Photos of purported iPad 3 part suggests tweaked internals

Photos of a part that is allegedly an iPad 3 component suggest that the tablet will continue to use Apple’s 30-pin connector, as opposed to microUSB or another popular industry-wide standard port. Images of the piece were published by Macotakara, which spotted them on TVC-Mall.com, a website belonging to an Apple parts reseller. Apple has included the 30-pin connector on the iPad, iPod and iPhone since the iPod first made its debut. A microphone mic flex cable ribbon leaked earlier this month by TVC-Mall also suggests that the iPad 3 will feature a cosmetic redesign, which may include a thicker case in order to make room for a new high-resolution display. The iPad 3 could launch as soon as March or April and the company is rumored to have an “iPad mini” in the works as well. A few more images of the iPad 3’s purported 30-pin connector follow after the break.

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