Is this the back case of the next generation iPad?

A photo showing an iPad’s back aluminum case is believed to be part of the next generation iPad. The photo shows two holes for the 30-pin connector. One on the bottom and one on the side in order to be able to dock the iPad in landscape mode. This is similar to a patent published a few weeks ago.

However there are quite a few questions. One of the rumors for the next generation iPad suggests that the new device will look more like an iPhone 4 (flat back) than the current iPad. The part on the photo looks similar to the current model. In addition there are reports that the new iPad will include a mini USB port. It doesn’t look like the case in the photo has a hole for a USB port. Lastly, there are rumors that this was the original design of the iPad but for some reason Apple abandon the idea. So maybe this is just a case of an iPad design that never went to production.

Source: Mission Repair