iPad 3 Shipments Have Begun as Release Date Nears: Report

With just weeks left until Apple's anticipated official unveiling of the iPad 3, a Chinese blog claims to have leaked pictures of the next-generation tablet.

The Apple Daily has published unconfirmed pictures of an iPad 3 that looks much like the iPad 2. The pictures show the tapered back of the tablet and parts of its apparent inner mechanisms.

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The Chinese blog claims to have discovered an Apple A6 chip, which is the prime rumored processor of the iPad 3. It also says the new iPad will come with 4G connectivity as opposed to 3G found in the iPad 2.

The iPad 3 will come with a 9.7-inch Retina display, like the iPad 2, with a 2048×1536 resolution, according to the blog, which matches popular rumors.

The pictures show a camera, which the blog claims is an 8-megapixel camera to match the iPhone 4S and better the 0.8MP camera of the iPad 2.

If difficult to tell if the photos are legitimate, but all will be unveiled by Apple on March.7. In the meantime here is a roundup of the latest rumors:

Improved Display:

The iPad 2 has been heavily criticized for its 1024x768 resolution with owners complaining about unclear fuzzy images. The iPad 3 will undoubtedly come with a better display. It's rumored to quadruple its pixel destiny, but it's most likely to just double that of its predecessor, according to SlashGear.

The DigiTimes, who claim to have received information from Apple's supply chain, say the new display will boast an HD display panel with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels.

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.