iPad 3 and iPhone 5 to Be Released 2012

Apple will release iPad 3 and iPhone 5 next year as well as overhaul MacBook Air and iMac, a new report from Taiwan claimed. Taiwanese blog Digitimes, which has a decent track record, heard from sources within Apple's supply chain. Among that order are said to be flat panel modules and LED light bars for two iPad 3 prototypes, codenamed J1 and J2.

The iPhone 5 speculation may have died down after the iPhone 4S was released, but Apple rumours still abound as a report from DigiTimes has indicated it may be planning to overhaul its range of products in 2012, including the iPad, iPhone, iMac and MacBook Air.

The Taiwanese publication cited "sources in the upstream supply chain" who revealed that the products would be receiving upgrades, though no mention was made of the iPod.

An iPad upgrade is expected to arrive early in 2012, with iPhone and iMac getting similar treatment later on in the year.

Not a real iPad 3

Digitimes' sources highlight that "inventory of key parts and components for the next-generation iPads (i.e. iPad 3) will be sufficient enough for the production of two million units by year-end 2011."

Prototypes boasting different LED and flat panel requirements have also apparently been submitted to suppliers, code-named J1 and J2.

However, confusingly, in a separate report, Digitimes claims that the iPad to be launched in March 2012 would be seen as an update to the current iPad 2, not an iPad 3.

The 'real' third iteration of the iPad tablet will apparently not be arriving until Q3 2012 at the earliest.

"The iPad 2 upgrade will be thinner than iPad 2, and will offer longer battery life," the report read.

This falls in line with previous rumours that mass production on the iPad 3 would start in Q1 2012.

That said, it should be emphasised that at this stage these reports are speculation and as such should be taken with a pinch of salt.