Unnamed sources close to Apple's supply chain in Taiwan suggest that the next iPad launch could be coming on February 24, the same day as Steve Jobs' birthday.

With Christmas today comes the gift of another iPad 3 rumor, this one relating to the unannounced tablet’s release date. It’s February 24, the same day as Steve Jobs‘ birthday. At least according to unnamed sources “close to Taiwanese makers in the iPad 3 supply chain” speaking to Chinese-language newspaper Economic Daily News (via Focus Taiwan). It’s not clear if the date refers to a product launch or an announcement, though 9to5mac notes that Apple traditionally launches new products on Fridays, as February 24 is.

The sources say that employees at a number of companies known or believed to be working on the iPad 3 have been told to expect a heavy workload around the Lunar New Year. Apple manufacturer Foxconn reportedly isn’t allowing employees to take any more than five days off during the holiday. The word is that the iPad 3′s initial shipment “could exceed 4 million units.”

Remember that this is all rumor for now, and will likely stay that way until early next year. Even if there weren’t hard evidence to support it, there would be little doubt that a third iPad is coming soon. Apple is a company that likes sticking to a script, and the script clearly pegs another tablet announcement/launch for the start of the year. Yes, the iPhone 4S launch was shuffled just this year from the usual summer release to the fall. My money’s still on early ’12 for the next iPad though.

Showing 12 comments

  1. Dylan Hunt at 7:34am 25th January 2012 the 3D patent is too new for it to be included in the iPad 4G (working title)
  2. fransino43 at 10:47pm 7th January 2012 Ok Adam, call it already iPad 3D...
  3. Jane Andres at 11:28pm 1st January 2012 i can't wait to buy my new iPad 3. can you guys make it on Feb. 24 please ...
  4. ncbigleggs at 9:28am 27th December 2011 Hope they put an USB PORT on this one...
  5. Alexmrb1 at 7:10am 27th December 2011 Really? Could you put a REALISTIC type image?
  6. Mark Oakley at 5:57pm 26th December 2011 Oooh, another edge to edge glass rendered graphic..... *yawn*
  7. iMan at 7:03am 26th December 2011 You guys do realize you don't have to read every article...
  8. Richard Wills at 1:18pm 26th December 2011 who cares, just another piece of apple crap for suckers...
  9. Adele Holden at 3:59am 26th December 2011 calm doen all, it is just a pice of plastic and some bits
  10. Jeremy Rivera at 2:17am 26th December 2011 they better not i just got my effing ipad.
  11. Travis George at 2:14am 26th December 2011 who cares
  12. Israel Tamang at 2:04am 26th December 2011 Rumor! I've had it with rumors!
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