Rumors have been flying thick and fast about the next-gen iPad 5 and point to a thinner and lighter tablet that will employ the G/F2 touchscreen, but what if the next-gen iPad were to be translucent?

Concept images of a translucent iPhone have surfaced on the Internet, and now 3D artist Ricardo Afonso seems to have envisioned the 9.7-inch iPad in an all-new translucent avatar as well.

Ricardo's concept depicts the iPad with a translucent screen, which incorporates a pair of metallic stripes both on top and at the bottom for the home button and FaceTime camera.

"Sometimes I like to imagine how the design of some electronic devices will be in the future. In the specific case of tablets and smartphones, I imagine them as just a rectangular piece of glass that blends perfectly with the surrounding environment, without any elements of the hardware that could visually disconnect the user from the content during the interaction, improving the level of immersion and the user experience," says designer Ricardo Afonso.

Ricardo used his expertise in CGI, and "observing the iPad as a starting point" created a 3D model of what he feels could be the next-generation tablet. He took elements from the current iPad and mixed them with "some advanced elements" like the translucent screen, which is at the heart of the innovative-looking device.

"As for the look of the operating system, I kept it pretty much the same as the current iOS, for when people see this concept can quickly identify it as an iPad," avers Ricardo.

Theoretically speaking, the iPad's motherboard seems small enough and could probably fit inside the top stripe. However, for such a svelte-looking design to work (without compromising on the look), an ultra-thin and super-efficient battery would be required, which does not detract from the design aesthetics.

From the usability perspective, a transparent iPad does not seem too practical, but as Ricardo notes "could this iPad concept become a real thing in a near future?"

We'll just have to wait and watch. If you'd like to experiment with the 3D model you can download it here.

Check out the translucent iPad in action in the video below.