This picture, captured from Apple’s site today (click to enlarge), is proof of two models of iPads will exist. Of course that isn’t anything new, Steve Jobs told us yesterday that there will be a wifi model and a wifi + 3G model. But this is the first time we have seen that there may be a difference in physical appearance between the two models. The 3G model is the one on the left, sporting the black translucent strip for the 3G antennae, while the wifi-only model lacks this sporty feature.
You may notice a similar feature on the iPod Touch, but also noticed the lack of such a feature on the iPhone. That is because the iPhone is made of spectrum-translucent plastic. This special plastic allows waves from the 3G antennae to escape. The iPad is covered in aluminum casing, which isn’t 3G friendly.
There isn’t much other purpose for the strip except to look cool. It may distinguish normal users from the “premium” 3g users, giving them the cool edge. All the photos are available for you to see directly from Apple’s Gallery.
[via GadgetLab]
Tags: 3G, Apple, comparison, ipad, iphone, iPod, New, tablet, technology, upgrade, wifi, wireless