As noted by MacRumors, an eBay listing popped up today showing what appears to be a prototype 16GB iPad with two dock connectors. The iPad has always included the same, single dock connector that allows docking in portrait orientation, but the prototype in the listing shows a second dock connector that would allow for docking in landscape view.
We heard rumors several times as far back as the original iPad launch that Apple was working to add a second dock connector. The rumors were supported by several patents that surfaced. They detailed possible advancements Apple could make to its dock connectors on iOS devices. As pointed out by the report, the prototype in the eBay listing does not actually have any iPad trademarks, but just a prototype ID number instead. Otherwise, it appears to be genuine with components carrying “part numbers and copyright dates from prior to original iPad’s components.”
The prototype pre-first generation iPad is currently listed at $4,800 with less than 12 hours left.
- Apple reportedly working on smaller dock connectors for iOS devices (9to5mac.com)
- Report: New iPhone will have longer 4 inch screen, metallic backside and smaller round dock connector (9to5mac.com)
- Likely next-generation iPhone with 3.9-inch display, 1136 x 640 resolution in testing (9to5mac.com)
