According to unnamed sources in Taiwan there will be 3 different versions of the iPad 2 from Apple when it gets released in 2011, including the current Wi-Fi and UMTS 3G models, as well as a CDMA model for use with carriers like Verizon. From 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.

According to the rumor, Apple will begin production of 500,000 to 530,000 units during the 2nd half of January, and is expected to produce a ratio of 3:4:3 (Wi-Fi, UMTS, CDMA respectively) as it appears that 60-65% of current iPad shipments have been 3G models.

In addition to added wireless functionality, it looks like the iPad 2 might get a few other minor upgrades including better smudge-resistant screens with an anti-reflective treatment. This should help the iPad 2 better compete with eBook readers like the Amazon Kindle.

Although these are just rumors for now, it would be pretty great to see a Verizon iPad 2 released in 2011 next to a Verizon iPhone, don't you think? Sound off in the comments below!

[DigiTimes]

Welcome to iPhone Analysts vs. the Magic 8-Ball, where we take the often outlandish, sometime surreal predictions of iPhone analysts and pundits, blogeratti and the ‘net elite, and compare them to the potentially equally precise prognostications of a… magic 8-ball (running on an iPhone, of course!)

Mike Abramsky, seasoned veteran of of RBC weighs in on an iPhone 3G "Pro" with the following specs, and the Magic 8-Ball chimes in with its pedictions in italics:

• iPhone 3G "Pro" nickname. As I see it, yes
• Retail price to stay the same $199/$299. My reply is no
• Wireless UMTS/HSUPA, Wifi, Bluetooth. My reply is no
  (Note: our understanding is that HSUPA is to uplink what HSPDA is to downlink, and someone's mixing up their UMTS technologies there and really means a 3.5G system)
• 3.2MP camera with flash and video recording. Don't count on it.
• 16GB/32GB storage. Most likely
• 0.1" thinner. Yes
• AT&T to get it before the rest of the world. Most likely.
• Growth will not accelerate. Don't count on it.

Okay, so both of their predictions seem a little hinkey to us, but what do we know? Bring on WWDC 2009, and until then, thanks everyone for playing Analyst vs. Magic 8-Ball and be sure to leave your predictions, and your thoughts on their predictions, in the comments!

[Via Apple Insider. Thanks to Jimmie for the tip!]

Apple Insider reports that, according to T-Mobile, the 3G iPhone is slated for immanent testing in Austria:

Specifically, a German-laguage report in derStandard.at states that officials from the carrier said a "UMTS version" of the iPhone would be made available in Austria "shortly," and that the country would be one of just a handful to serve as a "testing" ground for the next-generation device."

Why Austria and, most importantly, why UTMS and not the specific UTMS-extending protocol everyone and their Laporte bandies about in the US, HSDPA?

More controllable territory combined with more widely spread technology standard and deeper market penetration, perhaps? Or is this just T-Com talking out of their collective assumptions again?

What do you think?