iOS 6 Running on iPads Ahead of iPad 3 Release Date: Report

Rumors have been circulating about a possible A6 chip in the highly anticipated iPad 3, but Ars Technica has published some analysis that suggests some iPads are already running on iOS 6 software.

It would seem highly unlikely that Apple would launch its iOS 6 software so close to the release of iOS 5, but Ars Technica traffic logs show that some ipads are already running the software.

The traffic log also suggests that some iPads are viewing the site with a 2,048x1,536 pixel display, which is one of the most popular rumors surrounding the iPad 3.

The analysis would suggest that Apple is either doing a test run on some of its new products, or some people who already have their hands on the iPad 3 have started using their devices that support these features.

According to CNET Apple's software has been spotted in traffic logs prior to their debut before. The tech site reports that the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion made an appearance some four months before it made its official debut.

Even if the iOS 6 isn't unveiled at the Apple event on March. 7, we might expect it at the Worldwide Developers Conference, where the iOS 5 software was revealed last year.

Here is a round-up of some of the rumors surrounding the iPad ahead of the upcoming release date:

Faster Processor:

The iPad 3 will likely come with a more powerful chip, perhaps the quad-core A6 chip. The first-generation iPad came with an A4 Chip and the iPad 2 followed with an A5 chip, which suggests the iPad 3 will follow suit and run on the A6 chip.

An A6 chip would double the power of the A5 chip that is currently used in the iPhone 4s and the iPad 2. An unnamed source, who claims to have an iPad 3 prototype, sent Boy Genius Report pictures of a diagnostic tool called iBoot, which states a chip model number that appears to be that of the A6 chip.

Better Camera:

The iPad 2's camera is another feature of the tablet that has come under strong critique, sporting a feeble 0.8 MP. The iPad 3 has a long way to go if it wants to compete with other tablets like the ASUS Transformer Prime, which currently boasts an 8MP, 3264 x2448 pixel, auto-focus, LED flash camera.

The iPad 3 will likely come with a much-improved camera, matching the quality of the 8MP camera of the iPhone 4s or better. The iPhone 4S not only improved its pixel capacity by 60 percent compared with its predecessor, but it also came with a larger custom lens that heralded a 2.4 aperture. More, the camera boasts advanced color accuracy, face detection and reduced motion blur.

Price:

While rumors continue to circulate about the possibility of two iPad 3 models -- one cheaper than the other -- it is likely there will only be one, which will fall under the same price range of its predecessor at $499 for its entry level model. The iPad 2 will likely drop to $399 and if Apple continues to sell the original iPad it will probably start at $199.

The iPad still falls among the more expensive tablets in the industry; the Amazon Kindle Fire is priced at $199, while the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet came in at $249.

Siri:

It's difficult to predict if the iPad 3 will come with Apple's popular voice assistant that debuted in the iPhone 4s, but it seems more likely than not. Siri is undoubtedly the most appreciated feature of iPhone 4s with her ability to understand voice commands, send texts and find local pizza joints. She was the main reason Apple iPhone 4 customers upgraded to the 4s despite there being little difference in the phones design. The implementation of Siri in the iPad 3 could give iPad 2 owners a similar incentive.