So it been released on the 16th March but Apple has only called it "the new iPad"

So my question is

What's it Called ?

iPad 2HD
iPad 2S
iPad 3
iPad 3HD

????????????????????????

Officially, "the Ipad". Unofficially, "3rd gen ipad", or "2012 ipad".

Apple themselves on the order form describe it as simply iPad ( 3rd Generation )

Looks like Apple are trying to get away from the numbering system. If you think of their other products you don't have an iPod Touch 4 or iMac 6.

However if they continue selling more than one years model in future it's going to become difficult for customers to differentiate between subsequent models. I guess shop assistants could just refer to them as 'the latest model' and 'last years model'.....

It's just 'The New iPad'

Well it's not an Ipad 2 despite it looking similar. Ipad 2 is sticking around at a lower price.

Does it matter what it's called though?

It does when things get confusing. For example, this time next year the New iPad will be the Old iPad.

It really won't be even slightly confusing. No more than anyone would be confused by last year's new iMac when this year's update comes out.

Seriously - are people just taking the piss with this, because I can't believe anyone could be genuinely confused.

Yes, but I bet the iMacs have different model numbers so the consumer and the shop assistant can easily establish what is required.

I actually can't tell if your winking at me because you think I don't know about iMac model numbers, or if you do know that iMacs don't have model numbers.

(Or, if they do, they're so in the small print, that it would be no different any to any model number an iPad might have.)

There's no model number on the iMac right in front of me now that I can see.

Just don't buy an original iPad (iPad 1) off eBay by mistake, thinking it is the latest iPad - because they both have the same name now.

Guess we'll just have to double check in in future, to make sure we are buying the latest model.

The only real way to tell is to go to Apple/About This Mac/More Info and then it says something like "Mid 2011"

Your argument was that nobody would be confused about the new iPad because nobody could be confused about iMacs.
I think I've just demonstrated that people can be confused about iMacs.

They are still selling iPad 2 so obviously if it was called 3 then the 2 would be more tainted.

I can see that it makes sense to get away from the numbered branding and expect the iPhone will go the same way with just a model number and a descriptor ( eg 3rd gen ) to differentiate the releases

Not really. Go into a store, and they'll be selling the current models. Unless you want to argue that for years people have been confused about which Macbooks or iMacs they've been buying.

I certainly wasn't confused when I bought mine! I have a Mid 2010 Macbook Pro 13". And yes I do my homework before buying and I should know as I bought it. Love it though and I don't want to use a PC again for a long time (except for the odd game)