Discover the latest Apple iPad 3 rumours, including release date, specs, price and features, for all the latest on Apple's next-gen tablet
While the invite itself does not explicitly confirm that the third generation of the Apple tablet will definitely be shown off, the message accompanying it which reads, 'We have something you really want to see. And touch.' suggests this is not as cryptic as iconic Apple event invites have been in the past.
Looking back to the announcement of the Apple iPad 2, the second gen iPad was unveiled by the late Steve Jobs on March 2nd and hit UK stores March 25th suggesting that the iPad 3 UK launch could follow suit.
Apple iPad 3 Specs
With a hit list of high-end features, the repeatedly rumoured array of Apple iPad 3 specs is a variable what’s what of cutting edge portable tech innards.
Tipped for inclusion on the second-generation Apple tablet, the iPad 3 is expected to play host to a higher resolution screen, similar to the Retina display offering found on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.
"The new display is capable of greater resolution than the current iPad, with more pixels on its screen than some high- definition televisions," an unnamed insider source announced recently.
"The pixels are small enough to make the images look like printed material. Videos begin playing almost instantly because of the additional graphics processing."
Elsewhere recent iPad 3 rumours have suggested the iPad 2 replacement will feature a form factor 1mm thicker than its predecessor with the increased internal space to be filled with the new display, an A6 quad-core CPU and improved optics for the rear-mounted camera.
Much like the Apple iPhone 4S the iPad 3 is tipped to sport an 8-megapixel rear-mounted snapper.
Further Apple iPad 3 specs mooted for inclusion are the introduction of a 128GB storage model, NFC technology compatibility and, at one point, a carbon fibre bezel.
Whilst not strictly relevant to UK users, the Apple iPad 3 is also reported to be heading to a number of US based network providers boasting high speed 4G LTE connectivity options, something that has long been called for since the introduction of the first 4G smartphones a couple of years ago.
Apple iPad 3 Pictures
Posing for the cameras on a number of occasions in a number of different guises, true Apple iPad 3 pictures have remained well hidden with all claimed shots casting a strong feeling of doubt around their validity.
Whilst one set of Apple iPad 3 pictures have suggested the tablet will feature a form factor similar to that of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, others have show a device largely similar to that of the current iPad 2 with an angled aluminium casing acting as one of the most svelte and sleekly designed tablets on the market.
Far form as tantalising as the mock up images of what an iPhone 4-esque iPad 3 design might look like, a number of leaked Apple iPad 3 pictures have outed the innards of the next tablet device with remodelled connectors and increased internal spacing making room for the largely expected new camera with integrated flash, Retina display and larger, improved battery.
Apple iPad 3: Stylus
Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously dismissed tablets that don’t use solely touchscreen technology in 2010, saying: “If you see a stylus, they blew it”. Now, however, it seems US-based Apple is coming around to the idea of bringing a dedicated pen to its iPhone and iPad devices, with the release of two new patents.
The first shows a heated electronic pen or 'stylus' - which could give better precision when used with iOS devices - that all pack capacitive touchscreens. Word is the heat will stop the end of the pen from wearing out, while the pen itself could possibly be docked in the iPhone or iPad to charge.
More interestingly, the second stylus wouldn’t work as a traditional virtual pen. Instead it will wirelessly communicate with the iPad or iPhone, allowing users to write information onto another source and have it instantly appear on their iOS device.
Both patents were filed back in January, prompting rumours it could be launched in conjunction with the Apple iPad 3 or future Apple tablet devices in the future although the launch of either of these is highly unlikely and not in keeping with the company’s trademark sleek styling.
Apple iPad 3: 3D display
It may not be on the top of the features list for most iPad users, but after French researchers found a way to create a 3D display without any other additional hardware, an iPad 3 3D model may not sound so ludicrous.
With the majority of the pre-release Apple iPhone display rumours focussing their collective speculation on the potential of an upcoming Retina offering, the potential inclusion of a 3D model is at best unlikely with the extra-dimensional tech widely un-required.
Apple has yet to embrace the resurgent visual format, and as the video below suggests it may not be so far away as many think.
Apple iPad 3: Thundebolt port
A USB port has been notably absent from the iPad and iPad 2, but with the introduction of Intel's Thunderbolt technology to the latest range of Apple MacBook Pro laptops, the fast peripheral input/output technology could be a more likely addition.
Thunderbolt which possesses a 10Gbps (or 1.25GBps) speed, and can support high-resolution displays, basically means you can transfer a full-length HD movie in about 30 seconds, and a year’s worth of 196kbps MP3s in around ten minutes.
Apple has worked closely with Intel on the development of the technology which is likely to be rolled out to other Apple devices, with future iPads a possible beneficiary.
Whilst a number of reports have suggested Apple will incorporate the Thunderbolt port technology within its next-generation tablet device, realistically it is unlikely that Apple will tarnish the aesthetic of its flagship portable device to offer quicker file transfers.
Apple iPad 3: iOS 5.1
When the iPad 3 rears its tablet-shaped head, it is likely the device will land as the launch device for the company’s next generation iOS 5.1 software. Following on from iOS 5 which was announced at WWDC 2011 last June before touching down within the iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1 is set to bring a few updates to the iDevice software.
Whilst pieces of code hidden within iOS 5 made reference to the iPad 3.1 and iPad 3.2 (presumable the Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models) recent reports have leaked an expected March 9th iOS 5.1 roll out with the third-gen tablet a likely companion for the software overhaul.
Apple iPad HD or iPad 2 Plus will launch instead of the iPad 3
If we don't see an iPad 3 this year, it may well be an updated version of the iPad 2 and sport the moniker Apple iPad 2 Plus as recent reports suggest.
Prior to the iPhone 4S arrival multiple reports were tipping the arrival of an iPad 2 Plus device alongside an iPhone 5 handset.
"There are some indications from the supply chain that Apple may look to introduce an iPad 2 Plus device as they put out a request for quotes from various component suppliers for this marginally different device," FBR Capital Markets analyst Craig Berger announced last year.
The marginal differences of the ‘Plus’ branded device is expected to extend to its display with the Apple iPad 2’s 132 ppi screen believed to be heading for a 250 – 300 ppi upgrade. Another possible addition to an iPad 2 Plus release is increased storage sizes.
Alternatively, sources have revealed that we will actually see the Apple iPad HD which will sport a high definition 2048 x 1536p resolution panel.
Apple iPad 3 price
The 16GB Wi-Fi model of the iPad 2 was a surprisingly reasonable £399 with prices continuing up all the way to £659 for the 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G edition.
Ahead of the iPad 2 successor’s announcement, it is believed that the third-gen model will simply replace the iPad 2 in terms of price points and range of models with any 128GB storage option likely to top the £700 price mark.