Apple stock rises as rumours fly over iPad 2, Verizon iPhone

The iPad rumours have begun – Digg founder Kevin Rose has posted a new blog entry in which he claims the next version of Apple’s tablet will be announced in the next four weeks, possibly on February 1.

The rumours come as analysts also expect Apple to announce the iPhone will be launched on the Verizon network tomorrow, ending AT&T’s period of exclusivity for the gadget.

Apple’s stock has gained over 6%, or about 19 points, during the past week as the speculation continues – and six points of that occurred last night.

Rose, who has made a number of predictions regarding the release of Apple products in the past, said that he has it on “good authority” Apple will announce the second version of the iPad within three or four weeks.

He added that, “if you’re thinking of buying an iPad, hold off for now”.

Rose claims the second version of the tablet will feature both front and backwards-facing cameras, which falls into line with rumours from other tech publications. Rose also claims the gadget will feature a higher resolution than the first iPad, but won’t technically be called a “retina display” – the screen used in the iPhone 4.

Rose also pins February 1 as a possible date for when Apple will announce the gadget – this is around the same time Apple announced the original iPad last year.

But Rose’s post hasn’t come without criticism. The web entrepreneur has made other predictions about Apple products in the past, some of them misguided – he claimed the original iPhone would feature a sliding QWERTY keyboard.

Nevertheless, rumours over the iPad 2 are beginning to grow. Over the weekend at the Consumer Electronics Show, many peripheral makers were showing off a number of iPad 2 cases they said were based off information from sources in China.

Over the past few months, rumours from Chinese manufactures have hinted that the iPad will feature cameras and a larger speaker.

But the next iPad isn’t the only product prompting speculation over Apple’s movements, as a press event to be held overnight is expected to see the launch of the Verizon iPhone.

Apple’s stock has gained over 6% to $US342 in the past week on speculation the company will extend the iPhone to a new network. While Verizon will make the announcement tomorrow, reports indicate chief executive Steve Jobs will be in attendance.

The iPhone is available on several carriers in Australia, but in the United States only AT&T serves iPhone customers.

And UBS analyst John Hodulik has now said that the move is expected to pay off, with Apple predicted to ship as many as 13 million iPhones on the network, “largely because of pent-up demand from existing customers”.

“It’s going to be the dominant device at Verizon as soon as it’s launched, and, I think, cannibalise the other devices they sell,” he told Bloomberg.

Analysts say bringing the iPhone to a new network will help the company combat growth of other platforms, including Google’s Android OS.