Apple's iPad 3 Coming Early 2012 With Retina Display

Apple's upcoming iPad 3 is reportedly beginning its trial production by October, aimed for an early 2012 launch.

Sources familiar with the situation told the Wall Street Journal that Apple has ordered chips, display panels and other key components for the iPad 3. small quantities of components have been shipped for the tablet's sampling.

According to suppliers, the California-based technology giant has placed orders for a 9.7-inch screen device. The iPad 3 is expected to feature a high resolution Retina display of 2048 by 1536 pixels, double the resolution of the existent iPad. A Retina display would provide a wider viewing angle with a clearer display in direct sunlight.

Apple uses Retina Display in iPhone 4 which sports a screen resolution of 960x640. Apple explains Retina Display as: Developing pixels a mere 78 micrometers wide, Apple engineers were able to pack four times the number of pixels into the same 3.5-inch (diagonal) screen found on earlier iPhone models. The resulting pixel density of iPhone 4 -- 326 pixels per inch -- makes text and graphics look smooth and continuous at any size. Thus Apple could further optimize the iPad 3 screen similarly rather than increasing the screen resolution.

Suppliers will ramp up production and try to improve the yield rate for the new iPad in the fourth quarter before its official launch in early 2012, a source told the Journal. One component supplier estimated that as many as 1.5 million iPad 3s are to be developed in the fourth quarter as Apple runs production into next year.

While the official launch of the iPad 3 is said to be early 2012, Apple has not confirmed the existence and plan of its next generation iPad.

Earlier rumors suggest that the iPad 3 will come with an enhanced superior display, front and rear camera with flash, Quad-Core processor, a zippy processor, Thunderbolt technology, and iOS 5.

Other rumored features of the next iPad include a Thunderbolt port (that will make data flow and connectivity lightning fast), Wireless synchronization (user are expecting to finally bid adieu to the traditional wired connections).

A new SD card slot will also be expected which was previously absent in iPad 2. If rumors are to be believed then Apple will also introduce 3D to its upcoming tablet.

Apple's iPad 2 was released in March, just 15 months after its first-generation iPad. The iPad 2 sales has not yet slowed down, giving ample time for Apple to prepare the next iPad to keep Android under its feet.

While Android is a major player in the tablet market, they are yet to give tough competition for Apple. Apple's features are extensively varied from Android or WebOS or QNX which means loyal Apple fan base remains the same.

Expectations mount - while the iPad 2 was considered a mere evolution, the iPad 3 is set to bring a revolution in the tablet market.