iPAD 3 to release in early 2012?

Now that iPhone4S is out in the retail market (starting today) all eyes now focus on the next big release from the Apple stable and there are strong indications that iPad 3 may well be in the offing sometime early 2012. Though the exact date or month is not confirmed there are reports that iPad 3 is headed for production and predictions are on for a March 2012 release coinciding with the month that it release iPad 2.

If you had any questions about whether there are any takers for the iPad considering the competition from Samsung Tabs and its very own iPhone 4S then you should get ready to hear these numbers. Apple apparently sold 11.5 million iPads in the third quarter alone of this year and thanks to the holiday season Apple is likely to sell anywhere around the range of 13 million iPads in the fourth quarter.

However another bit of news that trickling around is that Apple may release smaller cheaper version of the iPad next year, though the timing cannot be predicted. Apple has already tasted success with this model with the iPod Nano and wants to repeat it with the iPad. How far Apple brings this to reality is yet to be seen. With the iPad (1 and 2) being very successful, it may not be a bad strategy to introduce the Mini, which will basically be showcased as a new product line and if it is cheaper then, penetration into developing countries may also be easier.