According to a Digitimes article and the folks over at 9To5Mac.com, the next generation of the Apple iPad will be released at the end of February 2011 - which is about 100 days from now.

As per usual Apple’s longtime hardware manufacturer, Foxconn will be doing the production with parts for the device coming from other suppliers as well. The initial estimate of how many iPads will be available is in the half million range.

Although originally the iPad 2 was scheduled for a January release it is being pushed back, according to sources, because of of firmware issues. The 9To5Mac people think it has something to do with the new FaceTime software which will be included with the new iPad along with a rumored gyroscope to be included in the device.

The pushed back release date for the iPad 2 is probably making those over at RIM in Waterloo pretty happy as their tablet, the PlayBook, is scheduled to come out “early 2011″. Therefore, the pushed back release date for the iPad 2 means not as many people will have already bought the Apple tablet before even looking at the PlayBook. For all we know, the PlayBook might even be released BEFORE the iPad 2 at this rate. Only time will tell.

Stay tuned for more updates as the tablet war heats up.

Also from 9To5Mac: “In a separate report, Digitimes says that Qualcomm will reportedly provide baseband chips for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 5 and iPad 2.”

For More Info See:

9To5Mac article [LINK]

Digitimes post about the iPad 2 release [LINK]

Digitimes post about Qualcomm supplying chips for upcoming Apple devices [LINK]