As far as rumors go, a newer iPad is set to launch in March of 2012. However, that isn’t to say that the new iPad will in fact be the iPad 3. According to sources from the supply chain, internally Apple does not view the new iPad as the iPad 3, rather an upgraded version of the famed iPad 2. Sources are saying the real iPad 3 will not be launching until Q3 2012 at the asbolute earliest.

A source went on to state:

“The iPad 2 upgrade will be thinner than iPad 2, and will offer longer battery life. Due to the Lunar New Year holidays in China in January, Apple has decided to start small volume shipments in the fourth quarter of 2011″

Regardless of when Apple decides to release the third iteration of their famed tablet, it continues to be the go-to tablet of choice for most and has set the industry benchmark for what people want, so Apple is in no real hurry to get it out.

[via DigiTimes]