Full Size iPad is Due for a Redesign, Analyst Says

Investment research firm Piper Jaffray suspects Apple is gearing up to host a press event by the end of April, one in which in the Cupertino outfit will introduce a line of redesigned iPad tablets. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster pointed out to clients that over the past two years, the Spring event has been all about the iPad, and since Apple just introduced the iPad mini and only made minor tweaks to the full size iPad, a major overhaul is likely.

"We believe Apple could update the full sized iPad to a body style similar to the iPad mini. Additionally, we believe that the iPad mini could get a Retina display, although that may happen later in the year given the supply constraints Apple faced on the mini in the December quarter," Munster said.


Munster also thinks there's a good chance Apple will update its Apple TV platform on the software side.

"We would expect to see an Apple TV update in the next six months if Apple plans to launch a television by the end of the year, which we still expect," the analyst said. "We believe the updated Apple TV software could 'prime the pump' for the ultimate television."

The TV space is heating up once again. Asus recently unveiled its Qube with Google TV, and LG is planning to roll out several televisions ranging in size from 42 inches to 60 inches with Google's TV platform baked in.