In Europe, a patent was filed by Apple for an iPad with a horizontal dock connector. If you want proof of its legitimacy, Ives and Jobs have both officially signed off on the document, which assumedly means they’re happy with it.
This is in conflict with what Engadget said earlier this month, that the landscape dock was an earlier design for the original iPad, that got discarded.
The patent spotted today also seems to be the same size and shape as the current iPad, which is in conflict with the majority of rumors, which suggest a smaller, slightly different shaped unit. Also, where’s the camera?
Written By 
Unless I’m crazy, there appears to be a small circle at the top of the drawing. This looks like the perfect spot for a front-facing camera to me.
Also, I fully expect Apple to keep the same dimensions. Everyone keeps talking about this new smaller iPad, but honestly that sort of takes away the main reason for the device’s existence. The whole point is to provide the same functions of an iPhone/iPod Touch in a much larger device. The current 9.7″ design feels just about perfect in size, in my opinion. Anything 7″ or smaller would make me think of an over-sized smart phone, instead of a tablet.
Besides… Apple is already selling 10″ iPads as fast as they can make them, at an entry price of $500. While there competitors are trying to sell 7″ tablets at an entry price of $800-$1000. What would be the motivation for Apple to shrink the iPad, and sell it for presumably less money? I guess the idea is that they need to head off the 7″ tablet market before their competitors get a foot hold. If those 7″ Android tablets were selling for $300-$400, I would agree that Apple might need to watch out for these devices. But they are selling for twice the price of an iPad in a smaller less compelling design.