The web is already buzzing with iPad3 rumor mills starting from its retina display-like high resolution, A6 quad-core processor, and support for 4G LTE networks. In addition to these what if Apple surprises us with a host of other killer features. Below are some of the items that are on top of the wish lists of iPad users.

1. Different form factor – Apple is known for its historical stand against 7-inch like devices. But there were rumors of an iPad mini. It would be good if Apple gives a choice to its customers in choosing their device size.

2. Siri on iPad 3 – Imagine dictating Siri to send a mail for you! Siri on iPad 3 can attract enterprise customers. Recently 9to5mac found some references of ‘Siri Dictation’ in the iOS 5.1 Beta update. A new section labeled ‘About Privacy and Dictation’ in the keyboard menu raises further hopes on Siri featuring in iPad3.

3. Cut the Glare – Apple should take a cue from Amazon Kindle and work on eliminating the glare which will further improve the user experience.

4. Take the gaming to the next level – How about having 3D support and Vibration effects? That would enhance the gaming experience on an iPad. App developers can leverage the power of A6 quad-core processor to develop gaming space further.

5. Payment solutions using near field communications – Here, Google is ahead of Apple as it already launched Google Wallet service. But again this is more of a smart-phone feature, but good to have on a tablet also.

6. Battery: Apple should continue to improve the battery life as tablets are portable devices and people cannot charge them frequently, particularly during travel. Apple should even consider options of wireless charging of tablets.

Considering Apple’s legacy, it is not too much to expect, as Apple keeps surprising the consumers and the market with their avant-garde features and ideas.

Apple unveiled iBooks2 last week in New York City as part of its education event. iBooks2 was released to set the stage ready for the coming iPad 3 to boost up its educational credentials. According to Phil Schiller, Apple’s Senior VP of Worldwide Product Marketing, “now with iBooks 2 for iPad, students can have a more dynamic, engaging and truly interactive way to read and learn, using the device they already love”.

According to Apple pundits, this latest update of iBooks gives enough clues about the ‘Retina Display-like’ high resolution screen that has been rumoured to come with the iPad 3. High quality iPad images were found in the iBooks app in January, 2011 and it triggered speculations about 2048X1536 resolutions for iPad2. That didn’t materialize, but as per experts, the recent update of iBooks2 contains a third image with 2X equivalent resolution of the iPad. Similar high-resolution images were found in an iOS 5 beta last summer too.

iPad and iPad2 were launched with a resolution of 1024X768. A 2X resolution for iPad3 means a resolution of 2048X1536 – which comes to 264 PPI (Pixels per Inch). iPhone 4 has a pixel density of 326 ppi. But this much pixel density is not required for an iPad, considering the distance at which screen is held from the eye. A recent beta update of iOS 5.1 showed references to debut of A6 quad-core processor with the iPad3. Now iBooks update affirms 2X resolution. Are the iPad 3 specs finally starting to become clearer? Do you think Apple is intentionally leaving these bits and pieces of the puzzle just before the launch of iPad 3?

If this fall were really to be something special, I hope to find more than falling leaves and early Christmas commercials. The release date of the iPad 3 may be witnessed sooner than expected. If the iPad 3 would really come out this fall, then you can bet it will be sporting the highly anticipated iOS 5 operating system. Not only this, but the “iPad HD” will appear with an HD screen and 4G LTE networking, along with other goodies any iPad user will surely enjoy. If these were all true, then iPad 2 users will experience both joy and anger at the same time. Anger at the short time their new iPads now become things of the past, and joy at the prospect of a new iPad. Why the mixed emotions? Here’s why:

iPad 3 Comes with iOS 5

Although iPad 3 appearing this fall is still speculative, whether it is coming with iOS 5 is not. Apple claims iPad 3 will be out before snow comes. Although we’ve seen some of iOS 5′s tricks and treats, still one might wonder why Apple is still quiet about iOS 5 and iPad 3’s relationship.  A smart guess says it’s related to the hardware.

iPad 3 is HD!

iPad 2 didn’t quite capture the moment, unlike the iPhone 4 whose screen displayed a resolution far greater than the human eye can imagine or detect. Calling the next iPad as iPad HD is an obvious indicator that the screen will be greatly improved this time. Better resolution means better gaming and better detail in apps, not to mention HD movie viewing experience. Whether the iPad HD would mimic the success of the iPhone 4 in terms of display prowess is another story.

4G LTE with the iPad 3

With AT&T and Verizon betting on the marketing farm on 4G LTE, Apple could add 4G compatibility to the existing 3G framework. Thus, creating another selling point to the iPad 3. As if the better resolution capability isn’t a good enough reason.

A5 and the iPad 3

Since the iPad 2 already runs on the dual-core A5 processor Apple developed, there’s no reasons why the iPad 3 should not run on an A6, or at least a juiced up A5. Apple could always clock the iPad 3 faster. After all, I wouldn’t want a newer device whose only feature of being fast is in its name.

A recent article in the Korea Times has stated that 2 of the biggest LCD manufacturers, Samsung & LG have been working closely with Apple to produce new 2048×1536 HD displays, with an aspect ratio of 4:3 for the iPad 3. The current iPad has a mere 1024×768 resolution display in comparison. This will mean the display on the iPad 3 will indeed be full HD. It is still unsure which of the 2 will win the big contract with Apple, or maybe Apple will use both to fill the, what is likely to be, HUGE demand for the next iPad.

This does however mean that the iPad 3 is most likely not going to get the OLED displays some sources have been claiming. I personally think this is a good thing, the quality and lifespan of an OLED screens still isnt up to standards of our current LCD screens.