Which is the next iPad that Apple is going to launch? Is it iPad 3 or should I say iPad 2 plus? After Apple’s launch of iPhone 4S on 4^th of this October, iPad 3/iPad 2+ is its next major release. Some of the techies also said that Apple may surprise everyone by launching it with iPhone 4S. However, Apple was not planning the same thing I guess.

Well, whatever it is, latest rumors say that we will not get to see it before spring of next year.

Most exciting iPad 3 features will include a retina display, A6 processor and iOS 5 operating system. Other features of iPad 3 that are assumed to be present are improved battery life, a few extra ports, camera and extra storage space.

Some say iPad 3 to be seen in January end while some say in June:

It has been heard that iPad 3 prototypes have almost been completed and its trial is to be held this month. Besides, rumors say that iPad 2 HD production has been cancelled by Apple. But according to most of the analysts, Apple will not be launching iPad 3 just after people are done with their holiday purchases. It was recently reported that Apple has been testing 9.7 inch displays having resolution of 2048 x 1536. S it seems that preparations are going on at a very fast pace.

However, the iPad 3 launch date is said to fall in June as one of the senior analysts, Kevin Krewell (Linley Group), says that the quad-core processor (A5) to be used as a base for iPad 3 will not be coming to Apple before June of next year. The processor will be using a “28 nanometer next generation technology” along with 3D technology. This is going to take a lot of time.

Why delay in iPad 3 release date?

iPad 3 is believed to be released sometime in 2012, probably in the beginning of third quarter. Several reasons have been quoted for the delay in iPad 3 release date. Those that seem to be good enough have been outlined here:

1) Lack of competition: Guess Apple has its own beliefs and strategies. Generally, the normal thinking of brands is to launch new products when they have to face minimum competition. However, according to the latest news, Apples is planning on delaying iPad 3 release date due to lack of competitors in the market. In fact, none of the other tablets are found to be a challenge for iPad 2 at present.

2) Switching to a new chip manufacturer: Samsung is responsible for the production of chips for iPad 3. According to latest rumors (as reported by CNET), Apple will soon be switching to TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) for the production of processor chips. Due to this, the iPad 3 launch date may shift to second quarter’s end (June). Besides, as TSMC has had a few problems with the new technology earlier also, so Apple won’t hurry up on anything.

3) iPad 2 is at its full swing: As said earlier, iPad 2 is enough to beat its contenders at present. Some techies say that even in near future (like a few months from now), none of the tablets would stand anywhere near it (even Sony).

4) Shortage of retina displays: Recently, it was being reported that Samsung and LG, the manufacturers of the display, are not producing sufficient number of units

What is Target up to?

According to the latest rumors, iPad 2’s availability has been seized by Target. If these rumors are true, then withdrawing iPad 2 units just before holidays is somehow a very strange move. Does it point that it is not very long before we have iPad 3 in our hands? I don’t thing so!

Apple shipping iPad 3 components:

According to Digitimes, Taiwan based manufacturing companies like Flexium Interconnect, Sunflex Tech and Career Technology has already commenced the shipping of PCBs’ required for iPad 3. It has also been reported that production units are running in full capacity in order to produce iPad 3 parts. PC World says that Apple will be starting iPad 3’s production in October.

Leaked out Dessembled Parts of iPad 3

Latest buzz says that for the last four months of this year, Apple has dropped down production orders of iPad 2 by 25%. Guess Apple is trying to make enough room for iPad 3. Soon enough, full fledged production of iPad 3 units is likely to start.

Updated iPad 3 Release Date to fall in Spring 2012, iPad 3 headed for production!

As covered by us on 16th October, yet again, we have the latest iPad 3 release date which was reported on 14th of this month by All Things Digital. iPad 3 is anticipated to be released in the first quarter of 2011, probably March as latest news says that it is undergoing the production phase. Analysts say that iPad 3 units have started moving up and down the supply chain and that Apple has already placed increased iPad production orders, which tend to include iPad 3 units also.
So, I guess, in Spring 2011 (March), all of you are expected to have the new iPad 3 gadget in hand!