridge CPUs led to Intel HD 3000 powering the baseline MacBook Pro.

High-Speed Data Transfer

Thunderbolt is being billed by Apple and Intel as the successor to USB 3.0, Firewire and other high-speed data transfer protocols. The two companies have been developing the technology for the past two years and the first version of Thunderbolt can support speeds of up to 10Gbps which is twice as fast as USB 3.0, four times faster than Express Card, more than 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and 20 times faster than USB 2.0. The great thing about Thunderbolt is the ability to daisy chain compatible devices which can send and receive data over two 10Gbps channels ensuring a consistent data speed. Thunderbolt is based on PCI Express which means the only data transfer bottlenecks you run in to will be your Hard Drive and anything connected via USB, FireWire or eSata.

One Cable To Rule Them All

Thunderbolt picks up where USB left off – ubiquitous support – and streamlines every connector and every cable in to one. Since Thunderbolt can transport massive amounts of data at such high speeds, it can support simultaneous connections to FireWire, USB and eSata devices. The more practical uses of Thunderbolt for consumers who don’t need high-speed data transfer speeds will likely be hubs that connect your hard drive, display, printer and other equipment. These hubs can be integrated in to a display or simply be one cable with a multitude of connectors. The potential of Thunderbolt will allow Apple to remove USB, Ethernet, audio in/out and Firewire ports while still supporting them through adapters and hubs. The upside is a thinner, lighter Mac.

Practical Uses Of Thunderbolt

If you connect your display using a Mini DisplayPort cable, Thunderbolt is compatible with your hardware. The first wave of devices that take advantage of Thunderbolt will be high-end servers, disk arrays and soon hubs that connect every device you own. If you’re a professional, you’ll be excited to know that high-capacity disk arrays offered by Pegasus and LaCie are now Thunderbolt compatible which will speed up your workflow dramatically.

MacRumors points to evidence from resellers that their stocks of 15 and 17-inch MacBook Pros are running low. Amazon reports a 1 to 2 month delay on 17-inch MacBook Pros while Apple retains a shipping status of “within 24 hours.”

Low product supplies have been the biggest indicators from retail channels that a new model will be announced from Apple. While the smaller 13-inch MacBook Pro hasn’t experienced the same supply shortages, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple updated the entire family to Intel’s Sandy Bridge Architecture.

The upside to having Intel’s integrated graphics on the same CPU die is that Apple can finally bring graphics switching to the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The current iteration uses an aging Core 2 Duo processor coupled with an Nvidia GeForce 320M GPU with no room in the case for another chip. An updated model could use a newer ATI or Nivida GPU with either an Intel Core i3 or i5 CPU.

We’ve reported about what the next generation family of MacBook Pros could look like. Apple will most likely outfit each model with an Intel Sandy Bridge CPU which would require a drastic change in the underlying design. The switch would bring Intel’s integrated graphics to the same CPU die. While efficient and power saving, Apple will need to supplement the lack of graphics horsepower with either an Nvida or ATI processor.

Apple also made hints recently at where the MacBook Pro line could go. During Apple’s most recent earnings call, Tim Cook said “The MacBook of the future, shipping today.” It could mean a multitude of things but for one I see solid state storage becoming the norm along with the death of the optical drive.

The Akai SynthStation is a synthesizer sporting 49 keys and can be controlled by any iOS App that supports CoreMidi. The iPad is docked in an adjustable cradle and includes a 1/4″ headphone jack.

The Akai SynthStation Specs

-Portable, velocity-sensitive keyboard with pitch and modulation wheels.
-Nine velocity-sensitive MPC-style drum pads which light when triggered.
-Dedicated transport control buttons including Play, Pause and Record.
-Play MIDI keyboard and drum pad performances into an iPad via CoreMIDI or AkaiConnect apps.
-Built-in, adjustable dock charges your iPad while positioning the screen at the perfect angle.
-USB port for connecting to a Mac or PC, receiving power and controlling MIDI music software.
-Professional ¼” stereo outputs with volume control to connect.
mixers, speakers and recording equipment.
-Headphone output to practice and compose in private.

The Akai SynthStation does away with a lot of the internal Hardare and relies on an iOS App to generate sounds. Essentially, this is an iPad dock with a keyboard attached but any App that utilizes Core MIDI unlocks the SynthStation’s potential while cutting down the price.

Apple enabled MIDI support in iOS 4.2 which allows MIDI commands to be sent over USB using the camera connection kit (iPad only) or Wifi.

I’m not a musician but the newest iOS Apps or accessories that turn an iPad into a professional music creator simply amaze me.

Engadget has a hands on with the keyboard at NAMM

A quote from Verizon’s CFO Francis Shammo to Business Week confirms the carrier will have a CDMA iPad.

Verizon will get an embedded chip in the iPad for use on its network, Francis Shammo, chief financial officer of Verizon Communications Inc., the parent of the wireless unit, said today in an interview in New York. IPad users currently need an extra device to connect to Verizon’s network.

Unfortunately, Francis nor Verizon gave anymore information on the CDMA iPad. Will it support LTE or 3G? LTE would be likely as the iPad has more space inside to accommodate a bulkier radio. Tim Cook had said the reason for LTE’s absence from the iPhone 4 was due to design restrictions Apple did not want to make.

It’s important to note that the iPad 2 is coming soon and would come in a CDMA flavor if Verizon is carrying the tablet. It wouldn’t make sense for Verizon to carry the first generation iPad unless it will still be sold by Apple alongside the newest iPad just as it does with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.

While Verizon sells the iPad in its retail stores, it doesn’t have a cellular radio that connects to its network. Instead it uses WiFi to connect to a MiFi base station on Verizon’s 3G network.

Right now the iPhone and iPad on AT&T are capped at 2 GBs (something I’ve personally wrestled with as I hit 2 GBs in 2 weeks) per month of data usage. Verizon’s data plan offers an “unlimited” soft cap of 5GB which was the same as AT&T’s previous plan. If, and this is hopeful thinking, an LTE version of the iPhone 4 were to be announced, the data cap would big a much larger concern. Data tests done by PC Mag have shown that LTE subscribers can blaze through the 5GB cap in as little as 32 minutes. While it’s a very extreme example of non-everyday use, the test highlights that low data caps and high bandwidth connections do not mix.

Verizon is also considering moving to AT&T’s style of data caps and has hinted at doing so since last summer. While it hasn’t come to fruition, it is a measure the carrier could take to ensure the network is running optimally for all subscribers. Considering Verizon is now the largest US carrier, a data cap doesn’t seem unlikely.

AT&T has been the scorn of many iPhone users for dropped calls and spotty coverage. Many have hoped that Verizon would carry the iPhone and we’re closing in on a major announcement this Tuesday which is expected to be the iPhone coming to Verizon. However, depending on what iteration iPhone Verizon gets, it may not be as unlimited as you think.

iPad 2 Displayed At CES?

The iPad 2 is expected to launch or at least be announced soon and already case mockups have been making their rounds on the Internet. The most concrete evidence we’ve seen of the iPad 2′s near final design was at GoPod Mobile’s display at CES. Charlie White from Mashable found a back cover of the iPad 2 allegedly sent to the company by Apple to use for case design. The cover lines up with rumors the iPad 2 will have a back facing camera and larger speaker. The cover also has tapered edges like similar to the iPod Touch as hinted by several rumors.

The iCADE – Every Retro Gamers’ Excuse To Now Buy An iPad

The iCADE is a rather interesting accessory that appeals to every old school gamer. If the name hasn’t given it away, the iCADE designed by the creative folks at ION Audio and first unveiled by Think Geek on April 1st is a miniature gaming cabinet for the iPad.

The iCade comes with a typical arcade style joystick and buttons the connect to the iPad over Bluetooth and can control several retro style iPad games being released by Atari. The cabinet won’t be arriving until Spring and will be priced at $99.

The invite, published by All Things D and Macrumors was sent to prominent Apple bloggers and journalists.

The timing of the event falls in line with a mandate Apple sent retail employees asking them not to take a vacation for three weeks starting at the end of January. It is unknown if Steve Jobs will join the stage with Verizon president and COO Lowell McAdam

There are other clues pointing towards Apple’s involvement and possibly Steve Jobs’ attendance. Gizmodo, which allegedly has a great relationship with Verizon was not sent an invite.

Here’s what’s key: We’re great friends with Verizon. (Hi guys!) We’ve worked with them for years, and we’ve been to like every event they’ve had over the last three years. We haven’t gotten an invite. Which is weird. We’ve reached out to Verizon to see why, exactly, we weren’t invited, but we’ve gotten no comment yet. (Update: Verizon’s official response is a big ol’ no comment.)

My Support Profile is available to any Apple customer who have registered their product with the company – just log in with your Apple ID as you would the iTunes Store. You can view the serial number and other detailed information of the Apple product you own. What’s great about your support profile is the integration with Apple’s Voice Pass system as the two combined will fast-track your calls through Apple’s support line as it will know why you’re calling what product you’re having an issue with.

You can also give any device from an iPod to iMac a nickname to help differentiate multiple, registered entries. If your product isn’t listed, it’s extremely easy to add and register it through Apple’s web interface.

It’s great having incidents, reports and repairs on file in a very accessible online interface. If you’re thinking about selling an iDevice, you can show those interested the warranty information, which repairs it has had and whether it has been replaced. Also having this data at your fingertips will make most users lives a lot easier when trying to receive support for their problems.

In the past year it’s been more of a wish than a claim that can be backed up with solid evidence. However, Apple is in a position to kill off the optical drive in a very anticlimactic way to which I say “off with its lens!”

No Optical Drive Means A Slimmer, Lighter Mac

Say the day comes when Apple starts phasing out the optical drive — which would come with protests as it should from those who use discs — what would it mean for the Mac? Steve Jobs has said that Blu-Ray is a bag of hurt, and Apple doesn’t seem likely to incorporate it any time soon considering the heavy push on iTunes.

It would mean a slimmer Mac. Look at the MacBook Air, it needed every last inch of space it could grab to achieve its thin design and long battery life. There would be a lot more space for Apple to expand the battery give the smaller MacBook Pro more wiggle room for extra chipsets. Not only could space be better utilized but the overall weight of the machine would be reduced which is sure to entice Apple.

However, he benefits would be greater on the MacBook line than the iMac or Mac Pro but the Mac Mini could have the optical slot occupied by an extra Hard Drive – oh wait, it already does.

The Mac App Store — Another Means To Kill The CD

There are a few reasons why I’m against optical drive, the biggest being they’re becoming useless in today’s download everything world. Aside from pirates, the biggest proponent of downloading media is Apple and 2011 will be have another potential nail in the optical drive’s proverbial coffin: The Mac App Store.

January 6th will be the App Store come full circle in the form of the Mac App Store. Creating a central hub for developers to promote their Apps is one thing but giving them them everything they need from hosting to an audience of millions? Is there any need to keep the optical drive in for much longer when almost any App you can install on your Mac can be downloaded through the Internet?

Dead And Dying Media

What happens once the death of the optical drive comes to fruition? For one, this prediction will be correct and I’ll be sure to bring this post up again. More importantly, nothing. The MacBook Air received some backlash for the lack of an optical drive despite a $100 (then reduced to $80) add-on but sales haven’t plummeted because of no optical drive. Consumers understand the MacBook Air is meant to be an ultraportable Mac shaving weight and thickness wherever possible. It’s a compromise that gives us the MacBook Airs we know today.

Consumers will understand the trade-off of having no optical drive in their latest MacBooks but the pros far outweigh the cons. Besides, I’d rather pay for the add-on if needed and have a slimmer, lighter Mac that can pack more power than a Core 2 Duo.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro made Amazon’s best selling items list for 2010. The portable pro machine also scored on high Amazon’s bestselling and most wished-for item list.

The 3G version of the iPad is only compatible with AT&T’s 3G UMTS network. The hardware needed for the table to connect to Verizon’s network — a CDMA modem — isn’t available in the iPad. That could change with the next generation iPad according to DigiTimes

Apple is expected to release three versions of iPad 2, supporting either or a combination of Wi-Fi, UMTS and CDMA, for 2011 with mass production to start as early as the later half of January. Apple will ship about 500,000-530,000 units to channels in January with shipment ratio of Wi-Fi, UMTS and CDMA models at 3:4:3, according to industry sources, citing upstream component makers.

The iPad is available to purchase from Verizon but requires the use of a Mifi or portable 3G hotspot that connects to the tablet over Wifi and accesses Verizon’s CDMA network. If this rumor is true, consumers won’t need to purchase a separate mobile hotspot and will be able to choose which carrier they want to use with their iPad before they purchase the device.

Analyst Ashok Kumar believes Apple will be bringing a pair of ARM A9 Cores to the next generation of iOS devices.

“Apple is on track to refresh the iPad by March and iPhone by late summer. A key component upgrade across these platforms will be a dual-core processor featuring a pair of 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 cores,”

Is Apple developing a successor to the A4 (a fusion of an ARM A9 core and GPU) that will pack double the cores? Only time will tell what silicon Apple’s working on thanks to its purchase of PA Semi.

I have a feeling the next iteration of iOS devices is where we’ll start to see Apple flex some more custom silicon as it starts to apply PA Semi’s work.

The call, which starts at 2:00 PM, has analysts, investors and Journalists interested in Apple’s success with the iPad, iPhone, iPod and the Mac. It will be interesting to hear how much pre-holiday shopping has impacted Apple’s earnings and whether or not the AppleTV will move beyond hobby status.

A 9to5Mac reader sent in the above image of Best Buy’s iPad promo which sets you up with a free Mifi Hotspot from AT&T, Sprint or Verizon in exchange for signing a 2-year contract with any of the three carriers. According to the ad, the offer ends January 2nd.

Sprint and Verizon have run similar promotions but haven’t bound users to a 2-year contract.