Top iPad 3 Rumors Roundup: 2012 Release Date, A6 Processor and Other Features (PHOTOS)

Rumor mill has been buzzing about the next generation iPad, dubbed iPad 3, especially about its release date and specs.

Apple has not yet announced the release date of iPad 3, which is not surprising because the company is famous for its secrecy. But the question remains - will the new iPad be able to defend its turf and fend off challenges from its formidable rivals?

Apple is currently making 14 million to 15 million units iPads per quarter, according to DigiTimes. In January next year, Apple will drop the production to the rate of 4 million to 5 million units per quarter, in preparation for production of iPad 3.

According to rumors, the new iPad will feature Retina Display (2048x1536 pixels); 4G LTE; upgraded, powerful processor (quad-core?); better peripheral support; better cameras; thinner and lighter design, and, of course, Siri.

The most recent rumor even suggested that the iPad 3 will feature a transparent and rimless body. A video called "iPad 3 commercial " on YouTube showed a person using a rimless iPad 3 with holographic display to watch TV and browse pictures. It also predicts the iPad 3 will weigh 0.6 pounds and store 16GB. But few people believe this rumor with some even saying, "save this rumor for the iPad 5 or 6."

Click "Start" to see all the rumored specs of iPad 3.

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Most rumors suggest the new iPad would be released between mid-March and mid-April, ahead of the release of Apple's new generation iPhone (iPhone 5). But some also suggested that iPad 3 may arrive as early as February 2012 in memory of the birthday (Feb. 24) of its late co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, who passed away on Oct. 5.

According to a report from Nvonews, the successor of iPad 2 could roll out in March next year, but Apple may be forced to release the next generation iPad earlier, probably in February. The Nvonews said Amazon's $199 7-inch Kindle Fire tablet, the up-coming Microsoft Windows 8 OS, Android's 4G LTE tablets could force Apple to roll out iPad 3 as soon as possible.

The site also said many technology companies like HTC, Lenovo, Toshiba and Samsung, is trying to launch tablets powered by NVIDIA Tegra 3 dual-core processor, which can make them a big threat to Apple. This will also push Apple to bring iPad 3 to users' hands faster.

iPad 3 Release: Top 10 Reasons Why People Should Dump Their iPad 2

The iPad 2 has the same display as the first generation iPad. It is a 9.7-inch display with 1024 x 768 pixels. The display's resolution is good, but not the Retina Display as Apple fans expect. If Apple want to keep iPad ahead in the tablet race, iPad 3 should boast of retina Display display.

Apple is reportedly producing 2048x1536 display panels for the iPad 3, according to Analyst Richard Shim at DisplaySearch. It means users can enjoy movies, TV shows and pictures on the high resolution display of the new iPad.

According to reports, many fans want to see a 4G LTE(Long Term Evolution) version of iPad as the LTE can increase data downloads to broadband speeds. However, if the new iPad is released in early 2012, it is unlikely that the new iPad will get the 4G connectivity as even iPhone 4S do not have this feature.

Comparing to iPhone, the iPad 2's two cameras (a 0.3 MP front-facing camera and 0.7 MP rear-facing camera) are inferior. To beat Samsung Galaxy Tab line of tablets, iPad 3 should sport better, more powerful cameras.

Many sources indicate that iPad 3 could have the smaller and superfast docking port - Thunderbolt port (used in Apple's Macbooks), which allow the machine to transfer data as much as 20 times faster than USB 2.0. Rumors claim Thunderbolt port can make iPad 3 "an enterprise star".